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
- 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, according to the 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. The 2009 study showed continued progress, with a 4% increase in trucks with model year 1994 or newer engines.
The 2010 study measured continued progress toward the strategy’s goals. Study results showed:
- 94% of trucks have model year 1994 engines or newer, meeting the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy's 2010 goal. That's a 4% increase from 2009.
- 8% meet the 2015 goal of model year 2007 or newer engines. That's 2% more than 2009.
- Newer trucks are replacing older trucks.
- Newer, cleaner trucks visit terminals more often than older, dirtier trucks, reducing overall emissions even more.
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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.