London is calling

The 32-metre figure which emerged for the first time at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show goes by the name of ‘London’, and it’s made quite the impression on the transport industry.

The Super B-Double Skel trailer combination, which has also been designed to run as a Super B-triple, represents a significant leap forward in the field of container transportation. For Drake, it’s the mascot of its plan to transform this sector.

As the name suggests, the trailer combination has the ability to double stack containers with a fully Australian-compliant load restraint system. It can transport four 40’ containers or eight 20’ containers before a third trailer is added, significantly increasing productivity and efficiency by 100 per cent over current existing Super B-double combinations in a single journey.

This was proved in the combination’s first trial on public roads earlier this year in June, where under stringent safety operational conditions it carried eight empty twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) containers on a defined route within Qube’s port facilities and limited public port roads. During the trial, the vehicle was fitted with instrumentation which monitored vehicle speed, location and lateral acceleration data.

The Super B-double idea turned into a reality following discussions between Qube and O’Phee Trailers on ways to improve productivity and efficiency when moving a large number of containers. Determined to buck the trend, Drake engaged National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Chief Engineer, Les Bruzsa, and the Port of Brisbane to see whether a double stacked trailer would be possible.

“We wanted to confirm whether we could design a stacked trailer, taking advantage of the unique operating conditions at the Port where there are no height restrictions,” says Mick O’Phee.

After Drake was given the go ahead it began the top-secret design phase, where the ‘London’ name was born.

“Our ground-breaking trailer design was particularly significant and deserving of a codename to maintain confidentiality and protect the integrity of the design,” Mick says. “Inspired by the iconic red double decker busses of London, we internally referred to this design as ‘London’ and ensured only stakeholders, including our customer and government regulatory bodies, knew it to control the flow of information and maintain a competitive advantage in the market. This codename became symbolic for its innovation, efficiency and productivity.”

During the design phase, ‘London’ was subjected to countless regulatory and independent safety and operational assessments. These included Drake’s independent assessment report by O’Brien Traffic, NHVR’s Performance-Based Standards (PBS) Framework and computer simulations which evaluated performance under various loading scenarios, wind monitoring and wind loading assessments, road infrastructure and traffic management assessments on route, load restraint assessments and Swept Path Analysis.

Once ‘London’ was constructed, it went through further safety tests and assessments including physical tilt tests and desktop assessments relating to its stability.

By successfully implementing this solution, Drake has overcome many challenges while addressing key logistical limitations. The achievement, Mick says, not only demonstrates the company’s commitment to finding creative solutions, but also highlights its ability to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry.

“‘London’ has proven to be highly effective in increasing productivity in the freight industry,” he says. “By boosting carrying capacity by 100 per cent, Qube has been able to double the volume of empty containers in a single trip. This increased efficiency allows the operator to meet customer demands but also results in notable cost reductions.

“We have solid enquires from other operators and Ports domestically and internationally that are interested in adopting this new innovative, efficient and high productivity trailer.”

The new O’Phee unit reduces required trailers and vehicles in half, which therefore results in savings on fuel, maintenance, insurance, registration and labour costs. In the end, this also helps operators redirect funds towards other business avenues, further boosting growth.

‘London’ has also locked on to greater productivity. The combination enhances operational efficiency by saving time when loading and unloading, and its ability to move containers more swiftly minimises delays – allowing operators to meet customer demands more effectively while also enhancing their reputation for timely deliveries.

Safety is another high priority which ‘London’ steers towards. Loading can be completed inside the cab, without operators having to leave the combination. Plus, reducing the number of vehicle movements on the road, Drake says, leads to a decrease in road accidents which improves safety for all road users.

In addition, the trailer’s design caters to increased sustainability by reducing the number of container movements which results in lower emissions. This, Mick says, is crucial for the business going forward. 

“By optimising load carrying capacity and reducing the need for multiple trips, we are minimising our carbon footprint,” he says. “This step towards sustainability aligns with our commitment to environmental preservation and positions us as an environmentally responsible company.”