SECURE.AI - Super EcoCombi Urban Route Evaluation with AI

The Netherlands is reshaping its road transport sector through innovative policies and technologies. From 2026, a per-kilometer truck levy (vrachtwagenheffing) will fund emission-reduction initiatives. A key innovation is the Super EcoCombi (SEC), a 32-meter vehicle combination with two semi-trailers, offering 30% more cargo capacity and reducing CO₂ emissions by about 30%. This addresses efficiency challenges in freight transport.
However, the Netherlands’ dense road network poses safety concerns for SECs, especially on narrow roundabouts and sharp turns. Trailer manufacturers like Jumbo Groenewegen and Pacton plan to use steerable axles to reduce swept paths, but manually analyzing SEC performance on real roundabouts is time-consuming and impractical for large-scale evaluations.
Previously, HAN developed a workflow in European projects to detect critical route sections and analyze them automatically. Yet, it relied on closed-source data, licensed APIs, and generalized assumptions for roundabouts. To accelerate cleaner transport solutions, the industry needs a more comprehensive, open tool.
Responding to this need, HAN and Kadaster explored AI models that detect Dutch roundabout boundaries using open-source aerial imagery and LiDAR data. This breakthrough enables automated infrastructure analysis with publicly available datasets. Building on this, the SECURE.AI project is creating a Super EcoCombi Route Evaluation Tool. It will assess route drivability and swept-path compliance for various SEC configurations using real roundabout geometries—without manual intervention or assumptions. This innovation supports safer, more efficient, and sustainable freight transport in the Netherlands by helping trailer designers to rapidly arrive at optimal designs.