Image courtesy of YouTube
Could this be a solution to the labor shortage? The first “super” large truck in Hokkaido, capable of carrying the equivalent of two large trucks’ worth of cargo at once, has begun operation.
(Reporter Mayumi Ohara) “This truck parked here looks like a normal truck from the front, but if you go around to the side, you can see that a trailer is attached to the back. It’s about 25 meters long, very long.” A long truck running through Sapporo city. It’s called a “double-trailer truck,” with two large truck beds connected together, and it’s about 25 meters long. One driver can carry the equivalent of two large trucks’ worth of cargo, and a Sapporo transportation company began operating it yesterday (the 13th) in an effort to alleviate the serious driver shortage in the logistics industry. This is the first time it has been used in Hokkaido.
(President Gen Imai of Hokkaido Fukuyama Transport) “Improving the efficiency of long-distance transportation has been an important issue in Hokkaido for some time, so by introducing this ahead of others, we will contribute to the advancement of regional logistics and the establishment of a sustainable transportation model.” Furthermore, there is a mechanism to ensure safety. The rear cargo bed is equipped with an emergency brake, which will automatically activate if the connection comes undone. While “double-trailer trucks” are expected to improve transportation efficiency, driving them requires advanced skills. Only specially trained drivers are allowed to operate them. This company currently has only two drivers.
Driver Takase Meiji: “When I’m driving, I pay special attention to avoiding collisions when turning right or left at intersections, and I’m especially careful of pedestrians and cyclists. Because they’re so long, I feel like I have to be even more careful when I’m driving.”
Will this be a solution to the driver shortage? “Double-trailer trucks” are scheduled to be used in Hokkaido only from April to November, when there is no impact from snow.
