Road train

Type of trucking vehicle

This article is about connected heavy goods vehicles. For lighter recreational road trains, see Trackless train. For the routing of a railroad track on public streets, see Street running train. For electronic road trains, see Platoon (automobile).

"Road Train" redirects here. For the song, see Road Train (song).

A three-trailer livestock road train in Australia

A road train, also known as a land train or long combination vehicle (LCV) is a semi-truck used to move road freight more efficiently than single-trailer semi-trucks. It consists of one semi-trailer or more connected together with or without a tractor.[1] It typically has to be at least three trailers and one tractor.

## History[edit]

Early road trains consisted of traction engines pulling multiple wagons. The first identified road trains operated into South Australia's Flinders Ranges from the Port Augusta area in the mid-19th century.[2] They displaced bullock teams for the carriage of minerals to port and were, in turn, superseded by railways.

During the Crimean War, a traction engine was used to pull multiple open trucks.[3] By 1898 steam traction engine trains with up to four wagons were employed in military manoeuvres in England.[4]

In 1900, John Fowler & Co. provided armoured road trains for use by the British Armed Forces in the Second Boer War.[3][5] Lord Kitchener stated that he had around 45 steam road trains at his disposal.[6]

A road train devised by Captain Charles Renard of the French Engineering Corps was displayed at the 1903 Paris Salon. After his death, Daimler, which had acquired the rights, attempted to market it in the United Kingdom.[7][8] Four of these vehicles were successfully delivered to Queensland, Australia, before the company ceased production upon the start of World War I.[9]

In the 1930s/40s, the government of Australia operated an AEC Roadtrain to transport freight and supplies into the Northern Territory, replacing the Afghan camel trains that had been trekking through the deserts since the late 19th century. This truck pulled two or three 6 m (19 ft 8 in) Dyson four-axle self-tracking trailers. At 130 hp (97 kW), the AEC was grossly underpowered by today's standards, and drivers and offsiders (a partner or assistant) routinely froze in winter and sweltered in summer due to the truck's open cab design and the position of the engine radiator, with its 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) cooling fan, behind the seats.

Australian Kurt Johannsen, a bush mechanic, is recognised as the inventor of the modern road train.[10] After transporting stud bulls 200 mi (320 km) to an outback property, Johannsen was challenged to build a truck to carry 100 head of cattle instead of the original load of 20. Provided with financing of about 2000 pounds and inspired by the tracking abilities of the Government roadtrain, Johannsen began construction. Two years later his first road train was running.[11]

Johannsen's first road train consisted of a United States Army World War II surplus Diamond-T tank carrier, nicknamed "Bertha", and two home-built self-tracking trailers. Both wheel sets on each trailer could steer, and therefore could negotiate the tight and narrow tracks and creek crossings that existed throughout Central Australia in the earlier part of the 20th century. Freighter Trailers in Australia viewed this improved invention and went on to build self-tracking trailers for Kurt and other customers, and went on to become innovators in transport machinery for Australia.

This first example of the modern road train, along with the AEC Government Roadtrain, forms part of the huge collection at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

## Usage[edit]

### Australia[edit]

A four-trailer road train in the Australian outback with a Volvo NH15 prime mover

The term road train is used in Australia. In contrast with a more common semi-trailer towing one trailer or semi-trailer, the diesel prime mover of a road train hauls two or more trailers or semi-trailers. Australia has the longest and heaviest road-legal road trains in the world, weighing up to 200 tonnes (197 long tons; 220 short tons).[1]

Double (two-trailer) road train combinations are allowed on some roads in most states of Australia, including specified approaches to the ports and industrial areas of Adelaide, South Australia[12] and Perth, Western Australia.[13] A double road train should not be confused with a B-double, which is allowed access to most of the country and in all major cities.[14]

In South Australia, B-triples up to 35.0 metres (114 ft 10 in) and two-trailer road trains to 36.5 metres (119 ft 9 in) were only permitted to travel on a small number of approved routes in the north and west of the state, including access to Adelaide's north-western suburban industrial and export areas such as Port Adelaide, Gillman and Outer Harbour via Salisbury Highway, Port Wakefield Road and Augusta Highway before 2017.[12] A project named Improving Road Transport for the Agriculture Industry added 7,200 kilometres (4,500 mi) of key routes permitted to operate vehicles over 30 m (98 ft 5 in) in 2015–2018.[15]

Triple road train near Normanton, Queensland

Triple (three-trailer) road trains operate in western New South Wales, western Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with the last three states also allowing AB-quads (B double with two additional trailers coupled behind). Darwin is the only capital city in the world where triples and quads are allowed to within 1 km (0.62 mi) of the central business district (CBD).[14]

Strict regulations regarding licensing, registration, weights, and experience apply to all operators of road trains throughout Australia.

Road trains are used for transporting all manner of materials: common examples are livestock, fuel, mineral ores, and general freight. Their cost-effective transport has played a significant part in the economic development of remote areas; some communities are totally reliant on regular service.

