Appendix A: List of Transportation Strategies
This appendix includes a list of transportation emission reduction strategies that is intended to be comprehensive of the full range of strategies that would be examined by transportation agencies as part of transportation conformity analyses or other emissions analyses. Although this list is intended to be comprehensive, it is not exhaustive of all potential strategies. Two primary criteria were applied for inclusion of strategies:
- The strategy can be implemented by policy makers at a state or local level (i.e., it does not require a change in federal law or federal action) - Many strategies in the list below can be funded or implemented directly by transportation agencies (e.g., transit programs, traffic flow improvements). However, we did not limit the list only to those that would be implemented directly by transportation agencies. Some strategies are typically funded by state air agencies (e.g., inspection and maintenance programs, vehicle buy-back programs) or require implementation by local governments (e.g., land use policies, parking policies).
- The strategy is generally considered at least marginally useful as an emission reduction strategy -Some strategies have limited documentation of effectiveness, and may not generate significant emission reductions on their own; however, all strategies included are generally considered to be supportive of other strategies and contributing to emissions reductions.
The strategies are grouped into four broad categories:
- Transportation demand management (TDM) strategies - these strategies generally focus on reducing the amount of vehicle travel;
- Transportation system management (TSM) / driver behavior-oriented strategies - these strategies generally focus on improving the operating characteristics of vehicles, affecting speeds, traffic flow, idling, etc.;
- Vehicle, fuels, and technology strategies - these strategies generally focus on reducing vehicle emission rates; and
- Non-road transportation strategies - these strategies address railroads, marine vessels, airport ground support equipment, and other non-road engines.
Some individual strategies fall into more than one of these categories (e.g., high-occupancy vehicle lanes can be considered both a TDM and TSM strategy since they encourage ridesharing, and also may help to improve traffic flow) but are only listed once in order to avoid duplication.
Within these four broad categories, the strategies have been sub-categorized so that those with similar goals or targets are grouped together (e.g., transit strategies are grouped together, as are bicycle and pedestrian strategies). Often, strategies within a sub-category are implemented together and are analyzed as a package. In total, this memo identifies 137 different strategies in 29 sub-categories. For many of the strategies, examples of specific implementation approaches are provided. Although each of these examples is sometimes listed as a separate strategy in other resource documents, the examples for a given strategy generally serve the same purpose and would typically use the same general methodology for emissions analysis.
Each of the strategies focuses on policy or programmatic approaches that could be implemented by the public sector. Following the strategies, a table identifies specific technologies that can be applied as emission reduction measures.
Transportation Demand Management Strategies
Transportation demand management (TDM) strategies focus on changing travel behavior - trip rates, trip length, travel mode, time-of-day, etc. Most TDM projects/programs reduce emissions by reducing trips and/or vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by personal motor vehicles, or by shifting trips from peak periods to less congested periods. These strategies are listed below.
1. Shared Ride Programs/Projects
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Park-and-Ride facilities |
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High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes |
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Regional rideshare outreach/matching |
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Regional rideshare incentives |
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Dynamic rideshare programs |
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Encourage shared ride taxis |
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Regional vanpool network |
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Short-distance vanpools |
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2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs/Projects
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
New bicycle paths, lanes, routes, or safety enhancements |
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Bicycle parking |
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Bikes on transit programs |
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Bicycle information |
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Bicycle share programs |
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Financial incentives to own bicycles |
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Pedestrian connections/sidewalks |
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Enhancing the pedestrian environment |
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3. Transit
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
New transit routes/services |
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More frequent service |
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Longer service hours |
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More capacity on services |
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Faster travel times/improved system performance |
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Passenger amenities |
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Improved transit access |
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Transit information |
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Transit marketing and promotions |
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Reduced fares/free services |
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Fare structure/convenience improvements |
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Transit pass programs |
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"Try it" transit pass give-aways |
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4. Parking Management
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Parking pricing / fees |
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Parking supply limits |
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Preferential parking for carpools/vanpools |
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Parking cash out program |
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5. Pricing
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Road pricing |
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Cordon pricing |
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Variable priced tolls |
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Variable parking fees |
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Pay-As-You-Drive Vehicle Insurance |
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VMT-based registration fees |
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Increase in gas tax |
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Employee tax credits |
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6. Employer-based TDM Programs
Note: A wide range of different employer-based demand management options are available, including: transit passes, vanpool subsidies, rideshare matching, bicycle lockers/showers, telecommuting programs, flexible work hours, compressed work schedules, etc. These programs typically are not promoted individually but as packages of strategies, and would be analyzed as a comprehensive program. As a result, the list below focuses on government policies or programs, not individual TDM program elements. The analysis of these strategies requires an assessment of levels of participation in different types of TDM activities.
