Iveco has thrown its weight behind the adoption of longer semi-trailers with the launch of a UK focus group to examine the potential of the new designs.
So far two operators - Chamberlain Transport and DHL - are involved, along with trailer manufacturer Montracon and the FTA.
Representatives from the four members in the group attended a meeting in Turin, Italy earlier in the year where they heard the experience of German firms that have been engaged in a widespread trial since 2007.
They were also told about a similar scheme that the Italian truck manufacturer has launched in its home country. There, Progetto Diciotto (Project Eighteen), has seen six logistics operators conducting on-road trials of eight semi-trailers, each with an overall length of 18m, since May.
It is being undertaken with the permission of the Italian government, support from ANFIA - the Italian equivalent of the SMMT - and is being monitored by consultancy CSST, which will compile a database of the longer trailers' performance against standard 16.5m units.
Iveco expects that if the trial is successful, the Italian government will legislate to allow their widespread use.
The project evolved from Iveco's safety concept truck, which it unveiled at the Hannover Show in 2006.
With the DfT currently undertaking research to look at the feasibility of increasing trailer length by up to 2.05m, Iveco believes that a change in UK legislation is in sight.
Nigel Emms, Iveco's director, brand and communication in the UK, says: "This is a way of talking about the concept and trying to get some momentum behind it.
"We think this fairly straightforward increase in length, which would be hardly noticeable to the untrained eye, would allow our customers to maximise efficient running."
Emms says it hopes to begin track-based demonstrations of the concept during the autumn.
Simon Chamberlain, MD of Crewe haulier Chamberlain Transport and deputy chairman of the Transport Association, says he is interested to see how the project progresses, but is concerned customers will take advantage. He adds: "The benefits have got to be shared with hauliers as well, we should not be left simply picking up the bill."
Chamberlain says he has some doubts about the concept, notably the additional weight of the longer trailer, restrictions on internal configurations, and the additional cost versus the potential for extra revenue.
For its part, the FTA says it will conduct a survey of its membership to ascertain potential take-up of longer trailers and what form they should take.
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