Module 21: Vehicle selection

Vehicle selection has to be more carefully evaluated than ever before for a business. Beyond just the
initial cost and operation of a vehicle, other factors need to be considered, such as the environment that
the vehicle will work in, and what kind of loads will the vehicle carry. In this module we will look at some
of the considerations a business could make when choosing which vehicles to operate.

In this module...

 Operational considerations

 Financial considerations

 Safety considerations

 Environmental considerations

 Crew comfort considerations

 Vehicle security considerations

21-1 Vehicle selection

In this module we are going to consider the very vital issues of choosing the most appropriate vehicles
for your needs. For the avoidance of doubt, the section covers the use of vehicles (or combinations)
subject to operator licensing regulations. Some issues are obvious.

Driving licences

If you currently operate a fleet of small vans, and your drivers only have category B licences, you would
be foolish to purchase vehicles or combinations that require additional entitlements, and expect your
existing employees to be able to drive them. New driver recruitment and/or the cost of training your
own drivers would need to be considered well in advance of vehicle selection.

Operator licences

If you don't hold an operator licence, you would not be able to acquire and use the vehicle(s), without
applying for and being granted a licence. If you have an operator licence but do not have sufficient
margin, you would not be able to acquire and use the vehicle(s) without applying for a variation, and
being granted an increase to your existing authorisation.

Operating centres

If you have a licence but the authorised operating centre at which you intend to park the new vehicle(s)
does not have sufficient margin, you would not be able to acquire and use the vehicles, without applying
for and being granted a variation to the operating centre's authorisation. Operating the vehicle may
even require you to find and authorise another operating centre.

Other matters are less clear cut, but still require significant consideration before vehicles are acquired
and money spent or pledged.

21-2 Operational considerations

When selecting a vehicle or vehicles for your fleet, consideration needs to be given to a variety of
operational factors, including:

Payload types/Vehicle Weights and Dimensions

The weights, dimensions and types of payloads to be carried will influence the gross and individual axle
weights of the vehicle(s) that you choose.

Vehicle age

If acquiring a pre-used vehicle, consideration should be given not only to the vehicle's condition and
availability of spare parts, but also to its ability to meet any relevant national standards (e.g., LEZ/CAZ
requirements), or if used outside the UK, international standards (e.g., road and tunnel toils).

Vehicle Suspension

Leaf/Coil Spring Suspension

Because they are made from layers of steel, leaf springs are lightweight, low cost and low maintenance.
They offer a large amount of support between the wheels, axles and the vehicle or trailers chassis, and
because of their tight-knit structure, can deal with large vertical loads being applied. Coil spring
suspensions allow a larger range of suspension movement, making them a good option for rigid vehicles
that are used routinely on rough terrain (e.g., quarry tippers etc). Leaf springs usually do an acceptable
job and prove themselves a durable choice in the case of heavy, industrial or budget-limited
applications. However, coil springs will normally be more practical for suspension where performance is
a factor.

Air suspension

The higher a vehicle's profile on a road, the more resistance it offers to the atmosphere when it is in
motion. Advanced air suspension systems can adjust the ride height based on the load's weight and the
journey type. Long distance drivers can experience fatigue and discomfort from sitting for extended
periods in a vehicle cab. Air suspension also offers reduced vibration and buffeting. A smoother ride is
easier on the vehicle, trailer and load and causes less damage to the road surface. Because it offers
advantages for vehicle handling, it could also mean less likelihood of a driver losing control under
heavy braking.
Tag Axles

In winter driving conditions, it can be advantageous to lift the tag axle to place more weight on the
drive axle, creating better traction and helping the driver to control the vehicle. Tag axles can also be
lifted to allow a vehicle to turn more easily in a manoeuvring area, without dragging and scrubbing tyres.

Loading and ancillary equipment

Key benefits for freight operators (using ancillary equipment)

 Operating during hours of less congestion will potentially reduce round trip journey times and
costs, to the operator and to the customer.

A tail lift is a mechanically operated load bearing platform, mounted on a vehicle to raise or lower loads
between the level of the body of the vehicle and the ground. Loads are commonly placed on pallets and
moved on or off the tail lift using a pallet truck.

Tail lift design varies, but normally falls into one of the following categories:

 Column

 Cantiliver

 Slide Retractable

 Truck mounted forklifts: Mounted on the rear of a vehicle or trailer, truck mounted forklifts
don't require the vehicle to be present for loading/unloading.

21-3 Financial considerations

In addition to the cost of acquisition, the cost of running a vehicle is an important consideration. Road
Transport operators need to consider the following issues when setting a vehicle budget:

 Fuel consumption.