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Employer marketing and support |
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Telecommuting support/incentives |
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Telework centers |
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On-going incentives for employer-based transit/vanpool/carpool programs |
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Start up incentives for employer-based transit/vanpool/carpool programs |
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Implement programs at government worksites |
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Mandatory commute trip reduction programs |
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Regional guaranteed ride home program |
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Support proximate commuting |
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7. Non-employer-based TDM Programs
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
School-based programs |
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Campus programs |
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Community-based programs |
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Development-based programs |
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Airport-based programs |
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Tourism promotions |
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Special events-based programs |
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8. Outreach/Marketing/Education
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Regional TDM program outreach |
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Episodic (Spare the Air / Ozone Action Days) programs |
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Educational curriculum |
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Transportation management organizations |
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9.Integrated Land Use-Transportation Planning
Note: A wide range of different land use policy mechanisms are available, including: zoning requirements, impact fees, developer incentives, regional growth boundaries, etc. These policies typically would not be analyzed individually but as a package of strategies that affects land use patterns, and hence, travel and emissions. As a result, these strategies are not listed individually. Sometimes, strategies are identified based on the focus of the efforts: transit-oriented development, mixed-use activity centers, pedestrian-oriented design, etc. Five strategies are listed below that are organized around different types of programmatic approaches.
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Transit-oriented development (TOD) programs |
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Programs/requirements/ incentives to encourage better regional land use/transportation coordination |
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Programs/requirements/ incentives to improve community design |
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Neighborhood schools |
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Incentives to live near work/transit/downtown |
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10. Vehicle Use Restrictions
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Auto-free zones |
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Limit access to HOVs only |
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No Drive Days |
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11. Other Options to Reduce Auto Ownership / Avoid Vehicle Trips
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Carsharing programs |
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Using technology to avoid vehicle trips |
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Transportation System Management / Vehicle Driver Behavior-Oriented Strategies
Transportation system management (TSM)strategies focus on changing the operation of the transportation system, typically with a primary focus on improving traffic flow and reducing traveler delay. TSM programs can reduce emissions by changing vehicle speeds, reducing rapid vehicle accelerations and decelerations, and reducing vehicle idling. Many of these strategies are under the umbrella of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). In addition, some strategies focus directly on encouraging changes in driving behavior through educational information, incentives, or restrictions on driving speeds, operating patterns, and idling. These strategies are listed below.
12. Traffic Signal Synchronization
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Signal retiming |
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Advanced traffic signal controls |
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13. Roadway / Intersection Improvements
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
One-way streets |
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Turn restrictions |
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Turning lanes |
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Roundabouts |
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Limit on-street parking |
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Intersection improvements |
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Bus pullouts |
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14. Incident Management / Operations
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Incident management programs |
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Ramp metering |
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Encourage use of underutilized capacity |
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Allow use of road shoulders during peak periods/to get around incidents |
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15. Traveler Information Systems
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Real-time traveler information systems |
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Real-time parking information |
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16. Speed Control
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Lower speed limits |
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Increased speed enforcement |
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Driver training/education |
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17. Access Management
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Access management |
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18. Shifting/Separating Freight Movements
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Shifting freight movement to off-peak periods |
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Truck-only lanes/routes |
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Truck restrictions |
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Consolidated freight/package delivery |
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Rail shuttles |
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Container matching services |
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19. Anti-Idling
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Anti-idling restrictions |
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Anti-idling information campaigns |
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Restrictions on drive-through services |
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Freight facility improvements |
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Vehicle, Fuels, and Technology Strategies
Vehicle, fuel, and technology projects and programs are designed to change the emission rates of vehicles either by changing the fuel being used, the type of vehicle or emissions control technology, or a combination of both. Some programs also focus on eliminating gross polluters, or vehicles whose emissions controls have failed, or on controlling specific types of emissions (e.g., road dust). These strategies are listed below.
