Road freight transport and sustainability in Britain: 1984-2007

This report builds on a conceptual framework developed by McKinnon (2007) for analysing the performance and impacts of freight transport. This framework is used to analyse the performance of road freight transport by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Britain over the period from 1984 to 2007 using data from the Continuing Survey of Road Goods Transport. The efficiency and intensity of HGV operations are assessed. The determinants that have led to the changes in HGV key variables (including length of haul, vehicle carrying capacity, lading factor, empty running) are considered. A forecast of the future level of HGV activity (in terms of vehicle kilometres travelled, fuel consumed and CO2 emissions) in 2020 is presented.