Sep 9, 2009 10:05 AM

Greatwide Logistics Services, a national provider of non-asset-based transportation and third-party logistics services, has achieved the highest score given by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay program, 1.25. The rating represents outstanding environmental performance and shows that Greatwide uses commercially available fuel-saving strategies and actively evaluates the latest technologies.

The firm became a SmartWay Transport Partner in 2006 and has increased its Shipper Index Factor (SIF) to the top 1.25 rating since joining the program. Greatwide Logistics Services has implemented several practices and partnerships to achieve and maintain the SmartWay standing. Those include:

•An alliance with American Truck Business Services (ATBS), which offers business consultation exclusively for truck drivers. ATBS is offered at a substantial discount to Greatwide owner-operators, and consultants work one-on-one with drivers to help improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

•An auxiliary power unit discount purchase program, because APUs reduce fuel consumption by as much as 90% when idling. Through Greatwide’s Greatcare program, drivers are able to obtain price concessions on a variety of units.

•Greatwide motivates owner-operators through lower speed initiatives. The company’s service schedule and commitments are based on speeds that maximize fuel economy.

•The company provides route optimization utilizing award-winning software programs; Greatwide is able to map out driver routes that minimize stops, optimize fuel purchases, and reduce empty miles. Having successfully emerged from a testing phase, soon the company will be rolling out this fuel-saving technology to the entire fleet.

•On-board computers that use satellite tracking to continually monitor fuel economy help drivers adjust driving and idling behaviors to maximize mileage.

•Greatwide also uses the most updated aerodynamic equipment and components.

•Company trucks also reduce their impact on the environment due to the company’s policies on reduced road speed and idle management.