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Retrofit Success Stories
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Construction
The U.S./Mexico Clean Diesel Demonstration Project (San Diego, CA & Tijuana, Mexico)
The Big Dig Construction Project (Boston, MA)
I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program (Q-Bridge Project)
The U.S./Mexico Clean Diesel Demonstration Project
Project Location
San Diego, CA/Tijuana, Mexico
Project Description
Ironman Parts & Services, an installer and service provider for diesel retrofits; has used their experience in working with emission compliant technology to benefit the 12 million people living on the U.S./Mexico border. In fall 2005, the company implemented a program - called the Clean Diesel Demonstration Project - that retrofitted more than 40 heavy-duty, Mexico-based trucks at the end of 2006.
This program is a joint effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Managed by these two organizations, and combining the resources of California state agencies like the Highway Patrol, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and Baja Department of Ecology, the project set the foundation for introducing ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) into the region in 2006.
Project Goals - Demonstrate the viability of diesel emission control retrofits on heavy-duty trucks operating in the San Diego/Tijuana border region.
- Help build a market for clean diesel concepts in the U.S./Mexico border region.
- Accelerate delivery of ULSD fuel to the border region.
- Forge important partnerships to improve border air quality.
- Provide an important tool for Mexico as is moves to implement similar cleaner diesel projects.
Emissions Reduction Strategies
In Phase One of the project, 30 Mexico-based, heavy-duty diesel trucks will be retrofitted with CARB verified level 1 Diesel Oxidation Catalysts and Spiracle(tm) Crankcase Ventilation Devices. These technologies will reduce diesel emission by at least 25%.
The second phase of the project will retrofit up to 10 Mexico-based heavy-duty diesel trucks with CARB verified level 3 Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). This phase of the project will coincide with the implementation of ULSD fuel to new emissions standards, which will reduce emissions for all diesel fleets in the United States. Mexico is further exploring the use of ULSD as part of an effort to improve the air quality across the country.
Emissions Reduction Benefits
The use of CARB verified level 1 technology will reduce the diesel emissions of 30 trucks by at least 25%. The use of DPFs during phase two is expected to eliminate more than 90% of particulate matter produced by trucks that travel through the U.S./Mexico border area.
Project Funding
The Clean Diesel Demonstration Project was initially funded through a $125,000 grant from the U.S. EPA that provided the funds necessary for personnel to reach out to stakeholders and fleet operators affected by air quality on the U.S./Mexico border. From this initial investment, various organizations recognized the benefits of improved air quality and were willing to cover the retrofit costs.
The Big Dig Construction Project
Project Location
Boston, MA
Project Description
The Big Dig is a 13-year construction project along a 7.5-mile corridor on I-93 that runs through Boston, Massachusetts. Said to be the nation's largest transportation infrastructure project, the Big Dig includes 160 lane miles of new highways, 80 lane miles of new tunnels, and 150 acres of new parks. The construction work includes moving over 13 million cubic yards of excavated material, pouring 4 million cubic yards of new concrete and using more than 200 pieces of construction equipment.
Emissions Reduction Strategies
The Big Dig's diesel emissions reduction project commenced in 1998 in concert with the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Northeast States Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM). The goal of the project was to reduce emissions near residential communities, hospitals, underground construction areas and at locations near fresh air intakes.
The project included: - assigning staging zones for waiting trucks
- limiting idling to not more than five minutes
- retrofitting construction equipment with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs)
The construction equipment was also refueled with cleaner fuels such as ultra-low sulfur diesel and emulsified diesel.
The project was implemented in three phases beginning 1988:
Phase I - eight pieces of equipment
Phase II - 60 pieces of equipment
Phase III - 23 contracts and over 150 pieces of equipment
For each phase of the project, there were several types of equipment retrofitted with engine sizes ranging from 50 to 300 horsepower, including cranes, lifts, excavators, bulldozers, generators and compressors.
