WHAT IS A HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY VEHICLE?
A Higher Productivity Vehicle (HPV) refers to any vehicle combination that allows an operator or company to derive the highest available social, environmental and economic benefit in the execution of a freight task through the equipment used. This equipment could range from rigid vehicles to prime movers with a combination of trailing equipment. In order to gain the maximum benefit from a vehicle and meet productivity goals, an operator needs to consider the following factors:
- The existing and future freight task
- The road class and route
- Vehicle configuration
- Safety Benefits
- Productivity and economic benefits.
HPVs have the potential to significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road due to their ability to carry a higher proportion of freight on each trip, and with rising fuel prices significantly reduce a company’s operating costs. These aspects combined with advanced technology make them safer and cleaner, in terms of emissions, thus enhancing the transport sector’s efforts in social responsibility.
HPVs will improve fleet utilisation and productivity; reduce truck numbers, increasing load capacity per trip, flexible configurations, and double deck floors. HPVs will embrace new technology such as GPS, and intelligent cruise control. They will necessitate infrastructure improvements, such as bridge strengthening and promote investment in road upgrades. HPVs improve fuel consumption due to the reduced number of trucks required, and will be improved even further when using latest international engine standards less fuel being used and less noise.