UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2019

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the wood must be loaded again at the terminal. The benefits of HCT include lower emissions and up to a fifth lower fuel consumption. “Emission benefits are gained even on trips shorter than 100 kilometres. With a heavier total weight, the portion of payload increases and fuel consumption per transported cubic metre is reduced. The benefits are increased if the HCT combination vehicles carry a full load both there and back,” says Pirjo Venäläinen , Senior Research Scientist at Metsäteho. Road safety is a special priority in developing HCT trial combination vehicles. A study carried out by Aalto University revealed that longer vehicles require a longer overtaking distance, but the total number of overtakings is reduced. Regulations specify that long trucks must be equipped with a clearly visible ‘LONG’ sign, reflective outline markings and camera systems that enhance visibility for the driver. Dedicated road network After years of trials, this January the maximum permissible length of combination vehicles was increased to 34.5 metres and the maximum length of tractors to 13 metres. The

maximumweight of vehicles with a full load remained the same, however, at 76 tonnes. In the forest industry, increased vehicle length mostly benefits chip transports. “Our greatest hope is that the total weight will also be increased. Our wood transports would also benefit from this,” states Venäläinen. The strain placed on roads is another factor to consider. The forest industry hopes that HCT combination vehicles trials will continue, specifically addressing the durability of vehicles and long-termmaintenance costs. “One day we hope to see 100-tonne trucks operating a specified forest industry core network of safe roads that are in good condition, with efficient routes to production plants,” says Korhonen. Log floating never died UPMForest is the only company in Finland that uses floating as a method of transportation alongside railway and vehicle transports, with Korhonen in charge for floating for the Lakeland region. Water routes are efficient, as they are ready for use without requiring additional investment. “We stand out in a good way. Floating is not only a transport method,

“Floating is not only a transport method, but it also doubles as a storage method. Free storage makes it environmentally sound and commercially profitable,” says Esa Korhonen, Senior Manager, Logistics Services at UPM Forest.

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