The Port of Tacoma's Truck Program takes a market-based approach to help drayage trucks reduce emissions to meet the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy's goals.
- Promote companies meeting Clean Truck standards
View the Best Management Practices list - Communication and outreach to the trucking community
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| | Contact Ron Stuart
Environmental project manager for air quality
253-428-8696 Anna Soderstrom
Container terminal business manager
253-592-6719
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- Referrals to funding and modernization opportunities
- Improve Port efficiencies and truck traffic flow
The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy set short- and long-term goals to reduce port-related diesel emissions. For trucks, that means:
- By 2010: Equivalent diesel emissions level of 1994 or newer heavy-duty truck engine model year
- By 2015: Eighty percent of heavy-duty drayage trucks reach the equivalent diesel emissions level of 2007 or newer engine model year
At the Port of Tacoma, drayage trucks produce only 1% of diesel emissions and only 0.00002% of Puget Sound's diesel emissions. (Source: 2005 Puget Sound Marine Diesel Emission Inventory)
The Port conducts an annual study of the short-haul (drayage) truck fleet serving our terminals. The initial 2008 study captured about 3,100 short-haul trucks and determined the fleet was well positioned to meet the strategy's 2010 goal.
A 2009 study measured continued progress toward the strategy's goals. Study results showed:
- 90% of the trucks sport model year 1994 engines or newer, meeting the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy's 2010 goal. That's a 4% increase from 2008.
- About 6% meet the 2015 goal of model year 2007 or newer engines. That's 2% more than 2008.
- Newer trucks are replacing older trucks.
- Newer, cleaner trucks visit terminals more often than older, dirtier trucks, reducing overall emissions even more.
Recognizing the regional nature of the transportation system and related air emissions, the Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle are partnering to:
- Implement common components of both ports' clean truck programs
- Conduct joint trucker outreach and training programs
- Coordinate efforts to expedite transportation infrastructure improvements and regional congestion relief
- Generate and promote a Best Management Practice list of pre-qualified drayage trucking companies and owners that meet the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy goals and achieve EPA SmartWay certification.
- A database of trucks serving the Port, including truck age and owner information.
- Partner with trade and nongovernmental organizations to identify funding opportunities and options to modernize and retrofit drayage fleets.
- Communicate with the local trucking community through:
- Real-time, "push" telecommunications
- Quarterly meetings to share best practices
- A dedicated website allowing truckers to receive such information as turn times at terminals and vessel arrivals
- A council of representatives from the maritime industry, air agencies, beneficial cargo owners, trucking companies, community and nongovernmental organizations.
- Promote truck transportation efficiencies, such as terminal gate technology and congestion management methodologies.
- Use GPS tracking technology to investigate Port traffic flow management.
- Investigate the feasibility for a common chassis pool to increase truck movement efficiencies.
- Explore other options for congestion relief, such as friendly and secure drayage truck pre-gate parking facility.