TransAm Trucking received an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWaySM Transport Partnership for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities. TransAm reduced its governed truck speeds to 68 mph in 2005 and 65 mph in 2007, and reduced engine horsepower in 2005. TransAm has also installed auxiliary power units (APUs) on all tractors since 2005. An idling tractor uses 1.1 gallons of fuel per hour compared to only .25 gallons per hour for the APU. This has resulted in reduced emissions and an overall savings of $7,116 per year, per tractor. Additionally, all tractors since 2004 are aero-profile equipped with integrated roof faring, side faring, mirrors, front bumper and side skirts.
“Our partnership with SmartWay Transport demonstrates that companies can save money and help the environment,“ said Russ McElliott, Chief Operating Officer. “The partnership provides us with tools and information, and contributes on a daily basis to significant improvements in our efficiency and environmental performance. We urge all of our colleagues in the freight industry to consider joining SmartWay.”
TransAm Trucking was one of 34 companies and organizations, from among the Partnerships’ more than 600 Partners, to receive this distinction. The awards were announced today at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"EPA is pleased to recognize Partners with SmartWay Excellence Awards. The award winners are leading the way toward a cleaner, more efficient transportation future with strategies that reduce emissions and increase profits." said Margo T. Oge, Director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
SmartWay was introduced by EPA and a select group of fifteen shipping and business leaders in 2004 as an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollutants from the freight sector. Today, more than 600 businesses and organizations have joined the Partnership, including companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses, each working to improve their environmental performance. Together, based on their three-year commitments, these companies, including TransAm Trucking are conserving more than 600 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, saving the trucking industry nearly $2 billion in annual fuel costs, and eliminating nearly 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. By 2012, the SmartWay program, with full industry participation, estimates nationwide that it will achieve annual fuel savings of 3.3 to 6.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel, eliminating 33 - 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions.
For more information about SmartWay visit: www.epa.gov/smartway or call (734) 214-4767. For more information about the SmartWay Award recipients, visit: www.epa.gov/awards
TransAm Trucking is a privately owned, 48-state authority truckload carrier operating nearly 1400 tractors and 2800 refrigerated trailers. Founded in 1987, TransAm operates from a 40-acre site in Olathe, KS and has terminals in North Carolina and Rockwall, TX.