Transport Partnership
acts and Figures
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACENC
A strong economy relies on an efficient freight transportation system. Trucks and railroads provide a
cost-effective means to carry the vast majority of freight in the United States. However, freight
transportation can be more efficient, and also cleaner for the environment. Below are some facts and
figures about the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership and the trucking and railroad industry. This
information provides important details about the economic and environmental effects of freight
transportation.
SmartWay Transport Partnership
The SmartWay Transport Partnership joins EPA and the freight industry in a collaborative effort that aims to reduce
energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the freight transportation sector.
The official opening of SmartWay Transport Partnership to all companies was February 9, 2004.
By 2012, the SmartWay Transport Partnership will cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 33 to 66 million metric
tons per year, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 200,000 tons per year. It will save about $9 billion in
fuel costs and as much as 150 million barrels of oil per year-enough oil to heat 17 million houses for 1 year. This
is the same as removing up to 12 million cars off the road annually.
Industry Profile
Ground freight accounts for approximately 20 percent of total transportation fuel use. Over the next two decades energy
use by freight trucking is forecast to grow more quickly than any other transportation sector except air transport.
Trucks
There are nearly 7 million freight trucks on the road (excluding commercial light duty trucks) in the United States.
Trucks carry 85 percent of the total value and 66 percent of the total weight of United States cargo.
In 2000, the trucking industry generated more than $600 billion in revenue, or 87 percent of the total United States
freight revenue.
Trucking and related industries employ approximately 10 million people. There are over three million professional
truck drivers.
Railroad
Railroads carry about four percent of the total value and 16 percent of the total weight of United States cargo.
Freight railroads (Class I, Regional, and Local) employ about 177,000 people, and generate over $37 billion in total
revenue (not including passenger rail).
Impact on Our Environment
Freight trucks and locomotives consume 35 billion gallons ofdiesel fuel annually. Burning this fuel produces over 350
million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. By 2012, based on current trends, ground freight transportation will
consume over 45 billion gallons of diesel fuel and produce over 450 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These levels
represent an increase of over 25% compared to today's levels.
In a typical year, ground freight (trucks and railroads combined) accounts for about 40% of nitrogen oxides (NOX), 31 %
of particulate matter (PM), and 20% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from all transportation sources.
J.S. Environmental Protection Agency £ Office of Transportation and Air Quality I
bruary 2004. EPA420-F-02-05O. Q For more information,, visit: www.epa.gov/smartway
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The emissions for trucks and railroad locomotives are as follows:
Trucks - Annually, heavy-duty highway diesel vehicles
currently emit:
About 32 percent of transportation NOX
About 27 percent of transportation PM
About 18 percent of transportation CO2
Railroads - Annually, freight railroad locomotives
currently emit:
About 8 percent of transportation NOX
About 4 percent of transportation PM
About 2 percent of transportation CO2
Impact on Our Health
NOx, and PM contribute to health and respiratory problems, and air toxics from diesel exhaust are widely believed to
have significant public health impacts. EPA's heavy duty diesel engine emission regulations going into effect with the
2007 model year will produce cleaner engines that reduce 90% of PM emissions and 95% of NOxemissions per vehicle.
These regulations when fully implemented in 2030 are projected to prevent 8,300 cases per year of premature mortality
in adults and 5,500 cases per year of chronic bronchitis in adults.
Particulate Matter
Many scientific studies have linked breathing PM to a series of significant health problems, including:
aggravated asthma
increases in respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficult or painful breathing
chronic bronchitis and other chronic respiratory diseases
decreased lung function
hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac causes
myocardial infarction (heart attacks)
premature death
NOx
Breathing in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from fumes generated by heavy traffic makes a person's airways more
susceptible to an allergy-induced asthma attack. NOx together with VOCs creates ozone, which is one of the
principal ingredients of ground-level ozone (smog). Heavy trucks and locomotives account for 40% of
transportation-related emissions of NOX.
Scientific studies of ozone exposure have found that:
Based on EPA's most recent data, 115 million Americans live in counties that exceed the 8-hour ozone National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
As ozone levels rise, so do emergency room visits and hospital admissions for respiratory problems, including
asthma.
People who spend time outdoors are especially vulnerable to ozone-related health problems. Children at
summer camp and healthy adults exercising or working outside report experiencing shortness of breath,
coughing, and difficulty and pain upon breathing.
J.S. Environmental Protection Agency £ Office of Transportation and Air Quality I
bruary 2004. EPA420-F-02-05O. Q For more information,, visit: www.epa.gov/smartway
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