When road trains get close to populated areas, the multiple dog-trailers are unhooked, the dollies removed and then connected individually to multiple trucks at "assembly" yards.

When the flat-top trailers of a road train need to be transported empty, it is common practice to stack them. This is commonly referred to as "doubled-up" or "doubling-up". Sometimes, if many trailers are required to be moved at one time, they will be triple-stacked, or "tripled-up".

Higher Mass Limits (HML) Schemes are now in all jurisdictions in Australia, allowing trucks to carry additional weight beyond general mass limits. Some roads in some states regularly allowing up to 4 trailers at 53.5 metres (175 ft 6 in) long and 136 tonnes (134 long tons; 150 short tons).[16] On private property like mines, highway restrictions on trailer length, weight and count may not apply. Some of the heaviest road trains carrying ore are multiple unit with a diesel engine in each trailer, controlled by the tractor.[17][18]

Diesel sales in Australia (per year) are around 32 billion litres,[19] of which some is used by road trains. In order to reduce emssions and running cost, trials are made with road trains powered by batteries.[20][21]

### United States[edit]

See also: Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula

Permitted routes for longer combination vehicles on the U.S. National Highway System: 2017

In the United States, trucks on public roads are limited to two trailers (two 28 ft or 8.5 m and a dolly to connect; the limit is 63 ft or 19 m end to end). Some states allow three 28 ft or 8.5 m trailers, although triples are usually restricted to less populous states such as Idaho, Oregon, and Montana, plus the Ohio Turnpike[22] and Indiana East–West Toll Road. Triples are used for long-distance less-than-truckload freight hauling (in which case the trailers are shorter than a typical single-unit trailer) or resource hauling in the interior west (such as ore or aggregate). Triples are sometimes marked with "LONG LOAD" banners both front and rear. "Turnpike doubles"—tractors towing two full-length trailers—are allowed on the New York Thruway and Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90), Florida's Turnpike, Kansas Turnpike (Kansas City - Wichita route) as well as the Ohio and Indiana toll roads.[23] Colorado allows what are known as "Rocky Mountain Doubles" which is one full length 53 ft or 16 m trailer and an additional 28 ft or 8.5 m trailer. The term "road train" is not commonly used in the United States; "turnpike train" has been used, generally in a pejorative sense.[24]

STAA double pup 28.5 foot trailers

In the western United States LCVs are allowed on many Interstate highways. The only LCVs allowed nationwide are STAA doubles.[25]

On private property like farms, highway restrictions on trailer length and count do not apply. Bales of straw, for example, are sometimes moved in wagon trains of up to 20 trailers an eighth of a mile long (carrying a total of 3,600 bales).[26]

### Europe[edit]

Timber being unloaded from a B-double at Pellets Asturias, Spain

In Finland, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and some roads in Norway, trucks with trailers are allowed to be 25.25 m (82.8 ft) long.[27] In Finland, a length of 34.5 metres (113 ft) has been allowed since January 2019. In Sweden, this length is allowed on several major roads, including all of E4, since August 2023.[28] 34.5 meters allows two 40 foot containers.

Elsewhere in the European Union, the limit is 18.75 m (61.5 ft) (Norway 19.5 m or 64 ft). The trucks are of a cab-over-engine design, with a flat front and a high floor, about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) above ground. The Scandinavian countries are less densely populated than the other EU countries, and distances, especially in Finland and Sweden, are long. Until the late 1960s, vehicle length was unlimited, giving rise to long vehicles to cost effectively handle goods. As traffic increased, truck lengths became more of a concern and they were limited, albeit at a more generous level than in the rest of Europe.

In the United Kingdom in 2009, a two-year desk study of Longer Heavier Vehicles (LHVs), including up to 11-axle, 34-metre (111.5 ft) long, 82-tonne (81-long-ton; 90-short-ton) combinations, ruled out all road-train-type vehicles for the foreseeable future.

40 foot container turnpike double

In 2010, Sweden was performing tests on log-hauling trucks, weighing up to 90 t (89 long tons; 99 short tons) and measuring 30 metres (98.4 ft) and haulers for two 40 ft containers, measuring 32 metres (105 ft) in total.[29][30] In 2015, a pilot began in Finland to test a 104-tonne timber lorry which was 33 metres (108 ft) and had 13 axles. Testing of the special lorry was limited to a predefined route in northern Finland[31][32]

Since 2015, Spain has permitted B-doubles with a length of up to 25.25 metres (82.8 ft) and weighing up to 60 tonnes to travel on certain routes.[33]

In 2020, a small number of road trains were operating between Belgium and the Netherlands.

### Mexico[edit]

In Mexico road trains exist in a limited capacity due to the sizes of roads in its larger cities, and they are only allowed to pull 2 trailers joined with a pup or dolly created for this purpose. Recently[when?] the regulations tend to be more severe and strict to avoid overloading and accidents, to adhere to the federal rules of transportation. Truck drivers must obtain a certificate to certify that the driver is capable to manipulate and drive that type of vehicle.[34]

All the tractor vehicles that make road train type transport in the country (along with the normal security requirements) need to have visual warnings like;[34]

* "Precaución Doble Semirremolque" alert (Warning Double Semi-Trailer) located in the frontal fenders of the tractor and in the rear part of each trailer,
* yellow turn and warning lights to be more visible to other drivers,
* a seal for the entire vehicle approving the use as double semi trailer,
* federal license plates in every trailer, dolly, and tractor unit.

