Buzz
In the United States, the transportation industry ranks as the second largest source of air pollution. Explore these fascinating flight images.Key Highlights
- Eco-friendly transportation options for goods include inland barges, which offer the best fuel efficiency and emit the least CO2 per ton-mile, as well as freight trains, which surpass conventional trucks in efficiency, carrying as much as 280 truckloads.
- Diesel-electric hybrid delivery vehicles are increasingly common in company fleets, thanks to their superior fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
- Foot couriers provide the greenest delivery option, especially in dense urban settings, as they navigate congested streets more swiftly than vehicles and generate only the emissions from human breathing.
As Kermit the Frog wisely put it, 'It’s not easy being green.' You choose the bus over driving to work, diligently recycle plastic bottles and cans, and even purchased a sweater made from reclaimed cotton for your dog.
What about the new computer you ordered online? Its parts are manufactured in Indonesia, then sent to Japan for assembly. After that, it's shipped across the Pacific Ocean on a container ship to a California warehouse. From there, delivery trucks bring the computers to distribution centers nationwide. Finally, when you click 'buy,' FedEx transports the package on a big rig, and then a delivery truck takes it directly to your doorstep. Convenient? Yes. Eco-friendly? Not quite.
Powered by Rivers of Oil and Clouds of Emissions
The harsh reality is that the global economy depends on vast rivers of oil. The supply chain, which sources raw materials from Africa, manufactures parts in Asia, and assembles products in Europe, is a logistical marvel, but it all hinges on transportation. Maritime shipping accounts for over 90% of international cargo transportation. Enormous container ships transport around 7.7 billion tons of cargo annually, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. However, each of these ships consumes thousands of gallons of bunker fuel, a low-quality fuel that contains 2,000 times more sulfur than regular diesel.
In the U.S., the transportation sector ranks as the second-largest producer of carbon dioxide emissions, making up 33% of total greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While passenger vehicles contribute a significant portion of these pollutants, heavy-duty freight trucks, which represent only 1% of the vehicles on the road, are responsible for 20% of total greenhouse gases.
The silver lining is that the cargo shipping industry is beginning to clean up its act, and we can help by supporting businesses committed to reducing their carbon footprints. Below is our list of the five most eco-friendly methods for transporting goods.
5. Inland Barges
Wide, serene rivers and massive freshwater lakes offer some of the most energy-efficient shipping routes globally. In fact, maritime transportation is the most fuel-efficient mode of freight transport, and inland barges stand out as the cleanest option. A single diesel-powered towboat can push 15 fully loaded barges, equivalent to 225 rail cars or 870 truckloads, while consuming far less fuel and emitting significantly fewer greenhouse gases.
In terms of fuel efficiency, nothing beats inland barges. A single inland barge can transport one ton of cargo for 514 miles (827 kilometers) on just one gallon of fuel. The next closest competitor is rail, which can carry cargo 202 miles (325 kilometers) on the same amount of fuel—less than half as efficient as inland barges. Trucks can only manage 59 miles (95 kilometers) per ton of cargo, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Eco Challenge: Inland Barges vs. Conventional Trucks
According to the National Waterways Council, rail transport produces 39% more carbon dioxide per ton-mile (the emissions created when shipping one ton of cargo one mile) than inland barges. Meanwhile, conventional trucks emit a staggering 371% more carbon dioxide per ton-mile.
Due to their slow speeds and robust build, barges are among the least likely vessels to cause a toxic spill. A five-year study of barge traffic on the upper Mississippi River found that only 0.5% of spills were linked to commercial navigation. During the same period, inland barges transported 4.9 billion gallons (18.5 billion liters) of liquid cargo.
4. Freight Trains
Trains stand out as the most fuel-efficient method for transporting goods over land. They are two to four times more efficient than conventional trucks, depending on the cargo. A single freight train can carry the equivalent of 280 truckloads. CSX, a major rail shipping company, claims it can transport one ton of cargo 500 miles (805 kilometers) on just one gallon of fuel. Since 1980, modern trains have improved their energy efficiency by 106%, and new advancements in locomotive design and computerized train control are expected to boost fuel efficiency by another 25% or more within the next decade.
Currently, freight rail accounts for 2.1% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector. Passenger vehicles are by far the largest source, contributing 65.8%, while trucks account for 20.4%. According to the Association of American Railroads, if 10% of truck cargo were shifted to rail, it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12 million tons annually — equivalent to removing 2 million cars from the road.
