SmartWay
SmartWay Transport Partnership
Rail Carriers
Rail Tool is Due May 20, 2013
Calendar of SmartWay Due Dates
For a full calendar of all SmartWay Partner important dates, such as due dates and events, click here.
Moving freight by rail is highly efficient, reduces greenhouse gases and can help relieve traffic congestion. Freight rail currently carries over 40 percent of the nation’s intercity freight traffic when measured in ton miles, and is a mainstay of transportation for many basic industries, and increasingly, for exports and imports.
Railroad companies can improve their bottom line and significantly increase customer satisfaction by participating in SmartWay and promoting the efficiency gains and environmental benefits associated with SmartWay.
Here’s how:
1. Join SmartWay
The first step to becoming a SmartWay rail carrier is to review the SmartWay Rail Tool guidance documents and complete the SmartWay Rail Tool.
2. Meet Customer Demand
SmartWay’s rail tool creates a report on carbon, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions generated by your freight rail activities. SmartWay’s performance ranking report is widely used by shippers and freight brokers to evaluate their environmental performance, and improve supply chain efficiencies.
3. Demonstrate Environmental Leadership
As a SmartWay partner rail companies may use the SmartWay logo and qualify for special awards and recognition.
4. Stay Informed
SmartWay is committed to improving the sustainability of the freight supply chain. Subscribe to the listserv by sending a blank message to: smartway_list-subscribe@lists.epa.gov to learn about meetings, webinars and the actions our partners are taking to bring the freight industry closer to the sustainability goals we share.
Ready to join SmartWay? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3:
There are three steps to joining SmartWay as a rail carrier partner:
- Review the Rail Carrier Tool Guidance Documents which provide step-by-step guidance on completing your Tool submission.
- Download and Complete your Rail Carrier Tool by entering your data fleet-level activity and operations data into the Rail Carrier Tool.
- Send your completed Tool to SmartWay for approval.
That's it! Once you are approved as a SmartWay Partner, you will be listed on the SmartWay website and your customers will be able to find you in the carrier data files.
NOTE: To remain a SmartWay Partner in good standing, you MUST submit a new tool every year.
"You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more."
Rail Carrier Tool Guidance Documents
Ready to jump right in? Before downloading the Rail Carrier Tool, take time to review the getting started guide, which includes a copy of the partnership agreement*.
- Rail Carrier Partner 2.0.12 Tool: Geting Started Guide 2012 Data Year - United States Version (PDF) (19pp, 575K, EPA-420-B-13-010, February 2013)
Need more detailed information? The Rail Carrier Tool Data Collection Workbook and the Data Entry guide provides screen-by-screen, step-by-step
- Rail Carrier Partner 2.0.12 Tool: Data Collection Overview and Workbook, 2012 Data Year - United States Version (PDF) (15pp, 554M, EPA-420-B-13-011, February 2013)
- Rail Carrier 2.0.12 Tool: Data Entry Guide, 2012 Data Year - United States Version (PDF) (44pp, 2.5M, EPA-420-B-13-012, February 2013)
Downloading the Rail Carrier Tool
Download your Rail Carrier Tool, complete all fields, and submit for evaluation and approval.
Download the SmartWay Rail Tool Here (XLS) (1.8M)
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS: To download the tool, you need to SAVE the file to a folder.
To save, right click the link above or the button to the left and select "Save Target As" in Microsoft Explorer or "Save Link As" in Mozilla Firefox. Opening the file in the browser instead of saving will render some features unavailable.
- SUBMITTING YOUR TOOL: Please follow the instructions in the tool for saving your file, then submit via email to smartway_transport@epa.gov for evaluation.
Submitting your Rail Carrier Tool
To submit your Tool to EPA, follow the instructions in section 8 of the Tool for preparing and saving your file, then submit via email to smartway_transport@epa.gov for evaluation.
REMEMBER: To maintain your status as a SmartWay Rail Carrier in good standing, you will need to update your data and resubmit a Rail Carrier Tool each year.
More Resources for Rail Carriers
Performance Ranking Information
This spreadsheet contains the latest list of SmartWay Carrier Partners ranked by performance levels.
2011 Reporting Year Performance Rankings Spreadsheet (XLSX) (612K)
NOTE: You need to SAVE the file to a folder. To save, right click the link above and select "Save Target As" in Microsoft Explorer or "Save Link As" in Mozilla Firefox. Opening the file in the browser instead of saving will render some features unavailable.
The file is refreshed every Monday afternoon. (For reference purposes only)
Technical Documentation for the Tool
Looking for behind-the-scenes technical details about the Rail Carrier Tool?
Rail Carrier Partner 2.0.12 Tool: Technical Documentation 2012 Data Year - United States Version (PDF) (114 pp, 2.3M, EPA-420-B-13-003, February 2013)
Important Links
- Upcoming Events and Webinars
- Logo Guidelines
- General SmartWay Publications
- Marketing Resources
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- General SmartWay Publications
- SmartWay Verified Technologies-Idling Reduction Technology (includes references for Shore Connection Systems for Locomotives (SCS) and Auxiliary Power Units and Generator Sets (APU/GS) )
Publications for Rail Carriers
- General EPA webpage on Locomotives: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/locomotives.htm
- Locomotive Compression-Ignition Engines Certification Data: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/certdata.htm#locomotive
- Control of emissions from Idling Locomotives fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/nonroad/locomotv/420f08014.htm
Related Program Links:
- National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) for information on clean-diesel grant opportunities and DERA grant opportunities: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/
- Federal Railroad Administration: http://www.fra.dot.gov/
- Association of American Railroads (AAR): http://www.aar.org/
- American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association: http://www.aslrra.org/home/index.cfm
Related Studies/Fact Sheets
- Case study: "Vancouver, WA Switchyard Locomotive Idle Reduction Project (PDF)" (17 pp, 371 KB, October 2005).
In April 2003, EPA awarded a $85,000 grant to the Southwest Clean Air Agency in Vancouver, Washington, to evaluate the emission reductions and fuel savings of a Class I railcar using a combined auxiliary engine idle reduction technology and automatic shut-down/start-up technology. For more information on the project contact Paul Mairose, Chief Engineer, Southwest Clean Air Agency, phone: (360) 574-3058 (ext. 30), e-mail: paul@swcleanair.org. - Case Study: "Case Study: Chicago Locomotive Idle Reduction Project (PDF)" (9 pp, 184 KB)
In September 2003, EPA awarded a $60,000 grant 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. For more information on the project, e-mail K. Kennoy: kkennoy@cityofchicago.org. - Locomotive Switcher Fact Sheet: www.epa.gov/midwestcleandiesel/sectors/rail/switchers2.pdf