Transport Engineer : July 2009 Contents

4 Comment
We have the technology, now we just need political direction. Engineers and scientists should be congratulated on having delivered an almost-bewildering choice of technology, from super-clean diesels to hybrids, from lithium-ion batteries to supercapacitors, and from biomethane to fuel-cells. What road transport operators need now are intelligent, effective and durable business and fiscal mechanisms to allow the best of these technologies to take off and work commercially. Any chance of that in the UK when the third transport secretary in less than a year is settling into his new job and probably will be moving on again for one reason or another in less than twelve months from now?

4 Letters
All three on commercial vehicle testing and VOSA’s plans for "authorised testing facilities". From Ian Jayne of Bradford, West Yorkshire; Mark Hemingway of Barnoldswick, Lancashire; and Richard Green of Keighley, West Yorkshire.

5 News
Don’t let computers compromise vehicle safety. The warning comes from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in a guide to vehicle-maintenance software and records.

6 Equipping the operation
Changes of direction for Euro-5 and Euro-6 diesel engines.

8 Equipping the operation
Where does the tail-lift market go from here?

10 Forward thinking on truck and bus testing: the Peoples choice
VOSA’s acting chief executive Alastair Peoples responds to criticism of his “authorised testing facility” plans.

14 From Viennese waltz to technology quick-step
David Wilcox reports from the UITP congress and exhibition in Austria, where bus operators were busily trying to shake off a “dusty old ladies” image.

19 Riding for a fall?
Richard Simpson delves into the mysterious world of LOLER and PUWER legislation as it affects everyone involved in loading and unloading commercial vehicles.

24 Second wind for gas engines
Biomethane is being hailed as the latest green wonder fuel. A Loughborough conference last month heard why. Richard Simpson was there.

28 People and jobs

31 Events diary