Office of Operations Freight Management and Operations

Freight Facts and Figures 2009

Table 5-14. Current and Projected Particulate Matter (PM-10) Emissions by Freight Transportation Mode: 2002, 2010, and 2020

Trucks produce two-thirds of PM-10 emissions from the freight sector.  Freight emissions of PM-10 are forecast to decline by one-half over the next two decades.  The required use of ULSD fuel in heavy-duty trucks and other diesel-powered highway vehicles will reduce PM emissions and enable the use of advanced pollution control technologies to meet emissions standards.

In addition to CO, NOx, and particulate matter emissions, the transportation sector releases large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons.  These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, affecting the earth’s temperature.  Some greenhouse gases occur naturally while others are produced by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels. 

Table in Excel format

Blank cell. Tons
2002
Tons
2010
Tons
2020
Percent
change,
2002-2010
Percent
change,
2002-2020
Heavy-duty trucks 120,000 65,380 34,760 -46 -71
Freight rail 21,300 15,730 12,990 -26 -39
Commercial marine 44,000 42,930 44,080 -2 0
Air freight 300 290 270 -3 -10
Total freight 185,600 124,329 92,099 -33 -50

Source:

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Assessing the Effects of Freight Movement on Air Quality at the National and Regional Level, Final Report (Washington, DC: 2005), available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/freightaq/ as of April 21, 2009.

 


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