Assessment of the Potential to Reduce Emissions from Road Transportation, Notably NOx, Through the Use of Alternative Vehicles and Fuels in the Great Smoky Mountains Region Page: 4 of 24
vp.View a full description of this report.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
passenger (vehicle) mile may be required to meet emission reductions for Nox, VOCs, and
other pollutants.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to meet this goal, and all will be needed. One
challenge is to develop, over the next decades, a transportation system that effectively
combines the flexibility and convenience of both personal vehicles and mass transit systems.
Contributing opportunities include:
* More fuel efficient, less polluting vehicles and fuels;
* Modern mass transit systems, both bus and rail; and
* Intelligent transport systems to minimize waste and reduce pollution.
The tightening EPA rules for vehicle emissions will play an important part in meeting goals,
because many of the vehicles contributing to local pollution are using the interstate highway
system. Therefore, it will be important to have vehicle testing to ensure that emission
standards are being met.
1.4 Transportation Analysis
Analyses of the potential changes in emissions from transportation in East Tennessee, over
the next 30 years, have been made at the University of Tennessee. The reports consider both
the past and future trends in vehicle miles and the effect of implementation of the stricter
EPA emission rules coming in over the next decade. If the past trends in vehicle miles per
year continue (4.2% increase per year), the NOx emissions will drop, owing to stricter
regulations, to about 30% of today's level and then start increasing. The VOC emissions will
drop to about 50% and then increase. These points are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 (Davis,
et al). Obviously, lower rates of increase in vehicle miles per year would improve the
situation. The calculations were made assuming a 4.2% annual growth rate in Tennessee for
vehicle miles, compensated for by implementation of new EPA emission standards. These
include the National Low Emission Vehicle (NLEV) Standards for Light-Duty Gasoline-
Fueled Vehicles, the 2004 NOx Standards for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines (HDDVNOx), the
Tier 2/Sulfur Standards, and diesel sulfur rule. EPA's MOBILE6 model was used with a Reid
Vapor Pressure (RVP) of 9.0 for the fuel. Both refueling and evaporative emissions were
included in the VOC emissions.
The expectation of vehicle research and development programs is that the technologies exist,
or could be developed, to realize the kind of improvements required by the EPA. In fact, an
optimistic view is that even lower polluting vehicles can be developed. Clearly, there are a
number of issues:
* If developed, will the vehicles be marketed?
* If marketed, will they be purchased? And at what rate?
* Will the infrastructure be in place to support them?
* Will testing be done to ensure that vehicles are performing correctly?2
Assessment of potential to reduce emissions from road transportation
JTIE E Report No. 2001-01
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Sheffield, J. Assessment of the Potential to Reduce Emissions from Road Transportation, Notably NOx, Through the Use of Alternative Vehicles and Fuels in the Great Smoky Mountains Region, report, August 30, 2001; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc739853/m1/4/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.