GSE Emissions Study — You Can Help

March 9, 2010
The Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has issued a request for proposals to “develop a tutorial that describes GSE operations and identifies potential strategies to reduce emissions from powered GSE for use by GSE owners and operators and to conduct a representative inventory of powered GSE at airports to help the industry assess the contribution of GSE to air quality impacts at airports.” The TRB is an agency of Congress mandated to study transportation issues.  [Full disclosure – I have been asked by a potential bidder to participate as a consultant] Whoever ends up doing the study will be successful only with the full cooperation of GSE operators.  Why do I think GSE operators should cooperate? Emissions are clearly linked to global warming and will continue to be regulated in the interests of reducing greenhouse gases. I believe that voluntary participation in studies such as this will allow GSE operators a greater voice in the future of their airport equipment, including when and whether to switch to electric or alternative fuel equipment. In addition, to the extent that emissions and fuel consumption are related, identifying emissions and emission patterns can help reduce fuel consumption and lower operating costs. Are there drawbacks to identifying GSE emissions?  I do not believe that voluntary ignorance benefits anyone or the industry as a whole.  While knowledge of emissions may put pressure on the industry to change, it is better to be viewed as part of the solution than part of the problem.