Some major cargo enterprises in the country use this form to cut costs of carrying all type of goods in some regions where another form of transportation are so expensive to improve it due to the difficult geography of the country.[35]

The Mexican road train equivalent form in Australian Standard is the A-Double form, the difference is that the Mexican road trains can be hauled with a long distance tractor truck.

### Zimbabwe[edit]

In Zimbabwe, they are only used in one highway, Ngezi - Makwiro road. They make use of 42 m long road trains pulling three trailers.

## Trailer arrangements[edit]

Road train types:
A: B-double
B: B-triple
C: A-double
D: AB-triple (possible BA)
E: BAB quad
F: ABB quad
G: A-triple
H: AAB quad (possible BAA)
K: Special Australian mining tipper road train with limited transportation

### A-double[edit]

A Kenworth with A-double chemical carrying trailers on a UBE Industries mining expressway in Japan

An A-double consists of a prime mover towing a normal lead trailer with a ball hitch (or some other type of coupling) affixed to it at the rear. A fifth wheel dolly is then affixed to the hitch allowing another standard trailer to be attached. Eleven-axle coal tipping sets carrying to Port Kembla, Australia are described as A-doubles. The set depicted has a tare weight of 35.5 t (39.1 short tons) and is capable of carrying 50 t (55.1 short tons) of coal.[36] Note the shield at the front of the second trailer to direct tipped coal from the first trailer downwards.

Pros include the ability to use standard semi-trailers and the potential for very large loads. Cons mainly include very tricky reversing due to the multiple articulation points across two different types of coupling.

### B-double[edit]

A B-double parked at a truck stop in New South Wales, Australia A 25.25 metre B-double consisting of two trailers with the same length in the Netherlands

A B-double consists of a prime mover towing a specialised lead trailer that has a fifth-wheel mounted on the rear towing another semi-trailer, resulting in two articulation points. It may also be known as a B-train, interlink in South Africa, B-double in Australia, tandem tractor-trailer, tandem rig or double in North America. They may typically be up to 27.5 m (90 ft 3 in) long. The fifth wheel coupling is located at the rear of the lead (first) trailer and is mounted on a "tail" section commonly located immediately above the lead trailer axles.[37] In North America this area of the lead trailer is often referred to as the "bridge". The twin-trailer assembly is hooked up to a tractor unit via the tractor unit's fifth wheel in the customary manner.

An advantage of the B-train configuration is its inherent stability when compared to most other twin trailer combinations, the turntable mounted on the forward trailer results in the B-train not requiring a converter dolly as with all other road train configurations.[38] It is this feature above all else that has ensured its continued development and global acceptance.[39] Reversing is simpler as all articulation points are on fifth wheel couplings.

B-train trailers are used to transport many types of load and examples include tanks for liquid and dry-bulk, flat-beds and curtain-siders for deck-loads, bulkers for aggregates and wood residuals, refrigerated trailers for chilled and frozen goods, vans for dry goods, logging trailers for forestry work and cattle liners for livestock.

In Australia, standard semi-trailers are permitted on almost any road. B-doubles are more heavily regulated, but routes are made available by state governments for almost anywhere that significant road freight movement is required.[40]

Around container ports in Australia exists what is known as a super B-double; a B-double with an extra axle (total of 4) on the lead trailer and either three or four axle set on the rear trailer. This allows the super B-Double to carry combinations of two 40 foot containers, four 20 foot containers, or a combination of one 40 foot container and two twenty foot containers. However, because of their length and low accessibility into narrow streets, these vehicles are restricted in where they can go and are generally used for terminal-to-terminal work, i.e. wharf to container holding park or wharf-to-wharf. The rear axle on each trailer can also pivot slightly while turning to prevent scrubbing out the edges of the tyres due to the heavy loads placed on them.

### B-triple[edit]

B-triple

Same as B-double, but with an additional lead trailer behind the prime mover.[41] The B-train principle has been exploited in Australia, where configurations such as B triples, double-B doubles and 2AB quads are permitted on some routes. These are run in most states of Australia where double road trains are allowed. Australia's National Transport Commission proposed a national framework for B-triple operations that includes basic vehicle specifications and operating conditions that the commission anticipates will replace the current state-by-state approach, which largely discourages the use of B-triples for interstate operation.[42] In South Australia, B-triples up to 35.0 metres (114 ft 10 in) and two-trailer road trains to 36.5 metres (119 ft 9 in) are generally only permitted on specified routes, including access to industrial and export areas near Port Adelaide from the north.[40]

### B quad[edit]

In 2018 B quad is also allowed in states Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, which enables more economical transport.[43]

### AB triple[edit]

BA-triple

An AB triple consists of a standard trailer with a B-Double behind it using a converter dolly, with a trailer order of Standard, Dolly, B-Train, Standard. The final trailer may be either a B-Train with no trailer attached to it or a standard trailer. Alternatively, a BA triple sees this configuration reversed, consisting of a B-double with a converter dolly and standard trailer behind it.

