News: May 2008

EU gives go ahead for cabotage

The European Parliament has just approved a framework project for cabotage. Cabotage is set to be limited to three pick-ups and deliveries in a foreign country within a seven day period, if this follows on from an international transport mission. The MEP’s are planning for a gradual easing of these restrictions, however, so that by January 1st 2014 road cabotage will be totally liberalised. They have also asked the Commission to undertake a study into the differences in terms of fiscal regimes and working conditions between the member states, in order to avoid social dumping. The Parliament has also redefined the criteria for carrying out the profession of road transporter. Amongst the criteria are: transport managers will have to prove their capacity to carry out this function via an exam, they must be a resident of a member state and have their operational premises in the same state, and they cannot be a director of more than four companies. www.truckeurope.net

Bus simulator for Denmark

Thales says it will deliver its first bus and coach driving simulator, called BUS3000, in partnership with Helsinki-based STC. The Finnish firm has already developed and delivered three bus-driving simulators for customers in Belgium and Finland. The new simulator will go to Danish training outfit TSU in the autumn. Thales says BUS3000 meets the European directive EU 2003-59 on driver training and will help experienced drivers meet the need for continued training when the directive becomes law. In the meantime, it will help train beginners and uses only six tonnes of oil equivalent a year, compared to 64 for a training vehicle. Mark Rouson, www.thalesgroup.com

More Volvo FL sleeper options

Hatcher says it has produced another sleeper variant. The new conversion is for the Volvo FL day cab and creates two separate sleeping areas. The cab is extended by 700 mm to take one bunk behind the seats with a second bunk in the cab roof, which has been increased by 900 mm.

Inside there are ample storage facilities for two sets of personal belongings. The conversion also comes with reading lights and space for a night heater, which Hatcher can fit. Optional extras include a microwave oven, a sunroof and aerodynamic aids. Richard Lawrence, www.splash.uk.net

Low-cost fuel economy

KPS Automotive Parts says its Hiclone fuel saving device works on cars, vans and trucks and can cut fuel consumption by between 10 and 20%. The firm says the stainless steel device fits in 15 minutes, has no moving parts and works for the life of the vehicle. "In the case of a Ford Transit van, as an example, two Hiclones are fitted in the air intake system," says Stephen Blake, commercial director. "Air drawn into the engine passes through them, improving the way it mixes with the fuel to give 10 to 20% better fuel consumption, better power and torque, quieter running and of course, lower emissions." Stephen Blake, www.kpsautomotiveparts.co.uk

Thermo King spends on green R&D centre

Thermo King is to spend a 'substantial' amount on its research and design centre in Galway, Ireland, to make it the firm's centre of excellence for 'green' technology development. The Galway site is one of 11 for the firm around the world and serves customers across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The team in Galway has already developed industry-leading and environmentally-friendly projects that include a patented cryogenic cooling system and the new SLX trailer refrigeration units that use 20% less fuel. Bram Robichez, www.eu.thermoking.com

September launch for UK Eurocargo

Iveco says it aims to launch its UK Eurocargo 7.5 to 18 tonne truck range this September. The move follows a recent international launch in Turin. "The new Eurocargo will arrive into a very buoyant truck market and one which has already seen our projected stock of the current model sold-out," says Andrea Bucci, Iveco's UK marketing director. The new trucks all get the automated EuroTronic transmission and Bucci says the firm will set prices for the new range soon, with Iveco dealers taking orders from June. James Keeler, www.garnett-keeler.com

Return to 60 tonnes in Netherlands

Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) and EVO are delighted with the lobbying which has seen the return of 60 tonne ecocombi’s. Following conclusive tests with the ecocombi’s, according to the Dutch organisations, a new series of tests had begun, but with 50 tonne combinations for reasons of security related to the condition of certain bridges and viaducts. According to a study, it would appear that a return to 60 tonnes is possible. This supports the point of view of organisations which believe that ecocombi’s have no negative impact on infrastructures. www.truckeurope.net

3663 fits wide-angle cameras to fleet

Nationwide food supplier 3663 has taken delivery of more than 100 wide-angle camera viewing systems from Recognix to help drivers when reversing. "The type of deliveries we make, all in city centres with people everywhere, means you need to see what's behind you," says Graham Rennie, 3663's director of fleet.

Originally the company fitted distance sensors to its fleet and then supplemented them with conventional rear-view cameras. Now it has moved to the Recognix system. "We've just started using them over the past few months and now use them on about 70% of our fleet," Rennie adds. "They offer a wider field of vision and don't have the same distorted image created by fish-eye lenses."

The distortion traditionally associated with such wide-angle cameras is removed by a computer-based system that converts the image from the camera into a flat-screen picture. "We install the camera and cable as normal and then connect them to the computer unit, usually in the cab, before linking to the LCD screen," explains Steve Rance, key account manager at Recognix.

