Freight and Air Quality Handbook

2.0 Background on Freight-Related Air Quality

Understanding the air quality issues and regulatory environment related to the freight sector is an important component of planning for transportation projects and specifically freight-related air quality projects (freight projects designed to reduce air pollutant emissions). This section provides background on the nature of freight-related pollutants and associated air quality impacts, the sources of freight emissions by mode, and the conditions, laws, and regulations that govern air quality and impact freight operations and investment decisions. It will provide transportation and freight practitioners less versed in air quality with basic information about air quality rules, regulations, and impacts, allowing them to better communicate with resource agency staff and environmental professionals. For those with broader air quality planning experience, it provides background information on the types of air quality impacts that are unique to freight movements and operations.

2.1 Emissions and Air Quality Impacts

This section provides an overview about various types of air pollutants associated with the freight transportation sector, the health and environmental impacts of each, their impacts on regional and local air pollution and global issues (climate change), and some of the tools and methods used to calculate emissions. Specific types of air pollutants covered include:

• Criteria Pollutants – Six key pollutants for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes national ambient air quality standards (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxides, ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and lead). Nitrogen dioxides, particulate matter, and ozone are the pollutants of greatest concern for the U.S. freight transportation sector;
• Mobile-Source Air Toxics (MSAT) – Compounds with significant contributions from mobile sources for which there are no established standards; and
• Greenhouse Gases (GHG) – Gaseous compounds that trap heat in the earth's atmosphere and contribute to global climate change. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by freight vehicles.

2.1.1 Criteria Pollutants

Criteria pollutants are a group of air pollutants for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), following the requirements of the Clean Air Act (40 CFR Part 50). The EPA sets national guidelines ("criteria") for permissible levels of criteria pollutants, based on scientific knowledge of their human health and/or environmental impacts.

The six criteria pollutants regulated by the EPA are:

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that is formed when the carbon in a fuel source is not burned completely. Nationally, motor vehicle exhaust accounted for about 54 percent of CO emissions in 2005 (Environmental Protection Agency, 2005 National Emissions Inventory). In large cities, the proportion can be much higher due to the concentration of population and vehicle-miles traveled. Other sources of CO emissions include industrial processes like metal processing, residential wood burning, gas stoves, and cigarette smoke. Even low-level exposure to CO can have harmful cardiovascular effects, particularly for people who suffer from heart disease. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can have effects on the central nervous system such as vision problems, reduced ability to learn or perform complex tasks, and reduced dexterity. Goods movement activities are not a significant source of CO pollution, as diesel engines are not major emitters of CO.
• Nitrogen dioxides (NO₂) are a family of reactive gaseous compounds that contribute to air pollution in both urban and rural areas. They are produced during the combustion of fuels at high temperatures. Transportation produced 59 percent of NO_x emissions in 2005; electricity generation is the next largest contributor. Freight transport (heavy-duty trucks, marine, rail, and air cargo) accounted for approximately 57 percent of transportation emissions, with heavy duty trucks and buses accounting for 26 percent, marine vessels for 22 percent, locomotives nine percent, and freight aircraft less than one percent (Ibid. Freight sources include heavy duty trucks and buses, marine vessels, railroads, heavy duty gasoline vehicles, and aircraft emissions attributable to cargo operations). While EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standard covers this entire group of NO_x, NO₂ is the component of greatest interest and used as the indicator for the larger group of nitrogen oxides for the purposes of regulation. NO_x also is a precursor (A precursor is a primary pollutant that turns into a criteria pollutant, either through chemical reaction or decay) to other pollutants; for example, it reacts with volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight to form ozone. It also reacts with sulfur dioxide to form acid rain, which can raise the acidity of water bodies and make them unsuitable for many fish.
• Ground-level ozone (O3) is not actually emitted, but is formed from a chemical reaction between NO_x and VOCs. Sunlight breaks down the precursor chemicals (NO_x and VOC) in a process called photolysis, after which oxygen atoms combine to form ozone. As a result, ozone concentrations tend to be highest in the summer when there are more sunny days. Sources of the pollutants that create ozone include vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, and even some elements of natural vegetation. Ground-level ozone is the primary component of smog. Ozone formation can be exacerbated by congested daytime operations at major freight facilities, such as ports, since these facilities are typically busiest during daylight hours. Wind currents can carry ozone and the pollutants that form it for many miles, so even areas with low freight volumes can be affected. Ozone has been linked to respiratory problems, sunburn-like skin irritation, aggravation of asthma, and increased susceptibility to pneumonia and bronchitis, as well as reduced crop yields and damage to vegetation. Reliable estimates of the proportion of ozone that is attributable to freight do not exist, but diesel engines are a significant source of NO_x, which is a precursor to ozone.
• Particulate matter (PM) is composed of small particles and liquid droplets of a variety of chemicals and other agents, such as dust particles, organic chemicals, acids, and metals. Some PM is directly emitted from the tailpipe as a by-product of engine combustion. Secondary PM, on the other hand, is formed by reactions in the exhaust plume outside the vehicle when fine PM molecules attach to other molecules (nucleation) or to each other (homogeneous nucleation). In addition, road dust is a major component of PM. Particulate matter aggravates asthma symptoms and has been linked to cancer and heart disease, chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death in individuals with heart or lung disease. For regulatory purposes, particulate matter is grouped into two categories based on the size of the particles:
  • PM₁₀ is made up of particles less than 10 microns in diameter (about one-seventh the width of a human hair). Nationally, road dust (including tire particles and brake dust) is the largest source of PM₁₀ emissions. Road dust accounted for almost 11 million tons of PM₁₀ emissions in the United States in 2005, over half of the total (Environmental Protection Agency, 2005 National Emissions Inventory. Since the 2005 NEI does not identify road dust separately from other fugitive dust, it was estimated using percentages from 2002). The transportation sector (including road dust) is responsible for about 54 percent of PM₁₀ emissions. Freight movements produce 51 percent of transportation emissions, with marine vessels accounting for 29 percent of transportation emissions, heavy duty trucks and buses for 17 percent, and locomotives for five percent. Major non-transportation sources include fires, agriculture, and electricity generation.
  • PM_2.5 is composed of particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter; motor vehicle exhaust is a major source of this type of pollution. There is evidence that PM_2.5 is more hazardous to human health than the larger PM₁₀ particles, largely because they can travel in the air for very long distances, tend to remain in the lungs when inhaled, and can even enter the bloodstream. Fine PM is often created through secondary formation when diesel exhaust particles react with other compounds in the atmosphere such as NO_x. Together, on-road vehicles and non-road equipment (including rail and marine sources) contributed about 10 percent of total PM_2.5 emissions in 2005, or about 550,000 tons. Road dust made up another 1.2 million tons (21 percent) (Ibid).
• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a gas formed when fuel sources containing sulfur (such as coal and oil) are burned, and when crude oil is converted to gasoline. These gases dissolve into water easily; in fact, SO₂ combines with water vapor in the atmosphere to help form acid rain. SO₂ also is associated with breathing difficulties and respiratory illness, contributes to haze in the air, and damages crops and other plant life. Electricity generation (mostly by coal-fired power plants) is the largest generator of SO₂ emissions nationwide, accounting for over 67 percent of total emissions in 2005. All transportation sources combined accounted for 11 percent of the total (Environmental Protection Agency, 2005 National Emissions Inventory).
• Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring metal found in the environment and in many manufactured products. It can be inhaled from the air or ingested from contaminated drinking water/food, or from lead-based paint found in older buildings. Once ingested, it enters the bloodstream and can accumulate in the bones. Lead has numerous negative effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, and immune systems. Children are especially sensitive to lead exposure. In the environment, lead causes neurological effects in vertebrates, decreased growth and reproduction in plants and animals, and a general loss of biodiversity. Historically, the transportation sector was a major source of lead pollution, but the elimination of lead in gasoline led to a 95 percent drop in transport-related lead emissions between 1980 to 1999. As a result of this regulatory action, on-road vehicles are no longer a significant source of lead pollution. However, non-road equipment (including locomotives, ships, and planes) are still a significant source of lead pollution. In 2002, nearly 28 percent (464 tons) of lead emissions came from these sources (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 'National Summary of Lead Emissions,' Retrieved December 16, 2008 from http://www.epa.gov/air/emissions/pb.htm). Fuel containing lead is still sold in small amounts for specific applications such as race cars, farm equipment, and aircraft.

