^SmartWay5
Transport Partnership
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
A Glance at
Clean Freight Strategies
Improved Freight Logistics
A trucking fleet that optimizes its freight logistics can save fuel, save time, and improve productivity, generating
fuel cost savings and additional revenue, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the challenge?
Inefficiencies in freight operations can cause trucks
to travel empty (without cargo), use longer or more
congested routes, and idle unnecessarily. These
inefficiencies increase fuel consumption and fuel
costs, and cause trucking companies to miss
opportunities to generate revenue.
When motor carriers cannot arrange for a return
shipment, the empty truck move (called a deadhead)
doesn't generate revenue but accumulates costs in
labor, equipment wear and fuel. In some fleets, 15
percent or more of annual truck miles may be non-
revenue empty miles. For a typical long-haul truck,
this could add up to about 15,000 miles each year,
consuming over 2,400 gallons of diesel fuel and
producing 24 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the most
prevalent greenhouse gas. Inefficient truck routing
and loading and unloading practices also contribute
to excessive fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the solution?
Improved freight logistics can minimize inefficient
freight operations, saving fuel and increasing
revenue for trucking companies. Improved logistics
include load matching, more efficient routes and
delivery schedules, and improved shipping and
receiving practices.
Options for Load Matching
Motor carriers can use a variety of load matching
strategies to reduce empty mileage. Routes can be
arranged so trucks haul successive loads in a
triangular pattern. Trucking companies in different
areas may coordinate on loads and back hauls.
Trucking companies can use freight brokers that
match empty carriers with shippers. Drivers may
check the electronic monitors (called load boards)
available at some truck plazas, for information on
loads that shippers have available to carry.
The Internet, with its potential for widespread, real-
time information exchange, offers load matching
opportunities via a number of trucking-oriented web
sites. Another option is to use an electronic data
interchange system to communicate logistics
information among dispatchers, drivers, and
customers.
Options for Routing and Scheduling Software
Computerized routing and scheduling software that
is based on optimization models can often provide
more efficient routing solutions than dispatchers can
achieve on their own. This software allow routes to
be constructed taking into account numerous
dynamic factors that include driver hours-of-service
rules, pick up and delivery schedules, vehicle size
constraints, vehicle-product compatibility, equipment
availability, vehicle-loading dock compatibility, route
restrictions, and empty mileage. Large fleets with 200
or more trucks generally get the most benefit from
sophisticated routing and scheduling software.
Smaller fleets can use less costly software products
to manage their routing and scheduling operations.
Options for Flexible Loading and Receiving
Schedules
Increased flexibility at loading docks can contribute to
fuel efficiency and cost reduction. Innovations like
24/7 shipping-and-receiving allow trucks to travel at
off-peak times and avoid traffic congestion. With
more flexibility to deliver and pick up loads, trucking
companies can decrease idling, minimize the time
spent loading and unloading, and use their hours and
equipment to haul freight and generate revenue.
The results are in ...
Load matching, improved routing and scheduling,
and flexible loading and unloading practices help
trucking fleets improve productivity and increase
revenue-miles while decreasing fuel consumption
and greenhouse gas emissions. Trimming just 1
percent of empty miles from one long haul truck can
save over 100 gallons of fuel, cut greenhouse gas
emissions over 1 metric ton, and increase ton-miles
by nearly 20,000 per year. Reducing that same
truck's idling by 5 percent though improved routing
and loading practices could save another 100 gallons
of fuel, and cut greenhouse gas emissions another
metric ton.
Next steps
Trucking firms should take advantage of the
extensive options for improved logistics and
encourage shippers to adopt more flexible shipping
and receiving practices. Many trucking-oriented web
sites provide information on load matching services
and opportunities. Freight brokers and software
vendors can provide information on logistics services
and software. Information is also available from
professional organizations such as the Council of
Logistics Management (www.clml.org).
J.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Office of Transportat
February 2004. EPA420-F-04-011, 9 For more information,, visit: www.epa.gov/smartway
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