### A-triple[edit]

A-triple as tanker hauler

In South Australia, larger road trains up to 53.5 metres (175 ft 6 in) (three full trailers) are only permitted on certain routes in the Far North.[40]

### BAB quad[edit]

A BAB quad consists of two B-double units linked with a converter dolly, with trailer order of Prime Mover, B-Train, Dolly, B-Train.

### ABB quad[edit]

ABB quad consists of one standard trailer and B-triple units linked with a converter dolly.

### AAB quad[edit]

BAA quad

AAB quad consists of A-double and B-double units linked with a converter dolly. Alternatively, a BAA quad sees this configuration reversed, first the B-double, then the A-double.

### C-train[edit]

A C-train is a semi-trailer attached to a fifth-wheel on a C-dolly. Unlike in an A-Train, the C-dolly is connected to the tractor or another trailer in front of it with two drawbars, thus eliminating the drawbar connection as an articulation point. One of the axles on a C-dolly is self-steerable to prevent tire scrubbing. C-dollies are not permitted in Australia, due to the lack of articulation.

### Dog-trailer (dog trailer)[edit]

Quad dog trailer

A dog-trailer (also called a pup) is a short trailer with a permanent dolly, with a single A-frame drawbar that fits into the Ringfeder or pintle hook on the rear of the truck or trailer in front, giving the whole unit two or more articulation points and very little roll stiffness. These are commonly used in Australia, particularly for end tipper applications like shown above. They are normally limited to a single dog trailer behind a short bodied (independently load carrying) truck with a standard length limit of 19 metres (20 under design permits). A quad dog trailer in combination with a bodied truck is able to carry more weight than a truck and single semi-trailer of the same length limit and access restrictions, as well as carrying two different materials as separate loads, such as with tipper bodies and fluid tankers.

### Interstate road transport registration in Australia[edit]

In 1991, at a special Premiers' Conference, Australian heads of government signed an inter-governmental agreement to establish a national heavy vehicle registration, regulation and charging scheme: the Federal Interstate Registration Scheme (FIRS).[44] Its requirements are as follows:

* If the vehicle was purchased to be used for interstate trade, no stamp duty is payable on the purchase price of the vehicle.
* The vehicle has to be subjected to an annual inspection for roadworthy standards.
* Registration requires the first letter of the six-digit to identifiy the home state or territory: A, Australian Capital Territory; N, New South Wales; C, Northern Territory Q, Queensland; S, South Australia; T, Tasmania; V, Victoria; and W, Western Australia.

Due to the "eastern" and "western" mass limits in Australia, two different categories of registration were enacted. The second digit of the registration plate showed what mass limit was allowed for that vehicle. If a vehicle had a 'V' as the second letter, its mass limits were in line with the eastern states mass limits, which were:

* Steer axle, 1 axle, 2 tyres: 5.40 t (5.31 long tons; 5.95 short tons)
* Steer axle, 2 axles, 2 tyres per axle: Non load sharing suspension 9.00 t (8.86 long tons; 9.92 short tons)
* Load sharing suspension 10.00 t (9.84 long tons; 11.02 short tons)
* Single axle, dual tyres: 8.50 t (8.37 long tons; 9.37 short tons)
* Tandem axle, dual tyres: 15.00 t (14.76 long tons; 16.53 short tons)
* Tri-axle, dual tyres or 'super single' tyres: 18.00 t (17.72 long tons; 19.84 short tons)
* Gross combination mass on a 6-axle vehicle not to exceed 38 t (37 long tons; 42 short tons)

If a vehicle had an X as the second letter, its mass limits were in line with the western states mass limits, which were:

* Steer axle, 1 axle, 2 tyres: 6.00 t (5.91 long tons; 6.61 short tons)
* Steer axle, 2 axles, 2 tyres per axle
* Non load sharing suspension 10.00 t (9.84 long tons; 11.02 short tons): Load sharing suspension 11.00 t (10.83 long tons; 12.13 short tons)
* Single axle, dual tyres: 9.00 t (8.86 long tons; 9.92 short tons)
* Tandem axle, dual tyres: 16.50 t (16.24 long tons; 18.19 short tons)
* Tri-axle, dual tyres or "super single" tyres: 20.00 t (19.68 long tons; 22.05 short tons)
* Gross combination mass on a 6-axle vehicle not to exceed 42.50 t (41.83 long tons; 46.85 short tons)

The second digit of the registration being a T designates a trailer.

One of the main criteria of the registration is that intrastate operation is not permitted. The load has to come from one state or territory and be delivered to another. Many grain carriers were reported and prosecuted for cartage from the paddock to the silos. However, if the load went to a port silo, they were given the benefit of the doubt, as that grain was more than likely to be going overseas.

