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Don't Be Idle: Improve Our Air and Save Money, Too...

Why is idling of vehicles a problem?
Idling vehicles pollute the air we breathe. Pollutants can accumulate inside the vehicle and outdoors near the vehicle. Exhaust from idling engines may also be sucked into the building ventilation systems, affecting air quality inside. Bus drivers may occasionally need to let their engines idle briefly to warm the engine or run equipment, such as defrosters, but most idling is not necessary. Eliminating unnecessary idling is a simple,
cost-effective way to help reduce exposure to air pollution.

Vehicle exhaust is hazardous to human health, especially children’s. Studies have linked pollution from vehicles to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies. Children breathe more rapidly and inhale more pollutants per pound of body weight than adults, and their lungs are still developing. A study by Yale University found that students on school buses are exposed to 5 to 15 times the levels of particulate pollution. Levels are especially high when buses idle and line up back-to-front. Idling of cars also increases the pollution near schools.

Idling wastes resources and damages the environment. Burning fuel needlessly costs money and contributes to air pollution problems that harm plants and animals.

Idling vehicles can be easily stolen or can cause damage if accidentally engaged.

Today’s cars and buses do not need to be warmed up, except in extremely cold conditions (below 0° F). In fact, for modern diesel engines idling can actually be harder on the engine than driving down the road.

Schools can take the following steps to protect students from vehicle exhaust by following the steps below to adopt an anti-idling policy and/or retrofit their diesel school buses.

Implement a no-idling policy for all vehicles at every school building.
Post “no-idling” signs and alert bus drivers, parents and administrators that engines should be turned off when a vehicle is waiting, or parked.
Redesign bus parking zones to move the bus parking area away from school air intake vents and park buses at a diagonal to avoid front-to-back passing of emissions.
Require targeted maintenance of the bus fleet to reduce emissions.
Investing in clean fuels and technologies, such as exhaust pipe retrofits for current buses and use of biodiesel.

To learn more about diesel school bus retrofits or adopting an anti-idling policy for your school district, click here.

	walking biking carpooling/vanpooling taking a bus using the metro taking the train riding a ferry teleworking using an alternative fueled vehicle Don't Be Idle: Improve Our Air and Save Money, Too... Why is idling of vehicles a problem? Idling vehicles pollute the air we breathe. Pollutants can accumulate inside the vehicle and outdoors near the vehicle. Exhaust from idling engines may also be sucked into the building ventilation systems, affecting air quality inside. Bus drivers may occasionally need to let their engines idle briefly to warm the engine or run equipment, such as defrosters, but most idling is not necessary. Eliminating unnecessary idling is a simple, cost-effective way to help reduce exposure to air pollution. Vehicle exhaust is hazardous to human health, especially children’s. Studies have linked pollution from vehicles to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies. Children breathe more rapidly and inhale more pollutants per pound of body weight than adults, and their lungs are still developing. A study by Yale University found that students on school buses are exposed to 5 to 15 times the levels of particulate pollution. Levels are especially high when buses idle and line up back-to-front. Idling of cars also increases the pollution near schools. Idling wastes resources and damages the environment. Burning fuel needlessly costs money and contributes to air pollution problems that harm plants and animals. Idling vehicles can be easily stolen or can cause damage if accidentally engaged. Today’s cars and buses do not need to be warmed up, except in extremely cold conditions (below 0° F). In fact, for modern diesel engines idling can actually be harder on the engine than driving down the road. Schools can take the following steps to protect students from vehicle exhaust by following the steps below to adopt an anti-idling policy and/or retrofit their diesel school buses. Implement a no-idling policy for all vehicles at every school building. Post “no-idling” signs and alert bus drivers, parents and administrators that engines should be turned off when a vehicle is waiting, or parked. Redesign bus parking zones to move the bus parking area away from school air intake vents and park buses at a diagonal to avoid front-to-back passing of emissions. Require targeted maintenance of the bus fleet to reduce emissions. Investing in clean fuels and technologies, such as exhaust pipe retrofits for current buses and use of biodiesel. To learn more about diesel school bus retrofits or adopting an anti-idling policy for your school district, click here.


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