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Rail
Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative (MCDI) focuses on the rail sector because of the significant rail activity that occurs in Region 5. In fact, Chicago is the nation's busiest freight gateway, with one- third of the nation's freight rail converging in the city daily. (Reference 1)
Background
Other large cities in the region besides Chicago also are significant
rail hubs, as an American
Association of Railroads freight network map illustrates
.
MCDI's rail sector overlaps with the agricultural sector because 25 percent
of ton-miles of transported grain in the Midwest are carried by rail.(Reference
1) Furthermore, the rail sector overlaps with MCDI's focus
on ports because freight is often transferred between modes (truck, rail
and waterborne) at ports.
Locomotive engines are the primary focus. Locomotives are significant contributors to air pollution in many of our nation's cities and ports. Although locomotive engines produced today must meet relatively modest emission requirements set in 1997, they continue to emit large amounts of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter (PM).
Several types of locomotives operate in Region 5. Line haul locomotives move freight long distances. Nationwide, Class I railroad companies, those that earn over $278 million annually, operate about 21,000 line haul locomotives.(Reference 2) Thirty percent of these locomotives less than 10 years old. (Reference 3) Smaller local and regional railroads also operate locomotives that travel shorter distances. Over 95 percent of these locomotives are over 20 years old.(Reference 3) Overall, these locomotives are likely more polluting than Class I locomotives because of their age. Switcher engines are another type of locomotive. In Chicago alone, there are 257 of these engines, which move rail cars between tracks in railyards. Switcher engines idle thousands of hours per year, consuming fuel and emitting pollutants. For more information about these locomotives, visit the Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative's Switcher Engine Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pgs, 2335K About PDF).
In addition to locomotives, the rail sector also encompasses heavy-duty trucks, and maintenance and cargo-handling equipment that operate in railyards.
References:
- Midwest Regional University Transportation Center.
"Upper Midwest Freight
Corridor Study." March 2005.
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics. "National
Transportation Statistics 2005."
- American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association "Annual Data Profile of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Industry." 2001.
Diesel Emission Reduction Opportunities
Several technical and operational strategies exist to reduce emissions from locomotives.
Technical
- Install anti-idling devices on switcher locomotives
- Employ alternative fuels
- Rebuild locomotive engines
- Purchase new locomotives
Operational
- Institute idling management programs
- Join SmartWay Transport Partnership Program
MCDI's Technologies Webpage provides strategies for reducing emissions from heavy-duty trucks and maintenance and cargo-handling equipment that operates in railyards.
Projects
- Chicago Locomotive Idle Reduction Project: In September 2003,
EPA awarded a grant of $60,000 to the City of Chicago Department of
Environment to evaluate the emission and noise reductions and fuel savings
of a Class I railroad idle reduction technology. Case study on this
project: "Case
Study: Chicago Locomotive Idle Reduction Project." (184KPDF,
9pages) (EPA420-R-04-003, March 2004) For more information
on the project contact:
Brian F. Loll
Assistant Commissioner
Energy & Air Quality Division
Chicago Department of Environment
312-744-5721
bloll@cityofchicago.org
- Chicago Regional
Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Project (CREATE):
A public/private partnership to reduce pollution, reduce rail and motorist
congestion, improve passenger rail service, enhance public safety, promote
economic development, create jobs and reduce noise idling or slow-moving
trains.
Chicago Area Locomotive and Railyard Meeting - July 13, 2010
Meeting Goals:
- To provide inventory and air emissions information from locomotives in the Chicago Area
- Discuss opportunities to partner and generate additional air pollution reductions and fuel savings from locomotives and associated railyard activities
Meeting Materials:
- Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Air Quality In The Chicago Metropolitan Area (LADCO) (PDF)
- Rail industry Overview (BNSF) (PDF)
- Passenger Rail Operations in Chicago (METRA) (PDF)
- Passenger Rail Operations in Chicago (AMTRAK) (PDF)
- Freight Locomotive Emissions Overview (PDF)
