Why No Road Trains in India?

Reasons Why Road Trains Exist in Australia

• Australia is the 6th largest country by land area but has a small population concentrated in coastal cities. The interior could be more sparsely populated.
• Large, empty highways and flat terrain in the outback provide ideal conditions for long road trains. No traffic congestion or frequent curves/turns.
• Point-to-point haulage from a big city to a remote community is feasible. Direct routes maximize efficiency.
• Reliable, high-quality trucks are available. Australia focused on developing road trains early to meet transportation needs.
• Strict regulations and driver training ensure safety protocols are followed.

Why Road Trains Don't Exist in Other Countries

• Higher traffic congestion and frequent city intersections/turns make long vehicles infeasible.
• Larger populations concentrated in more cities increase the viability of alternative transport like rail or smaller trucks.
• Meeting safety standards and maintaining control on public roads is difficult with very long vehicles.
• Road trains may operate on some private farms or routes but are not allowed on public highways.

Reasons Why India Lacks Road Trains

• Most Indian trucks are outdated designs from the 1960s-70s, inefficient and unsafe.
• Truck bodies are often separately built with no standardization, compromising stability.
• Breakdowns, accidents, and lack of efficiency are common among Indian trucks.
• Economic conditions mean companies focus on bare minimum viability rather than innovation.
• Poor regulation allows running outdated trucks. Road safety should be prioritized.

So while the vast outback makes road trains viable in Australia, factors like truck quality, safety, traffic, and population density prevent their adoption in India and most other nations.