SmartWay Transport

Shippers can implement measures at their own facilities that improve efficiency and reduceemissions. The following technologies and strategies can help reduce fuel consumption and emissions associated with freight shipping activities.

• Intermodal Shipping
• Preferential Docking
• Driver Comfort Stations
• Electric Forklifts
• Anti-Idling Policies
• Pickup/Delivery Scheduling
• Full Truckloads
• Light Fleet Improvements
• Warehouse Improvements

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Intermodal Shipping
Many goods and materials may be delivered to distribution hubs more efficiently by rail than by truck.  Intermodal shipping combines the fuel efficiency of rail with the logistical strengths of trucking.  Standardized containers are easily transferred from rail to truck and vice versa.  Intermodal shipping can minimize overall fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and lower the costs of freight delivery.

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Preferential Docking
Shippers can actively support the goals of SmartWay Transport Partnership by providing special docking privileges for SmartWay Transport Partners.  Deliveries by Partner carriers may be given prime docking times and locales.  Select docks may be designated as "SmartWay Transport Docks."

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Driver Comfort Stations
Drivers endure a great deal of discomfort in the course of their day, some of which is spent idling their trucks to stay comfortable at docking facilities.  Shippers can provide climate controlled comfort stations at docking facilities so that drivers won’t need to idle their trucks to stay warm or cool, as the case may be.  Eliminating idling not only has obvious fuel, emissions and maintenance benefits, but improved driver comfort enhances safety.

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Electric Forklifts
Many freight facilities may still use diesel-powered forklifts to carry pallets, crates, etc. between the dock and warehouse.  Electric forklifts are cleaner and more efficient to operate, producing no emissions at the facility.  Utilizing electric forklifts reduces a company’s environmental impact and improves ambient air quality in and around freight docking areas.

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Anti-Idling Policies
Shippers usually have control over access to their docking facilities including any parking or waiting areas.  Shippers may implement a "No Idle" policy for any truck picking up from or delivering to its facilities.  No Idling Policies may best be combined with driver comfort stations, so that Drivers have an alternative.

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Pickup/Delivery Scheduling
Excess waiting time for drivers often leads to excess idling and the increased fuel use and emissions.  Shippers can improve scheduling with enhanced communications or logistics software.  Improved scheduling of pickups and delivery reduces excess idling and improves the on-time efficiency of freight operations.

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Full Truckloads
Goods and materials are sometimes shipped on partially loaded trucks in the interest of expediency, increasing overall fuel use and shipping costs.  Shippers can improve truckload scheduling with freight logistics software that helps to plan shipping loads.  Full truckloads not only improves efficiency but also helps reduce congestion at docking facilities.

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Light Fleet Improvements
Shippers often have small fleets of light duty vehicles (cars and light-trucks) used around their facilities or for staff travel.  Upgrading a light-duty fleet to more fuel- efficient and lower emitting vehicles reduces a company’s overall environmental impact.

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Warehouse Improvements
Multiple improvements can be made in and around warehouses that will facilitate improved efficiency and emissions reductions.

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