Road train

Volvo NH15 BP tanker road train

A road train or land train is a trucking vehicle of a type used in rural and remote areas of Australia, Europe, and the United States, to move freight efficiently.[1] The term road train is mainly used in Australia. A road train has a relatively normal tractor unit, but instead of towing one trailer or semi-trailer, it pulls three or more of them.

History

Early road trains consisted of traction engines pulling multiple wagons. The first identified road trains operated into South Australia's Flinders Ranges from the Port Augusta area in the mid 19th century.[2] They displaced bullock teams for the carriage of minerals to port and were, in turn, superseded by railways.

During the Crimean War, a traction engine was used to pull multiple open trucks.[3] By 1898 steam traction engine trains with up to four wagons were employed in military manoeuvres in England.[4]

In 1900, John Fowler & Co. provided armoured road trains for use by the British forces in the Second Boer War.[3][5] Lord Kitchener stated that he had around 45 steam road trains at his disposal.[6]

A road train devised by Captain Charles Renard of the French Engineering Corps was displayed at the 1903 Paris Salon. After his death, Daimler, which had acquired the rights, attempted to market it in the United Kingdom[7]. It is shown in the No. 320 (No. 8. Vol. 12, February 23, 1907) edition of The Auto Title: The Renard Road Train, page 242.[8] Four of these vehicles were successfully delivered to Queensland, Australia, before the company ceased production upon the start of WWI.[9]

In the 1930s/40s, the government of South Australia operated an AEC 8×8 military truck to transport freight and supplies into the Northern Territory, replacing the Afghan camel trains that had been trekking through the deserts since the late 19th century. This truck pulled two or three 6 m (19 ft 8 in) Dyson four-axle self-tracking trailers. At 130 hp (97 kW), the AEC was grossly underpowered by today's standards, and drivers and offsiders (a partner or assistant) routinely froze in winter and sweltered in summer due to the truck's open cab design and the position of the engine radiator, with its 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) cooling fan, behind the seats.

Australian Kurt Gerhardt Johannsen is recognised as the inventor of the modern road train.[10] After transporting stud bulls 200 mi (320 km) to an outback property, Johannsen was challenged to build a truck to carry 100 head of cattle instead of the original load of 20. Provided with financing of about 2000 pounds and inspired by the tracking abilities of the Government roadtrain, Johannsen began construction. Two years later his first road train was running.[11]

Johannsen's first road train consisted of a U.S. Army World War II surplus Diamond-T tank carrier, nicknamed "Bertha", and two home-built self-tracking trailers. Both wheel sets on each trailer could steer, and therefore could negotiate the tight and narrow tracks and creek crossings that existed throughout Central Australia in the earlier part of the 20th century. Freighter Trailers in Australia viewed this improved invention and went on to build self-tracking trailers for Kurt and other customers, and went on to become innovators in transport machinery for Australia.

This first example of the modern road train, along with the AEC Government Roadtrain, forms part of the huge collection at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

Usage

Australia

Double-stacked trailers (with a small truck and gooseneck dolly as well) being unloaded at Timber Creek, Northern Territory, Australia

Double (two-trailer) road train combinations are allowed on some roads in most states of Australia, including specified approaches to the ports and industrial areas of Adelaide, South Australia[12] and Perth, Western Australia.[13] A double road train should not be confused with a B-double, which is allowed access to most of the country and in all major cities.[14]

In South Australia, B-triples up to 35.0 metres (114.8 ft) and two-trailer road trains to 36.5 metres (120 ft) are only permitted to travel on approved routes in the north and west of the state, including access to Adelaide's north-western suburban industrial and export areas such as Port Adelaide, Gillman and Outer Harbour via Salisbury Highway, Port Wakefield Road and Augusta Highway.[12]

Triple (three-trailer) road trains operate in western New South Wales, western Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with the last three states also allowing AB-quads (B double with two additional trailers coupled behind). Darwin is the only capital city in the world where triples and quads are allowed to within 1 km (0.62 mi) of the central business district (CBD).[14]

Strict regulations regarding licensing, registration, weights, and experience apply to all operators of road trains throughout Australia.

