Research Idea Details

Assessment of Potential Emissions Due to Proposed Increase in Freight Tonnage

  • Focus Area: Climate Change
  • Status: Archived
  • Subcommittee: Air Quality, Environmental Process
  • Cost: Under $99k
  • Timeframe: Unknown

Research Idea Scope

Problem
An increase in allowable freight tonnage on U.S. highways has been proposed. Such an increase in truck weight could affect greenhouse gases (GHG’s) and other emissions, and the mix of shipments by highway vs. by rail. Such an increase could also impact the aging highway infrastructure, and affect highway fatalities due to increase in relative mass ratios.
 
Objective
To provide an objective and comprehensive assessment of environmental impact of increasing highway freight tonnage limits, including potential impact on GHG emissions that could result from implementation of the proposed change.
 
Related Work
None identified.
 
Urgency/PrioritySince decisions regarding the proposed change are imminent, this assessment should be considered priority.

Urgency and Payoff

Implementation
Implementation of findings would be directly applicable to decisions regarding the proposed change to freight regulations.
 
EffectivenessSocietal considerations include impacts on emissions (GHG, particulates, etc.) due to the proposed change.

Suggested By:
RNS. Sponsoring Committee: A0020T, Special Task Force on Climate Change and Energy Source Info: Special Task Force on Climate Change and Energy January 2010 Workshop
Submitted:
08/06/2010