Long trucks will cut congestion and help environment, says Danish Transport Ministry
Next month, Danish Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen will present a bill that shall legalise the use of trucks of up to 34 metres on selected roads on a trial basis.
Next month, Danish Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen will present a bill that shall legalise the use of trucks of up to 34 metres on selected roads on a trial basis.
The trial initially allows long trucks and double trailers to drive on the country’s road network between Aarhus and Høje-Taastrup.
“We have to make the best use of roads, and therefore we are opening up to be able to drive extra-long trucks where the roads allow it. When a single truck can carry more, it results in less CO2 and fewer vehicles on the roads, and is therefore both a win for the climate and for congestion,” says Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen.
The Danish Department of Transport adds that minor adjustments to the state road network will have to be made to accommodate the extra-long trucks.
As an example, the authorities have referred to so-called switching places, which provide the room for double trailers to be attached/detached before the vehicle heads back out onto the road network.
Moreover, the Danish Transport Ministry says it is drawing up cooperation agreements with neighboring countries to allow cross-border transports with double trailers. This would mean, for example, that Swedish trucks with double-trailers can continue on Danish roads without reloading before crossing the border.
The bill on double trailers is expected to be tabled in the Danish Parliament in October and to come into force on 1 January 2024.
The trial period will last 5 years, after which there shall be an evaluation on whether to allow the use pf longer trucks across the country.