### Signage[edit]

B double

"Long Vehicle" sign located on the rear bumper

Australian road trains have horizontal signs front and back with 180 mm (7.1 in) high black uppercase letters on a reflective yellow background reading "ROAD TRAIN". The sign(s) must have a black border and be at least 1.02 m (3.3 ft) long and 220 mm (8.7 in) high and be placed between 500 mm (19.7 in) and 1.8 m (5.9 ft) above the ground on the fore or rearmost surface of the unit.

In the case of B-triples in Western Australia, they are signed front and rear with "ROAD TRAIN" until they cross the WA/SA border where they are then signed with "LONG VEHICLE" in the front and rear.

Converter dollies must have a sign affixed horizontally to the rearmost point, complying to the same conditions, reading "LONG VEHICLE". This is required for when a dolly is towed behind a trailer.

### Combination lengths[edit]

B-double
26 m (85.3 ft) max. Western Australia, 27.5 m (90.2 ft) max.
B-triple
up to 36.5 m (120 ft) max.
NTC modular B-triple
35.0 m (115 ft) max. (uses 2× conventional B-double lead trailers)
Pocket road train
27.5 m (90.2 ft) max. (Western Australia only) This configuration is classed as a "Long Vehicle".
Double road train or AB road train
36.5 m (120 ft) max.
Triple and ABB or BAB-quad road trains
53.5 m (176 ft) max.

### Operating weights[edit]

Operational weights are based on axle group masses, as follows:

Single axle (steer tyre)
6.0 t (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons)
Single axle (steer axle with 'super single' tyres)
6.7 t (6.6 long tons; 7.4 short tons)
Single axle (dual tyres)
9.0 t (8.9 long tons; 9.9 short tons)
Tandem axle grouping
16.5 t (16.2 long tons; 18.2 short tons)
Tri-axle grouping
20.0 t (19.7 long tons; 22.0 short tons)

Therefore,

* A B-double (single axle steering, tandem drive, and two tri-axle groups) would have an operational weight of 62.5 t (61.5 long tons; 68.9 short tons).
* A double road train (single axle steering, tandem drive, tri-axle, tandem, tri-axle) would have an operational weight of 79 t (78 long tons; 87 short tons).
* A triple is 115.5 t (113.68 long tons; 127.32 short tons).
* Quads weigh in at 135.5 t (133.4 long tons; 149.4 short tons).
* Concessional weight limits, which increase allowable weight to accredited operators[45] can see (for example) a quad weighing up to 149 t (147 long tons; 164 short tons).

* If a tri-drive prime mover is utilised, along with tri-axle dollies, weights can reach nearly 170 t (167 long tons; 187 short tons).

### Speed limits[edit]

The Australian national heavy vehicle speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph), excepting:

* NSW & Queensland where the speed limit for any road train is 90 km/h (56 mph).[citation needed]

In western Canada, LCVs are restricted to 100 km/h (62 mph), or the posted speed limit. Trucks of legal length (25 metres or 82 feet) may travel at 110 km/h (68 mph), or the posted speed limit.[citation needed]

## World's longest road trains[edit]

Shell Australia BAA quad tanker road train in the Northern Territory. Trailer arrangement is B-double towing two tri-axle trailers.

Below is a list of longest road trains driven in the world. Most of these had no practical use, as they were put together and driven across relatively short distances for the express purpose of record-breaking.

* In 1989, a trucker named "Buddo" tugged 12 trailers down the main street of Winton.[46]
* In 1993, "Plugger" Bowden took the record with a 525 hp (391 kW) Mack CLR pulling 16 trailers.
* A few months later this effort was surpassed by Darwin driver Malcolm Chisholm with a 290-tonne (285-long-ton; 320-short-ton), 21 trailer rig extending 315 metres (1,033 ft).[46]
* In April 1994 Bob Hayward and Andrew Aichison organised another attempt using a 1988 Mack Super-Liner 500 hp V8 belonging to Plugger Bowden who drove 29 stock trailers measuring 439.169 metres a distance of 4.5 km into Bourke.[47] The record was published in the next Guinness Book of Records.
* Then the record went back to Winton with 34 trailers.[46]
* In 1999, the town of Merredin, officially made it into the Guinness Book of Records, when Marleys Transport made a successful attempt on the record for the world's longest road train. The record was created when 45 trailers, driven by Greg Marley, weighing 603 t (593 long tons; 665 short tons) and measuring 610 m (2,001 ft) were pulled by a Kenworth 10×6 K100G for 8 km (5 mi).[46][48]
* On 19 October 2000, Doug Gould set the first of his records in Kalgoorlie, when a roadtrain made up of 79 trailers, measuring 1,018.2 m (3,341 ft) and weighing 1,072.3 t (1,055.4 long tons; 1,182.0 short tons), was pulled by a Kenworth C501T driven by Steven Matthews a distance of 8 km (5 mi).[46][49]
* On 29 March 2003, the record was surpassed near Mungindi, by a road train consisting of 87 trailers and a single prime mover (measuring 1,235.3 m (4,053 ft) in length).[50]
* The record returned to Kalgoorlie, on 17 October 2004, when Doug Gould assembled 117 trailers for a total length of 1,445 m (4,741 ft). The attempt nearly failed, as the first prime mover's main driveshaft broke when taking off. A second truck was quickly made available, and pulled the train a distance of 1,500 m (4,921 ft).[51]
* In 2004, the record was again broken by a group from Clifton, Queensland which used a standard Mack truck to pull 120 trailers a distance of about 100 metres (328 ft).[52]
* On 18 February 2006, an Australian built Mack truck with 113[53] semi-trailers, 1,300 t (1,279 long tons; 1,433 short tons) and 1,474.3 metres (4,836 ft 11 in) long, pulled the load 100 metres (328 feet) to recapture the record for the longest road train (multiple loaded trailers) ever pulled with a single prime mover. It was on the main road of Clifton, Queensland, that 70-year-old John Atkinson claimed a new record, pulled by a tri-drive Mack Titan.[54][55][56]