Road trains are used for transporting all manner of materials: common examples are livestock, fuel, mineral ores, and general freight. Their cost-effective transport has played a significant part in the economic development of remote areas; some communities are totally reliant on regular service.

The multiple dog-trailers are unhooked, the dollies removed and then connected individually to multiple trucks at "assembly" yards when the road train gets close to populated areas.

When the flat-top trailers of a road train need to be transported empty, it is common practice to stack them. This is commonly referred to as "doubled-up" or "doubling-up". See illustration. Sometimes, if many trailers are required to be moved at one time, they will be triple-stacked, or "tripled-up".

Higher Mass Limits (HML) Schemes are now in all jurisdictions in Australia, allowing trucks to carry additional weight beyond general mass limits. Some roads in some states regularly allowing up to 4 trailers at 53.5m long and 136 Ton. [15]

United States

In the United States, trucks on public roads are limited to two trailers (two 28 ft or 8.5 m and a dolly to connect; the limit is 63 ft or 19 m end to end). Some states allow three trailers, although triples are usually restricted to less populous states such as Idaho, Oregon, and Montana, plus the Ohio Turnpike [16] and Indiana East-West Toll Road. Triples are used for long-distance less-than-truckload freight hauling (in which case the trailers are shorter than a typical single-unit trailer) or resource hauling in the interior west (such as ore or aggregate). Triples are sometimes marked with "LONG LOAD" banners both front and rear. "Turnpike doubles"—tractors towing two full-length trailers—are allowed on the New York Thruway and Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), Florida's Turnpike, Kansas Turnpike (Kansas City - Wichita route) as well as the Ohio and Indiana toll roads.[17] The term "road train" is not commonly used in the United States; "turnpike train" has been used, generally in a pejorative sense.[18]

Europe

In Finland, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and some roads in Norway, trucks with trailers are allowed to be 25.25 m (82.8 ft) long.[19] Elsewhere in the European Union, the limit is 18.75 m (61.5 ft) (Norway 19.5 m or 64 ft). The trucks are of a cab-over-engine design. These have a flat front and a high floor about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) above ground with the engine below. The Scandinavian countries are less densely populated than the other EU countries; and distances, especially in Finland and Sweden, are long. Until the late 1960s, vehicle length was unlimited, giving rise to long vehicles to handle goods cost effectively. As traffic increased, lengths became more of a concern and they were limited, albeit at a more generous level than in the rest of Europe. In the United Kingdom in 2009, a two-year desk study of Longer Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) including options up to 11-axle, 34-meter (111.5 ft) long, 82-tonne (81-long-ton; 90-short-ton) combinations, ruled out all road train type vehicles for the foreseeable future. In 2010, Sweden was performing tests on log hauling trucks, weighing up to 90 t (89 long tons; 99 short tons) and measuring 30 meters (98.4 ft) and haulers for two 40 ft containers, measuring 32 meters (105 ft) in total.[20][21]

Trailer arrangements

A-double

A-double set with both tipping trailers elevated

An A-double consists of a prime mover towing a normal lead trailer with a ball hitch (or some other type of coupling) affixed to it at the rear. A fifth wheel dolly is then affixed to the hitch allowing another standard trailer to be attached. Eleven-axle coal tipping sets carrying to Port Kembla, Australia are described as A-doubles. The set depicted has a tare weight of 35.5 tonne and is capable of carrying 50 tonne of coal.[22] Note the shield at the front of the second trailer to direct tipped coal from the first trailer downwards.

Pros include the ability to use standard semi-trailers and the potential for very large loads. Cons mainly include very tricky reversing due to the multiple articulation points across two different types of coupling.

