Article citation information:
Szczucka-Lasota, B. City logistics: influence of oversized road
transport on urban development. Scientific
Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series Transport. 2017, 97, 157-165. ISSN: 0209-3324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20858/sjsutst.2017.97.14.
Bożena SZCZUCKA-LASOTA[1]
CITY
LOGISTICS: INFLUENCE OF OVERSIZED ROAD TRANSPORT ON URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Summary. This
paper describes the influence of road transport on urbanization and the
transport of oversized loads. There is an increasing interest in oversized
transport and urban development. In this developmental context, it is necessary
to transport heavy construction machinery, infrastructure elements, pipes for
gas pipelines and waterworks, or even rails to create roads for rail transport.
For this purpose, the transport of loads exceeding standard parameters (16.50 m
in length, 2.55 m in width, 4.00 m in height and 40 Mg in mass) is used.
Oversized traffic has many obstacles on the roads, such as low bridges and
viaducts, narrow roads, poor technical condition of roads, road works and low-permeability roundabouts.
Keywords: city logistics; oversized
transport; load distribution
1. INTRODUCTION
The
ubiquitous development of the economy and industry has led to a growth in car
sales. Every year, the number of passenger cars and freight is growing. It has
been estimated that the number could amount to three billion units by 2050 [1].
The development of road transport is associated with problems such as
congestion on roads, air pollution and noise [2]. At the same time, the
development of cities is observed alongside the development of transport.
People are more likely to settle in developed cities where shopping centres,
cultural parks, businesses, corporations, hospitals and schools are located.
The growth of urbanization generates more interest in car and passenger
transport, as new services and industries are developing. Thanks to the
development of urbanization and transport, it is possible to move people and
goods to more distant and previously inaccessible places. New roads, new jobs,
housing estates and medical centres will be created. In order to reduce
congestion in cities, new traffic bypasses, motorways and highways are being
created. In this way, cities become attractive in terms of accessibility and
economic growth. Unfortunately, Polish cities are facing many problems, such as
an insufficient number of traffic bypasses, bridges and car parks, bad roads,
and a lack of modern (smart) ITS solutions. At peak times, there is a poor flow
of roundabouts, as well as traffic jams [3]. The basis of the modern city
building must correspond with oversized transport. In this way, transportation
of large elements is possible, such as long or heavy construction elements for
high chimneys, long bridges, gas and water pipelines, buildings and house
components, steel structures for the construction of halls, transport of buses
and trains, locomotives and helicopters, as well as transport of production
lines to industrial zones. However, the realization of oversized transport
generates many problems in the city. It creates dangerous situations on the
roads and traffic jams, aggravates the condition of the roads (in many cases
the weight of tractor and trailer sets exceeds 40 Mg), causes greater
congestion and even closes roads for passage, increases noise, and pollutes the
environment. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare routes for non-normative
vehicles, which do not include major city streets and night transport, in order
not to interfere with traffic rhythm at peak hours. The aim of this paper is to
describe and present the influence of the transport of excess loads on the
development of urbanization and city logistics.
2. DEFINITIONS AND BRANCHES OF
TRANSPORT
There are many transport
definitions, and their diversity is due to the aspect of transport being
perceived. The most common definition of transport is the process by which
goods, persons or energy are moved from one place to another [4]. However,
according to Wierzejski and Kędzior-Laskowska [5], transport is considered from
three aspects:
•
Functional
aspect - transport is understood as movement
•
Subjective
aspect - transport is understood as an activity from other activities
•
Material
aspect - i.e., understanding of transport as a product or equipment serving the
process of moving
Transport activities include moving
and auxiliary services, with movements include loading, unloading, and
short-term or long-term storage. Additional activities include customs clearance,
logistic services, forwarding, brokerage, inspection and valuation services.
All these activities, when taken together, create a transport process. In fact,
the transport process consists of operations from the time an order is received
to the transport itself. The transport process includes pretransportation
activities, including the packing of goods, pelleting, storage, selection of
the appropriate means of transport, and preparation of cargo for shipment. The
transport process itself assumes cargo loading, transportation, and unloading
at the desired location. Transport operations consist of the preparation and
documentation of transport, collection of cargo by the consignee, unpacking,
storage and further actions (for instance, delivery of goods to the next
consignee) [5-6]. Technological advances require the development of transport,
in particular, in the search for new solutions for advanced means of transport
and their optimum choice for transported cargo. Design and construction of more
specialized means of transport are also needed for the transport of complicated
loads with non-standard parameters. At present, it is also possible to combine
several different modes of transportation to transport complicated loads (for
instance, road and rail transport) [3, 6].
