Monday saw the launch by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) of a five-year pilot project to run a 44-pallet Performance-Based Standard (PBS) trailer between Bloemfontein and Upington.
The trailer is 27.9 metres long and can transport 44 pallets, compared with the conventional 30-pallet trailer. This vehicle is projected to reduce the number of loads that will need to be transported along this route by 78%.
“As CCBSA, this pilot project is part of an ongoing programme for us to continuously develop new ways of delivering to our customers while contributing According to CCBSA logistics director Flora Jika, this approach uses performance-based standards, which specify the performance required of a heavy vehicle on particular routes, bearing in mind both safety and the nature of the road infrastructure itself.
“Performance-based standards provide greater leeway for vehicle designers to come up with innovative ideas. Trucks and trailers designed in this way are often called ‘smart trucks’.”
