Idle
Reduction
Idle reduction technologies and initiatives
are valuable tools in reducing petroleum consumption and pollutant emissions, and can
also result in significant cost savings for vehicle operators. There
are various means to reduce vehicle idling: eliminating unnecessary idling;
using of
automatic shut-down and start-up systems, diesel fuel fired heaters,
auxiliary power units and generators; and developing
electrified parking sites at truck stops and rest areas.
According to the U.S. Department of
Energy, trucks in the United States consume more than 800 million
gallons of diesel, without even moving. The vast majority is
consumed by long-haul tractor trailers whose operators are mandated
by the U.S. Department of Transportation to rest for 10 hours after
driving for 11 hours. The daily rest period of several hours per
truck adds up to approximately 1,830 hours of idling per year for
each truck. The truck engines are idled for a variety of reasons,
including heating or cooling, preventing start-up problems, or
operating electrical equipment.
National Clean Cities Program
strategies:
The National Clean Cities Program
will focus on educating truckers and others in
the industry about idle reduction opportunities and will support the use of
truckstop electrification and other idle
reduction technologies as ways to curb petroleum use. Program
strategies include:
- Providing education about available idle reduction
technologies.
- Holding workshops for niche market fleets to teach them the
benefits of idle reduction, including cost savings in fuel and
maintenance.
- Developing outreach documents detailing idle reduction
technology options, costs, and benefits.
- Making State Energy Program grants available for idle
reduction projects.
- Establishing and tracking national and regional idle reduction
goals and impacts.
Clean Cities also plans to encourage coalitions to work with the
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in key transportation corridors to develop
projects. The program hopes to work with DOT and EPA on a multiyear
plan and partner with the U.S. Department of Energy's 21st Century
Truck Program to disseminate technology updates.
Visit the U.S.
Department of Energy's Idle Reduction website for more
information on idle reduction technologies, available equipment, and
links to additional resources.
Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition strategies:
The following
strategies will guide the work of the Puget Sound Clean Cities
Coalition in this area:
- Work
to obtain commitments from Coalition members to support
and implement idle reduction programs and seek media
recognition.
- Interface
with existing idle reduction programs, such as those of EPA and
the state Department of Ecology. Share information and provide
mutual assistance in education efforts.
- Work
with partners to develop education materials. Education should
include information on cost savings from limiting vehicle idling
and the use of maximum speed limiters and other equipment.
Provide information via website, handouts and at workshops. Link
to idle reduction programs of others.
- Support
and coordinate with efforts to create an electrified truck stop
system along the
Interstate 5 corridor to reduce overnight
diesel truck idling.
- Explore
options for state and local legislation and policies to limit
vehicle idling.
Stayed tuned for
additional information as the Coalition further develops and
implements its local idling reduction strategies. In the meantime, the U.S.
Department of Energy's Idle Reduction website provides
substantial information on idle reduction technologies, available equipment, and
links to additional resources. For questions or assistance with
project implementation, please contact the
Coalition.
Additional
Resources:
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