### Outside Australia[edit]

* On 12 April 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden, a Volvo FH16 750 pulled 20 trailers with double-stacked containers with a total length of 300 meters (984 ft) and with a total weight of 750 tonnes.[57]

## Gallery[edit]

* Sherwin-Williams Paints truck on US 95 Nevada

* 53 foot container turnpike double in Canada

* Triple trailer three 28.5-foot pups

* A B-double tanker parked at a truck stop

## See also[edit]

* Transport portal

* Air brake (road vehicle)
* Articulated bus
* Brake
* B-train
* Containerization
* Container on barge
* Container ship
* Dolly (trailer)
* Federal Bridge Weight Formula
* Fifth wheel coupling
* Gladhand connector
* Intermodal freight transport
* Jackknifing
* Longer Heavier Vehicle
* National Network – highway and interstate system
* Overland train
* Ringfeder coupling devices
* Road transport in Australia
* Rolling highway - freight trucks by rail
* Semi-trailer truck - large trucks such as road trains and articulated lorries
* Shipping container
* Top intermodal container companies list
* Trackless train
* Transport

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "What is a Road Train?". X. Vintage Road Haulage, Perth, Western Australia. 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
2. ^ Fuller, Basil (1975). The Ghan: The Story of the Alice Springs Railway. Rigby. ISBN 978-0727000163.
3. ^ a b Beavan, Arthur H. (1903). Tube, Train, Tram, and Car or Up-to-date Locomotion. London: G. Routledge & sons. p. 217.
4. ^ Layriz, Otfrie; Marston, Robert Bright (1900). Mechanical traction in war for road transport, with notes on automobiles generally. London: S. Low, Marston and Company. p. 20.
5. ^ The Illustrated war news. 29 November 1916.
6. ^ Wyatt, Horace Matthew (1914). Motor transports in war. Hodder and Stoughton. pp. 43–44.
7. ^ Burgess-Wise, David (17 August 2001). "A good idea at the time: Renard Road Train". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
8. ^ Spooner, Stanley (1907). The Auto: The Motorist's Pictorial. Pictorial Press.
9. ^ "Farina 2016 works".
10. ^ View From The North – Episode Four: Roads North
11. ^ BBC Worldwide, Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld, Australian episode
12. ^ a b RAVnet (Map). Government of South Australia. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
13. ^ "Heavy Vehicles". Main Roads Western Australia. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
14. ^ a b Hema Maps (Firm) & Martin, Ray. & Martin, Will. (2007), Australia truckies atlas [cartographic material] : the complete atlas for the professional driver / Hema Maps; [cartography, Ray Martin and Will Martin] - ISBN 978-1-86500-426-6 ISBN 1-865004-26-X \- has state by state routes and route restrictions I
15. ^ "IMPROVING ROAD TRANSPORT FOR PRIMARY PRODUCTION PROJECT Status update" (PDF). Primary Industries and Regions SA. February 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
16. ^ "Common Heavy Freight Vehicle Configurations - NHVR" (PDF). National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
17. ^ Carter, Russell A. (June 2012). "Taking the Train | E & MJ". www.e-mj.com. "heavy-duty, high-capacity haulage trailer equipped with a diesel engine, cooling system, transmission and drive axle system, all controlled from the Powertrans prime mover"
18. ^ Shanks, Howard (14 September 2017). "1000 HP Kenworth C510 – Powertrailer combination Review". Australian Roadtrains. "body on the power-trans chassis .. engines rated at 450 and 500 horsepower. They are coupled to an Allison automatic transmission and tri-drive SISU hub reduction axles."
19. ^ "Australian Petroleum Statistics 2023". Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. December 2023. "slide page 7"
20. ^ Graham, James (19 April 2023). "World-first electric triple road train launches in SA". Big Rigs.
21. ^ "Brisbane Truck Show uncovers huge clean transport shift, from utes to road trains – VASA". 24 July 2023. "around 25 per cent of the 40MWh consumed so far by a Janus-converted forestry truck – while covering 18,500km with loads of up to 68.5 tonnes of timber on a 24-hour duty cycle – had been harvested from regenerative braking"
22. ^ "Truck Driver's Guide Book"
