Double bottoms will save the earth

When New York really was the Empire State

When Glenn Reynolds links to a freight story, even if its from the UK, and even if it involves the carbon scam,  as Uncle Andy would say, we're on it:

The UK's Department for Transport (DFT) has released the results of its study on the impact of longer semi-trailer trucks. The findings suggest that the use of longer trailers would slash emissions without compromising road integrity or safety.

The study proposes that by increasing the total length of articulated trucks by two meters (6.6 feet) while maintaining the UK's existing weight limit of 44 tons, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 13 percent. The increased length would boost capacity of the haulers and allow for the transport of up to 100,000 additional tons of "lightweight goods" per year.

Red Star B-Series Mack with Thruway doubles

Here at South of 5 and 20, we don't buy into the "climate change" hoax, but we do know that bigger trucks move more freight with less fuel.  Hemmings has the scoop on how double bottoms evolved, and how our own Route 20 played a leading role.  Lots of fallen flags in the post, including Auburn's Red Star Express.  In the 1970's, triple bottoms were tested on the Thruway, but the AAA freaked out and killed the experiment.