Truck Engine Idle Reduction Technology Demonstration Program

Project Description

The objective of this project was to provide EPA with a methodology for selecting optimal sites to implement idle reduction technologies and a demonstration of the benefits of implementing idle reduction technology according to the newly developed methodology.

Research Background

Heavy duty diesel trucks idle their engines for a variety of reasons. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to finding practical and reasonable alternatives to reduce idling. Long duration idling increases fuel consumption and engine maintenance, and shortens the engine life. This increases the cost to the truck owner. Increased fuel consumption also leads to greater reliance on foreign oil. Further, idling trucks also emit considerable amounts of mobile air emissions, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and other air toxics. This contributes to communities failing to meet national air quality standards, thereby resulting in health risks and actions by states, counties, and local jurisdictions to reduce these emissions. Finally, pollution from diesel vehicles has health implications for everyone, especially truck drivers.

One of the most effective ways to reduce long duration idling is through the use of idle reduction technologies. These technologies take many shapes and forms, but are basically either mobile (attaches to the truck) or stationary (attaches to the ground), or a combination of mobile and stationary.

EPA is committed to leading the Federal government and industry in efforts to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, unnecessary engine idling. Today's effort marks EPA's most ambitious effort to reduce idling through a grant assistance program covering three major categories. The three categories are: (1) Small Trucking Company Grant Program (Mobile Technology); (2) Truck OEM/Fleet/Technology Vendor Grant Program (Mobile Technology); and (3) Ports, Borders, Terminals and Truck Stop Grant Program (Stationary Technology).

Research Summary

TTI's research is for the 3rd category of EPA's Request for Applications and will encompass stationary technology at truck stops, ports, borders, and large company terminals.

Research Objectives

In the case of Truck Stops the objective is to develop a methodology for selecting optimal sites to implement idle reduction technologies and a demonstration of the benefits of implementing idle reduction technology according to the newly developed methodology. In the case of Ports, Borders, and Large Company Terminals the objective is to develop a prototype design for advanced (no-idle) truck stops at sea ports and a demonstration of the benefits of implementing an advanced truck stop prototype at a major sea port.

Research Approach

The Truck Stops section of the project will consist of a phased approach involving the following steps—identification of major truck corridors, development of a methodology for selecting sites for implementation of idle reduction technology, contracting with a selected vendor, a before implementation study, implementation, an after implementation study, and reporting.

The proposed approach for the Ports, Borders, and Large Company Terminals section of the project will consist of a pilot implementation at one of the busiest container ports in the nation—the Port of Houston. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will be a partner with TTI in this phase of the project. This section of the project will include an analysis of traffic characteristics at a major container terminal, development of an advanced truck stop (no-idle concept) prototype, implementation of the advanced truck stop prototype, and assessing the idle reduction effectiveness of the facility.

View further information describing the background, proposed methods, responsible institutions, timeline, and work products in the project scope.

Texas Transportation Researcher Articles

TTI research seeks solutions to reduce truck idling - Volume 41, Number 1

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