Freight Facts and Figures 2009

Table 5-14. Current and Projected Particulate Matter (PM-10) Emissions by Freight Transportation Mode: 2002, 2010, and 2020

Trucks produce two-thirds of PM-10 emissions from the freight sector. Freight emissions of PM-10 are forecast to decline by one-half over the next two decades. The required use of ULSD fuel in heavy-duty trucks and other diesel-powered highway vehicles will reduce PM emissions and enable the use of advanced pollution control technologies to meet emissions standards.

In addition to CO, NOx, and particulate matter emissions, the transportation sector releases large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, affecting the earth’s temperature. Some greenhouse gases occur naturally while others are produced by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels.

Table in Excel format

	Tons 2002	Tons 2010	Tons 2020	Percent change, 2002-2010	Percent change, 2002-2020
Heavy-duty trucks	120,000	65,380	34,760	-46	-71
Freight rail	21,300	15,730	12,990	-26	-39
Commercial marine	44,000	42,930	44,080	-2	0
Air freight	300	290	270	-3	-10
Total freight	185,600	124,329	92,099	-33	-50

Source:

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Assessing the Effects of Freight Movement on Air Quality at the National and Regional Level, Final Report (Washington, DC: 2005), available at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/freightaq/ as of April 21, 2009.

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