Body Magazine - Body Builder
Here you can find the latest Commercial Vehicle bodybuilding news from BODY Magazine.
UK-Only Trial of Longer Semis
The Department for Transport is conducting a trial of 1800 longer semi-trailers, starting in January 2012. The trial involves 900 semi-trailers of 14.6m in length (ie 1 metre longer than the current maximum), and a further 900 semi-trailers of 15.65m in length (ie 2.05 metres longer). This would bring the total maximum length of the articulated vehicle to 17.5 metres for the first trial category and 18.55 metres for the second. The trial will provide the opportunity to establish the impacts of each length.
The longer semi-trailers will be required to operate within the UK’s existing domestic weight limit (44 tonnes for vehicles of 6 axles). Participation in the trial is on a voluntary basis and at the participants’ own risk; the Department will provide no guarantee that the use of the longer semi-trailers will continue to be permitted beyond the end of the trial period. The trial will run for a maximum of 10 years, to enable participants to recover the costs of their investment in the longer semi-trailers.
The Department has appointed Risk Solutions, experts in strategic risk management, to be the independent trial monitoring body. Risk Solutions will monitor, amongst other things, the impact of the longer semi-trailers on carbon emissions, lorry miles and accident rates, producing regular reports.
Demand to operate the 1800 semis has outstripped availability and the DfT has tried to be fair in the way it has allocated places. Those successful operators will have to apply to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for Vehicle Special Orders (VSOs) permitting the operation in commercial service of the longer semi-trailers. Participating vehicles will have to have to annual roadworthiness testing; and operators have to provide trail monitoring information to Risk Solutions; ensure that drivers are appropriately trained; and inform the Department immediately if a longer semi-trailer is involved in a serious accident.
A new website has been set up: http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/freight/road-freight/longer-semi-trailer-trial
New President for European CV Council
Harrie Schippers, President of DAF Trucks, will chair the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board in 2012. taking over from Alfredo Altavilla, CEO of IVECO S.p.A. Mr Schippers remarked ‘2012 will be challenging in light of the uncertain development of the economies in major markets around the world and in particular in Europe, where it is extremely important that confidence in the Eurozone be restored. The European commercial vehicle industry strives to maintain its leadership in safety and environmental technologies, thereby contributing to sustainable growth in Europe and abroad. We need a stable environment to underpin our long-term investment strategies.
A main priority for the commercial vehicle manufacturers remains the further improvement of fuel and energy efficiency in order to contribute to global CO2 emission reduction objectives. The industry, in particular, supports the European Commission’s efforts in establishing an accurate methodology for measuring full-vehicle CO2 emissions to underpin subsequent reduction policy tools. European commercial vehicle manufacturers are committed to a further 20% improvement in fuel efficiency by 2020 (compared to 2005 levels) despite the reverse pressure on fuel economy caused by parallel steps to reduce pollutant emissions. currently employs about 1.5 million people directly and indirectly in Europe. The members of the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board are Daimler Trucks, DAF Trucks, IVECO S.p.A., MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Volvo Group.
Know the Law
We have a copy of the 2012 Freight Transport Association Yearbook of Road Transport Law to give away. Email body@vbra.co.uk by 29 February and we’ll put your name into the hat*. The 456 page Yearbook is clearly written with concise information on a wide range of topics relevant to anyone working in the transport industry. It’s a great general guide to transport law and is priced at £79 (£37 for FTA members).
* The editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
VBRA Briefing Updates Bodybuilders
The VBRA has issued 5 datasheets summarising the current state of play with regard to Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA). WVTA was introduced to improve vehicle safety across Europe through uniformity and approval of the building process. Compliance dates for the registration of new vehicles vary depending on the type of vehicle.
‘It is a complex set of legislation that is now being implemented across the EU. VBRA has been guiding bodybuilders through the process for well over 4 years now, with positive results for all’. Malcolm Tagg, VBRA Director General continues, ‘Through Ron Cocker, VBRA Type Approval manager, we will continue to work with VCA, VOSA and others including OEMs to build the additional information members will need to proceed further. Fuller support is available to Toolkit adopters now’.