20. Accelerated Vehicle Retirement/Fleet Renewal/Replacement
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Vehicle buy-back programs |
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Fleet renewal / clean vehicle programs |
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21. Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle Repowering/Retrofits*
Note: There are a range of technologies that can be used to retrofit heavy duty diesel vehicles, including particulate filters, oxidation catalysts, flow through filters, crankcase filters, NOX reducing catalysts, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and selective catalytic reduction. Each of these technologies has a different effect on pollutants of concern, and can be examined as an emissions reduction measure independently. Strategies listed below are those that are policy/program options available to state/local governments.
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Mandatory fleet retrofits |
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Government contracting requirements |
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Voluntary programs with funding |
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* See section "Samples of Technology Samples/Options" for a more detailed list of technology options
22. Idle Reduction Technologies
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Truck stop electrification |
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Purchase of auxiliary power units |
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23. Purchases of Advanced Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Cleaner diesel fuels |
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Purchases of alternative fuel vehicles (buses, other heavy-duty vehicles, light-duty vehicles) |
|
24. Programs to Encourage Purchases of Advanced Technology/Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
General tax / financial incentives |
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Specific target market programs with funding |
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HOV lane use allowed for advanced technology/ alternative fuel vehicles |
|
Preferential/free parking for advanced technology/ alternative fuel vehicles |
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Government contracting requirements |
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25. Inspection and Maintenance
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Basic I&M |
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Enhanced I&M and on-board diagnostics |
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Remote Sensing |
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Smoking vehicle programs |
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Heavy-duty vehicle inspections |
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26. Road Dust Reduction Strategies
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Mitigation for unpaved roads |
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Road paving |
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Street sweeping |
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Transportation construction site mitigation efforts |
|
Non-Road Strategies
Non-road vehicles and equipment include railroads, marine vessels, airport ground support equipment, lawn and garden equipment, construction and agricultural equipment, and other mobile equipment. There are a wide range of technologies and operational strategies available to address these sources. The list of strategies below focuses on policies and programs. Following this strategy list is an appendix that includes more detail on the specific types of modifications that can be made to equipment.
27. Encourage Replacement/Repowering/Retrofits*
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Mandatory fleet retrofits |
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Scrappage programs |
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Government contracting requirements regarding vehicle/equipment technologies |
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Voluntary repower / retrofit programs, with funding* |
|
* See section "Samples of Technology Samples/Options" for a more detailed list of technology options
28. Encourage / Implement Use of Alternative Fuels
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Encourage use of on-road fuels by non-road diesel vehicles |
|
Purchase alternative fuel vehicles / equipment |
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Incentives for purchase of alternative fuel vehicles / equipment |
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Rail electrification |
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29. Encourage / Implement Operational Improvements and Anti-Idling Technologies
Strategy |
Examples |
---|---|
Rail infrastructure improvements |
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Rail operational strategies/practices |
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Marine vessel equipment modifications |
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Marine vessel fleet operational strategies/practices |
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Airport operational strategies |
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Government contracting requirements limiting idling |
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Samples of Technology Approaches/Options
Approach |
Options |
---|---|
Heavy-duty diesel engine retrofits (trucks, locomotives, marine vessels, other) |
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Locomotive engine modifications |
|
Railroad equipment modifications |
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Railroad alternative fuels |
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Marine vessel engine modifications |
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Marine vessel alternative fuels |
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Airport ground support equipment engine modifications/ alternative fuels |
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