TIAX Awarded Contract to Reduce Diesel Emissions in Port of Oakland
January 9, 2006 (Cambridge, MA) – TIAX, a leading collaborative product and technology development firm, today announced that it has been awarded a contract from the Port of Oakland to support the development and implementation of a program to replace heavy-duty diesel trucks that service the port with newer, lower emission vehicles. TIAX was awarded the contract based in part on its successful implementation of a similar type of program in the Los Angeles area for the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. "We are honored to have been chosen by the Port of Oakland to undertake this important initiative and hope to expand our work into other U.S. cities in the near future," said TIAX Chief Executive and Founder, Kenan Sahin. Under this first phase of the program, the Port is providing up to $1.5 million in total funding to replace approximately 60 trucks. Commercial truck owners who qualify can trade in their older diesel trucks (pre-1987) and receive a grant of up to $25,000 toward the purchase of a newer model truck (1999 or newer) that has a more fuel-efficient, cleaner burning engine. It is estimated that nearly 100 tons of nitrogen oxides emissions and more than 10 tons of diesel particulate (PM) emissions will be reduced during the assumed life of the project. "The goal of this program is to clean up the air for local communities while supporting the truck drivers who rely on the port for their source of income," said Erin Kassoy, senior engineer, TIAX. "Our work has the potential to reduce the risk of emissions-induced chronic diseases and significantly improve the overall quality of life in the area." To qualify for the program, a truck owner must be able to demonstrate that his or her vehicle has been operated in the Port of Oakland continuously for the past two years and has been used to haul containers for at least 400 trips over the past 12 months. Drivers who live in the port’s local communities may qualify for the grants more easily. The Port of Oakland has contracted with TIAX to help develop and implement the truck replacement program. This support includes recommending and evaluating program guidelines, establishing criteria for applicants, determining award amounts, and educating participating dealerships. TIAX also will develop a monitoring system to evaluate the long-term success of the initiative. TIAX has long been a leader in emissions reductions strategy development. The company has successfully implemented a Fleet Modernization program to reduce NOx and PM emissions in the Los Angeles area. The 350+ trucks that are replaced through this Gateway Cities Council of Government program will reduce emissions by approximately 1,000 tons over the assumed five-year project life. In addition, many of the replacement trucks will be retrofitted with supplementary emissions control equipment. About TIAX LLCTIAX LLC (pronounced Ty-ax) is a leading collaborative product and technology development firm that accelerates innovation to help its clients create an impact in the market-and in people's lives. We integrate business, industry, and hands-on technology expertise to transform ideas into products and problems into solutions. Formed out of Arthur D. Little's Technology & Innovation business, TIAX (www.tiaxllc.com) builds on more than a century of breakthrough innovation and client success using collaborative R&D. TIAX was selected as a Technology Pioneer 2003 by the World Economic Forum and is ISO 9001 certified with more than 50 research and development laboratories. For more information contact: Travis Small |