3. OVERSIZED TRANSPORT
Under Polish legislation, oversized
(over-normative, non-normative) transport refers to a vehicle or combination of
vehicles whose axle load, with or without cargo, is greater than the
permissible road or road weight limit, or with or without loads that are higher
than the allowable ones, as provided for in the Traffic Act. Extraordinary
transport is when the parameters of the car (with laden or unladen) exceed the
following dimensions: 16.50 m long, 2.55 m wide and 4.00 m high [7-8]. From the
above definition, it follows that a non-normative vehicle is one whose
parameter exceeds the stated norm. Axial thrust is also important and should
not exceed 11.50 t per drive axle. Non-standard transport may include different
modes of transport (road, rail, water, sea, river, inland waterway and air)
[6-9]. Road transport is one of the most developed transport sectors, with the
largest amount of transported oversized loads transported by car. Despite the
high number of traffic accidents, this transport is characterized by
availability, frequency, short delivery time and door-to-door delivery [10]. In
order to integrate the transport interests of European countries, the Interreg
South Baltic Programme for cross-border cooperation was established, with
members including Poland (northern regions), Sweden (southern regions: Kalmar,
Blekinge, Skane), Denmark (Southern part of Bornholm island), Lithuania
(Klaipeda region) and Germany (northern regions). The programme is concerned with
transport development of new routes, improvement in the quality of journeys,
and openness to common interests. As part of the programme, the Oversize Baltic
initiative was established, which aims to develop the transport of oversized
loads in South Baltic countries. In the process, the quality of transport has
improved, the volume of transported goods has increased, the cooperation
between the countries of the region has improved, and a database and trade
information flows have been established between these countries [11-13].
4. OVER-NORMATIVE CARGO
Over-normative cargo is a load whose
parameters together with the vehicle set exceed at least one of the standard
dimensions: 16.50 m long, 2.55 m wide, 4.00 m high and 40 Mg total mass. Any
load measuring more than the standard parameters is called a non-normalized
load. Loads of unnormal loads, due to their parameters, are a special issue in
oversized transport. Most of these loads have a significant monetary value.
Therefore, their transport must take place with extreme caution. The choice of
transport and security measures should take into account the load, its features
and its parameters, such as dimension, shape, shock and impact, and scratch
resistance [9,12]. Specialized semi-trailers offer the opportunity to carry a
variety of loads, which could not have been transported a dozen or so decades
ago. This opens up new opportunities for the creation of modern buildings and
elements of road infrastructure, as well as the development of industrial areas,
the design of new installations (such as for petrochemicals) and the formation
of wind turbines. The development of oversized transport can be considered as
coupled with the development of industry and vice versa, as the development of
some industries generates an interest in transporting non-normative loads [9,11,18].
In over-normative transport, there is an indivisible charge, which means that
the load cannot be divided into several smaller loads because of the risk of
injury or disproportionate costs [7]. It is also important that the whole set,
together with the excess load, should not exceed 40 Mg. If a tractor with a
trailer and load weighs more, it is necessary to divide the main load into two
or several smaller loads.
5. CITY LOGISTICS
The problem of urbanization is part
of city logistics, which aims to “plan, implement, coordinate and control
processes related to the movement of people, goods and information related to
urban areas in order to reduce costs and improve quality of life” [1]. This poses
a serious challenge for the European authorities as it involves long-term
planning, while the effects of the implemented solutions can only be seen after
a long time. In addition, the effects of the introduced changes should be
harmless, and safe for the environment and inhabitants, while reducing noise
and air pollution in the city. So far, in many Polish cities, there is no plan
for freight transport, nor adequate transhipment facilities or parking lots.