 Insurance costs.

 Length and Extent of Warranty.

 Servicing and parts costs.

 Road tolls and fees.

 Financial penalties for non-compliance with roadworthiness and tachograph rules.

 Running an in-house workshop (can be a major financial commitment).

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

More advanced than brake assist, AEB is a laser or radar-based system that applies the brakes
automatically without driver input, if it deems that the car is about to collide with its 'target'. Primarily
designed to prevent rear-end shunts, many systems can also detect the presence of cyclists, pedestrians
and other vulnerable road users.

Cruise control

Cruise control is an electronic system that allows the vehicle to maintain a minimum speed without the
driver having to keep their foot on the accelerator. The cruise function can be disengaged by the driver.

Driver fatigue warning

New technologies monitor the driver's behaviour and can alert them if they show signs of tiredness or
distraction.

Side skirts and rear under-run protection

Side skirts are designed to be aerodynamic but also act as side under-run protection. Rear under-run
protection is designed to prevent a car running backwards beneath the vehicle. Recent advances in
materials and design allow the use of lighter and stronger materials, effective at higher speeds.

Proximity monitoring

Manufacturers are deploying a range of features on new vehicles, designed to benefit road safety
through an increase in the driver’s awareness of other road users. These include:

 In-cab camera systems.

 Proximity sensors.

 Lane departure warning systems.

 Blind spot indicators.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles

Using a combination of the systems above, it is possible for vehicles to travel autonomously or semi
autonomously on roads. As around 90% of accidents involve driver error, this should have a positive
effect on driving safety.
21-5 Environmental considerations

Air pollution/Engines

 UK Clean Air Zones (CAZ): Euro VI (and later) diesels are generally exempt from charges and
restrictions planned for further UK Clean Air Zones.

 Mild hybrids: Mild hybrids can use a flywheel or other form of kinetic energy recovery system
to harvest kinetic energy from the vehicle braking system to power an electric drivetrain. This
additional drivetrain can be used to supplement the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine).

 Waste heat recovery systems: There are significant thermal losses within the engine and
exhaust system. These systems can convert engine thermal losses into energy, which can be
used to supplement engine power.

Fuel efficiency

 Wind resistance: Air resistance (drag) increases with speed and has a major impact on fuel
consumption.

o Side skirts and cab collar/roof deflectors can be used to improve aerodynamics.

o Aerodynamic trailers are designed to follow a teardrop shape rising up from the height
of the cab and then reducing to the rear.

 Rolling resistance: This is the friction between the tyre and the road surface. Tyre
manufacturers now provide a labelling system to indicate rolling resistance. Tyres with lower
rolling resistance require less energy to move the vehicle.

 Tyre Wet Grip: The wet grip label provides information on its grip on wet roads. Tyres with
excellent grip in the wet have shorter braking distances on wet roads. A tyre's wet grip capacity
is expressed in grades from A to G. The difference in braking distances between each grade is
roughly 3m.

21-6 Crew comfort considerations

 Long distance drivers can experience fatigue and discomfort.

 The operator may consider the comfort of the driver when selecting a vehicle (e.g., air
suspension helps reduce vibration and buffeting).

21-7 Vehicle security considerations

Commercial vehicles and their loads are a tempting target for thieves. Thousands of vehicles and trailers
are broken into or stolen every year in the UK, with a cost...
  Door locks: Standard door locks can often be defeated. Operators may consider enhanced
security measures.

 Tracking and alarm systems: These systems can be used to track and locate a stolen vehicle. In
more advanced systems, if the vehicle is tampered with, an alarm sounds in the cab and a tele...

Summary

 Correct choice of vehicle: Many factors influence vehicle selection and include:

o Types of traffic, load and operation.

o Legislative and regulatory impact.

o Environmental impact.

 Types of traffic and operation: Questions the operator will need to consider include:

o Type of goods carried.

o Standard or customised vehicle.

o Urban, rural or trunking operation.

o What loading/unloading facilities are required.

 Legislative considerations: Driver licensing, Operator licensing, Maintenance.

 Environmental considerations: Fuel economy, Air pollution/engines, Fuel efficiency (wind

 Loading and ancillary equipment: Equipment fitted to facilitate loading and unloading include:
Lorry loaders, Tail lifts, Truck mounted fork lift.

 Vehicle security: Enhanced security to consider includes: Locks on all load compartments,
Immobilisers, Tracking devices, Encrypted seals.

 Crew comfort: Operator may consider the comfort of the driver when selecting vehicle.