SmartWay Transport

Truck and rail transportation provides a cost-effective means to transport much of America’s freight. Truck and rail fleets can take simple actions to make ground freight more efficient and cleaner for the environment. The following technologies and strategies can help reduce fuel consumption and emissions from freight trucks.

• Idle Reduction
• Improved Aerodynamics
• Improved Freight Logistics
• Automatic Tire Inflation Systems
• Wide-base Tires
• Driver Training
• Low-Viscosity Lubricants
• Weight Reduction
• Intermodal Shipping
• Hybrid Powertrain Technology

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Idle Reduction
Several technologies and practices can be used to assist drivers in reducing truck idling. Reducing or eliminating prolonged idling of long-haul trucks can save up to 1,000 gallons of fuel per truck each year, reduce pollution emissions, and lower engine maintenance costs. The use of one of several idle control technologies such as auxiliary power units (APU) and truck stop electrification (TSE) that provide heat, air conditioning, and electrical power can minimize fuel consumption.
"A Glance Clean Freight Strategies:  Idle Reduction” (EPA 420-F-04-009, February 2004)107K PDF

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Improved Aerodynamics
In recent years, manufacturers have focused considerable attention on improving truck tractor aerodynamics and have therefore achieved significant gains in fuel efficiency. Using a streamlined profile tractor with aerodynamic devices (roof fairing, cab extenders, and side fairings) can reduce fuel consumption up to 600 gallons and eliminate over five metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year compared to a typical classic profile tractor. Trailers can be improved through aerodynamics simply by reducing the tractor-trailer gap, securing loose tarpaulins, and on flatbed trailers, arranging cargo to keep the outline of the total load as low and smooth as possible.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Improved Aerodynamics” (PDF) (EPA 420-F-04-012, February 2004)

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Improved Freight Logistics
Improved freight logistics can optimize trucking operation efficiency, saving fuel and increasing profits for trucking companies. Logistics strategies include load matching, more efficient routing and scheduling of vehicles, and improved receiving policies. Better load matching, which ensures full trucks, improves the efficiency of trucking operations, allowing carriers to carry the same amount of freight with fewer vehicle miles of travel. Not only does this help profitability, but it reduces fuel use and emissions. Trucking companies can make use of routing and scheduling software to structure more efficient truck routes. Changes to loading dock and receiving policies, such as allowing for early truck arrivals, lets trucking companies more productively utilize their vehicle fleets, thereby saving fuel and increasing profitability. For a long-haul carrier that operates 15 percent of miles without a load, reducing empty mileage by just one percent can over 100 gallons of fuel and eliminate over one metric ton of greenhouse gas emissions per truck each year.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Improved Freight Logistics” (EPA 420-F-04-011, February 2004)

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Automatic Tire Inflation Systems
Automatic tire inflation systems monitor and continually adjust the level of pressurized air to tires, maintaining proper tire pressure even when the truck is moving. Automatic tire inflation systems can extend tire life by 8 percent. Installing an automatic tire inflation system on the truck drive and trailer axles can save over $200 per year in tire replacement costs and tire pressure inspection time. Automatic tire inflation systems can reduce fuel consumption by over 100 gallons per year for a typical combination truck, resulting in annual cost savings of about $170 and the elimination of over one metric ton of greenhouse gas emissions.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Automatic Tire Inflation Systems (PDF) (EPA 420-F-04-010, February 2004)

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Wide-base Tires
Wide-base tires on new production trucks can reduce rolling resistance, improve fuel economy, and offer substantial fuel cost savings. Wide-base tires can improve fuel economy by 2 percent or more compared to equivalent dual tires. By using wide-base tires, a typical long-haul truck could save over 400 gallons of fuel per year, resulting in cost savings of over $600, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by four or more metric tons annually. A single wide-base tire costs about the same as two equivalent dual tires and a single wide-rim wheel costs less than two standard wheels. If wide-base tires and wheels are installed on a new truck, the initial cost savings can reach $1,000.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Wide-based Tires” PDF (EPA 420-F-04-004, February 2004)

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Driver Training
Driving practices can have a large impact on truck fuel economy. Even highly experiences drivers can enhance fuel economy using simple techniques like cruise control, coasting whenever possible, limiting use of cab accessories, smooth and gradual acceleration, progressive shifting (up shifting at the lowest rpm possible), reducing maximum freeway speeds, and limiting truck idling and stops. Driver training can reduce fuel consumption by 5 percent or more, saving more than $1,200 in fuel costs and eliminating about eight metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per truck each year. For a typical long-haul truck, the annual fuel cost savings could recover the initial cost of driver training within two years.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Driver Training” PDF (EPA 420-F-04-008, February 2004)

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Low-Viscosity Lubricants
Low-viscosity synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants reduce friction losses in a truck’s drive train, transmission, and its engine, saving fuel and reducing emissions. Synthetic transmission and axle lubricants can improve fuel economy by at least 0.5 percent in the summer and two percent in the winter. Replacing all conventional transmission lubricants with low-viscosity products saves fuel with little or no additional cost. The combined effect of low-viscosity synthetic engine oils and drive train lubricants can improve fuel economy by about three percent, saving nearly 500 gallons of fuel and eliminating five metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year for a typical freight truck.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Low-Viscosity Lubricants” PDF (EPA 420-F-04-006, February 2004)

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Reducing Highway Speed
Truck fuel economy drops significantly as speeds rise above 55 mph. By limiting top highway speeds, trucks can save fuel, reduce emissions, and prolong engine life. For a typical long-haul truck, reducing highway-driving speed from 70 mph to 65 mph could save nearly $1,500 in fuel costs and eliminate nearly ten metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Because engine life is directly related to the amount of fuel burned, reducing driving speed can save on engine repair costs. Maximum truck driving speeds can be limited through electronic engine controls, driver-training programs, or incentive programs that reward drivers for staying within set limits. Nearly all new truck engines in use today are electronically controlled and the cost of changing the maximum speed setting on these engines is negligible.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Reducing Highway Speed” PDF (EPA 420-F-04-007, February 2004)

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Weight Reduction
Using components made of aluminum or other lightweight materials can reduce the empty truck weight, known as the “tare weight,” thereby improving fuel efficiency. Truck tractors can reduce weight by using components such as cast aluminum alloy wheels and aluminum axle hubs. The potential for weight savings is even greater in the truck trailer, using lightweight components such as aluminum roof posts, upright posts, and floor joists. Light weight components can reduce truck weight by as much as 3,000 pounds. This weight reduction could save 200 - 500 gallons of fuel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 2 to 5 metric tons per truck annually.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Weight Reduction” PDF (EPA 420-F-04-005, February 2004)

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Intermodal Shipping
Using intermodal ground freight transport makes it possible to combine the best characteristics of trucked and railed freight, especially for shipments over 500 miles. Using innovative intermodal options like trailer on flat car (TOFC) and container on flat car (COFC) can improve efficiency and save money. For shipments over 1,000 miles, using intermodal transport can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by about 65 percent, compared to a truck-only move.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Intermodal Shipping” PDF (EPA 420-F-03-026, February 2004)

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Hybrid Powertrain Technology
Hybrid vehicles have two propulsion power sources, making it possible to capture energy otherwise lost during braking and provide boost to the main engine.  Hybrid vehicles can provide roughly $2,000 in annual fuel savings when used in stop and go freight applications like parcel delivery service.
"A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies:  Hybrid Power Train Technology” PDF (EPA 420-F-03-025, February 2004)

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