ABSTRACT

A substantial part of the growth in road traffic in most countries consists of freight traffic. Although it is not concentrated on peak urban roads, freight traffic is still widely perceived as a problem. On motorways and trunk roads it takes a considerable amount of capacity, adding to the problem of providing for traffic growth. Off the trunk network, it is seen as an environmental and safety problem, contributing substantially to problems of noise, vibration, particulates, visual intrusion and fear. On the other hand, it is obviously recognised that freight vehicles play an essential role in distributing goods from factories, and in supplying shops. Any actions which make it more difficult or expensive to service such facilities in the area may have repercussions for jobs, and for prices in the shops (although freight transport costs are generally not a large part of the total costs of supplying most commodities, so any claims for dramatic repercussions need to be carefully examined).