Technology: Los Angeles, Metro Vancouver

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New rail locomotive technology developed with the support of the Port of Los Angeles to meet strict clean air standards has been approved by the California Air Resources Board. Funding to outfit with Global Positioning System technology the remainder of the container truck fleet approved to serve Port Metro Vancouver’s marine terminals is coming from the port authority and the provincial and federal governments.

Los Angeles: New Locomotive Technology Meets Nation’s Toughest Clean Air Standards

With the help of the Port of Los Angeles, new rail technology for locomotives to meet the nation’s strictest clean air standards has been approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The system recently earned CARB verification, confirming the technology meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest standards required for all new locomotives effective January 1, 2015.

The port supported testing and verification of the Locomotive Catalyzed Continuously Regenerating Trap (L-CCRT) diesel particulate filter, through its Technology Advancement Program (TAP). A component of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan jointly funded by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the TAP supports the development, demonstration, and regulatory certification of new clean air technologies to accelerate pollution reduction associated with port-related sources.

The system, made up of multiple components that trap particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants, was tested on switch locomotives that are used to build and break down longer trains and are essential to cargo operations in the nation’s busiest harbor complex.

The testing involved mounting the L-CCRT DPF system on the smokestacks of a Tier 3 genset switch locomotive. After 3,000 engine hours in accumulated service over two years of field testing, CARB found that the L-CCRT DPF cut PM emissions to an average of 0.021 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr), which is under the Tier 4 threshold of 0.030 g/bhp-hr. The system also reduced emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons 99 percent and 90 percent respectively.

The L-CCRT DPF system, which earned CARB verification in late February, is an after-treatment device made of multiple diesel oxidation catalysts and catalyzed soot filters.

The Technology Advancement Program, or TAP, is a jointly created and funded initiative between the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach to accelerate the commercialization of port-related emission reduction technology. TAP focuses on identifying, demonstrating and evaluating new and innovative technologies that have significant potential to reduce air pollutants, including diesel soot, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Since the program was created in 2006, the Port of Los Angeles has invested more than $3 million in TAP grants for projects ranging from the development of hybrid tugs and yard tractors, to filter systems for locomotives and harbor craft, to the testing of electric trucks and emissions reduction technology development for ocean going vessels at sea or in port.

Metro Vancouver Expedites Container Truck GPS Program

The Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and Port Metro Vancouver on May 2 announced joint funding of $1.71 million to outfit the remainder of the container truck fleet approved to serve the port’s terminals with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. The initiative is part of Port Metro Vancouver’s Truck Licensing System (TLS). The goal is to reduce congestion and wait times at Port Metro Vancouver.

The GPS Program, part of Port Metro Vancouver’s Smart Fleet Trucking Strategy, was expedited as part of the Joint Action Plan. Under the program, approximately 50 percent of the trucks approved in TLS were outfitted with GPS transponder units between 2012 and 2013. The remaining TLS-approved trucks will be outfitted with GPS units as part of the expedited initiative, to be completed by July 2014. GPS technology in every TLS-approved truck will provide a complete, accurate and real-time base of data enabling insight to routing and operational information to help manage congestion and wait times. This data is also essential for the full implementation of the Joint Action Plan, including for elements such as a common reservation system and for determining wait time fees.

On March 26, the governments of Canada and British Columbia and Port Metro Vancouver reached agreement with members of the United Truckers Association and Unifor to end the 28-day work disruption at Port Metro Vancouver with the adoption of the refined Joint Action Plan to address truckers’ concerns.

The plan establishes 15 points for implementation and provides a framework for long-term stability in the container trucking industry. All parties are working together with experienced mediator Vince Ready to implement the plan with input from key stakeholders. The expedited implementation of Port Metro Vancouver’s GPS Program represents one point in the progress of the Joint Action Plan.

The latest round of funding required to outfit the balance of the licensed truck fleet with GPS technology will be split among three contributors, with Transport Canada providing C$855,000, Port Metro Vancouver C$595,000, and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure providing C$260,000. This brings the total cost of the program, which started in 2013, to more than C$2.5 million.

With the completion of this initiative Port Metro Vancouver will have a full truck fleet using GPS-monitoring, which will allow transparency in the supply chain and opportunity to manage container logistics, and contribute to helping reduce the number and length of truck trips at the port.