Teaming up for environmentally-friendly trucking
The SmartWay Transport Partnership describes itself as a voluntary collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry with a goal of increasing energy efficiency while striving to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. Based on the description, it would seem more likely to be launched by the Department of Energy, since the primary goal is
New SmartWay Program developments
Recently, we were given an update on some of SmartWay’s latest activities aimed at helping its partners decrease fuel use and emissions by Cheryl Bynum, a SmartWay Program manager. First is an ongoing effort to develop its assessment and tracking tools, which will present its partners with an improved system for quantifying and benchmarking their
Government to regulate truck fuel consumption
It was thirty-some years ago that the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) began regulating fuel consumption of automobiles. It was the birth of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. There was a serious move at that time to include heavy, commercial trucks in those regulations. However, because of the wide range of applications for trucks
Financing fuel savings
Is there anyone who has been on our nation’s roads during the last few months that has not seen—and possibly at times been bothered by—road construction and repair accompanied by signage that proudly announces that the improvements have been funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? Of course, folks in the trucking industry generally
Avoiding rolling resistance to save fuel
They’re called 18-wheelers, and every one of those 18 wheels has a tire on it that offers you the opportunity to save some money if you make the correct choice when you purchase it. Whether it’s standing still or rolling down the highway, a tire has a somewhat oval shaped footprint because it flexes and
SmartWay: A sharing partnership
To the credit of the trucking industry, the SmartWay Partnership continues to grow—at a faster rate, in fact, as each year goes on. Earlier this year the program enjoyed welcoming its 2,000th partner, and is now approaching the 3,000 mark. This is nearly double the number of members it had just a year ago. Among
LEDs as headlights: a possibility?
Although white LEDs are still too expensive to be used for forward lighting, that situation will soon be changing.
Partner to the SmartWay Partnership
EPA’s SmartWay Partnership continues to grow rapidly because of the financial advantages offered to both participating fleets and shippers. There is also the satisfaction of knowing that, as a company, you are acting as a responsible citizen in reducing your carbon footprint. Many SmartWay Partners have found similar advantages available through another EPA effort, its
New SmartWay options, policy
As a former radio news commentator used to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, there’s new tonight”—a new policy statement from Washington as well as new SmartWay-verified fuel saving options available to you. First, the good news. Silver Eagle (www.silvereaglemfg.com) has achieved SmartWay verification of the fuel-saving ability of its new Aero Saber trailer skirt. Matt Goldfain,
Changes in the cooling systems
Changing maintenance requirements and new design concepts are giving cooling systems some well-deserved attention.
Schneider National: A SmartWay leader
A couple of months ago, the United States, as well as hundreds of other countries, celebrated Earth Day. In fact, it was the 40th annual Earth Day. Earth Day began when Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, took a leading role in organizing a day intended to generate popular support for a nationwide environmental
Benchmarking: Blessing or bain?
If you plan on using a benchmark, make sure it’s a realistic goal and based on applicable data