2.1.2 Mobile-Source Air Toxics

MSATs are pollutants emitted from highway vehicles and non-road equipment. MSATs may have serious health effects, but unlike criteria pollutants they are not regulated by NAAQS. The seven MSATs of particular concern are acrolein; benzene; 1,3-butadiene; formaldehyde; diesel particulate matter and diesel exhaust organic gases; naphthalene; and polycyclic organic matter (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Control of Hazardous Air Pollutants from Mobile Sources; Final Rule," Federal Register Volume 72, Number 37, Monday February 26, 2007: pages 8427-8570). Some of these chemicals (such as benzene) are present in gasoline and diesel fuel and are emitted through evaporation or when fuel passes through an engine without being burned. Others (such as formaldehyde and diesel particulate matter) are not present in the fuel itself; rather, they are byproducts of incomplete combustion. These compounds have a variety of potential human health effects. Benzene, for instance, is a known carcinogen, while formaldehyde and diesel particulate matter are probable carcinogens. An EPA study concluded that long-term inhalation of diesel exhaust probably poses a lung cancer risk and can cause other respiratory problems (United States Environmental Protection Agency, Health Assessment Document for Diesel Engine Exhaust, May 2002).

2.1.3 Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gaseous compounds that trap heat in the earth's atmosphere. They can be naturally occurring or man-made. There are several greenhouse gases that are the result of human activity, but carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary concern from a freight perspective, since it is formed through the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal. In 2007, the transportation sector produced about 32 percent of the nation's CO₂ emissions, 60 percent of which was attributable to passenger vehicles. Much of the remainder came from freight sources (EPA, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 to 2007, April 2009). Unlike criteria pollutants or MSATs, greenhouse gases are global in nature and can remain in the atmosphere for very long periods of time (50 to 200 years in the case of CO₂).

