Freight Partnership Looks To Reduce Pollution and Greenhouse Gases

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport is a voluntary partnership with leading members of America's truck and rail transport sector which aims to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from ground freight carriers such as trucks and locomotives.

By 2012 this initiative aims to reduce as much as eighteen million metric tons of carbon-equivalent and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually. These reductions will create fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually.

To achieve these goals, companies can incorporate various strategies and technologies such as:

• Idle reduction,
• Improved aerodynamics,
• Improved logistics management,
• Automatic tire inflation systems,
• Wide-base tires,
• Driver training,
• Low-viscosity lubricants,
• Reduced highway speed and/or
• Lightweight vehicle components

EPA is currently working with SmartWay Transport charter partners to establish voluntary performance goals for the transport supply chain:

• Carriers - companies that haul freight
• Shippers - retailers and manufacturers of goods that require shipping.

Companies that meet the voluntary performance goals are:

• Eligible for membership in the SmartWay Transport program.
• Recognized as having outstanding environmentally-efficient freight transport services.
• Able to highlight their environmental leadership to their customers and the public.

To qualify, shippers will need to ship a minimum percentage of their goods with SmartWay Transport carriers. Carriers will need to demonstrate improved carbon efficiencies and/or criteria pollutant efficiencies.

For more information, visit EPA's SmartWay Transport Web site.

Published: April 28, 2003