SmartWay Transport

In January 2003, Interface became a charter partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport voluntary partnership.

SmartWay Transport seeks to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from ground freight carriers such as trucks and locomotives. By 2012, SmartWay aims to reduce as much as 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually. These reductions will create fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually.

The SmartWay Transport partnership includes ground freight carriers (trucking and rail companies) and shipping companies like Interface.

To achieve the program's goals, carriers are encouraged to incorporate various strategies and technologies such as:
  • Idle reduction
  • Improved aerodynamics
  • Improved logistics management
  • Automatic tire inflation systems
  • Wide-base tires
  • Driver training
  • Low-viscosity lubricants
  • Reduced highway speed
  • Lightweight vehicle components
The EPA has calculated the fuel economy benefits for each of these items. Carriers will be asked to set targets and will be rated based on their actual and targeted fuel economy improvements.

As a shipper, Interface has many opportunities to reduce the company's transportation footprint including:
  • Selecting the most efficient mode of transportation (see table below)
  • Choosing the most efficient carrier to ship our products
  • Optimizing freight logistics
  • Combining orders to create a full truckload instead of multiple partial truckloads
    • Improved receiving policies including timing of deliveries and 'no idling' policies
    • Scheduling raw material pick-ups with product delivery
The energy required to ship freight varies widely depending on mode of transportation. The following table illustrates the energy needed to move one ton of freight one mile in distance.

Energy intensity for freight:

Transportation type Energy Consumed
(Btu per ton-mile)
Single unit truck, diesel 3,136
Tractor trailer truck, diesel 1,945
Rail, diesel 514
Ocean freighter, diesel and residual fuels 190


For more information about the EPA SmartWay Transport initiative, visit the web site:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/smartway/index.htm
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