SmartWay Transport Partnership

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is an innovative collaboration between the freight industry and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Endorsed by major freight industry associations, companies, and trade publications, SmartWay Transport is leading the way to greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions from the freight sector. The program is administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and is housed with the US EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) under the Transportation and Regional Programs Division (TRPD). SmartWay also administers the National Idle-Free Corridors Program which is a program committed to eliminating all unnecessary long-duration truck idling along interstates, at distribution centers, and along other transportation corridors. The SmartWay brand signifies a partnership among government, business and consumers to protect our environment, reduce fuel consumption, and improve our air quality for future generations.

Background

Conceived and initiated in 2002 by EPA staff members Jennifer Dolin and Matthew Payne, the Partnership was officially launched on February 9, 2004 with the support of 15 charter members and the backing of the American Trucking Associations. Since its establishment, the Partnership has grown to include nearly 1000 companies and associations committed to fuel efficiency including Wal-Mart, Nike, Swift Transportation, CSX Transportation, Tyson Foods, FedEx, and Schneider National, as well as most of the top trucking companies in the United States.

Freight carriers join the SmartWay Transport Partnership by agreeing to assess their operations and take actions to improve their fleet fuel efficiency. Carriers that join attract new customers and improve their value with existing customers because more shippers value environmental-minded and efficient business partners. Also, when shippers join the Partnership, they commit to use SmartWay Transport Carriers to ship the majority of their freight, which serves as an extra incentive for more carriers to join as well.

Freight shippers join the SmartWay Transport Partnership to better understand and evaluate their environmental performance and energy use, set improvement goals, and take measurable, concrete actions to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment and their businesses. These shippers commit to use SmartWay Transport Carriers for 50% or more of their shipping needs--resulting in more freight being transported by freight carriers that are taking steps to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

SmartWay logistics partners inspire the fleets that they manage to join the Partnership, adopt fuel-savings strategies and technologies, and commit to increasing the amount of freight shipped by SmartWay carriers by 5% per year.

SmartWay affiliates, which include various types of organizations and corporations, agree to play a promotional role for SmartWay by educating policy-actors, members, and customers about the benefits of the Partnership. Affiliate groups include:

* Non profit Associations
* SmartWay Tractor/Trailer Dealership
* SmartWay Leasing Company
* SmartWay Technology Vendor

Goals of the partnership

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is likely to have increasing appeal as today’s fuel prices rise and as the prospect of climate change influences businesses and individuals to reassess their environmental footprint. SmartWay is committed to helping freight shippers and carriers discover ways to improve the efficiency of their supply chain and achieve superior environmental performance.

SmartWay Transport aims to increase the availability and market penetration of fuel efficiency technologies and strategies that help freight companies save money while also reducing adverse environmental impacts. Specifically, SmartWay Transport programs lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). By 2012, SmartWay partners will help save between 3.3 and 6.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel per year, which translates to eliminating between 33 - 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrous oxide emissions per year. This is also equivalent to saving 150 million barrels of oil per year or taking 12 million cars off the road, leading SmartWay partners to save nearly $10 billion in operating costs.

Carrier Strategies

Truck and rail transportation provides a cost-effective means to transport much of America’s freight. There are simple actions that can be taken to make ground freight more efficient and cleaner for the environment. The following technologies and practices are some of the ways truck carriers can save fuel and money, reduce air pollution, and cut carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change:

* On-board Idle Reduction Systems that include power units that provide electricity to the cab, direct-fired heaters and coolant systems that provide temperature control, and programmable automatic engine shut-off systems.
* Automatic Tire Inflation Systems that increase the ease of keeping trailer tires properly inflated and decrease the risk of expensive tire failure.
* Improved Aerodynamics through the addition of integrated roof fairings, air dams, and cab extenders, and the minimization of the tractor-trailer gap.
* Single Wide-Based Tires that reduce vehicle weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag.
* Hybrid Powertrain Technology that makes it possible to capture energy otherwise lost during braking and provide boost to the main engine which in turn can run more efficiently.

