| Authors: | Inger Beate Hovi, Tonje Lysø, Anne Madslien, Hedda Strømstad |
| Report nr: | 1982/2023 |
| ISBN (digital version): | 978-82-480-2045-5 |
| Language: | Norwegian |
| Attachments | Summary, pdf Full report, in Norwegian only, pdf Sammendrag, pdf |
In the present report, we have attempted to quantify the external benefits realized through the digitization of road networks. Based on changes in the road network from 2019 to 2022, we have analysed how changes in vehicle class affect vehicle size, route choice, and transport costs. Analysis distinguishes between four vehicle classes: 1) Single trucks, 2) Articulated trucks, 3) Modular trucks, and 4) Timber trucks with long trailer. Analyses conducted in the National Freight Model show an increase in road transport performance (tonnes-km) by 3.3%, primarily coming from rail transport, while road traffic is reduced by 2.8%. This indicates an efficiency improvement in transportation, which more than compensates for the shift from rail to road transport. The changes in vehicle classes in the period 2019 to 2022 make up reduced transport costs of around NOK 1.7 billion in total. The majority of the changes took place in 2021 when main roads in the timber road network were opened to modular vehicle combinations. A digitization of the road lists will speed up the phasing in of changes of use by three months on average. The average gross benefit, per version of the road lists, is calculated to NOK 28 mill., or NOK 56 mill. annually.