The screens in 3663's fleet are fitted in the top corner of the cab and come on only when the vehicle is reversing. The ease of interpreting the images on the screen and the lack of distraction are important benefits of the system, according to Rennie. "It is a worry that drivers look too much at the screen and not enough at the mirrors, but it's not been a problem," he says.

The software has been Click here modified for 3663 to include safety lines that indicate the edge of the vehicle and distance lines to help work out the remaining distance between a vehicle and an object. "Camera systems have been around for a few years and we wanted to make them more usable and user friendly so you don't have systems fitted that drivers don't use," concludes Rance. Paul Howard, Motor Transport

2000 company heads at 31st IRU congress

The 31st IRU worldwide congress currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, has brought together some 2,000 transport company heads and political deciders from around 70 countries. The theme of the congress is: ‘Road transport as a vector of peace and prosperity’. Janusz Lacny, President of the IRU, said : "The theme of the congress will enable governmental authorities, political deciders, the media and the public at large to better understand the exceptional and irreplaceable role that road transport plays in interconnecting men and companies throughout all the countries and regions of the world". www.truckeurope.net

TNT expands green fleet

TNT is enlarging its ecological fleet by putting more than 100 electric and hybrid trucks into service in the UK, China and Australia. The English vehicles are supplied by Smith Electric Vehicles and will replace the same number of diesel vehicles. The mobilisation of these 7.5 tonne trucks will lead to a decrease in annual emissions of 1,299,000 kg of CO2 in the British Isles. In China, the supplier of the electric vehicles is called Dong Feng Motor Corporation. In Australia, the hybrid vehicles are supplied by Hino. www.truckeurope.net

Iveco's new Eurocargo makes its debut

Iveco's new Eurocargo makes its official debut today. The middleweight rigid's cab has been completely revised both inside and out where there is now a new hinged front panel with room for signwriting and a revised plastic front bumper with integral head lights. Bumpers and wheelarches are also now available in the same cab colour.

There's a new line-up of lighter five, six and nine-speed manual gearboxes with servoshift, although the big news for UK operators is that all right-hand-drive Eurocargo chassis will come with the ZF Eurotronic two-pedal auto as standard, complete with a software control package developed to optimise fuel economy. An alternative Allison torque convertor-type auto is also available on models from 7.5 to 12 tonnes.

The current range of Iveco's own four- and six-cylinder Tector engines is carried over to the new Eurocargo. All meet the Euro-5 emission levels, due from October 2009, thanks to Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).

Inside the revised Eurocargo cabin there's a revamped instrument panel, while the most frequently used controls - including the park brake - have been relocated closer to the driver. A larger steering wheel further reduces steering effort. There is increased storage space too and an uprated seat to further improve the Iveco's driver appeal.

On-road safety options include ASR, ESP and a Hill Hold function. A seat-belt warning system encourages the wearing of seat-belts and a warning alarm sounds if the driver's door is opened without first applying the park brake. Revisions to the braking system include larger-diameter, and thicker, brake discs and larger brake pads giving increased brake performance and reduced servicing costs. Brian Weatherley, Commercial Motor

Super-modern DB Schenker terminal in Salzburg

Works on one of the largest and most modern DB Schenker complexes have started at Bergheim, close to Salzburg in Austria. This complex represents an investment of 21 million Euros and will in particular serve as a transport hub for Europe. The surface area will extend to 80,000 m² with a 10,000 m² transhipment hall and 115 loading doors. A conveyor system will be able to handle 400 tonnes per hour, some 680 pallets. The new site will also benefit from excellent connections to road and rail. www.truckeurope.net

European Transport Barometer results presented during Truck Europe Forum

Launched in 2007, the European Transport Barometer is an annual survey conducted by Truck

Europe and Analytiqa, in 16 European countries simultaneously, with the support of leading national transport magazines. It provides a true pan-European perspective of trends and developments in Road Transport. Highlights of the results of this pan-European state-of-

the-market survey are going to be unveiled during the Truck Europe Forum in Berlin on June 3rd. For the first time, Truck Europe and Analytiqa will be able not only to present the highlights of this year’s barometer, but also to pinpoint evolutions year-on-year evolutions, on a country-by-country basis. The audience will be provided with quality economical data and analysis of transport activities, resulting from more than 2,500 web surveys and telephone interviews collected through standard procedures.

The presentations, case studies and panel discussions will provide one with a clear analysis of the latest evolutions in road transport activities. Conferences will focus on:

• Business Development in European Road Transport - focus on Russia

• The labour market crisis : solutions for the truck drivers shortage

• Future trends in Truck Fleet Management www.truckeurope.net

Launch of European Tellibox project

The European project ‘Intelligent MegaSwapBoxes for Advanced Intermodal Freight Transport’ (TelliBox) was officially launched in April. This involves a polyvalent transport unit which responds to European norms in terms of intermodal integration and operational optimisation. It will be able to be used just as easily by road, rail, waterway and maritime transport. A European consortium is to produce 3 optimised and certified prototypes which will be tested in a European intermodal corridor. www.truckeurope.net