The GB longer semi-trailer trial: 2017 annual report summary

Launched by the DfT in January 2012, the Longer-Semi-Trailers (LST) trial is designed to answer questions about safety, cost and emissions.

Statistics within this report suggest that LSTs are having a positive impact on both pollution and collision rates.

At the end of 2017, 1,939 LSTs – which are two metres longer than standard HGV trailers – were on the road and submitting data as part of the trial.

This report shows that approximately 32.9 million vehicle kilometres have been saved, the equivalent of between 235,000 and 270,000 journeys, as a result just 0.5% of Britain’s HGVs using LSTs.

Further to this, 28,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions have been saved.

In terms of safety, LSTs have been involved in 90% fewer personal injury collisions while operating on urban roads and 72% fewer on minor roads – compared with the average for all articulated HGVs in use across Great Britain.