Freight solutions have not been implemented yet. These are issues for local
government, but there are no specific and appropriate roles dedicated solely to
solving these problems. Freight and delivery cannot pollute the environment and
affect the city’s spatial economy, enabling all residents to be accommodated,
especially people with disabilities. The implementation of transport should
also not interfere with accessibility to the city areas in terms of the
movement of people between work and home. In today’s reality, the introduction
of any pro-ecological change creates awe and fear about the effects of these
changes. The best solution would be the functioning of an advisory body or
financial support for entrepreneurs. The best examples of urban development are
coastal towns, ports, such as Gdynia or Gdańsk. In these cities, in addition to
the development of local industry, the development and introduction of new
ferry services are important. These are the conditions for cooperation between
foreign cities. With the development of new ferry connections, contacts with
new ferry operators are being established. The development of ferry connections
is linked to the development of industry (new trade routes,
business-to-business agreements), the development of culture and regions, and
the growth of tourism. The reasons for moving people are different: they
involve business trips, travel for business purposes, and for cognitive and
recreational purposes. With the expansion and development of the ferry port,
the city is expanding [1-3].
6. OVERSIZED INFLUENCE OF
OVER-NORMATIVE TRANSPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF URBANIZATION
Road transport is currently the most
widely used transportation sector, due to its wide availability, speed,
flexibility and low cost of service. It is also the most frequently problematic
area of transport due to many legal regulations and inadequately prepared roads
for carrying heavy loads. Oversized transport is a type of transport that
affects the development of industry and the economy. Long, wide, high and heavy
loads are being transported to new facilities, wind farms, production halls,
buildings and roads [13-15] (Figs. 1-2). In Poland, the continuous development
of cities and infrastructure is observed. The largest Polish industrial
district is located in Upper Silesia, where several economic zones are located
outside the city. These areas include automotive, chemical, manufacturing,
energy and construction companies. Besides, there are mines, steel mills and
food processing plants in the Upper Silesia Industrial District (GOP). Oversized
truck transport includes such loads as [12-15]:
•
Construction
machinery - Cranes, excavators, crushers, loaders, i.e., machines that make it
possible to demolish or build new buildings or production halls. Their
operating costs are so high that they exceed the cost of transporting these
machines, so it is necessary to transport them from the owner to the site.
•
Urban
infrastructure elements - Bridges, spans, railings, beams, columns, parts of
viaducts, rail and power trains, houses and their components, containers,
tanks, reactors and parts of water supply systems for the construction of
sewage treatment plants. In other words, all elements and building materials
used to build buildings and roads in the city (Figs. 1-2).
Fig.
1. Transport of long bridge elements [13]
Fig.
2. Transport of heavy Equipment [14]
•
Elements
of the power industry - Turbines, generators, converters, shovels and wings of
windmills, chimneys, which, most often, involve very long loads (sometimes
exceeding 40 m), very wide loads (exceeding 7 m) and very heavy loads (even
weighing 50Mg).
•
Chemical
industry - Reactors, generators, tanks and production lines. The chemical
industry is also highly exposed to danger during the production process.
Therefore, specialized equipment in this case is made of specific materials,
which often involves heavy weights.
•
Mining
and metallurgical industries - Conveyors, production lines, mining machinery,
construction and metalworking machines. Heavy and long loads are transported to
specific plants to support their development.
•
Military
industry - Tanks, cannons, ammunition, tracked vehicles and transport vehicles,
and even helicopters, stormtroopers and bombers. The development of the
military industry is observed throughout Europe. In Poland, large-scale
military vehicles are also produced in the Silesian Voivodeship.
•
Electronic
industry - Wires, ropes, railway and electric trains, electrical poles,
signalling generators, and generators for power stations and urban networks.
•
Woodworking
and furniture - The carriage of woodworking machinery (grinders, saws, milling
machines), wood panels, furniture and furniture boards is carried out by
over-normal transport.
In recent years, there has been the
greatest development in roads, traffic bypasses and motorways that Poland has
seen in connection with various major events. Existing redevelopments are under
way, along with changes in the organization of movement. In the next few years,
plans for the construction of hydroelectric power plants, wind power plants,
biogas plant waste incinerators and nuclear power plants in Żarnowiec and
Lubiatowo-Kopalin [10] are expected. The Silesia region plans to build
factories, production facilities and big sports halls. Extra-standard
transportation will also be used to transport school, swimming and school
playground elements. An interesting aspect of urban development has been the
transport of ropes in drums to Silesian Park. Oversized transport has also been
involved in the renovation of Wroclaw Zoo, in which wild big animals were
transported to special destinations. Oversized transport is also used as a
chain link in multimodal transport, where several transport links are combined.
