Three Short Become Two Long, if the
EU Follows the Example Set by
Sweden and Finland
Kenneth Ramberg, Transport & Infrastructure October 2004


Contents
1. Global Warming on the Rise 1
2. Increasing Truck Transport 2
3. Transport Must Become More Efficient 2
4. Current Legislation 3
5. Background to the Swedish Exception 3
6. Why Two Lumber Shipments Almost Became Three 4
7. Pressure for Change in the Rest of the EU 4
8. Which Countries are Leading the Way? 5
8.1 The Netherlands 6
8.2 Germany 6
9. Advantages of Swedish-Finnish truck lengths 6
9.1 Congestion is Reduced 7
9.2 Carbon Dioxide Emissions Are Reduced 7
9.3 Other Harmful Emissions Are Reduced 8
10. A Discussion of Counter-Arguments 8
10.1 No Increase in Risk of Traffic Accidents 8
10.2 Competitiveness of Rail Transport Unaffected 9
10.3 No Need to Expand Infrastructure 10
10.4 No Increase in Road Wear 10
11. Conclusions 11