The Next Generation of Greener Trains
The next-gen "Gen Set" locomotives introduce a significant improvement in fuel efficiency for freight trains. Unlike traditional locomotives that rely on one large diesel engine, these innovative models feature three smaller engines. When lower horsepower is required, only one engine activates. If the conditions demand more power, additional engines are automatically engaged. This adaptive approach helps reduce fuel waste by up to 25 percent, as reported by Norfolk Southern.
Hybrid electric-diesel locomotives, offering even greater efficiency, are already in use for smaller "switching" locomotives, though the technology is still evolving for larger trains.
3. Biodiesel trucking
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, as opposed to petroleum-based diesel. While soybean oil is one of the most common sources, it can also be produced from used cooking oil found in restaurants. In fact, biodiesel is one of the oldest fuels for vehicles, dating back to the early 1900s when Rudolph Diesel showcased his groundbreaking engine at the World’s Fair, which ran on peanut oil.
The majority of freight trucks operate on traditional diesel fuel, with heavy-duty trucks depending on diesel engines to deliver the necessary torque for hauling heavy loads. However, burning conventional diesel fuel leads to harmful levels of greenhouse gas emissions. In the U.S., freight trucks contribute to 20 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.
Adopting Biodiesel
The positive news is that blending biodiesel with traditional diesel fuel can substantially reduce certain greenhouse gas emissions. A report from the EPA shows that a 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent conventional diesel blend cuts hydrocarbon emissions by 21 percent and particulate matter by 10.1 percent. The higher the biodiesel content, the more pronounced the reduction. Pure biodiesel can decrease hydrocarbon emissions by 70 percent and carbon monoxide emissions by 50 percent.
Switching to biodiesel does not require any modifications to the engines of heavy-duty trucks, making it an easy and cleaner option for many shipping companies and independent drivers. In fact, Safeway, a grocery store chain, converted its entire fleet of delivery trucks to biodiesel back in 2008.
2. Hybrid Delivery Vehicles
The Toyota Prius, a gas-electric hybrid, revolutionized eco-friendly driving for the masses. Environmental advocates hope that the same drive for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions will make diesel-electric hybrid vehicles a common sight in the shipping and delivery industries.
The Rise of Hybrid Shipping
Leading the charge are the world’s top shipping companies. FedEx operates a fleet of 408 alternative fuel delivery trucks, which includes 365 diesel-electric hybrids and 43 all-electric vehicles. According to FedEx, these hybrid and electric vehicles have saved the company 276,000 gallons of fuel and cut down carbon dioxide emissions by 2,800 metric tons. Meanwhile, UPS runs 380 hybrid delivery trucks, reducing overall carbon dioxide emissions from its fleet by 1,961 tons annually.
Eaton, a truck engine manufacturer, has created a widely-used hybrid diesel-electric engine designed for heavy-duty trucks. Coca-Cola was among the first to purchase this engine, which switches to electric power when the truck slows to below 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour, for hundreds of its largest delivery trucks. This hybrid technology boosts fuel efficiency by 30 percent and reduces emissions by the same amount.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has highlighted the hybridization of the nation's truck shipping fleet as one of the most effective methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
1. On Foot
There are numerous strong arguments for a cargo transportation company to embrace eco-friendly practices. One of the most significant is the potential savings on fuel, alongside reducing the company's carbon footprint. However, perhaps the most compelling reason is that going green simply works better. This is especially true for the most environmentally friendly delivery method on the planet: foot couriers.
In bustling cities like New York, London, and Shanghai, traffic can be so congested and parking so scarce that only the most daring would attempt to navigate the chaos in a large delivery truck. The wasted time, fuel, and the risk of parking fines, not to mention the reckless drivers, make the job even more perilous. In such urban environments, companies like DHL and FedEx have abandoned trucks in favor of fleets of fast-footed couriers.
DHL couriers use large plastic carts that can carry dozens of heavy packages. They’ve been making timely deliveries to crowded areas like Wall St. since 1984. The carts are entirely fuel-free and emit no pollutants, though it's worth noting that the average person breathes out about 2.3 pounds (1.04 kilograms) of carbon dioxide. You can see for yourself in this video of a FedEx foot courier working in China and appreciate that your own daily commute doesn’t involve the madness of Shanghai’s rush hour.
As the global population continues to grow and the demand for resources increases, eco-conscious industrial solutions will become even more vital. As the ability to transport goods with minimal environmental impact becomes more feasible, the world will become cleaner, less congested, and less polluted.
