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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Clean Freight and Retrofitting

Modernizing the current fleet of outdated diesel engines can significantly reduce emissions by minimizing nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other pollutants from being discharged from the vehicle tailpipe. The past few decades have experienced increased demand for freight which accounts for a significant proportion of global transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions.1

Some strategies to increase freight efficiency and promote cleaner fleets include:
-Using alternative fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel
-Freight-specific idling reduction strategies such as a weigh station bypass or weigh-in-motion (WIM) devices
-Maximizing shipping efficiency by shipping full containers of cargo
-Intermodal freight transportation networks with trucks, trains, ships, and air travel
-Incorporating new vehicle technologies such as diesel engine retrofits

Diesel retrofits is an example of an emission control device can be installed in older diesel engines to reduce vehicle emissions.2 Examples include particulate filters, selective catalyst reduction, diesel oxidation catalysts, or exhaust gas recirculation.

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • Fleet managers
  • Local governments
  • Policymakers
  • State governments
Modernizing the current fleet of outdated diesel engines can significantly reduce emissions by minimizing nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other pollutants from being discharged from the vehicle tailpipe. The past few decades have experienced increased demand for freight which accounts for a significant proportion of global transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions.1
Some strategies to increase freight efficiency and promote cleaner fleets include:
-Using alternative fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel
-Freight-specific idling reduction strategies such as a weigh station bypass or weigh-in-motion (WIM) devices
-Maximizing shipping efficiency by shipping full containers of cargo
-Intermodal freight transportation networks with trucks, trains, ships, and air travel
-Incorporating new vehicle technologies such as diesel engine retrofits
Diesel retrofits is an example of an emission control device can be installed in older diesel engines to reduce vehicle emissions.2 Examples include particulate filters, selective catalyst reduction, diesel oxidation catalysts, or exhaust gas recirculation.

How it Helps

Although very reliable and long-lasting, diesel engines emit significant amounts of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.3 These include particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and air toxics. Exposure to diesel emissions can lead to serious cardiovascular and respiratory impacts, especially in vulnerable populations. These emissions can also contribute to the formation of ozone and acid rain and impact the global climate. Technological strategies, like retrofitting, and other solutions can improve upgrade older diesel engines and improve air quality.4

Implementing

Incentives:

The federal government can provide incentives for states to implement diesel retrofit programs. For example, under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program (DERA), the EPA was given the authority to distribute grants and loans to promote diesel emission reductions.3

Equity Impacts:

Actions to implement a cleaner freight can have positive outcomes on populations who live near major roadways or railroad tracks that is frequently used for freight delivery. Proximity to major roadways can be used as an indicator to measure the health or environmental impact of reducing diesel emissions.

Examples

1) Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP)

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s TERP program provides financial incentives to eligible recipients to retrofit outdated diesel equipment and reduce emissions.

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp

2) Port of New York and New Jersey’s Truck Replacement Program

The Port of New York and New Jersey’s Truck Replacement Program (TRP) provides a financial incentive to qualifying applicants to replace outdated diesel engines with newer EPA emissions-compliant models.

https://www.panynj.gov/port/en/our-port/sustainability/truck-replacement-program.html

3) ‘The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up’ Book

The EPA collaborated with the popular ‘Magic School Bus’ book series to create a new children’s book ‘The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up’. This book teaches children how diesel exhaust from their own school bus can contribute to pollution, as well as how idling reduction strategies can reduce emissions. At the end of the book, a retrofit device is installed on the Magic School Bus.

https://www.epa.gov/dera/magic-school-bus

1. USDOT. (2015). Clean Freight. https://www.transportation.gov/mission/health/clean-freight
2. Diesel Technology Forum. https://www.dieselforum.org/policy/why-retrofit
3. EPA. (2022). Learn About Impacts of Diesel Exhaust and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). https://www.epa.gov/dera/learn-about-impacts-diesel-exhaust-and-diesel-emissions-reduction-act-dera
4. USDOT. (2015). Improve Vehicles and Fuels. https://www.transportation.gov/mission/health/improve-vehicles-and-fuels