Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Getting to a Zero Emission Port Authority

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) manages critical bistate transportation infrastructure and is committed to sustainability of the region, with emissions reduction goals of net zero by 2050. With marine shipping contributing significantly to the global greenhouse gas emissions, the PANYNJ tasked the Columbia Capstone team to develop decarbonization strategies for their port activities, which contributed nearly 20% of its 2019 emissions. 

The project studied options to reduce Scope 3 emissions from its largest contributor – drayage trucks. The team performed both secondary and primary research, including interviews with relevant staff at the PANYNJ and field work to the port in New Jersey. The team also assessed the PANYNJ’s current initiatives, specifically the Truck Replacement Program that aims to reduce emissions from diesel-powered trucks. The first set of solutions is to upgrade the operating systems, including adopting an idling time system and rerouting to railway transportation. The second solution is to raise the technology level by adopting a cleaner energy fleet, utilizing both electrification and hydrogen fuel cells. After conducting feasibility assessments and benchmarking with industry best practices, the team has come up with potential recommendations, focusing on measures the PANYNJ could take to enable the implementation of the upgrades and adoptions starting from 2024 to 2050. These include establishing operational regulations, advocating for funding and state or federal level regulations, providing technical assistance and organizing outreach, conducting data monitoring and evaluation, and implementing a cleaner energy fleet.