Given the economic conditions, uncertain outlook for energy prices and the importance of recognising green issues, the loading bay could see some important changes gathering momentum, particularly in the food retailing sector as the leading retailers take more fixed double deckers to heart. Some companies, like Boots, are committed to full scale conversion of its distribution fleet to double deck trailers. Investment in double-deck trailers is vital as it comes with several advantages; it can carry up to double the cargo to the same destination saving on manpower, man-hours, fuel and running costs.
The volume-constraint can be relaxed by enlarging the vehicle, in most cases vertically. This is only beneficial, however, for loads composed of products that can be stacked to a greater height. Where ‘stackability’ is limited, the insertion of an upper deck can achieve a much greater increase in vehicle loading. In some sectors, the increasing fragility of the product and weakening of packaging material is limiting the height to which it can be stacked. The evolution of the passenger bus illustrates the potential advantages of splitting a vehicle horizontally through the addition of a second deck. In some cases, the full benefits of double-decking can be obtained without any increase in vehicle dimensions. With some products and handling systems, it is more efficient to combine the addition of a double-deck with some enlargement of the vehicle body.
Health and Safety Regulations: These regulations have restricted the height to which pallets can be stacked to minimise the risk of injury to loading bay operatives during loading and unloading. This again, however, has the effect of reducing the amount of freight that can be carried on each square metre of deck area.