GHGs are the cause of the "greenhouse effect," which refers to the rise in earth's temperature that results from atmospheric gases trapping the sun's heat. As such, GHGs (including CO₂) are a primary contributor to global warming since they enhance the heat-trapping properties of the atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere has risen by about 30 percent, largely due to human activities. During the last 100 years, the global average surface temperature has risen by 1.33 degrees Fahrenheit; most of that increase (1.17 degrees Fahrenheit) occurred in the last 50 years (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group I, Assessment Report 4, November 2007). Increased concentrations of GHGs will likely accelerate this trend.

Climate change can be linked to other environmental phenomena like sea-level rise, increased precipitation, and increased hurricane intensity. The recent warming of earth's atmosphere has been linked to melting sea ice (which affects currents and ecosystems) as well as melting glaciers and ice sheets on land (which raises the sea level). About one-third of the CO₂ generated by the burning of fossil fuels is absorbed into the ocean, where it raises the acidity of surface water, which in turn can have potential negative effects on marine life (Grimond, J. "Troubled waters." The Economist, December 30, 2008).

Besides the risks to life and property, climate change can adversely affect freight movements and transportation in general (Global warming may also enhance freight movement. There is a chance that melting Arctic sea ice will open up new shipping lanes through the Arctic Ocean, which would cut 2,000 miles off of a trip from Rotterdam to Seattle as compared to transiting through the Panama Canal). For example, it has been projected that an 18-foot storm surge (such as that produced by a hurricane) would inundate 41 percent of rail miles operated, 64 percent of Interstate miles, and 57 percent of arterial highway miles along the U.S. Gulf Coast (Climate Change Science Project, Potential Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure – Gulf Coast Study, March 12, 2008).

2.1.4 Emissions Modeling

There are a number of quantitative tools that air quality practitioners and transportation planners can use to estimate freight vehicle emissions and model their impacts. The EPA's MOVES2010 (Further information regarding MOVES2010 can be found on EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm) model estimates emissions of VOC, NO_x, PM (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), CO, MSATs (benzene; 1,3-butadiene; formaldehyde; acetaldehyde; acrolein; naphthalene; ethanol; and MTBE), and greenhouse gases for cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles outside California. In California, emissions analyses are conducted using the EMFAC2007 model. This model was developed by the California Air Resources Board and approved by EPA.

Estimating emissions from freight movements also should consider non-road sources, like locomotives, ships, and aircraft (although non-road sources are not considered in the transportation conformity process described later in Section 2.3.1). This is especially important in communities with ports or significant rail traffic. EPA publishes emissions rates and methodologies for different types of rail movements (line-haul, shortline, switch, etc.) as well as aircraft. EPA also publishes guidance on estimating marine vessel emissions. EPA's NONROAD model can be used to estimate emissions from non-road sources other than ships, trains, and aircraft. This would include cargo handling equipment like port gantry cranes, forklifts, and container handlers.

Other EPA modeling tools include:

• The Freight Logistics Environmental and Energy Tracking (FLEET) model is a spreadsheet-based modeling tool to help truck fleet owners optimize fuel economy and reduce emissions. The model helps fleet managers track fuel economy and estimate how much CO, NO_x, and PM emissions they can prevent through various measures.
• The National Mobile Inventory Model (NMIM) is a desktop computer application that helps planners and air quality analysts develop estimates of current and future emissions inventories from mobile sources, including on- and off-road freight vehicles. The on-road emissions calculations of NMIM is based on MOBILE6.2. NMIM can be used to calculate national, state, or county-level inventories.
• The DrayFLEET model is a spreadsheet-based model that calculates emissions from container drayage activities at ports. Drayage trips are truck trips to move containers within port complexes and to and from intermodal transfer facilities and depots. DrayFLEET allows port planners to understand the impact on emissions of changing management practices, terminal operations, cargo volume, and technology upgrades.
• Fuels models can be used to estimate the emissions impacts of changes in fuel properties and composition. EPA has produced technical reports on the effects of different diesel fuel formulations on emissions.

2.2 Freight Sources of Air Pollutnats

Most freight emissions are from diesel engines, and diesel exhaust is a major source of PM, NO_x, and SO_x pollutants. This section will focus on the characteristics that differentiate among the modes (fuels, mode of operation, etc.). The different modes include trucks, marine vessels and ports, rail vehicles, and air cargo.

2.2.1 Truck

Trucks remain the most dominant mode for freight movements, by weight, value, and ton-miles. In 2007, trucks carried about 61 percent of total freight tonnage in the United States, and more than 65 percent of total freight value (Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework). The EPA has introduced stringent new caps on emissions of PM, NO_x, and other pollutants for model year 2007 and later trucks. At the same time, it mandated the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) in heavy-duty trucks produced since the 2007 model year, which enables the use of more advanced pollution control technology in diesel engines (higher sulfur fuels can "poison" the catalyst used in NO_x and PM aftertreatment technologies). To support that rule, refiners began producing ULSD in mid-2006, and its use was required for the on-road fleet in 2007. However, there are still millions of older trucks in the nation's fleet that lack these new aftertreatment technologies. In any case, many of these trucks were built before the most recent emissions standards for diesel engines came into effect, which limits the effect of the new standards in the short term. Vehicle maintenance also can affect truck emissions; poorly maintained trucks often emit more than those that are kept in good running condition. Unlike locomotives, trucks are not subject to engine rebuild emissions standards.