23. ^ "Fact #411 States that Allow Longer Combination Vehicles". U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Vehicle Technologies Office. 13 February 2006.
24. ^ "Gangway! Here comes a turnpike train!", The Times-News (Hendersonville, N.C.), 30 Nov. 1960, p. 7.
25. ^ "Chapter 3: Scenario Descriptions". Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight (CTS&W) Study (PDF). Vol. 3\. US: Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
26. ^ Timm, Chuck (2019). Encyclopedia of Made it Myself Ideas. Vol. 4\. Lakeville, Minnesota: Farm Show. p. 51.
27. ^ "Effektive og miljørigtige lastbiler på de danske veje" (Press release) (in Danish). Transport og Energiministeriet. 24 November 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2008.
28. ^ Longer trucks next year
29. ^ The next environmental improvement - Long truck rigs Volvo Trucks Magazine 2008-10-03
30. ^ "Miljövänlig jättebil med timmer". Västerbottens-Kuriren (in Swedish). TT. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
31. ^ Largest lorry in western Europe to start operating in Finnish Lapland
32. ^ 104 ton experiment in northern Finland
33. ^ http://www.cadenadesuministro.es/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Modificacion-del-Anexo-IX-del-Reglamento-General-de-Vehículos-copia.pdf [bare URL PDF]
34. ^ a b "NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-012-SCT-2-2014, Sobre el peso y dimensiones máximas con los que pueden circular los vehículos de autotransporte que transitan en las vías generales de comunicación de jurisdicción federal". Official Journal of the Federation (Mexico) (in Spanish). 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
35. ^ Notice of regulation https://www.elmananerodiario.com/los-doble-remolque-no-se-prohiben-tendran-regulacion-mas-estricta/
36. ^ Muscat Trailer website
37. ^ "Code of Practice for B-Doubles" (PDF). Government of South Australia, Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. June 2011. p. 3\. MR 414 06/11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
38. ^ "Into the Details: All About Road Trains". Equipment Hunt Group Pty Ltd. April 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
39. ^ Sweatman, P.; Tso, Y. (29 July 1988). "Dynamic stability of B‐doubles". Transportation Planning and Technology. 14 (2): 159–169. doi:10.1080/03081068908717423.
40. ^ a b c RAVnet (Map). Government of South Australia. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
41. ^ COAG backs B-triple network Archived 2008-07-29 at the Wayback Machine, ntc.gov.au
42. ^ Bereni, Matthieu; Rob Di Cristoforo (2012). "Connecting Australia with Modular B-Triples". Transportation Research Record. 2288 (2288). Washington, D.C.: 57–65. doi:10.3141/2288-07. S2CID 110027645.
43. ^ VIC transport operation reports breakthrough efficiencies with PBS B-quad combination primemovermag.com.au, 15 March 2019
44. ^ Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill 1998 (Bills Digest 192 1997-98)
45. ^ "Concessional Mass Limits". National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (nhvr.gov.au). Retrieved 1 December 2019.
46. ^ a b c d e Doug's Tug Archived 2009-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, the pick & shovel (13), December 2000.
47. ^ The world's longest roadtrain Truck & Bus Transportation June 1994 page 6
48. ^ The Truck Pull : The World's Longest Road Train, marleystransport.com
49. ^ World records : Preparations for the Big Attempt Archived 2009-04-12 at the Wayback Machine, gouldtransport.com.au, quoted from Kalgoorlie Miner, Friday 10 November 2000.
50. ^ TALKIN' TITAN TOUGH, 21 November 2005, macktrucks.com.au
51. ^ Monster Update : ROAD TRAIN RECORD Archived 2009-08-26 at the Wayback Machine Fleet Watch,
52. ^ Former road train record holder may take on new challenge, 22 February 2006, ABC News online,
53. ^ "Longest road train". Guinness World Records. 18 February 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
54. ^ Australia's New World Record Road Train Pull, thedieselgypsy.com
55. ^ Qld truck driver sets world's longest road train record, 19 February 2006, ABC News.
56. ^ Bulldog Reclaims Record Down Under, macktrucks.com
57. ^ "Volvo FH16 and I-Shift with crawler gears pulls 750 tonnes from standstill". 12 April 2016.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Road trains.

