Alternatives to Truck Engine Idling
CAT MorElectric truck with ShurPower hook-up.
The Center for Transportation Research and Education hosted a workshop June 22–23, 2004, in Des Moines, Iowa, to discuss ideas and policies to reduce unnecessary idling of heavy trucks. Sponsored by the Iowa Energy Center, the workshop brought together more than 70 professionals from trucking companies, equipment manufacturers, truck stop operators, local, state, and federal agencies, national research laboratories, and universities from the across the United States.
The issue is to save over $2 billion worth of diesel fuel annually, reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and harmful particulate emissions, provide truckers with cleaner air and better places to rest, and to reduce air and noise pollution around truck stops and depots.
The day-and-a-half workshop provided participants an opportunity to focus on regional and national energy and transportation research and technology transfer issues related to the latest breakthroughs in engine idling reduction strategies. Presentation topics included policy, programs, research methods, technology and industry trends, tax and finance issues, transportation infrastructure, operations, and future directions. Together the presentations at the conference showcased the variety of research that is shaping the next era of energy efficient transportation.
See the workshop proceedings and more photos.