Recommendations for EC Wide regulatory framework (legislation) on dimensions and loads of vehicles

This deliverable entitled 'Recommendations for EC wide regulatory framework (legislation) on dimensions and loads of vehicles' is based on the work done in the WP5 which has been described in the deliverables D5.1, D5.2, D5.3 and D5.4. The impact of the TRANSFORMERS solutions on existing infrastructure has been assessed, by comparing it to reference vehicles.This deliverable summarizes in the first chapter the results of these previous deliverables and gives some first recommendation for regulation: the TRANSFORMERS solutions are only marginally more aggressive for existing infrastructure than existing vehicles. The aerodynamic features have neither impact on pavements, bridges nor on safety barriers. However, the double floor feature and the addition of the electric drivetrain (HoD system) (and in particular the battery) below the semitrailer have an impact on the height of the centre of gravity of the truck, and thus on the impact on safety barriers in case of a crash. The first recommendation is that the extra tonne allowed on the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of a rigid truck for alternative fuel technology, engines, batteries or any other related components, should also apply to articulated vehicles using alternative fuel technology in the tractor and/or semi-trailer unit. Then, based on the TRANSFORMERS deliverables, it is also recommended to examine how good guidance on the load distribution and loading of trailers and semi-trailers (impact on safety barriers, dynamic behaviour of the truck) and on the longitudinal load distribution, i.e. the balance of axle loads (impact on pavements and on bridges) could be provided to road freight transport operators and shippers on a general, systematic basis and how compliance could be verified. Additionally, the European Directive on commercial vehicle weights and dimensions1 could be complemented in a future revision with some rules on the longitudinal and vertical distribution of loads. This could be achieved using on-board weighing sensors for self-control, as already mentioned in article 10d of the Directive.The third chapter compares the effect of the TRANSFORMERS vehicles with the effect of an articulated vehicle with a 44 tonne maximum authorized weight. The advantages and the drawbacks of the 44 tonne-articulated vehicle combinations are highlighted. As this 44 tonne-vehicle combination is allowed in many European countries nowadays, some recommendations on use of alternative fuels technology are made.