The American Trucking Association (ATA) has launched a raft of proposals designed to cut the industry's carbon footprint by 900m tonnes over 10 years and combat rising fuel prices, which it claims have resulted in some truckers having to pay over $1,000 for a full tank of gas.
The most eye-catching recommendation in the report calls for a reduction in the speed limit to 65 miles per hour, a move the association claims would save 2.8 billion gallons of fuel over a decade.
The recommendation forms part of a trend towards fractionally slower forms of transport as growing numbers of airlines and ship operators similarly look to tackle rising fuel prices and environmental concerns.
Several US airlines, including SouthWest and JetBlue, were recently reported to have been making flights slightly slower in a bid to reduce fuel consumption, following a rise of nearly 70 per cent in jet fuel prices in the past year. Meanwhile, German commercial shipping giant is currently aiming to reduce average speeds from 23 knots to 20 knots in an attempt to cut fuel consumption.
The ATA report also calls for a range of new technological improvements, including wider use of giant road trains which represent a more efficient means of transporting freight and adoption of new anti-idling technology, such as that developed by engineering firm IdleAire.
Hybrid trucks could also help to mitigate the problem, said ATA spokesman Clayton Boyce. "We had four companies represented in a mini-expo who are involved in creating hybrids in our class 8, which is tractor trailers," he said. In the US, tractor trailers can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, and currently get just four to six miles to the gallon, he explained, adding that hybrid engines had significant potential to improve fuel efficiency.
Despite the push by the US government to encourage wider use of biodiesel, Boyce warned that biofuel is not currently a viable option for many operators because it is more expensive than regular diesel.
Other proposals in the report included better congestion management using fuel taxes to help build more roads, and imposing fuel economy standards for trucks.
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