IRU Observations on the new European Commission proposal to modify Directive 96/53 on weights and dimensions of heavy duty vehicles, (2013)

With this new proposal published in April 2013, the European Commission presents its first major update of the EU weights and dimensions rules since 1996. The IRU Observations analyse the impact of the new proposal on commercial road transport operations, suggest a number of improvements on issues such as aerodynamics of trucks, the maximum authorised weights of buses and coaches, alternative fuel vehicles and the transport of 45 ft containers. The IRU Observations also welcome the clarifications relating to the use of and trials with the European Modular System (EMS) and voice some strong concerns relating to the lack of a harmonised approach to measures proposed to enforce the rules.