hipper Strategies

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:

* Idle Reduction Policies that may include a "No Idling" rule for any truck that picks up or delivers freight to its facilities, which offers immediate air quality benefits.
* Driver Comfort Stations at dock facilities that are climate controlled, so drivers won’t need to idle their trucks to stay warm or cold.
* Intermodal Shipping can minimize overall fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and lower the costs of freight delivery.
* Improved Pickup and Delivery Scheduling reduces excess idling and improves the on-time efficiency of freight operations.
* Preferential Loading and Unloading for SmartWay Transport Carriers including selected docks designated as "SmartWay Transport Docks".

martWay Innovative Finance

[http://www.smartwayfinancecenter.com/ The SmartWay Finance Center] helps companies and individuals acquire fuel-efficient emission reduction technologies, clean trucks and clean cars through easier access to multiple financial institutions. As a result, individuals and companies will have access to reduced-interest loans with flexible terms. The Center works by bringing buyers and lenders together in one place in order to simplify the loan process and increase the probability of a buyer receiving a loan and/or lease.

martWay Tractors and Trailers

SmartWay Tractors and Trailers reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent for model year 2007 or later long-haul tractors and trailers through voluntary equipment specifications. Each qualified tractor/trailer combination can save between 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of diesel per year and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and air pollutants.

martWay Technology Assessment

SmartWay Technology Assessment is a testing and verification program designed to quantify emissions reductions and fuel savings from various available technologies, such as tractor and trailer aerodynamics, auxiliary power units, and wide-based tires. As a result, companies can compare the fuel efficiency and environmental performance of various technologies and make more informed purchases.

martWay Certified Light-Duty Vehicles

SmartWay certified passenger cars are identified with the U.S. EPA SmartWay brand. These vehicles score a 6 or better on each of the Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores of EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide and achieve a combined score of at least 13 when added together. Consumers seeking an energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly new car, light truck, or Sports Utility Vehicle will easily recognize that these vehicles are strong environmental performers relative to other vehicles.

Campaigns

EPA’s SmartWay Leaf Campaign encourages consumers to look for the U.S. EPA Certified SmartWay certification mark on cars and trucks to help them save fuel, money and the environment. Vehicles that qualify for the SmartWay mark are the cleanest and most fuel-efficient available in today’s market.

EPA's "Smell the Flowers" Campaign offers smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. The tips provide simple suggestions that will help you save money at the fuel pump and help to produce fewer tailpipe emissions.

EPA’s SmartWay Transport “Products on Wheels” Campaign consists of several print public service announcements, released in November 2004 and refreshed in June 2007, encouraging various freight industry sectors to join the SmartWay Transport Partnership.

Industry Viewpoint

The SmartWay Transport Partnership has been an ideal collaboration between the EPA and the US freight industry, combining technology and the human spirit to help the environment with a ‘no nonsense’ business approach that effectively works with industry. In the Partnership, companies help the environment, save fuel, save money, and help reduce America's dependence on foreign fuels. Companies that join SmartWay Transport Partnership lead the way towards a cleaner, more sustainable transportation future while improving their bottom line--a win-win for all.

ee also

* Fuel efficiency
* Green vehicle
* Air pollution
* Greenhouse gas
* Clean Air Act

External links

* [http://epa.gov/smartway/ SmartWay website]
* [http://epa.gov/smartway/transport/partner-list/index.htm SmartWay Partner and Affiliate Members]
* [http://epa.gov/smartway/newsroom/index.htm SmartWay News releases]
* [http://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/index.htm National Clean Diesel Campaign]
* [http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do Green Vehicle Guide]
* [http://www.carsdirect.com/fuel-efficient-cars Fuel efficient cars and EPA smartway scores]
* [http://www.greencar.com/features/tip-how-to-buy-green-cars/ September 2008 article on How to Buy 'Green' Cars from Greencar.com]