The movement of freight by trucks, trains, ships, etc. is essential to the economy in the Baltimore region. However, freight movement, as with other forms of transportation, can cause air pollution.
According to a study prepared for the Federal Highway Administration - Assessing the Effects of Freight Movement on Air Quality at the National and Regional Level - freight is now a greater source of air pollution than it has been in the past.
This is partly due to increasing freight transportation activity. Freight transportation contributes to particulate matter air pollution and nitrogen oxides, which helps to form smog.
What the Numbers Say...
Here are some highlights from the FHWA study “Assessing the Effects of Freight Movement on Air Quality at the National and Regional Level”:
In the United States:
- Freight transportation causes almost half of the nitrogen oxides emissions from all mobile sources.
- Freight transportation causes 27 percent of all sources of nitrogen oxides emissions.
In the Baltimore region:
- Trucks account for 83 percent of nitrogen oxides emissions resulting from freight transportation.
- Trucks account for 74 percent of fine particle emissions resulting from freight transportation.
For a copy of the report, vist the FHWA web site.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/freightaq/index.htm
What is Being Done?
In 2007, a new Federal rule went into effect for new vehicles with diesel engines.
In addition, to reduce emissions from diesel engines that are currently in use, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides grants to promote reductions in truck engine idling, through the Smartway Transport Partnership Program. In addition, EPA also provides grants for diesel engine retrofits, through the National Clean Diesel Campaign.
For more information:
Sara Tomlinson, stomlinson@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1035
OR
Bala Akundi, bakundi@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1019.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 December 2008 )
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Environmental Planning 
Air
Air Quality and Transportation
Diesel Truck Survey