B-double

A B-double at a truck stop

A B-double (B-train) consists of a prime mover towing a specialised lead trailer that has a fifth-wheel mounted on the rear towing another semi-trailer, resulting in two articulation points. Around container ports in Australia there may also have what is known as a super B-double, i.e. a B-double with a quad axle lead trailer capable of holding one 40-foot shipping container or two 20-foot shipping containers, and the rear trailer being capable of the same with either a tri or quad rear axle set. However, because of their length and low accessibility into narrow streets, these vehicles are restricted in where they can go and are generally used for terminal-to-terminal work, i.e. wharf to container holding park or wharf-to-wharf. The rear axle on each trailer can also pivot slightly while turning to prevent scrubbing out the edges of the tyres due to the heavy loads placed on them.

Pros include fairly straightforward reversing since all articulation points are on fifth wheel couplings, and that the load is spread quite well due to the large number of axles. Cons mainly include the need for specialized trailers and the limited size of said trailers.

B-triple

Same as a B-double but with an additional lead trailer behind the prime mover.[23] These are run in most states of Australia where double road trains are allowed. There is one exception to that rule: B-triples are operated in Victoria, but by one operator, under a strict permit and on a dedicated route, between the Ford plants at Geelong and Campbellfield.[24][25][26] Australia's National Transport Commission proposed a national framework for B-triple operations that includes basic vehicle specifications and operating conditions that the commission anticipates will replace the current state-by-state approach, which largely discourages the use of B-triples for interstate operation.[27]

AB triple

An AB triple consists of a standard trailer with a B-Double behind it using a converter dolly, with a trailer order of Standard, Dolly, B-Train, Standard. The final trailer may be either a B-Train with no trailer attached to it or a standard trailer.

BAB quad

A BAB quad consists of two B-double units linked with a converter dolly, with trailer order of B-Train, Standard, Dolly, B-Train, Standard.

C-train

A C-train is a semi-trailer attached to a fifth-wheel on a C-dolly. Unlike in an A-Train, the C-dolly is connected to the tractor or another trailer in front of it with two drawbars, thus eliminating the drawbar connection as an articulation point. One of the axles on a C-dolly is self-steerable to prevent tire scrubbing. C-dollies are not permitted in Australia, due to the lack of articulation.

Dog-trailer (dog trailer)

Quad dog trailer

A dog-trailer (also called a pup) is any trailer that is hooked to a converter dolly, with a single A-frame drawbar that fits into the Ringfeder or pintle hook on the rear of the trailer in front, giving the whole unit three to five articulation points and very little roll stiffness.

Interstate Road Transport registration

In 1991, at a Special Premiers Conference, Australian heads of government signed an inter-governmental agreement to establish a national heavy vehicle registration, regulation and charging scheme, otherwise known as FIRS.[28]

This registration scheme is known as the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme. The requirements of the scheme were as follows:

If the vehicle was purchased to be used for interstate trade, no stamp duty was payable on the purchase price of the vehicle.

The vehicle had to be subjected to an annual inspection for roadworthy standards, which had to be passed before registration could be renewed.

With the registration identification; the first letter of the 6 digit identified the home state: W, Western Australia; S, South Australia; V, Victoria; N, New South Wales; Q, Queensland; T, Tasmania; A, Australian Capital Territory and C, Northern Territory.

Due to the 'eastern' and 'western' mass limits in Australia, two different categories of registration were enacted. The second digit of the registration plate showed what mass limit was allowed for that vehicle. If a vehicle had a 'V' as the second letter, its mass limits were in line with the eastern states mass limits, which were:

  • Steer axle, 1 axle, 2 tyres: 5.40 t (5.31 long tons; 5.95 short tons)
  • Steer axle, 2 axles, 2 tyres per axle: Non load sharing suspension 9.00 t (8.86 long tons; 9.92 short tons)
    • Load sharing suspension 10.00 t (9.84 long tons; 11.02 short tons)
  • Single axle, dual tyres: 8.50 t (8.37 long tons; 9.37 short tons)
  • Tandem axle, dual tyres: 15.00 t (14.76 long tons; 16.53 short tons)
  • Tri-axle, dual tyres or 'super single' tyres: 18.00 t (17.72 long tons; 19.84 short tons)
  • Gross combination mass on a 6-axle vehicle not to exceed 38 t (37 long tons; 42 short tons)