It should be noted that 10 percent of medium- and heavy-duty truck fuel consumption is from gasoline trucks. Emissions from gasoline-powered freight vehicles are an important contributor to freight-related emissions.

2.2.2 Marine Vessels and Ports

Marine cargo vessels and port complexes are the second largest source of diesel freight emissions. In addition to cargo ships, ports use cranes, hostlers, and other equipment powered by diesel fuel. Cargo vessels typically burn bunker fuel (also known as residual fuel because it is literally left over from the refining process), a form of diesel fuel with particularly high sulfur content. Bunker fuel is the most common fueling option because of its low cost; considering that a typical cargo ship burns 120 gallons of fuel per mile (Barry, K. "Toyota's Solar Car Carrier." Wired Blog Network, September 3, 2008). They are major contributor to air quality issues in coastal regions, especially those related to sulfur oxides. Researchers have estimated that ships burning this type of fuel are responsible for as many as 60,000 deaths per year worldwide and cost the U.S. economy about $500 million annually (Corbett, J., Winebrake, J., Green, E., Kasibhatla, P., Eyring, V., and Lauer, A. "Mortality from Ship Emissions: A Global Assessment." Environmental Science and Technology, November 5, 2007). Another study found that as much as 44 percent of the primary sulfates (a very small particulate matter found in diesel exhaust) in the air in California coastal areas comes from ships (McDonald, K. "Dirty Smoke from Ships Found to Degrade Air Quality in Coastal Cities." University of California, San Diego News Center, August 18, 2008).

Marine diesels are classified by the EPA into Category I, II, and III engines. Category III engines are the very large engines used on oceangoing cargo vessels such as containerships. These engines are the primary users of bunker fuel. Category I and II engines generally burn cleaner distillate fuel. However, these engines are subject to less stringent emissions regulations than diesel engines designed for on-road use.

In addition to the ships themselves, cargo handling equipment at ports are often powered by diesel engines. These can include container cranes (Most modern container cranes use electric power, but there are still many older diesel-powered cranes in use) (which offload cargo containers from ships for transfer to trucks or trains), forklifts, terminal tractors, and container handlers, among other things. Although many of these vehicles utilize clean-diesel technologies (and many ports mandate the use of such technology), they still contribute to air quality issues around ports.

2.2.3 Rail

Rail locomotives are another source of significant diesel exhaust pollution. There currently are 20,000 freight locomotives in use across the country (Palaniappan, M., Prakash, S., and Bailey, D. Paying With Our Health: The Real Cost of Freight Transport in California. The Pacific Institute, November 2006). Rail is often held up as a clean alternative to trucks, and it is true that one train can move an equivalent volume of 250 trucks, and that trains enjoy about a three to one advantage in fuel efficiency (emissions per ton/mile) over trucks. However, emissions standards for locomotives lag behind those for trucks, and many older locomotives that are still in use predate even the most basic regulations (more stringent locomotive emissions requirements are slowly being phased in and are described in Section 2.3.2). Locomotives have 30- to 40-year service lives, so older, more polluting models remain in use longer than trucks typically do, although engines are typically rebuilt every 600,000 to 1,000,000 miles (Stodolsky, F. (2002). Railroad and Locomotive Technology Roadmap. Argonne National Laboratory, Center for Transportation Research, ANL/ESD/02-6). Like trucks, trains emit significant amounts of NO_x and particulate matter.

In addition, rail freight is growing for a number of reasons. These include escalating fuel costs (which plays to rail's fuel efficiency advantage) and a shortage of truck drivers. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that total rail freight tonnage will grow by 73 percent between 2006 and 2035 (Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework). The EPA estimates that without new controls, locomotives and ships will contribute 27 percent of total mobile source NO_x and 45 percent of mobile source fine diesel particulate matter (PM_2.5) emissions by 2030 (http://www.epa.gov/nonroad-diesel/420f04041.htm).

Freight rail locomotives fall into two groups: 1) line-haul locomotives; and 2) switchyard locomotives. Line-haul locomotives are the more powerful engines that the railroads use to move large freight trains between major hubs. Switchyard locomotives are less powerful and are used to disassemble and reassemble trains by moving cars around at a rail yard. Line-haul operations, involve a greater proportion of operating time at high power levels, while locomotives engaged in switching operations typically spend most of their time at a lower power output, starting and stopping, or at idle. This tends to increase emissions for switchers, since frequent acceleration and deceleration requires more power than cruising at a constant speed. Railroads also tend to "sunset" older locomotives by shifting them from line-haul duty to switchyard functions, meaning that rail yards (sometimes located in dense urban population centers) often end up with the oldest, most polluting locomotives; however, these locomotives are subject to updated engine-rebuild emissions standards when they go through major overhauls.

