Guest column: Trucking industry needs to get in gear with the times
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But the trucking industry is complex and regulated by a hodgepodge of national and federal laws. A lack of trustworthy information has left owner-operators without the resources to understand which technologies offer the best bang for their buck.
And, having been burned by “snake oil” pitches promising easy solutions to fuel efficiency challenges, the key players are reluctant to invest in improvements.
The time is ripe for change. According to RMI’s recent analysis, the technology already exists to double the energy efficiency of trucks in the nation’s fleet.
Four distinct goals came out of the April event:
1. Accelerate the market adoption of efficiency- related technologies
2. Reduce the dependence on fossil fuel
3. Make the trucking sector more profitable
4. Make the freight industry more environmentally sustainable.
Three projects that support the above goals emerged. The first project is to create a technology-standards organization. On Nov. 3, RMI is kicking off this effort at the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s inaugural meeting in Chicago. (Visit www.frieghtefficiency.org for more information.)
The second project will create a national freight agenda by unifying the industry’s voice to policy makers. Known as “Freight Without Borders,” this project will correlate the research and standards developed by the USCFE with public sector regulations and incentives.
The third project is to develop a market-ready, highly efficient freight vehicle to demonstrate, showcase and prove the findings of the first two projects, including intermodal exchange with rail and ship.
Through these projects and in conjunction with the USCFE, Rocky Mountain Institute’s goal is to forge partnerships with key industry leaders and tackle many of the deficiencies and inefficiencies facing freight mobility today.
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