If a vehicle had an X as the second letter, its mass limits were in line with the western states mass limits, which were:

  • Steer axle, 1 axle, 2 tyres: 6.00 t (5.91 long tons; 6.61 short tons)
  • Steer axle, 2 axles, 2 tyres per axle
    • Non load sharing suspension 10.00 t (9.84 long tons; 11.02 short tons): Load sharing suspension 11.00 t (10.83 long tons; 12.13 short tons)
  • Single axle, dual tyres: 9.00 t (8.86 long tons; 9.92 short tons)
  • Tandem axle, dual tyres: 16.50 t (16.24 long tons; 18.19 short tons)
  • Tri-axle, dual tyres or "super single" tyres: 20.00 t (19.68 long tons; 22.05 short tons)
  • Gross combination mass on a 6-axle vehicle not to exceed 42.50 t (41.83 long tons; 46.85 short tons)

The second digit of the registration being a T designates a trailer.

One of the main criteria of the registration was that intrastate operation was not permitted. The load had to come from one state and be delivered to another state or territory. Many grain carriers were reported and prosecuted for cartage from the paddock to the silos. If, though, they went to a port silo, they were given the benefit of the doubt, as that grain was more than likely going overseas.

Signage

B double
Long Vehicle sign located on the rear bumper

Australian road trains have horizontal signs front and back with 180 mm (7.1 in) high black uppercase letters on a reflective yellow background reading "ROAD TRAIN". The sign(s) must have a black border and be at least 1.02 m (3.3 ft) long and 220 mm (8.7 in) high and be placed between 500 mm (19.7 in) and 1.8 m (5.9 ft) above the ground on the fore or rearmost surface of the unit.

In the case of B-triples in Western Australia, they are signed front and rear with "ROAD TRAIN" until they cross the WA/SA border where they are then signed with "LONG VEHICLE" in the front and rear.

Converter dollies must have a sign affixed horizontally to the rearmost point, complying to the same conditions, reading "LONG VEHICLE". This is required for when a dolly is towed behind a trailer.

Combination lengths

B-double
26.5 m (86.9 ft) max. Western Australia, 27.5 m (90.2 ft) max.
B-triple
up to 36.5 m (120 ft) max.
NTC modular B-triple
35.0 m (115 ft) max. (uses 2× conventional B-double lead trailers)
Pocket road train
27.5 m (90.2 ft) max. (Western Australia only) This configuration is classed as a "Long Vehicle".
Double road train or AB road train
36.5 m (120 ft) max.
Triple and ABB or BAB-quad road trains
53.5 m (176 ft) max.

Operating weights

Operational weights are based on axle group masses, as follows:

Single axle (steer tyre)
6.0 t (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons)
Single axle (steer axle with 'super single' tyres)
6.7 t (6.6 long tons; 7.4 short tons)
Single axle (dual tyres)
9.0 t (8.9 long tons; 9.9 short tons)
Tandem axle grouping
16.5 t (16.2 long tons; 18.2 short tons)
Tri-axle grouping
20.0 t (19.7 long tons; 22.0 short tons)

Therefore, a B-double would weigh 62.5 t (61.5 long tons; 68.9 short tons) (6 t or 5.9 long tons or 6.6 short tons + 16.5 t or 16.2 long tons or 18.2 short tons + 20 t or 20 long tons or 22 short tons + 20 t or 20 long tons or 22 short tons). A double road train would have an operational weight (without concessions) of 79 t (78 long tons; 87 short tons) (6 t or 5.9 long tons or 6.6 short tons + 16.5 t or 16.2 long tons or 18.2 short tons + 20 t or 20 long tons or 22 short tons + 16.5 t or 16.2 long tons or 18.2 short tons + 20 t or 20 long tons or 22 short tons). A triple is 79 t (78 long tons; 87 short tons) + 36.5 t (35.9 long tons; 40.2 short tons) (16.5 t or 16.2 long tons or 18.2 short tons + 20 t or 20 long tons or 22 short tons), giving an all up weight of 115.5 t (113.68 long tons; 127.32 short tons). Quads weigh in at 135.5 t (133.4 long tons; 149.4 short tons). Concessional weight additions (0.5–2.5 t or 0.49–2.46 long tons or 0.55–2.76 short tons per group) can see a quad end up weighing 149 t (147 long tons; 164 short tons). If a tri-drive prime mover is utilised, along with tri-axle dollies, weights can reach nearly 170 t (167 long tons; 187 short tons).

