This dissertation investigates and characterizes the activity, emissions, and potential emission reductions of in-use off-road port equipment and marine vessels operating in California under real-world conditions. It highlights the significance of diesel engines in various industries and their adverse effects of emissions on air quality and human health. This dissertation evaluates the potential benefits of implementing more advanced technologies, including zero-emission technologies, in off-road port equipment and marine applications. The research aims to contribute to the development of effective regulations and emission control strategies to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases, and protect public health.The dissertation first focuses on characterizing harbor craft activity patterns and evaluating them in relation to EPA engine certification cycles. Real-world engine activity data obtained from ten harbor craft vessels showed a discrepancy between actual engine activity and certification cycle assumptions. This finding emphasizes the need for accurate estimation of emissions from commercial harbor craft and highlights the limitations of relying solely on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification methods for activity estimation.
The dissertation next explores the activity and emissions of high-speed passenger ferries equipped with marine certified Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines. It was found that in-use work-based emission factors remained below certification limits, even after surpassing the specified regulatory useful life hours. The chapter discusses various strategies to achieve emission reductions and suggests the need for more stringent certification standards, particularly for controlling emissions during transient operations.
Emissions from off-road sources are becoming increasingly important in the overall emission inventory. The third chapter evaluates the performance of zero-emission battery-electric port equipment compared to diesel port equipment, with an emphasis on yard tractors and top handlers. The chapter discusses performance of the battery-electric equipment and the diesel equipment, in terms of hours of use, energy use, and the potential emission benefits of replacing diesel equipment with battery-electric equipment.
The final chapter further investigates the performance and potential emission benefits of zero-emission port cargo handling equipment. A total of 25 units were monitored, including battery-electric forklifts, a battery-electric railcar mover, and an electrified rail gantry crane. This research provides insights into usage patterns, energy consumption, emissions and greenhouse gases (GHGs) benefits of fully electric equipment in supporting the ongoing efforts of marine ports to transition to zero-emission technologies.