![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081019191701im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
National Idle-Reduction Campaign
There are 25 million reasons why it's important to reduce idling. Take the pledge...the key to reducing idling is you!
Clean School Bus USA's newly launched National Idle-Reduction Campaign is a public information campaign that recognizes the important role of the school bus driver as a professional, who is responsible for the safety and security of children. The National Idle-Reduction Campaign:
- Provides an opportunity for bus drivers, transportation managers, teachers, and children to learn about air quality and diesel emissions.
- Recognizes the positive contributions being made by school bus drivers.
- Promotes idle-reduction as an easy way to save money by saving fuel, reducing wear and tear on engines, protecting drivers' health and the health of children, and improving air quality.
Participate in the National Idle-Reduction Campaign!
Clean School Bus USA offers a collection of materials you can order to customize your own Idle-Reduction program. Pick and choose from a variety of resources, including an idle-reduction brochure, poster, teacher's guide, driver video or CD, driver key chains, and other educational material that you need to launch or enhance a successful Clean School Bus Idle-Reduction Campaign. The Idle-Reduction Campaign Do-it-Yourself Kit is available to school districts or other organizations.
The Idle-Reduction Web Order Form is available to order a selection of these materials.
- Idle-Reduction Background
- Idling Myths
- Idling Calculator
- Learn from Other School Districts
- Idle-Reduction Campaign Do-it-Yourself Kit
- Teacher's Guide
- Technologies to Reduce Idling
Idle-Reduction Background
Unnecessary school bus idling pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear. Fortunately, it's easy to implement practices that reduce school bus idling.
Save Money and Reduce Pollution
- Air Pollution
Idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus. Exhaust from buses can also enter school buildings through air intakes, doors, and open windows. Diesel bus exhaust from excessive idling can be a health concern. Read more about health concerns.
- Wasted Fuel and Money
Idling buses waste fuel and money. When idling, a typical school bus engine burns approximately half a gallon of fuel per hour. School districts that eliminate unnecessary idling can save significant dollars in fuel costs each year. Try the idling calculator to estimate the fuel saved by reducing idling in your school bus fleet.
- Engine Wear-and-Tear
School bus engines do not need to idle more than a few minutes to warm up. In fact extended idling causes engine damage. Engine manufacturers generally recommend no more than three to five minutes of idling.
- Caterpillar Inc. cautions drivers to "... Avoid excess idling. If the vehicle is parked for more than five minutes, stop the engine. Excessive idling can cause carbon buildup and/or excessive idling can cause the engine to slobber. This is harmful to the engine."
- IC Corporation's engine manual states that "...Excessive idling reduces fuel economy, and may decrease oil life."
- Cummins Inc. suggests idling for only three to five minutes before operating with a load.
Idling Myths
| Myth or Fact | Statement |
|---|---|
| Myth: | It's important to warm up the engine with a long idle period, especially in cold weather. |
| Fact: | With today's school bus engines, bus and engine manufacturers routinely suggest a warm up time of less than five minutes. In fact, running an engine at low speed (idling) causes significantly more wear on internal parts compared to driving at regular speeds. |
| Myth: | It's better for an engine to run at low speed (idling) than to run at regular speeds. |
| Fact: | Running an engine at low speed causes twice the wear on internal parts compared to driving at regular speeds. |
| Myth: | The engine must be kept running in order to operate the school bus safety equipment (flashing lights, stop sign). It's impossible to run this equipment off the internal circuitry of the bus because the battery will run down. |
| Fact: | Safety equipment can be operated without the engine running through re-wired circuitry for up to an hour with no ill-effects on the electrical system of the bus. |
| Myth: | Idling is necessary to keep the cabin comfortable. |
| Fact: | Depending on the weather, many buses will maintain a comfortable interior temperature for a while without idling. Idling is also not an efficient way to keep the cabin warm. Bus routes should be timed so children and drivers do not need to spend a lot of extra time on the bus when it is not en route, particularly in hot or cold weather. In addition, auxiliary heaters can be purchased and installed to keep the cabin comfortable. |
| Myth: | It’s better to just leave the engine idling because a "cold start" produces more pollution. |
| Fact: | A recent EPA study found that the emission pulse measured after the school bus is restarted contains less carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants than if the school bus idled continuously over a 10-minute period. The analysis indicated that continuous idling for more than three minutes emitted more fine particle (soot) emissions than at restart. |
Idling Calculator
Calculate fuel and dollar savings using our easy, interactive idling calculator.