Speed limits

The Australian national heavy vehicle speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph), excepting:

  • NSW & Queensland where the speed limit for any road train is 90 km/h (56 mph).

In western Canada, LCVs are restricted to 100 km/h (62 mph), or the posted speed limit. Trucks of legal length (25 metres or 82 feet) may travel at 110 km/h (68 mph), or the posted speed limit.

World's longest road trains

Northern Territory 2AB-quad tanker road train. Trailer arrangement is B-double towing two tri-axle trailers.

Below is a list of longest road trains driven in the world. Most of these had no practical use, as they were put together and driven across relatively short distances for the express purpose of record-breaking.

  • In 1989, a trucker named "Buddo" tugged 12 trailers down the main street of Winton, Queensland.[29]
  • In 1993, "Plugger" Bowden took the record with a 525 hp (391 kW) Mack SuperLiner pulling 16 trailers, but a few months later this effort was surpassed by Darwin driver Malcolm Chisholm with a 290-tonne (285-long-ton; 320-short-ton), 21 trailer rig extending 315 metres (1,033 ft).[29]
  • There was some back and forth in the 1990s between Winton and Bourke, New South Wales, with the record finishing in Winton with 34 trailers.[29]
  • In 1999, the town of Merredin, Western Australia officially made it into the Guinness Book of Records, when Marleys Transport made a successful attempt on the record for the world's longest road train. The record was created when 45 trailers, driven by Greg Marley, weighing 603 t (593 long tons; 665 short tons) and measuring 610 m (2,001 ft) were pulled by a Kenworth 10×6 K100G for 8 km (5 mi).[29][30]
  • On October 19, 2000, Doug Gould set the first of his records at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, when a roadtrain made up of 79 trailers, measuring 1,018.2 m (3,341 ft) and weighing 1,072.3 t (1,055.4 long tons; 1,182.0 short tons), was pulled by a Kenworth C501T driven by Steven Matthews a distance of 8 km (5 mi).[29][31]
  • On March 29, 2003, the record was surpassed near Mungindi, New South Wales, by a road train consisting of 87 trailers and a single prime mover (measuring 1,235.3 m (4,053 ft) in length).[32]
  • The record returned to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on October 17, 2004, when Doug Gould assembled 117 trailers for a total length of 1,445 m (4,741 ft). The record nearly didn't fall, as the first prime mover's main driveshaft broke when taking off. A second truck was quickly made available, and pulled the train a distance of 1,500 m (4,921 ft).[33]
  • In 2004, the record was again broken by a group from Clifton, Queensland which used a standard Mack truck to pull 120 trailers a distance of about 100 metres (328 ft).[34]
  • On February 18, 2006, an Australian built Mack truck with 112 semi-trailers, 1,300 t (1,279 long tons; 1,433 short tons) and 1,474.3 metres (4,836 ft 11 in) long, pulled the load 100 metres (328 feet) to recapture the record for the longest road train (multiple loaded trailers) ever pulled with a single prime mover. It was on the main road of Clifton, Queensland, that 70-year-old John Atkinson claimed a new record, pulled by a tri-drive Mack Titan.[35][36][37]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "The productivity squeeze in Australian road transport". Advantia Transport Consulting. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  2. ↑ Fuller, Basil (1975). The Ghan: The Story of the Alice Springs Railway. Rigby. ISBN 978-0727000163.
  3. 1 2 Beavan, Arthur H. (1903). Tube, Train, Tram, and Car or Up-to-date Locomotion. London: G. Routledge & sons. p. 217.
