Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...

Transportation’s Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Volume 2
� 4.3 Truck Operations and Management
Truck operations and management strategies are directed at utilizing and operating
vehicles more efficiently in order to reduce GHG emissions per ton-mile of freight moved.
Strategies discussed in this report include:
• Implementing idle reduction technologies and regulations to reduce long-duration
idling;
• Allowing longer and/or heavier vehicles which use less fuel per ton-mile of goods
carried; and
• Establishing urban consolidation centers on the fringes of cities to consolidate goods
into loads that can be distributed by fewer and more efficient vehicles.
One strategy that is not directly addressed in this report is improved efficiency in freight
logistics patterns, or “green logistics.” Examples include load matching to reduce empty
backhauls, use of routing and scheduling software to reduce distances traveled, and
flexible loading and receiving schedules to allow drivers to avoid congestion (EPA, 2002).
These strategies are primarily under the control of the private sector. However, the U.S.
EPA has undertaken outreach efforts through its SmartWay program to encourage
businesses and shipping companies to improve freight logistics to reduce GHG emissions,
and has developed software to assist companies in calculating the GHG implications of
their logistics decisions. Pricing measures that increase the cost of carbon emissions will
encourage private companies to adopt more efficient practices by internalizing the costs of
the carbon emissions related to goods movement.
Truck Idling Reduction
Description
Truck idling reduction strategies include
education, laws, technology, and land use
decisions to reduce long-duration idling of
heavy vehicles. Heavy vehicle operators
often leave their engines idling for extended
periods in order to provide cab heat or air
conditioning, storage cooling, and electrical
power while they are stationary. Examples
of idle reduction technologies include:
providing electrical hookups at truck
parking spaces; automatic shut-down/startup
systems for engines; heating and airconditioning
powered by on-board batteries
or diesel generators (auxiliary power units
or APUs); and Statewide anti-idling laws to
require or encourage adoption of anti-idling
Truck Idling Reduction
Benefits: Low: 1.3-6.1 mmt CO2e in 2030
• Low estimate – truck stop electrification; high
estimate – idle reduction equipment on all
sleeper cabs
Direct Costs: Moderate: $20 to $50 per tonne
Net Included Costs: Net Savings: -$480 to -$180
per tonne
Confidence in Estimates: High
Key Co-Benefits and Impacts: Positive
• Reduced air pollutant emissions; long-term
cost savings to truck owners
Feasibility: High
• Some initiatives in progress
Key Policy Options:
• Uniform anti-idling law
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