We started with EPA's Merrylin Zaw-Mon, who is director of transportation & regional programs division. Merrylin, tell us about the EPA SmartWay program.

"The EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership is a long-term initiative with the transportation industry to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality."

Why not rely on current emission standards?

"We need to achieve more than what's expected, and that begins with the fleets that are on the road today. Currently, freight trucks and locomotives - which are part of the SmartWay program - consume 35 billion gallons of diesel fuel each year. When that fuel is burned, it generates over 350 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.

"If the trucking industry continues on the same track, by 2012, we'll burn 45 billion gallons of fuel and produce over 450 million metric tons of carbon dioxide."

How can SmartWay goals change consumption?

"By cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 33 to 66 million metric tons and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 200,000 tons per year."

What does that mean?

"It means fleets won't have to buy 150 million barrels of oil per year. That's the same as removing 12 million passenger cars from the road each year.  The trucking industry will save $10 billion in fuel costs. And the money saved stays with the fleet, making it a healthier company.

"Fleets have little or no control over fuel prices - but they do have control over fuel efficiency. Many fleets have no idea how much money is going out their tailpipe. Not only are tailpipe emissions polluting the air, they're polluting the fleet's profits." 

Is this another round of EPA regulations?

"Absolutely not. It's completely voluntary and a true partnership. Many fleets are very enthusiastic about joining SmartWay - not only for the fuel saving benefits, but to improve air quality. "More and more transport companies, especially those operating at ports and other sensitive areas, are concerned with tailpipe emissions. They've heard residents complain about their trucks so, with guidance from SmartWay, many are taking bold steps to making their fleet more environmentally friendly."

What kind of guidance does SmartWay provide?

"There are so many products on the market today that promise fuel savings, it's difficult to find ones that actually provide true benefits.

"With the help of its charter partners, the EPA has sifted through the hype and studied test results on everything from lubricants to mobile idling units.

"We've put all this information into the SmartWay FLEET Performance Model, a spreadsheet program with tutorials that walk fleets through their goals and how to achieve them."

Is it the same for every fleet?

"The model looks at the size of their fleet, the tractors they drive and whether they run short or long hauls. Plugging in annual mileage and other variables, the performance model shows the fleet how much fuel, money and emissions they could save by integrating various technologies."

Can any size fleet join SmartWay?

"That's another benefit of SmartWay - it's great for any size fleet. We're most excited to assist smaller fleets who do not have the resources to investigate all the products available to them for improving fuel efficiency."

How many fleets are enrolled?

"We started with 15 charter members in February 2004, and now we have 335 partners."

What are some of the other goals of SmartWay?

"SmartWay shippers are encouraged to use SmartWay program fleets as preferred carriers. Not only are fleets saving money on fuel, now participating in the program can be a competitive advantage.

"Several SmartWay shippers are rewarding partners with priority loading and unloading at the terminal so they don't have to wait."

Let's find out what Bridgestone is doing to achieve its SmartWay goals. We talked with Bridgestone's Greer Tidwell, director, environmental management, about SmartWay.

Greer, tell us about the company's reaction to SmartWay.

"We believe in the power of our people to make a difference and the power of taking a leadership role in motivating us to do our very best.

"Bridgestone has a strong relationship with the EPA, especially with environmental compliance in our manufacturing plants. We've been extremely successful in this area - all seven of our U.S. plants have earned commemorations from the EPA for environmental leadership.

"The SmartWay program provides a positive way for us to take a closer look at another side of our business - our private fleet. If the trucking industry can help reach our national clean air goals through voluntary programs, then hopefully we can 'breathe a little easier' and avoid the need for some future new government regulatory program."

Let's talk to Kirk Rutherford, maintenance manager, about how he directs the private fleet on saving fuel.

Kirk, first tell us a bit about the private fleet.

"The private fleet moves raw materials to our plants, carries finished product to the distribution centers and then transports tires to our dealer network, including individual retail stores and tire shops.

"And that includes all the tire products Bridgestone manufacturers for trucks, passenger cars, agriculture, off-road and motorcycles."

What kind of tractors does Bridgestone use?

"We use Kenworth T800s and Kenworth T2000s. Most of our tractors run two shifts."

Why use two different tractors?

"We spec our tractors based on the different types of hauls they'll be running.

"The T800s deliver tires to retail stores and truckstops and return to the distribution center each evening. Bridgestone operates seven distribution centers across the country. A new team of drivers take over and haul through the night, returning in the morning so we can start over again.

"The T2000, which is Kenworth's most aerodynamically styled tractor, is operated by team drivers who run long distance to outlying areas."

What are some of the things a fleet can do
to improve fuel economy?

"We're being very aggressive this year to maintain fuel costs and operate as efficiently as possible. One thing we're doing is holding driver-training courses at all of the distribution centers.

 "A fleet can do all the right things - plan the best routes, use the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient tractors, reduce weight, maintain air pressures - and all the best efforts can be undone if the driver isn't skilled in fuel-efficient driving."

Do you have computers that check them?

"Our software system gives us a complete report on every single engine function, from engine speed to number of minutes spent idling. But we can't take the reports at face value."

Why not?

"The daytime driver makes his deliveries to retail stores normally in congested areas, where he's forced to drive in stop-and-go traffic.

 "At night, that same tractor - with a different driver - drops off and picks up a trailer maybe 500 miles away and operates on open highways."

Can you tell us about the idling policy?

"We have a 'no idle' policy. And because of that policy, Bridgestone has one of the lowest idling percentages in the industry."

When do drivers idle?

"When caught in traffic jams, pretty much. Cross-country runs use team drivers so there's rarely a situation where they spend the night in a truckstop.

"Short-run drivers turn off their tractor and lock the door when making deliveries. This not only reduces tailpipe emissions, it improves security."

What are some other steps Bridgestone has taken to reduce fuel consumption?

"The entire fleet uses roof fairings to improve aerodynamics up and over the cab. A full roof fairing can improve fuel economy up to 15 percent.

"We also pay attention to the gaps between the tractor and the trailer.  Anything more than four feet means the trailer can't 'follow' the tractor."

What do you mean?

"The front of the tractor pushes through the air - in fact, most of the fuel is consumed pushing the truck down the road.

"The wind cuts forward over the cab, the windshield and across the roof fairings.  If the gap between the tractor and trailer is less than 48 inches, the wind can continue across the top of the trailer.

"If the gap is over 48 inches, wind gets caught between and swirls around in the gap. Now the trailer must push through the wind just like the tractor did.  But the top of the trailer is a square box - and a square isn't aerodynamic."

How can you tell if the gap is right?

"The tractor leaves secrets; you just have to know how to read them.

"I look for any dirt and grime left on the back end of the sleeper cab. If there's heavy dirt - or spray from the tires - the trailer is catching the wind and needs to be brought up."

One more thing - does Bridgestone have a tire maintenance policy?

"You can be sure of it.  Tire pressure is checked cold every day, and tires are visually inspected before and after each run. The trailer tires are on an automatic inflation system.

"Because tires are maintained, we get incredible mileage from them. We're rarely replacing tires."

Merrylin - one more question.
How much does it cost to join?

"Volunteering to be a part of the SmartWay program is free. Trucking companies can sign up at www.epa.gov/smartway."