Effects of harmonization of the maximum vehicle gross weight of heavy vehicles within the European Union : contribution to the Workinggroup G-4 session of the PIARC XXth World Road Congress, September 3 to 9, Montreal, Canada

The most important results are presented of a research project on the consequences of the harmonisation of the weight of heavy vehicles within the European Union (EU). This study focuses on the maximum permitted weight of heavy freight combinations. The aim of harmonisation is to ensure fair competition within the entire EU. In this study heavy vehicles are defined as combinations with a maximum combination gross weight of more than 30 tonnes (4 axles or more). In all the calculations it is assumed that EU harmonisation does not refer to solo vehicles, which have to comply only with national legislation. Contains the following subjects: the transport market, the development of goods flows, harmonisation alternatives, harmonisations effects for the year 1990 (changes in number of journeys and vehicle kilometres and changes in the emission of pollutants) and the forecast for 1997 in relation to 1990.