Of all freight transportation options, rail is the most environmentally friendly way to move goods over land. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that for every ton-mile, a typical truck emits roughly three times more nitrogen oxide and particulates than a locomotive. If just 10% of the nation’s freight were shifted to rail, fuel savings would approach 1 billion gallons annually.

Reducing The Company’s Footprint
CSX’s long-standing commitment to continual improvement has allowed the company to improve its fuel efficiency through new technology and conservation efforts. Today, CSX can move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles, on average, per gallon of diesel fuel. CSX has invested more than $1.5 billion over the last decade to improve its locomotive fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Locomotive Idle-Reducing Technology
To reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during idling, CSX has invested in two separate pieces of idle-reducing technology, Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) and Automated Engine Start Stop (AESS). As the name suggests, APUs provide auxiliary power to a locomotive, allowing the larger diesel engine to be shut down. AESS acts similarly by automatically shutting the locomotive down when not in use and automatically starting it when needed. In addition to these systems, CSX invests heavily in training its employees on proper locomotive shutdown rules to eliminate unnecessary idling.

Piloting New Technology
CSX is committed to implementing new technology that optimizes train operations for fuel efficiency. This new, real-time energy management technology uses GPS, track grade and curvature data along with train information to identify the most fuel-efficient throttle settings for each trip as the train moves across the system. In addition, methods of rail lubrication are being explored to reduce rail-to-wheel friction and increase fuel efficiency.

Recycling
CSX recognizes the importance of conserving all raw materials, not just fuel. Through programs and policies, the company promotes recycling and waste minimization to achieve this goal. Suppliers are encouraged to use recyclable containers for all goods the railroad receives for shipping. Recycling allows the company to reduce the amount of material sent to landfills and to improve the bottom line. CSX recycles many materials, including steel from old locomotives and rail cars, batteries, cross ties, paper and electronic equipment. In addition, CSX recycles millions of gallons of oil annually and in certain locations throughout the network, reuses it to heat buildings.

Online Carbon Calculator
To help inform customers of the most environmentally friendly way to move goods, CSX offers an online carbon calculator so customers can calculate the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions savings of specific rail shipments, providing comparative data among transportation choices.

Reduce Use of Hazardous Chemicals
CSX has a program to evaluate the chemicals and cleaners used on the railroad. Cleaners containing chlorinated solvents and low-flash-point mineral spirits are prohibited. These cleaners have been replaced with safer, environmentally friendly products. Oil-based paints are in the process of being replaced with water- based low-VOC paints, which are purchased in 300-gallon reusable totes, reducing packaging associated with paint products.

Environmental Advocacy and Issues Leadership
CSX supports federal and state legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion, as well as expansion of infrastructure programs designed to stimulate the economy and strengthen rail’s positive effect on the environment.

The National Gateway Project: Good for the Environment — and the Economy
In May 2008, CSX launched the National Gateway, an approximately $850 million public-private infrastructure initiative to create a highly efficient freight transportation link between the Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest. Already under way, the National Gateway will upgrade tracks, equipment and facilities to provide clearance for double-stack intermodal trains. Double-stack trains can carry twice as much cargo as single-stack trains, driving significant environmental and efficiency benefits. When complete, the National Gateway will also improve the flow of goods between eastern and western rail networks.

CSX has already committed approximately $575 million to the National Gateway and is working with several states and the federal government to secure the remaining funding necessary to complete this important project.

The National Gateway leverages the safety, economic and environmental benefits of rail transportation to the fullest by combining the resources and expertise of the public and private sectors. The project will enhance three existing rail corridors that run through Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

The National Gateway will significantly benefit the nation by:

• Avoiding 20 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions;
• Reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil;
• Assisting states in attainment of federal clean air standards;
• Reducing 7,000 tons of nitrogen oxides;
• Reducing 1,000 tons of particulate matter;
• Saving nearly 2 billion gallons of fuel;
• Improving safety and highway congestion by maximizing the efficiency of freight rail and partnering with trucking companies to reduce truck miles traveled by more than 14.3 billion miles;
• Increasing economic competitiveness by saving $3.5 billion in shipper and logistics costs, significantly increasing freight capacity, reducing transit times by 24 to 48 hours between West Coast ports and major population centers; and tripling the market access potential for the ports of Baltimore, Hampton Roads and Wilmington;
• Creating more than 50,000 jobs, including more than 25,000 jobs in 14 economically distressed areas (more than 4,000 jobs are to be created by the end of 2012); and
• Repairing and replacing declining infrastructure, replacing older bridges and avoiding more than $670 million in pavement maintenance costs, while requiring no public funding for ongoing maintenance.

Partnerships/Memberships
CSX is a member of many voluntary initiatives and has a number of partnerships with governmental and nonprofit organizations related to the environment:

• U.S. EPA’s SmartWay^SM Transport Partnership
• Carbon Disclosure Project
• Maryland Green Registry
• The Conservation Fund
• U.S. Green Building Council
• St. Johns Riverkeeper

CSX's Environmental Policy

Safety and the protection of human health and the environment are fundamental to CSX’s vision, management principles and good business practices. CSX is committed to protecting the environment and the safety and health of its employees, customers and the public. The company demonstrates this commitment by striving to deliver for its customers in an environmentally sustainable manner. 

CSX’s daily decisions and actions are guided by the following principles:

• Conduct operations safely, protecting employees, the public, customers and the environment.
• Comply with environmental laws and regulations, internal policies and best management practices.
• Identify, promptly report and address active or potential environmental concerns in a responsible manner.
• Openly communicate with employees, customers and the public regarding the company’s environmental programs.
• Train and empower employees to fulfill environmental responsibilities.
• Encourage suppliers to follow environmentally sustainable practices.
• Use sound environmental practices in managing properties.
• Strive toward zero waste through comprehensive recycling and reuse initiatives, emissions intensity reduction goals, and pollution prevention efforts. 
• Engage in public-private partnerships that promote environmental stewardship and foster communications with public agencies.
• Continually improve environmental performance by setting and reviewing targets and goals that protect people and the environment using sound business practices.
  

Calculating Fuel Efficiency

Ton-mile per gallon is a unit of measurement to describe the efficiency of hauling freight by various modes of transportation.

The rail industry tracks and reports revenue ton-miles in the “Annual Report to the Surface Transportation Board” (commonly referred to as the R1 Report). The “Ton-Miles of Freight” annual value is reported in Schedule 755, line 110 of the R1 Report. The rail industry also tracks and reports annual fuel usage in the R1 Report, Schedule 750, line 4. These two reported values are used to determine a system-wide train efficiency value.

For example, in 2010, the CSX ton-miles of freight reported in the R1 Report = 229,172,569,000 ton-miles and the CSX 2010 reported fuel usage = 490,049,749 gallons.

The 2010 CSX system-wide train efficiency metric equals  (229,172,569,000 ton-miles) divided by (490,049,749 gallons) equals 468 ton-miles per gallon.

In other words CSX trains, on average, can move a ton of freight nearly 500 mile on a gallon of fuel, based on our 2010 revenue ton miles and 2010 fuel use.

For example, a heavy-duty diesel truck that hauls 19 tons of freight a distance of 500 miles would consume approximately 71 gallons of diesel fuel. The efficiency of this freight haul would be calculated as:

(19 tons times 500 miles) divided by (71 gallons) equals 134 ton-miles per gallon.

This efficiency might be stated as “a truck can move a ton of freight 134 miles on a gallon of fuel.”

Similarly, a typical train might haul 3000 tons of freight 500 miles and consume approximately 3200 gallons of diesel fuel. The efficiency of this freight haul would be calculated as:

(3000 tons multiplied by 500 miles) divided by (3200 gallons) equals 469 ton-miles per gallon.

This efficiency might be stated as “a train can move a ton of freight 469 miles on a gallon of fuel.”

In this example, the train is approximately 3.5 times more efficient at hauling freight.

Additional information about fuel efficiency for various modes can be found on Mother Nature Network .