vvSmartWay
Transport Partnership
 U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Overview of  Shipper  Strategies
                 Truck and mil operators are using a multitude of strategies to reduce the environmental
                 impacts of carrying America's freight. Shippers are working to do their part too, not only
                 by implementing measures at their own facilities that improve efficiency and lead to
                 emissions reductions, but also by hiring the most environmentally responsible carriers.
                 The following technologies and strategies are just some of the measures shippers can
                 adopt to facilitate reductions in fuel consumption and emissions associated with
                 freight shipping activities.
     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
          between rail and truck.
          Intermodal shipping can minimize overall fuel
          consumption, reduce emissions, and lower the
          costs of freight delivery.

     Driver Comfort Stations

     Drivers may spend a great deal of their work day idling
     their trucks to stay comfortable at shipping and receiving
     docks.

          Shippers can provide climate controlled comfort
          stations at dock facilities so that drivers won't
          need to idle their trucks to stay warm or cold.
          Eliminating idling provides significant fuel,
          emissions and maintenance benefits, and the
          improved driver comfort enhances safety.

     Preferential Loading and Unloading

     SmartWay Transport Shippers can support the goals of the
     Partnership by providing special shipping and receiving
     privileges for SmartWay Transport Carriers.

          Deliveries by Partner carriers may be given prime
          shipping and delivery times and positions.
          Selected docks may be designated as "SmartWay
          Transport Docks."
            Idle Reduction Policies

            Shippers usually have control over access to their docking
            facilities including any parking or waiting areas.

                 A shipper may implement a "No Idling" policy for
                 any truck that picks up or delivers freight to its
                 facilities.
                 "No Idling" policies may best be combined
                 with driver comfort stations, so drivers have an
                 alternative to idling their trucks while waiting.
                 Idling reductions offer immediate air quality
                 benefits for local communities, especially in
                 urban areas where environmental justice may be a
                 concern.

            Improved  Pickup and 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 pick up and delivery scheduling reduces
                 excess idling and improves the on-time efficiency
                 of freight operations.

            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
                 logistics software that helps to ensure full loads.
                 Full truckloads not only improve efficiency, but
                 also help reduce congestion on the roadways and
                 at shipping and receiving facilities.
            U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Office
                 February2004 EPA420F03040 www.epa.gov/smartway

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Shipper Corporate Fleet
Improvements

Shippers often have small fleets of light duty vehicles
(cars and light trucks) used around their facilities or for
staff travel.

      Reducing older vehicles with more fuel-efficient
      and lower emitting vehicles reduces a company's
      overall environmental impact.

Warehouse Improvements

Shippers should consider any improvements in and around
warehouses that will facilitate improved efficiency and
emissions reductions.

      Warehouse operations can have a direct impact
      on  the efficient loading and unloading of delivery
      trucks.
      Shippers should explore any efficiency gains that
      can be made with improved storage and warehouse
      logistics techniques.
Electric  Forklifts

Many freight facilities 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.
     Facilities might also consider alternatively fueled
     forklifts that run on compressed natural gas or
     propane.
        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Office
      February2004  EPA420F03040  www.epa.gov/smartway

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