Freight Facts and Figures 2010
Table 5-14. Current and Projected Particulate Matter (PM-10) Emissions by Freight Transportation Mode: 2002, 2010, and 2020
Trucks produced two-thirds of PM-10 emissions from the freight sector. Freight emissions of PM-10 are forecast to decline by one-quarter over the next decade, primarily from a reduction in heavy-duty truck emissions. 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.
 |
Tons (thousands) 2002 |
Tons (thousands) 2010 |
Tons (thousands) 2020 |
Percent change, 2002 to 2010 |
Percent change, 2002 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy-duty trucks | 120.0 | 65.4 | 34.8 | -46 | -71 |
| Freight rail | 21.3 | 15.7 | 13.0 | -26 | -39 |
| Commercial marine | 44.0 | 42.9 | 44.1 | -2 | 0 |
| Air freight | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | -3 | -10 |
| Total freight | 185.6 | 124.3 | 92.1 | -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 June 2, 2010.
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