Truck vs. Train Emissions Analysis

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Reducing Rail Emissions in California
Trucks or trains – which is cleaner? CARB staff compared emissions from trucks and trains moving cargo containers, using an example scenario from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (Ports).

Though moving cargo by trains may have produced fewer emissions than trucks in the past, trucks in California have become much cleaner over the last decade and are moving towards zero emission technology.  To answer the question of whether trucks or trains are cleaner, staff compared both current emissions and future projected emissions from moving cargo by both trucks and trains and determined that trucks will be the cleaner mode to move cargo by 2023. 

Emissions Analysis Assumptions

The analysis considered emissions from moving 260 cargo containers using trucks or a train from the Ports to a distance of 300 miles, as illustrated below.  Each truck transports one container.  The train consists of four locomotives and transports 260 containers.

260 40-ft containers, each weighing 19 tons being transported by either 260 trucks, or 1 train made up of 4 locomotives and 130 double-stacked containers.

From 0 to 20 miles from the Port, drayage trucks are used, and 20 to 300 miles, long haul trucks are used. For trains, line haul locomotives are used for the entire distance.

Emissions Analysis Results

PM2.5 and NOX Emissions

The results are based on the projected average mix of trucks and trains in California for the given year.  Results show that as California’s current truck regulations are implemented through 2023, trucks are producing less particulate matter (PM2.5) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) emissions.  By 2023, trucks will be the cleaner mode to transport freight.  Beyond 2023, future CARB Regulations will further reduce truck emissions, eventually bringing them to zero.

Truck vs. Train comparison of PM2.5 and NOX emissions within 20 miles of the Ports:

Comparison of truck and train PM 2.5 emissions in communities within 20 miles of the ports. Trucks emit less PM 2.5 than trains in 2020.

Comparison of truck and train Nox emissions in communities within 20 miles of the ports. Trucks emit less Nox than trains by 2030.

Truck vs. Train comparison of PM2.5 and NOX emissions 20-300 miles from the Ports: 

Comparison of truck and train PM 2.5 emissions in communities 20 to 300 miles from the ports. Trucks emit less PM 2.5 than trains in 2020.

Comparison of truck and train Nox emissions in communities 20 to 300 miles from the ports. Trucks emit less Nox than trains by 2030.

Need for Tier 4 Technology and Beyond for Trains

If locomotive fleets were to utilize commercially available Tier 4 technology, PM2.5 and NOX emissions would be reduced by over 80% compared to typical trains operating in 2020.  In addition, the introduction of Tier 5 technology would further reduce train emissions to keep pace with the transition to zero emission trucks in California.

Comparison of truck and train PM 2.5 emissions in communities within 20 miles of the ports. Includes tier 4 and 5 locomotives, which are cleaner than trucks in 2020 and 2030.

Comparison of truck and train Nox emissions in communities within 20 miles of the ports. Includes tier 4 and 5 locomotives, which are cleaner than trucks in 2020 and 2030.

CARB Actions to Reduce Emissions

More Information

Supporting Media

Methodology for the truck vs. train emissions analysis
TRUCK VS TRAIN METHODOLOGY 9-23-2020_0.PDF · 1.649 MB