Dedicated real-time information for the freight community.
Widespread consultation led to the implementation of dedicated Internet portals for the freight community along the Atlantic Arc and transalpine region. The user-friendly portals, accessible from personal computers and terminals positioned strategically along the motorways, provide real-time multi-modal traffic and local service information, maps and other features that will contribute to providing a better travel experience.

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A quick look at other initiatives in Europe

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Initial consultation among road operators, drivers, freight forwarder managers point to the same concerns throughout Europe.

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We’d like to hear what you think and let others know of the hot topics so that we can speak about it in the future editions of this newsletter . Please send all your feedback to Xavier Crassous.
(xcrassous@ibigroup.com)

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back to HGV Management Forum

This newsletter is the first of a series from a group of European road operators (Long Distance Corridor project partners) who share similar challenges in freight traffic management. This communication is destined to inform all stakeholders of best practices, new projects and pilot programs related to freight traffic management and the well-being of professional drivers.

This letter is distributed twice a year in June and December . We encourage widespread distribution to all interested parties and constructive feedback

This is a first edition which only covers a small part of all interesting activities that are undertaken in various areas across Europe. The letter is a common promotion space that can be used to advertise any experience related to the management of freight on the TERN. So don’t hesitate to contact us for inclusion in the next release.

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44% of intra-European freight is transported by road. Efficient road freight transportation is a critical factor in Europe’s integration and economy and specific measures can be taken to reduce congestion and improve traffic management and levels of service.

Following consultation with industry stakeholders, the issues below have been identified as major challenges and concerns to the development of a seamless and efficient pan european road freight network

• Involvement of HGV into Accidents
• Illegal parking resulting in a lack / poor management of space in rest areas.
• Safety, especially at parking areas
• Language barrier
• Local regulations, with respect to speed limits, load, working hours.
• Lack of standardized training.
• Lack of coordinated information and poor distribution to interested parties, especially HGV drivers.
• Crisis management, especially during adverse weather conditions.

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Optimising HGV Parking
A telematics-controlled parking for trucks has been tested in the CENTRICO area of Rheinland-Pfalz to alleviate congestion at motorway parking lots, especially during evening peak hours.

Figure 1 : HGV parking congestion from the sky

The parking area entrance is equipped with a terminal and barrier where the driver details his/her estimated departure time and parks according to his schedule and vehicle size in order to optimize space in the parking area. Congestion has been reduced by an estimated 40%.

  
Figure 2: Optimised parking arrangement

for further information: Schuster, Dr.-Ing, LSV (Road Administration), Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

Below are some additional ‘hot topics’ worth mentioning.

• UK : The Highways Agency (HA) has set up a focus group that evaluates the implementation of real-time traffic information on internet terminals and display screens along rest areas and Cross Channel and Irish Sea freight lounges in addition to freight-specific information on the Information Line (HAIL).
• France : SANEF has recently opened a secured and guarded rest area around Paris. Drivers have access to restaurants, shops and showers while their goods are safe. Although the current use of the parking is below expectations, the low entry fee and increased information are likely to make this iniative better known to lorry drivers . Other similar areas have recently opened along the motorway network in France.
• Trans-Alpine: FIMSAA (Freight Information Management System for the Alpine Area). Local regulations, especially for transports of extra-heavy and dangerous goods, have impeded the development of integrated and seamless cross-border freight traffic. Also the low level of information and the lengthy authorization procedures between countries generate delays and thus higher costs for the operators, especially if the authorised route has to be altered while the transport is already on the road.The FIMSAA initiative, which was launched in 2003, aims at designing a transalpine management and route planning system for HGVs carrying extra-heavy and dangerous goods. It started with testing a IT based athorisation procedure. FIMSAA is part of the Euroregional CORVETTE project.
• Europe-wide : Sharing best practices through the HGV Traffic Management forum. The forum is a framework in which HGV traffic technical and operational management is discussed. Several best practice, PR and marketing events are scheduled this year and comprise a broad range of issues ranging from cross-border HGV traffic management to multi-modal platform cooperation and HGV parking. This letter is part of this initiative.

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We’re looking forward to your feedback and we are very interested in your comments. Would you be interested to participate in a workshop which would provide insights to best practices and round tables to discuss and further develop innovative solutions to the challenges posed to the freight community? Email your comments to Xavier Crassous at IBI Group, xcrassous@ibigroup.com

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It is only by building a broad community that we can provide tangible results. Please forward this newsletter to all interested parties within the freight industry. If you would like to subscribe, send an email with your position, company and contact details at xcrassous@ibigroup.com. SUBSCRIBE

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The next edition is open to suggestions and could include the following topics:

• HGV parking safety. What best practices
• HGV prohibition to overtake. The outcome of an evaluation study in the Netherlands and when is it a valuable option.
• EFC –specific added value services provided within the OBU.

In the meantime, tell us your best stories so we can add them in the future editions.

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In July 2003 the CENTRICO, STREETWISE and CORVETTE Euro-Regional Projects decided to provide joint-initiatives to support traffic over a so-called Long Distance Corridor (LDC). This project targets primarily the freight industry and intends to exchange and share best practices and experiences to improve levels of service, information and the general management of freight traffic along this corridor.

www.longdistancecorridors.info

The Euro-Regional Projects

Euro-Regional Projects are transnational ITS-based initiatives aimed at improving safety and fluidity, coordinating traffic management strategies and fostering an interoperable system on the Trans-European Road Network. The three projects, namely CENTRICO, STREETWISE and CORVETTE are funded by the European Commission’s DG-TREN.

www.centrico.org
www.streetwise-info.org
www.eu-corvette.com

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This newsletter is prepared in the context of the Long Distance Corridor Workpackage 3 and is supported by the European Commission’s DG-TREN Centrico project.Conceived and edited by IBI Group , with the support of LDC partners and the contribution of the organisations mentionned in this edition.

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