Emissions Benefits
Preliminary estimates (from 2000-2004) of area-wide emission reductions from the retrofitted equipment show an approximate reduction of 36 tons/year for carbon monoxide, 12 tons per year of hydrocarbons, and 3 tons per year of particulate matter. While emission reductions for each piece of equipment are different, as an example, the reductions for the Caterpillar 311B excavator include NOx reductions of 24 to 29 percent and black smoke reductions of 93 to 97 percent. In total, the project has achieved a 20-50 percent emissions reduction. The entire construction project was completed in 2006.
Because of the positive air quality benefits achieved by the oxidation catalysts, the Big Dig Project has elected to expand its retrofit program and requires that all off-road diesel equipment used until the end of the project be equipped with DOCs.
Funding
The implementation of Phase I began in 1998 with Phases II and III implemented between 1999-2004. All three phases of the project used federal and state funds through the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority as part of project mitigation efforts, which indicates that the cost of installation of DOCs accounts for approximately 1 to 2 percent of the cost of the construction equipment.
Project Contact
Alex Kasprak
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
(617) 556-2462
akasprak@bigdig.com
For more detailed information related to this project, as well as the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Improvement Program, click here.
I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program (Q-Bridge Project)
Project Location
New Haven, Connecticut
Project Description
The Connecticut Q-Bridge project has successfully installed DOCs on approximately 70 pieces of construction equipment as part of Connecticut's Clean Air Construction Initiative (CCACI). In addition, Construction Contractors have volunteered to use low sulfur diesel (500 ppm sulfur content) on all their non-road equipment. The Initiative was launched to protect laborers as well as residents from harmful construction emissions along a densely populated corridor. Construction began in 2001 and is scheduled to end in 2013.
The CCACI was a mutual effort of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Connecticut Construction Industries Association (CCIA) to come up with real world solutions to Air Quality problems. With compromise a specification evolved to improve the Quality of Life through this long duration construction project.
Emissions Reduction Strategies and Benefits
In summary, the following contractor requirements apply:
Emissions control devices (such as oxidation catalysts) replacement and/or cleaning is required for: - Non road diesel-powered construction equipment, with engine horsepower (HP) ratings of 60 HP and above, that are on the project or assigned to the contract in excess of 30 days.
- Truck staging zones will be established for diesel-powered vehicles waiting to load or unload materials. The zones will be located where diesel emissions will have the least impact on abutters and the general public.
- Idling is limited to three minutes for delivery and dump trucks and other diesel-powered equipment (with some exceptions).
- All work will be conducted to ensure that no harmful effects are caused to adjacent sensitive receptors, such as schools, hospitals, and elderly housing.
- Diesel-powered engines will be located away from fresh air intakes, air conditioners, and windows.
In addition, the DMV conducts an on-road heavy-duty vehicle inspection, which is a requirement of the Initiative. All heavy-duty diesel construction vehicles over 26,000 lbs. are emission tested and inspected as part of the program. An opacity emission inspection is conducted on all primary and sub-contractors vehicles to ensure vehicles meet Connecticut diesel emissions standards.
Emissions Benefits
Estimates for reduced emissions during the I-95 NHHC Corridor Improvement Program are 20 tons/year for carbon monoxide and 2 tons/year for fine particulate matter (with clean fuels or oxidation catalysts) and 8 tons/year for hydrocarbons (with oxidation catalysts only).
Funding
ConnDOT is requiring all contractors and sub-contractors to take part in the Connecticut Clean Air Construction Initiative. The cost to purchase the DOCs and/or using Clean Fuels such as PuriNOx were included in the overall contract cost, as bid by each contractor. Whereas a contractor who owns equipment may be more likely to install the retrofit apparatus, it was thought, one who rents equipment may opt to use Clean Fuels. So far, all contractors have decided to install DOCs rather than using PuriNOx.
Project Contact Donna Weaver Environmental PlanningConnecticut Department of Transportation (860) 594 2082 donna.weaver@po.state.ct.us
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