Higher productivity freight vehicles: lessons of history: a case study of B-doubles in Australia

B-double is the name used in Australia to describe a prime mover hauling two semi-trailers, a configuration that is called a B-train in some other parts of the world. Over a period of 10 years, B-doubles were gradually introduced into each Australian State and Territory. 2009 marked the 25th anniversary of the first B-double to be granted permission to operate on the populated east coast of Australia. We therefore have a significant period of history to examine the original claims about the performance of B-doubles as well as the prophecies of impending doom from opponents. This paper examines the operation of B-doubles over the last 25 years and presents the factual situation about their impacts as a case study of the introduction of higher productivity freight vehicles. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E219320.