  4. ↑ Layriz, Otfrie; Marston, Robert Bright (1900). Mechanical traction in war for road transport, with notes on automobiles generally. London: S. Low, Marston and Company. p. 20.
  5. ↑ The Illustrated war news. 29 November 1916.
  6. ↑ Wyatt, Horace Matthew (1914). Motor transports in war. Hodder and Stoughton. pp. 43–44.
  7. ↑ Burgess-Wise, David (2001-08-17). "A good idea at the time: Renard Road Train". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  8. ↑ Spooner, Stanley (1907). The Auto: The Motorist's Pictorial. Pictorial Press.
  9. ↑ http://www.farinarestoration.com/page4/page81/index.html
  10. ↑ View From The North - Episode Four: Roads North
  11. ↑ BBC Worldwide Limited, Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld, Australian episode
  12. 1 2 RAVnet (Map). Government of South Australia. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Heavy Vehicles". Main Roads Western Australia. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  14. 1 2 Hema Maps (Firm) & Martin, Ray. & Martin, Will. (2007), Australia truckies atlas [cartographic material] : the complete atlas for the professional driver / Hema Maps ; [cartography, Ray Martin and Will Martin] - ISBN 978-1-86500-426-6 ISBN 1-865004-26-X - has state by state routes and route restrictions I
  15. ↑ "Common Heavy Freight Vehicle Configurations - NHVR" (PDF). National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "Truck Driver's Guide Book"
  17. ↑ Fact #411: February 13, 2006 States that Allow Longer Combination Vehicles U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Vehicle Technologies Office http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/facts/2006_fcvt_fotw411.html
  18. ↑ "Gangway! Here comes a turnpike train!", The Times-News (Hendersonville, N.C.), Nov. 30, 1960, p. 7.
  19. ↑ "Effektive og miljørigtige lastbiler på de danske veje" (Press release) (in Danish). Transport og Energiministeriet. 24 November 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2008.
  20. ↑ The next environmental improvement - Long truck rigs Volvo Trucks Magazine 2008-10-03
  21. ↑ "Miljövänlig jättebil med timmer". Västerbottens-Kuriren (in Swedish). TT. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
  22. ↑ Muscat Trailer website
  23. ↑ COAG backs B-triple network Archived 2008-07-29 at the Wayback Machine., ntc.gov.au
  24. ↑ Rail Geelong - Locations : Ford Siding, railgeelong.com
  25. ↑ Clay Lucas, "Victorian councils want no truck with B-triple monsters", October 20, 2008, theage.com.au
  26. ↑ Safety fears over B-triple truck plan, August 8, 2008, Geelong Advertiser.
  27. ↑ Bereni, Matthieu; Rob Di Cristoforo (2012). "Connecting Australia with Modular B-Triples". Transportation Research Record. Washington, D.C. 2288 (2288): 57–65. doi:10.3141/2288-07.
  28. ↑ Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill 1998 (Bills Digest 192 1997-98)
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 Doug's Tug Archived 2009-09-30 at the Wayback Machine., the pick & shovel (13), December 2000.
  30. ↑ The Truck Pull : The World's Longest Road Train, marleystransport.com
  31. ↑ World records : Preparations for the Big Attempt Archived 2009-04-12 at the Wayback Machine., gouldtransport.com.au, quoted from The Kalgoorlie Miner, Friday November 10, 2000.
  32. ↑ TALKIN' TITAN TOUGH, November 21, 2005, macktrucks.com.au
  33. ↑ Monster Update : ROAD TRAIN RECORD Archived 2009-08-26 at the Wayback Machine. Fleet Watch,
  34. ↑ Former road train record holder may take on new challenge, 22 February 2006, ABC News online,
  35. ↑ Australia's New World Record Road Train Pull, thedieselgypsy.com
  36. ↑ Qld truck driver sets world's longest road train record, February 19, 2006, ABC News.
  37. ↑ Bulldog Reclaims Record Down Under, macktrucks.com
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