2.2.4 Air Freight

Air cargo is a very small part of total freight movements in the United States, when measured by weight. This is because moving goods by air is very expensive. Generally, light, higher-value, more time-sensitive commodities move by air. In fact, despite being less than one percent of total freight volumes in 2006, air cargo movements comprised seven percent of total freight value that year (Federal Highway Administration, Freight Analysis Framework). Air cargo movements are expected to grow faster in volume than other modes (with growth rates of up to four percent annually by some estimates (FHWA and ICF Consulting, Assessing the Effects of Freight Movement on Air Quality at the National and Regional Level, April 2005)), so they will likely contribute more to air quality problems in the future, especially in large urban areas with major airports. In addition, air movements almost always require a truck trip on either side of the shipment (air-rail moves are possible, but rare), so truck volumes and their associated emissions grow along with air cargo moves. Cargo and baggage handling equipment at airports primarily serves passenger jets, but also is a source of airport-related emissions.

It is hard to isolate air freight emissions because a large proportion of air cargo is carried in the cargo holds of commercial passenger aircraft. The FHWA estimates that just 0.1 percent of NO_x and 0.2 percent of PM₁₀ emissions related to freight come from air cargo operations. However, in some cities the proportion is much higher; in Los Angeles, for example, air freight accounts for 0.5 percent of total freight NO_x emissions and 0.3 percent of freight PM₁₀ emissions (Ibid). All jet aircraft (passenger and freight) emit VOCs, NO_x, SO₂, and CO. Aircraft operations that occur below 3,000 feet are considered to have an impact on ground-level air quality. Like locomotives, commercial jets have long service lives (25 to 40 years), so it can take decades before technological improvements or new regulatory standards that reduce emissions show up in the majority of the fleet.

2.2.5 Total Emissions by Mode and Expected Trends

Trucks accounted for 46 percent of freight-related NO_x emissions in 2005, the largest share of any single mode (Figure 2.1). While trucks' share of total emissions for both pollutants has declined in recent years due to the advent of stricter emissions regulations, they still account for a significant amount of freight emissions because most freight in the United States moves by truck. Marine vessels made up the next largest share at 38 percent, followed by railroads (16 percent) and air cargo (less than 1 percent). In contrast, ships comprised 57 percent of PM₁₀ emissions in 2005, compared to 34 percent for trucks, 9 percent for rail, and less than 1 percent for air cargo.

Figure 2.1 Total NO_x and PM₁₀ Emissions by Mode (2005)

Source: EPA 2005 National Emissions Inventory.

The share of emissions by mode can vary significantly by region. For example, over 23,000 tons of NO_x in the Chicago region in 2002 (19 percent of total freight emissions) came from freight rail, reflecting that region's status as a major North American rail freight hub. Similarly, marine operations accounted for a large proportion of PM₁₀ freight emissions in Houston (40 percent) and Los Angeles (37 percent), a result of the major port facilities present in those cities (FHWA and ICF Consulting, Assessing the Effects of Freight Movement on Air Quality at the National and Regional Level, April 2005).

With the exception of air freight, most of the modal sources of freight pollution are expected to decline in the future (Figure 2.2) (This forecast uses a 2002 base year. With the gradual phasing in of stricter regulations beginning in 2007 (particularly for truck and rail), the declines would likely be more modest if a more recent base year were used, but would still be substantial given fleet turnover rates). These reductions will largely be the result of stricter EPA regulations governing mobile source emissions. Heavy-duty truck emissions are expected to decline the most (by about 82 percent), with freight rail emissions declining by 43 percent. Marine emissions are expected to decline much more modestly due to less stringent regulations and the fact that most cargo vessels calling on U.S. ports are foreign flagged and, therefore, not subject to EPA regulations. Air freight PM₁₀ emissions are expected to decline slightly, but NO_x emissions related to air cargo will increase by 51 percent by 2020. Overall, PM₁₀ emissions from freight sources are expected to decline by 5 percent annually through the year 2020, resulting in a 63 percent total decline; NO_x emissions will decline by 4 percent per year (50 percent overall).

Figure 2.2 Future Freight-Related NO_x and PM₁₀ Emissions Change by Mode (2010 and 2020)

2.3 Regulatory Environment

This section provides an overview of Federal, state, and local laws and regulations dealing with emissions and air quality, as well as agency roles and responsibilities. Each level of government has a distinct set of responsibilities related to transportation and environmental protection, as shown in Figure 2.3.

• The Federal government sets national policy and performs important oversight roles. The EPA, for example, develops national standards for certain pollutants as noted below. In the case of transportation, the Federal government (FHWA and FTA) also provides funding and financing for projects.
• State and regional agencies are normally responsible for carrying out Transportation plans, programs, and policies. For air quality policy, the EPA sets national standards, but it is up to state resource agencies to determine how best to comply with them. Some states set their own air quality standards that are more stringent than the Federal standards. Similarly, state DOTs plan and carry out transportation projects at the statewide level.
• Local agencies also can set their own standards for air quality that are equal to or more stringent than state standards. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) determine how Federal transportation funds will be spent in their areas; they also must ensure that transportation plans and programs conform to the purpose of the state implementation plans. Many local governments also have adopted laws to control freight-related emissions.

Figure 2.3 Agency Roles and Responsibilities

The following sections discuss the Federal, state, and local roles in more detail to provide a complete picture of the regulatory environment affecting freight and air quality.