* Australian Road Train Association
* Australian National Heavy Vehicles Accreditation Scheme.
* Northern Territory Road Train road safety TV commercials. Archived 19 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
* South Australian Roads road train gazette
* NSW Roads and Traffic Authority road train operators gazette
* NSW Roads and Traffic Authority Restricted Access Vehicles route map index
* NSW Roads and Traffic Authority Reflective sign standards
* U.S. department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Chapter VII, Safety.
* The U.S. Department of Transportation's Western Uniformity Scenario Analysis.
* British Columbia Government Licensing Bulletin 6
* British Columbia Government Licensing Bulletin 41
* Roadmap of technologies able to halve energy use per passenger mile includes the dynamically coupled, heterogeneous type of roadtrain
* Road trains and electrification of transport
* Combination Vehicles for Commercial Drivers License

* v
* t
* e

Road hierarchy

Types of road|

| Limited-access|

* Bike freeway
* Freeway / Motorway
* Dual carriageway / Divided highway / Expressway
* Elevated highway

|

By country|

* Australia
* Belgium
* Brazil
* Canada
* China (Hong Kong)
* Croatia
* Czech Republic
* Germany
* Greece
* India
* Ireland
* Italy
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Poland
* Portugal
* Spain
* Taiwan
* United Kingdom
* United States

Main roads|

* Arterial road
* Collector road
* County highway
* Express-collector setup
* Farm-to-market road
* Highway
* Link road
* Two-lane expressway
* 2+1 road
* 2+2 road
* Parkway
* Ring road
* Super two
* Trunk road
* Highway systems by country

Local roads|

* Alley
* Avenue
* Backroad
* Bicycle boulevard
* Boulevard
* Country lane
* Dead end
* Driveway
* Frontage road
* Green lane
* Main street
* Primitive road
* Road
* Side road
* Single carriageway
* Single-track road
* Street
* Sunken lane

Other terms|

* Channelization
* Concurrency
* Detour
* Hierarchy of roads
* Private highway
* Route number
* special route
* business route
* Street hierarchy
* Stroad
* Toll road
* Winter road

Road junctions|

Interchanges
(grade-separated)

* Cloverleaf
* Diamond
* Free-flow
* Directional T
* Diverging diamond
* Parclo
* Raindrop
* Roundabout
* Single-point urban (SPUI)
* Stack
* Three-level diamond
* Trumpet

|

Intersections
(at-grade)

* 3-way junction
* Bowtie
* Box junction
* Continuous flow
* Hook turn
* Jughandle
* Michigan left
* Offset T-intersection
* Protected intersection
* Quadrant roadway
* Right-in/right-out (RIRO)
* Roundabout
* Seagull intersection
* Split intersection
* Superstreet
* Texas U-turn
* Turnaround

Surfaces|

* Asphalt concrete
* Bioasphalt
* Brick
* Chipseal
* Cobblestone
* Concrete
* Reinforced concrete
* Corduroy
* Crocodile cracking
* Crushed stone
* Diamond grinding of pavement
* Dirt
* Full depth recycling
* Glassphalt
* Gravel
* Ice
* Macadam
* Pavement milling
* Permeable
* Plank
* Plastic
* Rubberized asphalt
* Sealcoat
* Sett
* Stamped asphalt
* Tarmac
* Texture

Road safety
factors|

| Road and
environment|

* Aquaplaning
* Avalanche
* Black ice
* Bleeding
* Crosswind
* Dead Man's Curve
* Expansion joint
* Fog
* Ford
* Hairpin turn
* Level crossing
* Manhole cover
* Oil spill
* Oversize load
* Pothole
* Road debris
* Road slipperiness
* Road train
* Roadkill
* Rockfall
* Rut
* Speed bump
* Storm drain
* Washboarding
* Washout
* Whiteout
* Snowsquall

|

Human factors|

* Driver's education
* Driving under the influence
* Drowsy driving
* Road rage
* Single-vehicle crash

Vehicles|

* Airbag
* Automotive safety
* Seat belts
* Risk compensation (road transport)
* Underride guard

Space and
time allocation|

* Barrier transfer machine
* Bicycle lane
* Climbing lane
* Complete streets
* Contraflow lane
* Contraflow lane reversal
* High-occupancy toll lane
* High-occupancy vehicle lane
* Lane
* Living street
* Managed lane
* Median / Central reservation
* Motorcycle lane
* Passing lane
* Pedestrian crossing
* Pedestrian zone
* Refuge island
* Reversible lane
* Road diet
* Road verge
* Runaway truck ramp
* Shared space
* Sidewalk / Pavement
* Shoulder
* Street running railway
* Traffic calming
* Traffic directionality
* Traffic island
* Traffic lanes
* Traffic signal preemption
* Truck bypass
* Unused highway
* Wide outside lane
* Woonerf

Demarcation|

* Bollard
* Botts' dots
* Cable barrier
* Cat's eye (road)
* Concrete step barrier
* Constant-slope barrier
* Curb
* F-Shape barrier
* Guard rail
* Jersey barrier
* Kassel kerb
* Noise barrier
* Raised pavement marker
* Road surface marking
* Rumble strip
* Traffic barrier
* Traffic cone

Structures|

* Bridge
* Causeway
* Overpass / Flyover
* Underpass / Tunnel

Performance
indicators|

* Pavement condition index
* International roughness index
* Present serviceability index
* Pavement performance modeling
* Granular base equivalency

* Glossary of road transport terms
* Road types by features

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