Fleet modernization program – Newer cleaner diesel trucks
The Ports of Long Beach ($ 3.3 million) and Los Angeles ($ 3 million) are funding the Gateway Cities Council of Governments for the maintenance of its Fleet modernization program, which replaces older diesel trucks with newer and environmentally safer vehicles.
Gateway Cities will replace older harbor trucks while the ports develop the truck fleet modernization initiative as per the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). Under this initiative more than 16000 harbor trucks will be retrofitted or replaced. These trucks make 80% of the calls on the marine terminals in the San Pedro Bay Ports. The objective is to either replace these trucks with newer cleaner diesel or other alternative fuel rigs or they will have devices that minimize emissions of diesel particulates and oxides of nitrogen.
This new strategy of replacing trucks is the biggest replacement program so far. The Ports are closely interacting with Gateway Cities to learn the best way to plan and implement the CAAP truck replacement program. They are also learning how to communicate efficiently with the stakeholders, including the independent trucker owner/operators, about the program.
Owner-operators qualifying for the funding by the Ports are required to demonstrate that they make hundreds of calls at San Pedro Bay Ports’ cargo terminals every year. When the trucks are replaced, the new trucks must be used in port service or container drayage as they are called so that the nearby communities can benefit from the emission free operation.