2.3.1 Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act (CAA) was first enacted in 1963 and has been revised many times since then. The Clean Air Act of 1970 represented a major shift in Federal pollution control activities by authorizing comprehensive requirements for the control of stationary, area and mobile source emissions. The most recent revisions (in 1990), often called the CAA Amendments or CAAA, increased the authority and responsibilities of the Federal government.

Air Quality Standards

As discussed in Section 2.1.1, the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) set limits for six criteria pollutants: CO, NO₂, O₃, PM, SO₂, and lead. The CAA requires that areas exceeding the limits for one or more of the criteria pollutants (as measured through air quality monitoring) be designated as nonattainment. States that have nonattainment areas are required to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP), which is a detailed description of the resources and programs a state will use to achieve and maintain NAAQS. The SIP is based on analytical methods approved by the EPA and is developed in consultation with local transportation and resource agencies. A state's SIP can incorporate freight issues; for example, the Texas SIP for the Houston-Galveston region includes a transportation control measure that focuses on NO_x reductions and includes a voluntary emissions program for railroads.

Areas which were previously designated as nonattainment but have consistently met the NAAQS over a 3-year period with no violations on their monitors are redesignated as attainment and called maintenance areas. Maintenance areas must develop maintenance SIPs which show how the area will maintain the NAAQS for two 10-year periods.

The CAA requires the Federal government to conform to air quality goals in the SIP before approving or funding any activity. Conformity (Transportation conformity is covered under 40 CFR Parts 51 and 93, Subpart A, while general conformity is covered under 40 CFR Parts 6, 51, and 93, Subpart B) is the process used to meet this requirement. Freight activities are either covered under transportation or general conformity, depending on which Federal agency is funding and/or approving the project. Transportation conformity only applies to on-road mobile sources – not freight rail, marine, or aviation – in nonattainment and maintenance areas for transportation-related pollutants (ozone, CO, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and NO₂). It specifically applies to metropolitan transportation plans, programs and projects developed, funded, or approved under title 23 U.S.C. or Federal Transit Laws. General conformity applies in nonattainment and maintenance areas for all criteria pollutants. It also applies to all other Federal actions not covered under transportation conformity, such as airports and railroads. Interagency consultation should be used to determine how the conformity requirements are met for a particular freight project.

Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT)

MSAT analysis may be relevant in some cases. In February 2007, EPA promulgated new regulations to reduce MSATs by limiting the amount of benzene in gasoline and reducing emissions from passenger vehicles and gas cans. The FHWA has published interim guidance for project sponsors conducting MSAT analysis, which is encouraged but not required for environmental documentation on Federally funded transportation projects (FHWA, 2009: "INFORMATION: Interim Guidance Update on Mobile Source Air Toxic Analysis in NEPA Documents." Memorandum from April Marchese, Director, Office of Natural and Human Environment, September 30, 2009. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/airtoxic/100109guidmem.htm). FHWA uses a three-tiered approach with projects divided into groups:

• Projects not requiring analysis are those with no potential for meaningful MSAT effects. These projects include those that are categorically excluded under 23 CFR 771.117(c); are exempt under the transportation conformity rules per 40 CFR 93.126; or others that have no meaningful impact on traffic volumes or vehicle mix.
• Projects requiring qualitative analysis are those projects with low potential MSAT effects. These projects include those that serve to improve operations of highway, transit, or freight without adding substantial new capacity or without creating a facility that is likely to meaningfully increase emissions.
• Projects requiring quantitative analysis are projects that have the potential for meaningful differences among project alternatives Freight examples would include development or expansion of a major truck/rail intermodal yard or a major port expansion or access improvement.

Emissions Standards

The Clean Air Act and its amendments also set emissions standards for new engines and vehicles, including freight vehicles. Diesel engines used in freight applications can be grouped into two broad categories:

• On-road engines, which include tractor-trailers and other heavy-duty trucks primarily for highway use. The most recent regulations cover model year 2007 and later engines, and include stringent new caps on PM, NO_x, and other pollutants. These are coupled with the new EPA requirement (since 2006) that all on-road diesel fuel be ultra-low sulfur diesel.
• Off-road engines, which include mobile non-road diesel engines such as those found in construction equipment, forklifts, farm tractors, and logging equipment. The most recent standards for these engines are being phased in from 2008 to 2015 and vary according to the power output of the engine. However, this group does not include rail locomotives or marine engines, which are regulated separately.

Truck Emissions Standards

Heavy-duty vehicles are defined as vehicles for commercial use that have a gross vehicle weight rating above 8,500 pounds. EPA emissions standards are divided into three groups depending on the date of vehicle manufacture:

• Model year 1988 to 2003 regulations consisted of gradual phase-in of more stringent requirements for NO_x (from 10.7 grams per brake horsepower-hour in 1988 to 4.0 in 1998) and PM (to 0.10 g/bhp-hr from 0.6).
• Model year 2004 to 2006 standards (adopted in October 1997) reflect further efforts to reduce NO_x emissions from diesel-powered trucks. These regulations introduced more stringent limits on emissions of hydrocarbons (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x); limits on other pollutants like CO and PM remained at 1998 levels.
• Model year 2007 and later standards for heavy-duty highway engines were adopted in December 2000 and include regulations covering both engine emissions and diesel fuel. New limits for emissions of hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and NO_x are dramatically lower than previous limits. The new standard for PM emissions took effect in the 2007 model year; new limits on NO_x and hydrocarbons are to be phased in between 2007 and 2010. The fuel requirement, meanwhile, mandated the adoption of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel for all on-road applications as of mid-2006. This fuel enables the use of advanced pollution control devices such as those discussed in Section 3.0 below.

