LINKS

These catagorized links offer sources on vehicle idling and idling related information with an emphasis on air quality, the top concern of unnecessary vehicle idling.

COMMERCIAL DIESEL IDLING

Environmental Protection Agency: Health Assessment Document for Diesel Exhaust
The EPA'a National Center for Environmental Assessment concludes that long-term (i.e., chronic) inhalation exposure is likely to pose a lung cancer hazard to humans, as well as damage the lung in other ways depending on exposure. Short-term (i.e., acute) exposures can cause irritation and inflammatory symptoms of a transient nature, these being highly variable across the population.

Environmental Protection Agency: Diesel Exhaust in New England - Idling
This EPA site deals with heavy-duty commercial truck and bus idling, ways to restrict idling and their freight industry incentive program to conserve fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions: SmartWay Transport Partnership. It features Hannaford Bros. (which includes six Vermont Hannaford Supermarkets) as a SmartWay success story. It also has a link to an excellent Documents Section to download fact sheets on idling. (Note that as of 2009 Vermont remains the only New England state (and all states in the Northeast) not to have enacted a 10,000 pound+ idle-reduction law).

Truck Idling management solution: the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
While actually a promotion of Cummins, Inc., manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicle engines, this 2007 document contains comprehensive information on APUs, a viable solution to extended idling of heavy-duty diesel trucks for both local and long-haul trucking. Also included is a compendium of idling regulations in the U.S. and Canada.

GPS Fleet Tracking Systems from Work Truck Online
GPS fleet tracking is the main system of truck telematics, a mobile transmitting data monitoring system. It is an increasingly popular, cost effective method for fleet operators to optimize routes, save fuel--including elimination of unnecessary idling--and maximize driver productivity. Combined with operator education, these systems pay for themselves in two months to a year, typically saving fleet operators thousands of dollars annually.

REGULATIONS & ENFORCEMENT

EPA Compilation of State, County, and Local Anti-Idling Regulations, April 2006
A comprehensive but out of date document (does not include states with recently enacted school bus and 10,000 pound+ vehicle idling laws, including Vermont's school bus law, enacted in 2007) of all idling ordinances in the US.

Compendium of 10,000 pound+ commercial vehicle idling regulations, Jan. 2009
From the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), a well-known leader in transportation-related research.

Enforcement of Heavy Duty Vehicle Idling in Massachusetts
In 2008, Region 1 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined Waste Management of Massachusetts, Inc., Capitol Waste Services and Allied Waste Services for violating the Commonwealth’s 5-minute idling rule.

SCHOOL BUS

Environmental Protection Agency: Clean School Bus USA
This EPA site states that unnecessary school bus idling pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear. Three school bus engine manufacturers, Caterpillar, IC Corporation and Cummins, caution against idling in excess of five minutes. The site also gives details on implementation of an idling reduction program for schools or school districts.

Vermont Dept. of Environmental Protection: Diesel Exhaust from School Buses in Vermont
The Air Polution Control Division of the Vermont DEC provides comprehensive information on school bus idling in Vermont including facts on how it harms and what governments need to do to regulate and restrict it. UPDATE TO SUMMARY: VT, RI and ME now have school bus idling regulations.

AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH

American Lung Association of New England
The American Lung Association of New England website features a special section, Own Your Air. It includes detailed information on issues that affect the air we breathe including Transportation, Smoking, Vehicle Idling, Indoor Air Quality, Ozone, Air Pollution, Daily Air Quality Index and Energy.

MedPage Today Report: Diesel Fumes Change Brain Activity
March 10, 2008: Michael Smith, North American Correspondent, MedPage Today, reports that in a small crossover study performed in The Netherlands, researchers recorded marked changes in brain wave activity when volunteers were exposed to diesel fumes compared with exposure to filtered air. While further research is needed, this study suggests that pollution by diesel fumes is not just a question of noxious odors, but may also have effects on the brain.

AIRNow: Air Quality News site
Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions, on a per captia basis, are nearly double the national average. This implicates vehicle exhaust--including idling--which negatively affects Vermont's air quality. While generally good, there is a concern of air quality in town centers, especially in Chittenden County, which has increasingly strayed into the Moderate and even Unhealthy catagories. AIRNow provides daily air quality conditions and forecasts, including Particles and Ozone readings, both nationally and locally.

ICTA: Report on In-Car Air Pollution
In 2000, the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) compiled a report on the assessment of the air quality inside automobile passenger compartments. The report finds that air pollution levels may reach higher concentrations inside cars than out. Part of the report summary states: "Elevated in-car pollution concentrations particularly endanger children, the elderly, and people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.While it receives little attention, in-car air pollution may pose one of the greatest modern threats to human health."

OTHER NO-IDLE CAMPAIGNS

Natural Resources, Canada, Vehicle Idling Campaign resource
A complete resource of information, facts, documents and graphics to enable anyone to run their own idling campaign.

10% Challenge, Burlington, VT
The 10% Challenge is a voluntary program to raise public awareness about global climate change and to encourage households and businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10 percent. It is a great resource for information about and participation in saving energy for homes and businesses, recycling and composting, and alternative transportation.The 10% Challenge is also a no-idle campaign resource with information and literature to start one's own campaign.

Post Oil Solutions, Brattleboro No Idling Campaign
In collaboration with Paul Cameron and the Brattleboro Climate Protection project, Post Oil Solutions has been involved in a no-idling campaign for the greater Brattleboro area. Their model regional effort thus far has led to the enactment of a resolution by the Brattleboro selectboard to restrict idling (see Media & News and Local Efforts pages: April 17, 2007).

Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection "Idling Is Fuelish" Campaign
Connecticut has a comprehensive educational no idling campaign. The most impressive no idling presentation I've seen is the "Wastebusters - Idling Myths" video: a take off on the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters program. Very educational and entertaining.

OTHER MEDIA

Burlington Free Press feature "No Idle Matter" January 8, 2006, by Tim Johnson
A no-holds-barred, very comprehensive and captivating article about unnecessary idling of cars, trucks and school buses in Chittenden County, the state of Vermont and beyond. From first hand accounts, to sourced information of its harm, to enforcement, to encountering resistance, all aspects are covered.

MISCELLANEOUS

AUTO STOP-START SYSTEM: Virtually all vehicles can be idle-free in traffic
Imagine a conventional vehicle coming to a stop at a stoplight and stalling out--by design--and then restarting when pressing the accelerator, just as a hybrid does now. This is the Auto Stop-Start system. Is it some future solution to idling in traffic? No, it is available today and currently utilized on two 2007 European models: the BMW 1-Series and the Peugeot/Citroen C2 and C3 Superminis. And according to a July 2007 Automotive News report, Mercedes plans on launching its own version of stop-start technology throughout its entire lineup, starting with the A- and B-Class. This technology is quite simple, employing a reversible alternator that acts as a standard alternator one minute (driven by the engine to charge the battery) but, when required, then acts as a starter motor, driven by the battery to re-start the engine. There are other versions of the system under development. The benefits to be reaped are obvious: significant improvement in air quality and reduction of millions of tons of carbon emissions. Please join Idle-Free VT in encouraging Sen. Bernie Sanders to work with members of the Senate Environment Committee (chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer--CA) to push automobile manufacturers to adopt this system for U.S. vehicles.