SmartWay
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency +
Intermodal Shipping
A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies
ENERGY & FUEL SAVINGS
mode shift
to rail
CO2 Savings:
8.4
metric tons
Gallons Saved:
820
gallons
mode shift
to rail
CO2 Savings:
16.8
metric tons
Gallons Saved:
1,645
gallons
Intermodal freight transport combines the best attributes of both truck and rail
shipping. For long distances, intermodal freight moves can cut fuel use and
greenhouse gas emissions, compared to truck-only moves.
WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?
Moving freight long distances by rail rather than by truck can save fuel and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. This is because a freight train with 20 to 50 railroad cars can
carry much more cargo per gallon of diesel fuel than can a combination truck. However,
trucks can usually offer more service and scheduling options than trains. Because of these
distinctions, trucks move over four times as much freight as rail.
Increased business competition and international trade is fueling the growth of intermodal
freight transport. Intermodal rail usage increased by aLmost 52 percent from 2009 to
2018.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Railroad freight cars carry cargo over long distance, high volume corridors. Trucks or
barges move the loads between the rail terminals and the cargo's ultimate origin or
destination.
Types of Intermodal. Shipping
Trailer on flat car, commonly caLLed TOFC, or "piggyback." In a TOFC move,
reinforced truck trailers mount on railroad flat cars or spine cars (frame-like cars
with a middle bar or spine) for the rail leg of the trip, and hook to combination
trucks for the rest of the trip.
Container on flat car orCOFC uses metal shipping containers on a railroad
flat car or spine car for the rail part of the trip. Containers are typically loaded
onto a container chassis (a frame-like truck trailer) for the trucked leg of the trip.
DoubLe stacking is the most efficient way to move containers long distances
over land. Two stacked containers on a railroad well car (a rail car with a "well"
into which the bottom container partly sits) is known as double stack service.
Double stack railroad well cars may be permanently coupled together to decrease
stress and cargo damage during train braking and acceleration.

EPA-420-F-19-024 | August 2019 | SmartWay Transport Partnership | epa.gov/smartway
(continued)

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Inter modal Shipping: A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies (continued)
ENERGY & FUEL SAVINGS
Technological Advances of IntermodaL Shipping
Truck traiLers can be configured to travel on raiLroad tracks.
The trailer is backed onto the end of a railroad track, positioned
over two sets of railroad axles and wheels (called bogeys),
then lowered and attached, so it functions as a railroad car.
/20%\
M mode shift M
to rail M
Rail car platforms can be configured into one Longer
articuLated platform, onto which trucks can drive to Load and
unLoad traiLers. Because the long, articulated platform has no
slack action, it can handle standard, non-reinforced trailers
that normally cannot be used in TOFC operation.
C02 Savings:
34
metric tons

SAVINGS AND BENEFITS
Gallons Saved:
Intermodal transport is an attractive option J f
for shipments over 500 miles. A freight K »\ 1
train emits two-thirds less greenhouse gas ¦
emissions for every ton mile than a typical loool S
truck. More than 1 billion gallons of fuel |gBB|
would be saved each year if 10 percent of
the highway freight was moved by rail.
3,290
gallons
NEXT STEPS
1 Shippers, Logistics providers, and trucking companies can consider intermodal transport as a
cost-saving and environmentally friendly option when arranging for long distance transport.
Companies can determine if intermodal transport is appropriate for parts of their company. Intermodal
2 transport may not be suitable for all goods. Time-sensitive products may require speedier or more
flexible delivery than some railroads offer. Damage-sensitive commodities may call for a smoother ride
than freight trains can provide. However, rail car manufacturers are introducing advanced suspension
systems and car designs that better stabilize, cushion and protect rail cargo.
Please visit the SmartWay website at www.epa.gov/smartway
to access more tech bulletins.
^vSmartWay
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency^

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