More information is available on www.vbra.co.uk; www.wvta.co.uk; 0113 253 8333.
Vosa Update
1.VOSA has produced ‘A guide for horsebox and trailer owners’ to help them stay compliant with road rules. It can be downloaded from
www.vosa.gov.uk/horsebox-guide
2. A list of facilities offering large vehicle testing services, including their opening times, is now available on the government’s central database www.data.gov.uk . This central data store brings together government data in a searchable website.
3. Annual vehicle tests are changing, for the first 3 months of 2012 as ‘advisories’ to allow familiarisation. The changes affect brakes, steering/suspension, lights and other new test areas. Once the advisory period is passed, vehicles may fail the test so make good use of the familiarisation period to understand what is required.
New inspection manuals plus a training presentation with notes can be found at www.vosa.gov.uk/vehicle-testing-manuals-and-guides
4. Changes on holding and applying for O-Licences have arrived, resulting in a new UK register of operators and transport managers. It includes goods and passenger vehicle operators in Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
Small Trailers towed by a vehicle under 3.5 tonnes and used for hire or reward are no longer exempt from operator licensing. Check the rules at www.vosa.gov.uk/operator-licensing-guides or email enquiries@vosa.gov.uk
5. VOSA’s 150th Authorised Testing Facility was opened at Gulliver’s Truck Hire Ltd in Brownhills, Walsall offering open access vehicle testing of trailers, heavy goods and public service vehicles five days a week.
6. The VOSA annual effectiveness report is now available online, with a comprehensive array of vehicle testing failure statistics. You may be able to pinpoint areas your company can help transport operators avoid test failures, and boost your sales to customers as well as improve customer loyalty.
Cargo/Load Securing Systems
One little-known consequence of the revisions that came into effect in July 2011 to Annex II of the Type Approval Directive is the requirement for integral vehicles in categories M1, N1 and N2 (up to 7500kg) GVW to have load retention for the cargo by either a full or part bulkhead and floor rings that can be used with straps and a form of webbing or net. The provision of the straps and webbing or net is an integral part of the requirement. This mandatory obligation is based on an ISO standard ISO27956:2009 and is a mandatory requirement when applying for type approval for this type of construction or conversion.
For the full technical briefing, email wvta@vbra.co.uk
Keeping Horses Safe on the Road
VBRA has recently added purchasing guidance for buyers of horseboxes to its publicly-available download material on www.vbra.co.uk. This follows a number of calls to VBRA head office from purchasers of horseboxes looking for reputable horsebox builders.
VBRA Director General Malcolm Tagg reiterates that it is essential that horsebox builders ensure that buyers are clear about the load restrictions for the design of horsebox they are considering purchasing. ‘VOSA has made it clear that overloading and poor weight distribution are unacceptable. VBRA horsebox builders are able to advise customers on the rules. Through our website and this new download we can reinforce the correct practice for all’.
LEZ Changes from 3 Jan Explained
FTA’s Member Advice Centre has clarified the arrangements for the issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) to operators following the changes to the Low Emission Zone scheme in January. From 3 January 2012:
• Lighter vehicles and large vans over 1,205kg unladen weight but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (gvw), minibuses with more than nine seats but below 5 tonnes gvw and motor caravans between 2.5 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes gvw must meet the particulate matter levels for Euro 3
• Heavier goods vehicles, over 12 tonnes gvw, medium vehicles including goods vehicles, motor caravans, horseboxes and other specialised vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes and up to 12 tonnes gvw) and buses/coaches (more than nine seats and over 5 tonnes gvw) must meet the Euro 4 particulate matter level
FTA has confirmed with Transport for London that if a vehicle enters the zone from 3 January, is non-compliant with the emission standards, and the daily charge has not been paid, the keeper will be sent a warning letter rather than a PCN. The vehicle will then be given a period of grace of 28 calendar days, which begins on the date of the warning letter. At the end of the 28 days, if the same vehicle is detected in the zone and still does not meet the emissions standards and the daily charge has not been paid, a PCN will be issued. The FTA compliance guide explains the changes; a limited number of hard copies can also be obtained by contacting Shopfta (telephone 08717 11 11 11).
