RFID Technology from Zebra Enterprise Solutions Helps Marine Terminal Operators Enforce New Clean Air Regulations at Port of Oakland

Zebra Enterprise Solutions (ZES), a division of Zebra Technologies (Nasdaq:ZBRA), today announced that the container terminals at the Port of Oakland are using its radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to comply with the Port of Oakland’s ban on polluting trucks.

On Dec. 2, the container terminals at the Port of Oakland announced that all trucks delivering cargo containers must install RFID devices and register in eModal’s TruckerCheck system. As of Jan. 19, the terminals are enforcing a new Port of Oakland ban on trucks with engine year models earlier than 1994 from picking up or dropping off cargo at the port. In addition, model year 1994 to 2003 trucks must be retrofitted with diesel particulate filters or engines that meet equivalent standards. The ban requires the Port of Oakland’s container terminals to deny entry to drayage trucks that don’t meet these standards, which are set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Approximately 3,000 trucks work at the port, which is the fifth busiest port in the U.S. and in the top 40 ports in the world.

The terminal operators chose ZES’ 24730 ISO-compliant active and locatable RFID tags and WherePort proximity communications exciter to identify trucks entering the terminals and ensure CARB compliance. In addition, three of the eight terminals have expanded the system by investing in additional ZES IT infrastructure to track the trucks inside the gate and throughout the terminal. In doing so, these terminals are able to more efficiently service trucks, further reducing emissions.

The adoption of ZES RFID technology in Oakland follows the successful use of its RFID technology by container terminal operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach under the PierPASS program. PierPASS began rolling out its TruckTag initiative in 2007 to meet new requirements from the Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard requiring maritime terminals to enhance their security measures. When the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach more recently announced their Clean Air Action Plans banning older trucks, the terminal operators were able to use the existing RFID infrastructure to serve a double purpose. And, when CARB ordered the ports to begin reporting back to it all non-compliant trucks entering marine terminals or rail yards, the terminals were able to program the system to meet this additional need.

"We are pleased that ZES technology is playing a role in helping the container terminals at the Port of Oakland meet heightened air quality requirements while maintaining the efficient flow of cargo,” says John Scott, vice president of location and telematics solutions at Zebra Enterprise Solutions. "As with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, we hope that implementing our RFID technology at the container terminals at the Port of Oakland will help maintain cargo flow at the terminal gates, and thus avoid the reduced turn times that manual reporting methods could cause.”

The RFID TruckTags work at all the container terminals at the Port of Oakland and can be used at the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and Seattle, as well.

About Zebra Enterprise Solutions

Zebra Enterprise Solutions, a division of Zebra Technologies Corporation, extends Zebra’s reach beyond passive RFID by employing state-of-the-art software and hardware solutions to locate, track, manage, and optimize high-value assets, equipment and people across the world’s largest supply chains. Whether tracking containers through a port, optimizing parts for manufacturing, or managing ground support equipment at an airport, the real-time asset management solutions from the combination of Navis, WhereNet, proveo, and Multispectral Solutions provide improved visibility and velocity to gain measurable business improvements. Utilizing products that are based on ISO/IEC 24730-2, Cisco CCX Wi-Fi, precision GPS, and UWB technologies, Zebra Enterprise Solutions offers a wide range of location solutions that are "application matched," enabling its customers to put the right asset in the right place at the right time. For more information about Zebra Enterprise Solutions visit http://www.zebra.com/zes.

About Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq:ZBRA) provides the broadest range of innovative technology solutions to identify, track, and manage the deployment of critical assets for improved business efficiency. Zebra’s core technologies include reliable on-demand printer and state-of-the-art software and hardware solutions. By enabling improvements in sourcing, visibility, security and accuracy, Zebra helps its customers to put the right asset in the right place at the right time. Zebra serves more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. For more information about Zebra‘s solutions visit http://www.zebra.com.