Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/630225
8 www.studentdriverplacement.com February '16 Tools Trucking I n April 2013, Modern Transporta- on was among the fi rst fl eets to adopt the Cummins Westport 12-li- ter natural gas engine – straight from the assembly line. At the me, diesel prices were about $4. The fl eet's experiment with liquefi ed and compressed natural gas-powered trucks has proven a success, both fi nancially and envi- ronmentally. The results for emis- sions reductions earned Modern the SmartWay Excellence Award in both 2014 and 2015 from the U.S. Envi- ronmental Protection Agency. About 40 of the 3,000 truck carriers that participate in the SmartWay program receive this distinction each year. However, the natural gas market has slowed due to the diesel price decline. While a $2.50 gallon of diesel remains equivalent to the price of natural gas, diesel-powered trucks are signifi cantly more fuel- effi cient. Still, Modern continues to use natural gas as a cost-saving strat- egy by harnessing company data to make better decisions that have low- ered its fuel and equipment costs. "It's taken work to do that," says Patrick Cozzens, president of the Sewickley, Pa.-based fl eet. "Part of innovation is hard work, being ag- gressive and being focused." Of the 350 trucks and 500 driv- ers in Modern's dedicated fl eet that transports bulk chemicals, minerals and materials, 30 trucks currently are powered by CNG or LNG. That share soon could increase depend- By Aaron Huff Modern Transportation is fueled by data Modern Transportation is testing a 6×2 tag axle configuration for diesel, CNG and LNG equipment.