Truck rapid transit an option?

The bus rapid transit (BRT)
system has been widely
touted in South Africa as
the affordable way to a safer,
faster and more reliable form
of public transport. So why
aren’t we considering the
development of a truck rapid
transit (TRT) system?
“It has been proven that
a step change in transport
development leads to greater
economic growth based on
the potential to move goods
faster, more cheaply and more
reliably - and new technology
enables new types of
economic activity that wasn’t
previously thought possible,”
says transport economist,
Andrew Marsay.
South Africa is spending a
small fortune on developing
its rail infrastructure in an
effort to ensure road-to-rail
migration. “But the migration
will only take place if rail
proves to be more affordable,
more efficient and more
reliable,” comments Marsay.
He argues that a truck
rapid transit system – an
integrated transport system
that operates on electric
railways with an exclusive
right-of-way – could be
developed at a much lower
aggregate infrastructure
cost than standard railway
systems.
“It offers train-like
capacity but with road-based
flexibility and would bring
about enhanced road safety
as it separates freight traffic
from passenger traffic,”
Marsay points out.
He notes that benefits
would include scheduling
reliability, flexibility around
distribution, as well as greater
economic viability through
higher payloads.