High Capacity Transport (HCT)
From the first of December 2023, 34.5-meter-long trucks may drive on parts of Sweden's roads.
The introduction of longer vehicles is an issue that has been investigated for almost 15 years and 10 years ago, in 2012 started the High Capacity Transport (HCT)-project on CLOSER. CLOSER has since been the hub for the research conducted within the program.
The journey continues, now the appropriate road network must be opened and this requires cooperation between all road managers
"It feels very good that now, after 15 years of research, we are taking the first and important step in the implementation of 34.5 m, mainly in view of the environmental and financial gains that exist.
In order to get the full benefit, however, it is required that the vehicles can get all the way to the terminal and there the municipalities have an important role as that part is almost always on municipal roads."
Says Thomas Asp, Project Manager, HCT, CLOSER
"The road network designated by the Swedish Transport Administration for longer vehicles is a big first step for us to implement longer vehicles in our daily traffic. To do this, however, we are dependent on the municipal roads being opened up for this traffic. Therefore, we hope that all municipalities will have a clear and smooth process for allowing longer vehicles.
Ylva Öhrnell, Sustainability Manager, DHL Freight.
The government decided in 2022 that 34.5-meter-long trucks can now drive on Sweden's roads, which has been made possible thanks to solid work within CLOSER's network, a decision that will become reality on the first of December this year. It will bring great environmental and cost gains not only for the Swedish transport industry but also for Sweden as a whole.
Initially, the opening will take place for two different vehicle combinations and on an almost 600-mile state road network. To get the first and last bit, a municipal road network will also be added. Opening of additional road networks will take place in the summer of 2024, and here large parts of Sweden's business community have the opportunity to make proposals for additional roads to municipalities and the Swedish Transport Administration. When it comes to the municipal road network (and sometimes also state ones), it is important to also see if the load-bearing capacity for roads and bridges needs to be increased, as it should be BK4-classified and at least BK1.
The part of the road network that is now being opened is mainly parts of the European road network. In order to look at the possibilities of opening additional road networks, a number of tests will continue, mainly those focused on traffic safety issues, but there is also research into the possibility of electrifying the HCT vehicles.
The desire for additional state connection roads
There is still the possibility of supplementing with more state connection roads. The Swedish Transport Administration continues to conduct dialogue with municipalities in connection with the designated road network during the autumn of 2023.
Requests and needs for additional state connection roads need to be received by the Swedish Transport Administration by 31 December 2023 at the latest.
The additional state roads recorded during the autumn can hopefully be included in the road network on 1 July 2024.
Vehicle requirements
For it to be possible for a road operator, the Swedish Transport Administration or a municipality, to prescribe to allow long trucks (vehicle trains) up to 34.5 meters, it is also required that there are vehicle requirements decided, something that the Swedish Transport Agency is responsible for. The vehicle requirements have been under review in the spring of 2023 and came into force on 15 September 2023. See also link below for more information on the Swedish Transport Agency's vehicle requirements.
The innovation journey for HCT
Take part in the innovation journey for the HCT project where several actors played and still play a major role in the development and implementation of HCT on the Swedish roads. You can do this either in video format or in report format.
The innovation work continues
"There are also remaining research questions, for example to be able to open additional road networks, so a pilot project is needed where traffic safety issues are looked at and another thing is how the 34.5 m vehicles can best be used "practically" in the logistics system"
says Thomas Asp, Project Manager, HCT, CLOSER
HCT Duo Demo
Projects within the HCT program implemented.
In the Duo2 project, two parallel pilots are underway between Gothenburg and Malmö with the goal of reducing vehicle fuel consumption by up to 20%.
Do you want to know more about Duo2?
What are the effects of allowing HCT for transport to/from combi terminals?
The study was initiated by CLOSER and was carried out as a continuation of the work that CLOSER and the Swedish Transport Administration have jointly carried out within the framework of the HCT programme .
The work analyzed the potential effects regarding transport efficiency, environment and costs that could arise if HCT was used to a greater extent for transport to and from intermodal railway terminals. Furthermore, it was studied what possible obstacles there are to introducing HCT transport in Sweden on a wider front. The work also included extensive monitoring of the environment in which the majority of combi terminal owners/operators, transporters and experts within the academy were interviewed.
The results of the study show great potential effects of HCT in the form of reduced emissions and reduced transport costs by up to 15%.
News on HCT
Status on High Capacity Transport (HCT) 2023
On the first of December, 34.5 meter long trucks are allowed to drive on Sweden's roads
Cross-border knowledge-sharing to reduce CO2 emissions
Really long trucks will soon be driving on Sweden's roads
Event
Nordic HCT Conference 2023
Nordic HCT conference 2024
To control the HCT program, we have a working group that convenes four meetings annually in which both those responsible for each work package and other members of CLOSER participate.
We have also developed a roadmap for HCT with a series of measures to be implemented in the coming years.
Work packages within HCT. (English version will be available soon)
If you want to know more about High Capacity Transport, get in touch with
