THE first-ever 'mega-truck' or 'road train' – made up of several lorry containers strung together – has hit the road in Spain.
A popular goods transport method in the USA and Australia, where vast swathes of uninhabited land, sparse rail travel outside of big cities and near-empty major highways make this one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways of shipping cargo over long distances, 'road trains' have only just been introduced into Europe.
Spain is highly divided over how useful or harmful 'mega-trucks' may be, given that the much busier motorways may not take the strain and, when sharing the highway with cars, could present a danger when motorists are in lorry-drivers' blind spot.
As yet, the 'road train' has only been piloted on Spain's roads – it travelled from the Sesé Group factory in Palau-Solità i Plegamans to the Seat motor manufacturer in Martorell, both in the province of Barcelona and 35 kilometres apart.
The vehicle measures 25.25 metres in length (about 82 feet) – similar to that of a tennis court – and can transport up to 60 tonnes.
Head of transport at Sesé Group, Federico Ballester says the main advantage of 'road trucks' is the increase in cargo capacity of up to 57% on 'traditional' lorries, and by combining several containers in one vehicle, emissions can be cut by up to 14% and logistics costs by 22%.
Catalunya regional government minister for land and sustainability, Josep Rull, even believes 'mega-trucks' would improve, rather than worsen, traffic safety – he did not elaborate further, but it is likely he was referring to the fact that fewer HGV lorries would be on the roads taking one load at a time.
Seat motor manufacturer and Sesé Group are now planning on road-testing the highway train between Madrid, in the centre of Spain and Martorell, close to the east coast, and then later right across the country from Martorell to Portugal.