DVLA is consulting on transforming its services; the consultation closes on 6 March 2012. The consultation looks at the services now provided online and how DVLA can improve and increase online traffic for vehicle and driver licensing services. It is proposed that 39 local DVLA offices and 10 enforcement centres are closed by the end of 2013.
In Brief
* Intertruck, part of Unipart Commercial Vehicle, is delighted to have won the prestigious IAAF CV Distributor of Excellence Award for an unprecedented third year running.
* The management team running Road Range Commercials, the Mercedes-Benz truck and van dealer for Merseyside and North Wales, has acquired a majority stake in the business. New owners are former Dealer Principal Brian Kempson, who takes on the role of Managing Director, and Financial Director Mike Jones. The company is currently committed to building new premises that will give them more workshop space and be closer to the A55 road network.
* Volvo Trucks’ newly-launched Dealer Locator smart phone ‘app’ makes it easy for customers to find information about their nearest dealer or service workshop. The app is being constantly updated to incorporate Volvo Trucks’ entire global service network, which consists of more than 2,300 dealers and workshops.
* IMEX has extended opening hours. From Tuesday, 3rd January 2012, the replacement parts specialist will open each weekday from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
* Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, has agreed to meet industry experts early next year to establish a reporting mechanism for companies to provide evidence of dangerous HGV wheels operating on UK roads.
* Parts-4-Tail Lifts has recently invested in a major upgrade to their IT systems in order to provide the very best telephone experience and level of service for their customers.
* VBRA has drafted guidance for businesses to issue to employees explaining Whole Vehicle Type Approval and the changes to working practice that may be necessary.
EVENTS
Supertrucks @ CV Show
Supertrucks, the UK’s largest manufacturer of racks and bodywork for the glass industry and other specialist bodywork will be taking its largest ever stand at the 2012 CV Show. Peter Wright, Supertrucks’ Chairman, remarks, ‘We are pleased to commit to exhibit at the CV Show in April this year. At a stage when our company is expanding its output, the CV Show fits well with our marketing strategy. If our previous CV Show experience is any guide, we will gain several new orders at this event’.
In recent months, Supertrucks has appointed additional skilled bodybuilders and is currently in the market to recruit more. “We are currently in the very fortunate position of having a healthy order book and an innovative, modern product range. Also we are benefiting from strong demand from various European export markets, which is now accounting for approaching 20 per cent of our business,” Peter Wright adds.
Fleet Safety Forum
The Fleet Safety Forum Annual Conference, organised and sponsored by road safety charity Brake, occurs on Tuesday 28 February at Cranmore Park Birmingham.
www.fleetsafetyforum.org/events
Commercial Vehicle R&D
Heavy Truck Technology
Scania has developed a cruise control system that uses GPS to determine a vehicle’s position and to predict the topography of the road ahead. The cruising speed is adjusted before entering an ascent or descent, helping the driver make the most of every drop of fuel. The system can deliver a fuel saving of up to 3% when driving on undulating stretches of road.
Scania will start to deliver trucks with the Active Prediction system to customers starting next year. There is topographic map data available today for around 95% of the road network in central and western Europe.
Heavy Truck Cameras Onboard for 2013
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp has won its first contract to supply its video camera sensor to a major European commercial truck manufacturer to support a range of sensing capabilities including lane departure warning (LDW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB), both mandated by the European Union.
TRW will begin to supply the camera technology in late 2012. The contract includes the integrated scalable camera and processing unit as well as supporting software. The system can enable functions including LDW, object recognition, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition and headlight control. When combined with a radar sensor, other driver assist functions can be enabled such as AEB.
‘As commercial truck manufacturers move forward in complying with pending legislation, TRW can meet their needs in terms of the camera and radar hardware – and importantly in developing the algorithms that help make high level safety decisions based on the sharing of data between the environmental sensing systems’, said Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales and business development for TRW.
The European Union mandate calls for the installation of lane departure warning systems and automatic emergency braking systems for new heavy duty vehicle model launches sold in Europe from late 2013 and for all new trucks in Europe from late 2015.