Department for Transport (DfT)
The Department for Transport's (DfT) overall aim is "transport that works for everyone".
The delivery of a reliable, safe and secure transport system that responds efficiently to the needs of individuals and businesses, whilst safeguarding the environment, is one of the key drivers in achieving this aim.
The Freight Best Practice programme makes a significant contribution to these goals by improving the operational efficiency and environmental awareness of the freight transport industry and also demonstrates the government's commitment to sustainable transport.
An independent impact assessment of the programme conducted in 2007 found that a reduction of 240,000 tonnes of CO2 and £83 million in savings was achieved by the freight industry by using the Freight Best Practice programme over the previous two years. The independent impact assessment also found that 9% of the haulage industry were active users of the programme - a 50% increase on 2005.
Work on transport energy efficiency goes back to 1992 when the then Department of the Environment supported a demonstration project on aerodynamic styling for articulated lorries. Another programme was established in 1994 which focussed on improving fuel efficiency for freight fleets. Further developments took place culminating in September 2005 when the newly branded Freight Best Practice programme was launched and managed by Faber Maunsell Ltd.
As certain aspects of transport policy are devolved functions the programme initially supported the English freight sector however, since November 2007 the Welsh Assembly Government launched the scheme to support the Welsh freight sector. Future developments for the Freight Best Practice programme are planned to address multi-modal issues, develop further online applications and continue to chamption fuel efficiency throughout the freight sector.
For further information about the DfT visit www.dft.gov.uk
For more ideas and guidance on running safe and fuel efficient freight fleets the following links will be of interest: www.safed.org.uk and www.freightbestpractice.org.uk/default.aspx