State Idling Code

The following are the lists of Mobile Source Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCMs) promulgated by the California Air Resources Board. Each ATCM is codified in the California Code of Regulations (CCR).

(http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/atcm/atcm.htm)

Why is idle reduction important?

• In the US, idling wastes more than one billion gallons of fuel a year, makes our air dirty and negatively impacts our health
• Typical heavy-duty vehicle consumes about one gallon/hour at idle.
• Typical light-duty vehicle consumes 0.5 gallons/hour while idling.  (US EPA, ANL). The actual rates depend on the type of vehicle and engine.
• Using EPA’s CO2 emissions factors for emissions from each gallon of diesel and gasoline burned

•       Average diesel heavy-duty vehicle emits about 20 lbs of CO₂/hour while idling.

•       Average gas light-duty vehicle emits about 10 lbs of CO₂/hour while idling.

FUEL COSTS

·         Idling for 10 minutes a day wastes about $200 in fuel each year (CEC)

·         For every 8 minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to drive about one mile, Argonne National Laboratory.  EXAMPLE: If you idle for 10 minutes a day when you drop off and pick up your child at school (200 days/year = 2,000 idling minutes/year), that’s the same as driving about 250 miles (from San Francisco to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and back)!

·         1 hour of idling = about 1 gallon of fuel and gets ZERO miles per gallon (California Energy Commission)

CAR WEAR AND TEAR COSTS

·         The best way to warm up a car is to drive it (California Energy Commission).

·         Excessive idling can damage a car’s engine and exhaust systems and COSTS YOU more money in repairs

Driver Behavior; What Can I Do to Reduce Idling?

•       Turn off the engine when parked or stopped for more than a minute.

•       Consider the purchase of hybrid electric vehicles, which limit idling at traffic stops.

•       Avoid using a remote vehicle starter, which encourages unnecessary idling.

•       Avoid drive-thrus: park the car and walk inside instead.

“Kids Breathe Here: Don’t Idle - Turn off Your Engine”

Save Money, Keep Kids Healthy and Spare the Air

Turn off Your Engine: Idling Wastes Money and Hurts Children

During the Spring of 2010, the San Francisco Clean Cities Coalition partnered with the American Lung Association in California, the San Francisco Unified School District, SF Environment, the SF Bicycle Coalition and Environment Now (federally –funded Jobs Now workforce)  to conduct a 3-month school idle reduction campaign at six elementary schools. 

Californians breathe the worst air in the nation. Idling contributes to air pollution, is linked to increases in indoor air pollution, negatively impacts children’s lung health development and wastes fuel.   This campaign aimed to inform drivers at and around school grounds about the costs of idling and to change driver behavior.

Through our partnership with the SFUSD, we obtained written permission from school principals to conduct our on site campaign.  During the course of two weeks, for a total of 36 hours, we observed driver behavior at each site six times.  We timed how long drivers idled, compiled vehicle make and vehicle type data (school bus, passenger car, SUV, etc.).  We were alarmed to observe that one out of every four drivers idled for more than 30 seconds and some idled for 10 minutes! 

Next, we developed a one page flyer in English, Spanish and Chinese as well as an idle reduction fact sheet and talking points for our outreach team which informed drivers why they should turn off their engines.  Then, went back to each school, outfitted in bright green vests, and distributed 422 flyers to drivers and, more importantly,  we spoke with 208 drivers about how idling gets them nowhere and encouraged them to make the connection between idling and dirty, unhealthy air, wasted fuel and money that could be spent better on school lunches for their child. 

We hope to continue to raise awareness about idling and expand this campaign throughout schools in the City and have applied for regional and statewide grants to support our efforts to raise awareness about idle reduction.