The Environment & Trucking

SmartWay is a highly successful partnership between Government and Industry to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse emissions and pollution. Started in 2004 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SmartWay sets voluntary standards on "green" products and encourages suppliers to develop and refine such products.

More than 600 companies have joined SmartWay including 373 motor carriers representating about 400,000 trucks.   Trucking companies that joint and display the SmartWay logo are seen by shippers and the public as committed stewards of the environment.

The beauty of SmartWay is that it works.  Intelligent "green products" and ideas save fuel and increase operational efficency while also reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.   SmartWay certified tires and under-trailer air deflectors are examples.

Visit the SmartWay website for statistics and examples of how SmartWay is transforming the industry and helping the environment far more effectively than regulatory changes.

The Colorado Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a proud SmartWay Transport Partner and encourages member carriers to join the SmartWay movement.

The American Trucking Associations, through its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, conferences, councils and other organizations represents more than 37,000 members including every type of motor carrier in the United States.

ATA and its affiliates are committed to delivering a cleaner tomorrow by being active in environmental issues and promoting a bold sustainability program that will have an immediate impact on the environment.  The industry plans to reduce fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the trucking industry by nearly a billion tons over the next 10 years. 

 How will this be done:

• Reduce the national speed limit to 65 mph for all vehicles, and install truck governors to limit speeds to no more than 68 mph
• Reduce idling
• Increase fuel efficiency by encouraging participation in the U.S. EPA SmartWay® Transport Partnership Program
• Reduce congestion by improving highways, if necessary by raising the fuels tax
• Use more productive truck combinations
• Support national fuel economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks

 

Diesel Idling is a hot topic in Colorado with legislation currently on the table

A bill intended to set a statewide standard for truck idling cleared its first hurdle this past week in the House Transportation Committee. The measure, HB 1275, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Priola would establish criteria for a statewide standard for idling of commercial vehicles. CMCA has been a proponent of the measure because we have seen several communities adopt idling ordinances and other communities appear to be seeking to pass one. The current spate of idling ordinances which specify certain limits on idling by trucks and cars, vary substantially as to how long, where vehicles can idle, and what exemptions exist. CMCA has contended that this hodge-podge of ordinances places companies and their drivers at risk of being in violation of an ordinance when they may not even realize it exists. We also were concerned that some of these ordinances did not recognize and include exemptions for situations where idling is unavoidable such as for rest periods at truckstops and rest areas, the use of PTO-powered equipment, or for cases where a safety inspection is being performed or repairs are being conducted.

As written, HB 1275 would establish a strong, fair and consistent idling standard for the state which communities could choose to adopt. The proposed law would apply to commercial diesel vehicles, with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 14,000 poundswhich are designed to operate on highways. The general requirement in the proposed law states that a commercial vehicle shall not idle for more than 5 minutes in any 60 minute period. The proposal does though outline certain exemptions where idling may be permitted under certain conditions.

While the legislation would establish a standard, it does not create a mandate. Communities would have the choice to opt-in to the standard by adopting it by local ordinance. Thus, while ensuring consistency on an idling standard, it would not force a community, who may not feel the need to move forward with such an ordinance at this time to do so.

From an industry and business standpoint this legislation would simplify the issue of compliance for idling. Companies could train their drivers and adopt procedures and technologies with full knowledge that if they met the state idling standard that they would be in compliance anywhere in the state.

While the measure passed this first committee, the bill faces serious challenges because of opposition by the counties and cities who want an amendment to the bill which would allow them to adopt an idle ordinance more stringent than the standards in the bill. CMCA has noted that this would defeat the entire purpose of the bill and in effect there would be no statewide standard.

 

Trailer aerodynamic devices minimize aerodynamic drag and ensure smoother air flow over the entire tractor-trailer vehicle.   Devices include gap fairings the reduce the gap between the tractor and trailer to cut turbulence.   Side skirts minimize wind under the trailer while trailer rear fairings reduce turbulence and pressure drop at the rear of the trailer.  These various devices may be used alone or in combination to acheve an estimated 5% reduction in fuel use.  Over the course of a year, according to EPA, this saves over 800 gallons of fuel and eliminates over 9 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Side Skirts are the most popular aerodynamic device and are said to provide 4-5%  increase in fuel economy alone.  The EPA SmartWay program has a vertification process to validate fuel efficiency claims and lists a number of side skirts as SmartWay verified.  The side skirts are generally steel or fiberglass panels that hang under the semitrailer and deflect wind. 

Trailer gap reducers and "boat tails" hang off the ends of the trailer are are estimated to provide a 1% fuel efficiency gain.   EPA recommends that these devices be used with Aerodynamic side skirts.  The SmartWay website lists verified aerodynamic devices in all categories.

 

Low rolling resistance tires are know fuel savers and the SmartWay program has "verification plan" in place to certify tires has meeting the established standard.  The SmartWay estimate is that these tires, when used on all five axles on long haul class 8 trucks can improve fuel economy by 3% or more.

Also gaining popularity is replacement of dual tires with single wide tires on the drive or trailer axle, in effect turning a 18 wheeler into a 10 wheeler.  These tires reduce tire weight, especially when used with lower-weight aluminum wheels.  Reduced weight translates to lower fuel usage and less emissions.

Many tire manufacturers have moved to low rolling resistance tires and have SmartWay vertified tire lines.  Wide tires require a high technology manufacturing process and are more limited.  Check the Michelin X-One line of wide tires.

The American Trucking Associations recommends enacting a national speed limit not to exceed 65 miles per hour (mph) and govern speeds on trucks manufactured after 1992 at no more than 65 miles per hour.

 

A truck traveling at 75 mph consumes 27 percent more fuel than one going at 65 mph.

 

Bringing speed limits for trucks down to 65 mph would save 2.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel in a decade and reduce CO2 emissions by 31.5 million tons - equal to a year's CO2 generated by 9 million Americans. Automobile consumption of gasoline would drop by 8.7 billion gallons, with an accompanying drop in CO2 emissions of 84.7 million tons.

 

 

 

 

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