An Idle Truck Makes the Devil’s CO2
Decatur Metro | January 26, 2010From Agnes Scott’s Communication Office…
Trucks and service vehicles won’t be able to keep their engines humming while at Agnes Scott College—the college is the first educational institution in Georgia to prohibit idling on campus, according to The Clean Air Campaign, a not-for-profit organization that works with partners, Georgia employers, commuters and schools to encourage actions that result in reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality.
Trucks and service vehicles on campus will now be required to turn off their engines while making deliveries. “No Idle Zone” signs will be placed in the three areas where service and delivery vehicles frequently operate while on campus.Drivers will be expected to cut off their engine upon arrival and restart engines only after loading or unloading is complete and the vehicle is ready to depart. The new policy excludes safety and emergency vehicles, electric vehicles and trailer engines used solely to control freight temperatures.
Agnes Scott and The Clean Air Campaign partnered to develop the policy.“We are taking advantage of all The Clean Air Campaign’s programs to encourage alternative transportation, so we thought it was important to also respond to their request to prohibit idling. This partnership has resulted thus far in a marked increase in use of alternative commuting options by staff and faculty, and now it will result in an educational effort about the emissions of idling vehicles,” said Susan Kidd, the college’s director of sustainability.
The “No Idle” policy was created to reduce wasted fuel; improve air quality on campus and in the region; and to protect campus workers, students and visitors from potentially harmful emissions.
“Prohibiting unnecessary engine idling on campus through no-idle zones and policies has an immediate, positive impact on the quality of the air we breathe. With ozone, greenhouse gases and a host of toxics coming from tailpipes in close proximity to people, these programs make a lot of sense. Agnes Scott is the first college The Clean Air Campaign has partnered with to implement a no-idling policy, demonstrating the school’s commitment to cleaner air,” said Kevin Green, executive director of The Clean Air Campaign.
The policy is the latest in a series of wide-ranging sustainability initiatives at Agnes Scott designed to reduce the college’s environmental impact. In the fall, the college began a composting program in its residence halls and dining hall and also completed a comprehensive, long-term Climate Action Plan, part of a commitment made with about 650 other institutions all over the country who signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment to reduce their impact on the environment. Agnes Scott’s CAP outlines strategies and five-year targets designed to achieve “climate neutrality” in time for its 150th anniversary in 2039.
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this is cool! maybe it wil start a trend in the metro area. I was in the Minneapolis airport 10+ years ago and saw a policeman walk to an idling car and remind the driver there was no idling permitted at the airport.
That airport story’s ironic given the tons of poorly burned jet fuel pouring out of APUs while planes idle on airport ramps.
Yeah, and idling’s not allowed at Hartsfield-Jackson anyway. The unwritten rule is, if you stop for more than the allotted 30 seconds, the ATL police will baton you into submission. That means you basically have to pull the slow-and-coast thing when you’re picking up or dropping off, and hope your passengers can get in/out on the run. At least we’ve got a head start on saving the air around here!
Good for them and US!
I think most “delivery” trucks tend to be diesel. From what I understand, it’s better for a diesel engine to keep it running then to shut it off only to crank it right back up. Are there any mechanics out there who can vouch for that? For normal engines I don’t believe it’s a problem.
I think the problem for large modern truck diesel engines is a requirement to idle for a few minutes after driving to cool the engine down. Restarting isn’t the issue. Passenger car diesels don’t have to cool down after driving, so I’m not sure how big the engine has to be before you get into this cooldown requirement. Maybe delivery trucks (e.g., UPS) can stop and start just fine without damage. Maybe not.
Vermont has a no-idling advocate who regularly has letters published on editorial pages. This link will get you to a letter published in today’s Burlington Free Press. It summarizes the reasons for not idling well. Really a “no-brainer.”
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100127/OPINION02/1270316/1006/OPINION/My-Turn-Do-the-right-thing-and-stop-idling
Actually, the city of Atlanta has a “no-idling” ordinance as well. Its just never enforced.
Atlanta Code of Ordinances
Sec. 150-97. Restrictions for trucks, buses.
Time limit for idling. No person shall stop or stand any truck or bus on any street or public place and idle for more than 15 minutes. A violation of this subsection shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a minimum fine of $500.00. This limitation shall not apply under the following conditions
I kinda, sorta want to go over to the Agnes Scott campus and start yelling “No idling!” at cars stopped at stop signs and hand out fake tickets.
Of course, all proceeds collected from the fake idling tickets will go to the Decatur Education Fund.
DM, good idea on the fake tickets. I like how PEDS allows you to print out their mock parking tickets.
http://peds.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/mock-parking-ticket.pdf
i actually had a long conversation with a DeKalb County Traffic Dept guy today who parked their truck on the PATH at the intersection of Howard and Atlanta Ave (basically across from Thinking Man Tavern). I asked him why he parked there instead of maybe, i don’t know, one of the FOUR lanes on Howard. He said they own the right of way. I asked him then why didn’t he just park on Atlanta Ave,a side street – it was only a 10 foot further walk. He scowled at me and walked away and refused to identify himself. I called Decatur PD.
I know these aren’t serious crimes but then again, where do you draw the line, and when does quality of life issues become really important?
Maybe I should have saved this for the Friday Vent section.