Locomotive Emissions Standards

EPA regulations governing locomotive emissions are organized into five Tiers (0 through 4). Tiers 3 and 4 were introduced in new EPA regulations in 2008, along with strengthened standards for Tiers 0 through 2. The EPA uses a dual-cycle approach, meaning that all locomotives must comply with both line-haul and switch standards. Tiers 0 through 2 are the currently applicable emissions standards:

• Tier 0 is the first set of standards, which became effective in 2000 and applies to locomotives and locomotive engines built between 1973 and 2001, any time they are manufactured or remanufactured. EPA's 2008 regulations introduced more stringent requirements for remanufactured equipment, to be phased in by 2010.
• Tier 1 regulations apply to locomotives and engines originally manufactured between 2002 and 2004; these locomotives are required to meet Tier 1 standards on the date of manufacture and at each subsequent overhaul. As with Tier 0, EPA's 2008 regulations introduced more stringent requirements for remanufactured equipment to be phased in by 2010.
• Tier 2 standards apply to equipment manufactured in 2005 and later. They are required to meet the Tier 2 standards at the time of manufacture and each subsequent remanufacture. In addition, as for Tiers 0 and 1, EPA's 2008 regulations introduced more stringent requirements for remanufactured equipment to be phased in by 2010.
• Tier 3 standards are near-term regulations to be phased in starting in 2011 (for switch locomotives) and 2012 (for line-haul equipment). They will apply to both new and rebuilt locomotives. These standards are to be met through engine technology.
• Tier 4 regulations are longer term in nature and are expected to be met through the use of exhaust gas after treatments such as those discussed in Section 3.0. The Tier 4 standards are to be phased in starting in 2015 for both switch and line-haul locomotives.

Marine Engine Emissions Standards

As noted in Section 2.2.1, marine diesel engines are divided into three categories. The categories are based on displacement per cylinder (Cylinder displacement should not be confused with vessel displacement, which refers to the mass of a ship and the equivalent amount of water the vessel displaces while floating). The EPA regulates marine engines differently based on which category they fall into:

• Category 1 and 2 engines include any that displace less than 30 liters per cylinder and typically range between 700 and 11,000 horsepower. These engines are subject to a tiered system like that for locomotives. Tier 2 standards currently are applicable and govern acceptable emissions of CO, NO_x, and PM. Tier 3 and 4 standards began in 2009 and rely on engine technology and the use of exhaust gas after treatment devices.
• Category 3 engines are those that displace more than 30 liters per cylinder, and can have power output ranging anywhere from about 3,000 to more than 100,000 horsepower. EPA has adopted NO_x emissions standards for these engines that apply to vessels flagged or registered in the United States equipped with Category 3 engines built in 2004 and later. The limits are the same as those adopted by the International Maritime Organization (a United Nations body) through international negotiation. (As a practical matter, since most vessels calling on U.S. deepwater seaports are registered and flagged in foreign countries, the IMO regulations are the constraining factor(Some jurisdictions, most notably California, are now requiring vessels to switch to cleaner fuels within a certain distance of shore. These strategies are discussed under Alternative Fuels below). ) The residual fuel typically used by Category 3 engines limits the emission control technologies that can be used on them, which is why emissions other than NO_x are unregulated.

There are some regional differences in standards for marine engine emissions and fuels. For example, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is implementing regulations that will require oceangoing vessels operating within 24 miles of the California coastline to use diesel fuel with 0.5 percent or less sulfur content beginning July 1, 2009. By 2012, vessels must use fuel with 0.1 percent or less sulfur.

Non-Road Engine Emissions Standards

There are two types of non-road engines: mobile and stationary. Mobile engines are often found on self-propelled vehicles, but portable equipment (such as generators) are included. Mobile engines are used in a wide variety of applications, including construction vehicles, forklifts, and farm tractors. Mobile cargo handling equipment such as container lifts are a freight-specific example. Stationary engines are not portable and do not appear on self-propelled vehicles; a freight example would be a diesel-powered cargo crane.

Mobile diesel engines are subject to a set of tiered emissions standards similar to those adopted for locomotives:

• Tier 1 through 3 standards currently are in effect, having been implemented in steps since 1998. The regulations have been phased in for newly manufactured engines in different years depending on the power output of the engine. Each tier represents a progression to more stringent regulations. Sulfur content in non-road diesel fuel was unregulated.
• Tier 4 standards are to be implemented from 2008 to 2015 and call for stricter limits on NO_x and PM (about a 90 percent reduction in emissions); acceptable CO emissions are unchanged. The EPA also has mandated the use of lower sulfur diesel fuel to enable more advanced pollution control on these engines. Sulfur content for non-road, locomotive, and marine fuels has been limited to 500 parts per million since June of 2007; beginning in 2010, ULSD is required, which only contains 15 parts per million of sulfur.

