Huckepack-transport emerging
With the increasing amount of traffic jams in Europe, which in turn lead to higher costs, a transport method that is less harmful to the environment and not susceptible to traffic kayos, is traffic movement by rail. The general term for this method of transportation is called Huckepack-transport. When using this method of transportation the trailers are loaded onto specially adapted rail wagons, and then train with the loaded trailer goes to its destination.
Huckepack transport does require some modifications to both the trailers and the train on which they will be transported. Standard trailers cannot be used for this type transported by rail, as they are not suitable in construction design for vertical lifting, which is requirement for loading onto the Huckepack rail wagon. For this type of intermodal transport trailers are required with a reinforced construction and adjustable air suspension, also the trailers also require “grip points” at the sides for the lifting by overhead crane. The rail wagons (so-called “Taschwagen” or “pocket wagons”) on which the trailers are transported, need to have slots for the wheels of the trailers to sit in whilst being moved.
In addition Huckepack-transport requires proper planning and organization; the trains travel certain routs through tunnels and not all tunnels are high enough for the passage of trailers. To prevent trains carrying trailers from getting stuck in tunnels, the trailers are given a certain coding. This coding displays which tunnels are suitable for safe passage for train and trailers.
A transporter has to decide on which route the trailer will be used prior to the purchase of a Huckepack trailer and discuss with the intermodal rail operator which requirements the trailer must meet (heights and widths of the rail routes are indicated in the so-called “profile free space”). Kraker Trailers can engineer the construction of their moving floor trailers to comply with the correct requirement, so enabling them to deliver a customized Huckepack trailer, together with type approval.
Advantages of Huckepack-transport
Establishing streamlined combined road/rail transport requires a solid approach of the transporter. Once implemented properly this form of transportation has a lot of advantages, as listed below:
- Huckepack-transport is environmentally friendly and can count on extra support of the European Union
- the CO2-emission compared to pure transport by road is significantly less. On average about 60% CO2 is saved per ton of transported product
- this form of transportation is reliable and punctual: unexpected delays due to traffic jams is avoided
- Tariffs for use of the HP system are listed, so you know exactly in advance your costs
Demand for moving floor-Huckepack is growing
Some time ago Kraker Trailers delivered the first eleven Huckepack moving floor trailers to the Swiss company Schöni.
For this to happen an intensive period of development, engineering was required, this was then followed by implementation of various tests and in turn lead to type approval.
The result met the defined requirements perfectly. The fact that this type of moving floor trailers has proven its usefulness, is demonstrated by a new order of Schöni for 6 more of these trailers. In addition, the German company Dorsam + Nickel, logistic service provider in the field of waste management and recycling has ordered two Huckepack-trailers from Kraker Trailers. In addition to these, Kraker Trailers have received various requests from other European countries, who want to join in the move to the Huckepack method of transportation.