The Coalition for Responsible Transportation has committed to forming a national SmartWay certification program and rating system for green port drayage trucks, thanks to a new partnership with the EPA's SmartWay Transport Program.
The coalition also announced its certification as a SmartWay Transport Partnership Affiliate member.

"I commend the Coalition for Responsible Transportation for their leadership in promoting sustainable transportation practices through the SmartWay Transport Partnership," said Margo Oge, director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality for the U.S. EPA. "This demonstrates a commitment to a cleaner environment and more secure energy supply."

The coalition has assembled a working group of national shippers, ocean carriers, and port drayage providers to make recommendations about creating the rating system. The system, which will draw on SmartWay's model for over-the-road freight transportation, will provide a framework for measuring emissions levels of port trucks, set guidelines for air quality improvement at ports, and certify emissions reductions that are achieved through the deployment of clean port trucks by members of the shipping industry.

"Creating a SmartWay certification and rating system for port trucking will be a tremendous step forward in the effort to deploy clean trucks at our nation's ports and will provide well deserved recognition to industry leaders who demonstrate commitment to air quality improvements in their port drayage activities," said Rick Gabrielson, CRT president.

At first, the model will be based on air quality and truck fleet data that has been collected through clean truck programs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The program hopes to eventually use this model as a template for a national SmartWay port drayage rating system.

Since its inception in 2007, the Coalition for Responsible Transportation has grown to include importers, exporters, trucking companies and ocean carriers who represent the largest and most progressive customers and service providers at our nation's ports.