Emissions from stationary engines were previously unregulated by EPA, which had led to a complex patchwork of state and local regulations. In 2003, Environmental Defense Fund (an advocacy group) brought a lawsuit against the EPA to require the agency to promulgate regulations governing stationary engines. In the consent decree that settled the suit, EPA agreed to adopt emissions standards for stationary engines. As a result, most stationary engines are subject to the same Tier 1 through 4 emissions requirements as mobile non-road engines. However, stationary diesel engines displacing 10 or more liters per cylinder are subject to the Tier 2 standards for Category 2 marine engines.

Aircraft Emissions Standards

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) typically leads the development of emissions standards for aircraft. ICAO standards cover NO_x and CO emissions, as well as smoke and vented fuel. The latest standards were adopted in 2005 and apply to commercial aircraft engines certified after December 2007 generating more than 26.7 kilonewtons of thrust. The limits are based on a reference landing and takeoff cycle below 3,000 feet, but they also help limit high-altitude emissions (NO_x is a precursor to ozone, which is a greenhouse gas at altitude). Aircraft emissions standards in the United States have been aligned with ICAO standards since 1997. The EPA sets U.S. emissions standards for aircraft, which are enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

At the present time, EPA does not regulate GHG emissions from aircraft, which account for about 10 percent of transportation-related GHG emissions according to the U.S. DOT (U.S. DOT Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting). However, there is growing pressure for them to do so, as shown by a series of petitions filed by states, regional governments, and environmental groups in late 2007. The petitions requested that the agency make a determination as to whether GHG emissions from aircraft and marine vessels present a danger to public health, and if so, to issue regulations controlling them. The EPA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in July 2008. Although the ANPR does not directly address the petitioners' requests, it does compile comments from other agencies on regulating GHG emissions and raises potential issues that may be encountered.

2.3.2 National Environmental Policy Act

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. The Act establishes national goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the environment and stipulates the process for implementing the goals within and among different Federal agencies. It represents a national framework for environmental protection. The basic premise of the law requires the Federal government to create and maintain conditions allowing man and nature to coexist in harmony. Federal agencies are required to incorporate environmental considerations into everyday decision-making using a consistent, systematic approach.

Transportation projects (including those for freight transportation) are required to undergo the NEPA process if they involve Federal funds or permits. Air quality is one of the impacts considered in the NEPA process (40 CFR 1508.27(b)(2) and (10)).

The NEPA process varies based on the scope of the proposed project. There are three levels of NEPA analysis:

• A Categorical Exclusion is issued when a project is deemed to have no significant environmental impact. Many agencies have lists of actions that are categorically excluded from detailed environmental analysis.
• An Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared if an action is not a categorical exclusion but it is not known whether the action would have a significant impact on the environment. If the EA finds the action would have no significant impact, the agency issues a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
• An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared if it is found that the undertaking will have a significant environmental impact. The EIS is a detailed analysis of the proposed project and its alternatives and solicits public input. The findings of an EIS must be incorporated into an agency's decision-making process.

2.3.3 State Regulations and Responsibilities

Many states have implemented their own air quality and environmental impact laws. These laws are typically very similar to the Clean Air Act and NEPA. Some states enact NEPA-like environmental clearance processes to deal with projects that do not receive Federal funding and thus are not subject to NEPA. Other states have determined that NEPA requirements do not go far enough in terms of environmental protection, and have, therefore, instituted more stringent regulations. The most notable is California, which faces significant air quality challenges due to its high population (and ensuing traffic congestion and growth in vehicle-miles traveled) and its status as a marine freight gateway for the entire United States. Certain geographic characteristics (mountainous areas with valleys in between) combined with climate conditions such as prevailing wind patterns also create areas that are uniquely susceptible to air quality problems.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires all public agencies to "avoid or minimize environmental damage where feasible (Title 14 California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, "Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act")." Structured similarly to NEPA, government agencies in California are required to consider the environmental impacts of public and private activities that they regulate. Like NEPA, there is a list of projects that are exempt from CEQA requirements. Similar to NEPA, although CEQA does not apply to the development of regional or state transportation plans and programs, the projects that are developed following those plans and programs are subject to CEQA requirements. For projects that involve more than one public agency, a designated lead agency prepares the required documentation; the other agencies are required to consider those documents before approving or acting upon the proposed project. In this way, CEQA mandates extensive coordination between public agencies when reviewing projects, including those related to transportation.

2.3.4 Local Regulations and Responsibities

As mentioned above, MPOs are largely responsible for making determinations of transportation conformity with respect to their planning and programming activities. Local agencies often enact other regulations that can affect freight transportation and emissions. These can include anti-idling laws and other actions designed to minimize the impact of freight movements on local communities. Municipal public works or transportation departments can be instrumental in providing adequate access to freight-generating businesses like distribution centers. Local jurisdictions also are normally responsible for land use and zoning restrictions, which can affect freight movements and freight-related emissions. Land uses have an impact on truck travel patterns (including volume and the way trucks are distributed) since some land uses generate more freight than others. Similarly, localities can collocate industrial uses with intermodal freight facilities to increase the viability of rail, which can affect air quality.

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