vvSmartWay
Transport Partnership
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Overview of Carrier Strategies
Truck and mil transportation provides a cost-effective means to transport much of
America's freight. There are simple actions that can be taken to make ground freight
more efficient and cleaner for the environment. The following technologies and
practices can help truck carriers save fuel and money, reduce air pollution, and cut
carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change.
Idle Reduction
An idling truck burns nearly one gallon of diesel fuel
per hour. Reducing unnecessary idling could save nearly
$3,000 in fuel costs, cut air pollutants, and cut 19 metric
tons of carbon dioxide annually.
On-board idle reduction systems include auxiliary
power units that provide electricity to the cab,
direct-fired heaters and coolant systems that
provide temperature control, and programmable
automatic engine shut-off systems.
Truck plazas equipped with truck stop
electrification systems allow trucks to draw
electrical power and in some cases heating,
cooling, telecommunication, and Internet
hookups from a ground source.
Improved Aerodynamics
Improving the aerodynamics of a typical line-haul truck
by 15 percent could cut annual fuel use more than 2,000
gallons, save over $3,500 in fuel costs, and eliminate 20
metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Tractor aerodynamics can be improved by adding
integrated roof fairings, cab extenders, side
fairings, and air dams. New truck buyers can
purchase aerodynamic models with streamlined
profiles.
Trailer aerodynamics can be improved by
minimizing tractor-trailer gap, adding side skirts
and rear air dams, and arranging cargo and
tarpaulins as low, taut and smooth as possible.
Single-unit trucks can be improved with
air deflector bubbles or by purchasing new
streamlined models.
Improved Freight Logistics
Improved logistics can reduce the miles that a truck
drives empty. Eliminating 15 percent of a line-haul
truck's empty mites could save $3,000 in fuel and
reduce 24 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Improved logistics include load matching, more
efficient routes and delivery schedules, and
improved shipping and receiving practices.
A carrier may employ low-cost options like
triangular routing, coordinating loads with other
fleets, and checking electronic load boards, or
it may purchase freight broker services and
logistics software.
Automatic Tire Inflation Systems
Retrofitting a line-haul truck with an automatic
tire inflation system could save 100 gallons of fuel
annually and reduce tire wear and maintenance, while
eliminating one metric ton of carbon dioxide.
Truck fleets that find it too difficult or expensive
to monitor tire pressure on a regular basis should
consider installing automatic tire inflation (ATI)
systems on drive and trailer tires.
An ATI system used on a typical line-haul truck
can generally pay for itself in just over two years,
while decreasing the risk of expensive tire failure
caused by under inflation.
Single Wide-base Tires
i single wide-base tires on a new combination
truck could save $1,000 immediately and reap annual
fuel savings of two percent or more while cutting
carbon dioxide by more than four metric tons.
Single wide-base tires save fuel by reducing
vehicle weight, rolling resistance and
aerodynamic drag. These tires can also improve
tank trailer stability by allowing the tank to be
mounted lower.
There are several single wide-base tire models
from which to choose and these tires can be
retreaded.
Driver Training
Even highly experienced drivers can boost their skills
with training aimed at raising fuel economy by five
percent or more, which would save $1,200 in annual
fuel costs and cut eight metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Effective driver training programs can improve
fuel economy by five percent or higher. Some
fleets report fuel economy gains of up to 20
percent.
Among other techniques, drivers learn
progressive shifting, engine speed optimization,
idle reduction, smoother braking and
acceleration, anticipatory driving, speed control,
and optimal gearing.
February 2004 EPA420F04003 www.epa.gov/smartway
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Low-Viscosity Lubricants
Reducing Highway Speed
When used in a line-haul truck, synthetic engine and
drive train lubricants can improve fuel economy by three
percent, saving nearly 500 gallons of fuel and cutting
five metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Low-viscosity synthetic or semi-synthetic
lubricants flow more easily and withstand the
extreme pressure of engine, transmission, and
drive train systems better than conventional
mineral oil blends.
The operator of a typical line-haul truck can save
up to $500 annually by switching to low-viscosity
lubricants, with additional savings possible due to
reduced wear and maintenance of truck systems.
Intermodal Shipping
Intermodal freight transport combines the best
attributes of both truck and rait shipping. Over long
distances using intermodat can cut fuel and carbon
dioxide by 65 percent, compared to truck-only moves.
Carriers can maximize resources by using freight
trains to handle the long-distance portion of a
freight move, especially for less time-sensitive
cargo that is shipped over 500 miles.
Intermodal options include trailer on flat car
(TOFG, container on flat car (COFC), double stack
service, rail bogeys and dual-mode trailers, and rail
platforms that can accommodate standard trailers.
A line-haul truck with 90 percent highu/ay miles that
reduces its top speed from 70 to 65 miles per hour could
cut its annual fuel bill nearly $1,500 while eliminating
almost 10 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Reducing highway speed also reduces engine
and brake wear, which cuts down the cost and
frequency of maintenance service, and keeps
revenue earning equipment on the road longer.
Any truck carrier can adopt a speed management
policy at little or no cost. The most successful
speed reduction policies combine electronic
engine controls with driver training and incentives.
Weight Reduction
Reducing 3,000 pounds from a line-haul truck by using
lighter-weight components could save up to 500 gallons
of fuel annually and eliminate up to five metric tons of
carbon dioxide.
Aluminum alloy wheels, axle hubs, clutch housings,
and cab frame can trim hundreds of pounds from
a truck tractor. Downsizing to a smaller engine can
also provide significant weight savings.
Thousands of pounds can be reduced from a truck
trailer using aluminum roof posts, floor joists,
upright posts, and hubs and wheels.
Hybrid Powertrain Technology
Hybrid vehicles can provide roughly $2,000 in fuel
savings and cut carbon dioxide by up to 12 metric tons
per year when used in stop-and-go freight applications
tike parcel delivery service.
Hybrid vehicles have two propulsion power sources,
making it possible to capture energy otherwise
lost during braking and provide boost to the main
engine which in turn can run more efficiently.
Most hybrid vehicles use an internal combustion
engine for the main power source with
various secondary power and energy storage
configurations, including electric and hydraulic
systems.
February 2004 EPA420F04003 www.epa.gov/smartway
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