7. OVER-NORMATIVE TRANSPORT
RESTRICTIONS
Oversized transport includes the
transportation of non-standard loads, which exceed the standard dimensions
(16.5 m in length, 2.55 m in width, 4.00 m in height and 40 Mg in mass). Not
all roads are adapted to the transport of such loads, on account of the maximum
axle load. The biggest limitation is obtaining permission from the General
Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (in Polish, GDDKiA). Compliance
with all the requirements for contractors of oversized transport, as well as
repairing and constructing new roads and reconstructing existing roads, is
difficult in organizational terms [12-16]. Conducting any arrangements with the
construction or road maintenance managers involves the designation of
alternative routes, which are often more costly and time-consuming. In
addition, the organization of non-normative transport often involves stopping
traffic and closing two lanes for the transit time. Long loads require pilot
presence, which helps to organize an alternative route, informs other traffic
participants about the upcoming transport, or closes the lane for transit.
Waiting time for authorization is not always 14 days. In the case of a
designated route that runs through numerous road reconstruction and repairs,
the time of issue may be extended by up to one month. From the moment you submit
your application to the GDDKiA, you should expect an answer and approval from
the officials as to whether the designated route and the completed application
are correct [12-15]. Road infrastructure is another important undertaking for
the performance of oversized transport. Low bridges do not allow for high
loads, which also hinders transport and requires a different route. Narrow city
roads, near traffic lights and road signs, are further elements of the road
infrastructure, increasing the cost of oversized transport. Dismantling road
signs and traffic lights for the duration of the transport and re-assembling
after transport increase the cost of the order. Sharp curves and arches on the
roundabouts, in the same way, change the route and increase the cost of
transport. For high loads, light signals are placed over the road and rail and
electric train tracks, as well as electric poles and street lighting lanterns.
Often, cutting back organisms, such as trees, and railings placed close to the
road need cutting is impossible (it requires the consent of the relevant
authorities and departments, and this generates a longer transit time). In such
cases, it is also necessary to establish another route [10,11,17]. Cargo
handling of oversized loads is usually done in the evening or at night. This is
to reduce the risk of crashes on roads with other road users. At night, there
is a limited congestion, which is why the organization of oversized transport
usually occurs at this time [6,15]. Transport costs are also limited. Upon
receipt of a request for the execution of a particular shipment, the customer
declares the amount that s/he will pay for the execution of the order. After
analysing all the costs for the freight, calculating the route and miles,
selecting the appropriate trailer for the load, and adding the costs for the
permit and piloting, it is possible to determine whether the transport can be
carried out. The initial determination and cost analysis are also limitations
of the performance of oversized transport [16,17,19].
8. SUMMARY
Oversized road transport has a huge
impact on the development of cities and is adding to the problems of city
logistics. Year after year, the interest in extraordinary transport increases
at a fast pace. In recent years, the urbanization of rural areas has been
observed, where and transportation is not available, as well as the development
of cities. Roads, highways and traffic bypasses are being built in existing
cities to enable local populations to reach their homes, workplaces, schools or
medical centres. In spite of many technological advances, excess transport
encounters obstacles on the roads (narrow roads, impassable low-rise
roundabouts or low turning angles, reconstruction and numerous repairs, low
viaducts and bridges). Oversized transport has a huge impact on the development
of city logistics. Heavy transport of bridges, heavy construction machines,
chimneys, parts of buildings, pipes for water and gas pipelines, concrete
elements of infrastructure, production lines, rails for railways, crane
elements and electrical switchgears can be transported through the transport of
oversized and diverse truck trailers. Looking ahead, we can anticipate the
further development of cities with the use of oversized road transport and the
development of facilities for oversized loads. Relatively low transport costs,
reliability, availability, time-saving and a variety of transport semi-trailers
are just some of the features of road transport.
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Received 01.09.2017; accepted in revised form 15.11.2017
Scientific Journal of Silesian
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