Many of the dray trucks today are older and dirtier than trucks used on highways, and contribute to serious public health and environmental challenges at ports and surrounding areas. Model year 1994 and older dray trucks emit approximately 60 times more fine particle (PM_2.5) emissions than model year 2007 and newer trucks. PM_2.5 is linked to premature deaths, heart attacks, childhood asthma and increased emergency room and hospital visits.

EPA has developed an emissions calculator to help port truck carriers measure their PM, NO_x and CO₂ emissions; identify strategies to reduce harmful diesel emissions and track emissions performance on an annual basis.

Under the SmartWay dray truck initiative, carriers sign an agreement with EPA to track and reduce PM_2.5 emissions by 50% and NO_x emissions by 25% below the industry average over a three-year period. In addition, SmartWay dray shipper partners will commit to use the cleaner trucks to haul 75% or more of port freight. Charter shipper partners in the program include Best Buy, The Home Depot, Hewlett Packard, JC Penney, Lowe’s, Nike, Target, and Walmart.