How to Participate in the National Idle-Reduction Campaign
- Consider an Idle-Reduction Program for your School or School District
- Implement Your Idle-Reduction Program
Consider an idling reduction program for your school or school district
The National Idle-Reduction Campaign offers a unique and easy opportunity for your school district to get involved in idle-reduction.A sample school bus idling policy is available on this web site as a model.
At a minimum the policy should state that:
- As a general rule, buses should be moving whenever the engine is on.
- The engine should be turned off as soon as possible after arriving at loading or unloading areas.
- The school bus should not be restarted until it is ready to depart.
- Limit idling time during early morning warm up to what the manufacturer recommends (generally no more than five minutes).
Take advantage of the Idle-Reduction Campaign Do-it-Yourself Kit to publicize your program or create your own materials. Consider tip sheets and pledge cards for drivers, "no idling" signs and posters for posting on school grounds, and window stickers. The following are additional examples of materials that may help with your idle-reduction program.
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
- Tip sheets from Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (PDF, 61K)
- Pledge cards from Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (PDF, 60K)
- Stickers from Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection (PDF, 99K)
- Magnets from Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (PDF, 26K)
- Posters from Minnesota's Office of Environmental Assistance
- Training bus drivers to understand and follow the idling guidelines.
- Providing a comfortable space inside each school building and/or bus depot where bus drivers can wait.
- Considering technology options to help with cabin comfort, extreme weather, and equipment operation.
Remember to follow idling laws and guidelines in your state or community, where applicable.
- Summary of State Idling Regulations by California's Air Resources Board(PDF, 30K).
- California's 2003 anti-idling regulation (PDF, 17K).
Implement Your Idling-Reduction Program
Spot-check loading and unloading areas, delivery areas and bus depots for adherence to the idling guidelines.
Recognize drivers who successfully reduce idling.
- Award drivers a certificate of recognition. Certificates are available in the Idle-Reduction Kit.
- Ask local businesses, non-profit organizations working on clean air issues, or Parent/Teacher organizations to donate gift certificates or other items to reward bus drivers who successfully reduce idling.
- Calculate your fuel and dollar savings through idling-reduction.
- Consider urging your community leaders to issue a local Idle-Reduction Proclamation.
- Consider using the outreach materials available in the Idle-Reduction Kit to share your success with other school districts, the media and the general public. Materials include a sample press release, event organization tips and a sample certificate of recognition.
- Consider a program component to educate children about the harmful effects of diesel exhaust. Checkout our Teacher's Guide for a curriculum for children.
Idle-Reduction Campaign Do-it-Yourself Kit
School districts are improving the health and air quality in their communities by participating in EPA's Idle-Reduction Campaign. The Idle-Reduction Do-it-Yourself Kit provides a selection of materials that can be tailored to your event.
The following materials will help your school district or organization launch an Idle-Reduction Campaign:
- A Letter (PDF, 2 pages, 67K) to campaign managers.
- A Press Release (PDF, 1 page, 35K) template to publicize your event in your local paper.
- A Clean School Bus Idle Reduction Certificate (PDF, 1 page, 884K) and Clean School Bus Logo (PDF, 1 page, 260K) for schools, school districts and/or drivers.
- A Clean School Bus USA Brochure: “Today’s Buses for Tomorrow’s Children” (PDF, 8 pages, 880K) (October 2003, EPA 420-F-03-039), that discusses strategies available to your school district for reducing exposure to diesel exhaust.
- A Clean School Bus USA Idle-Reduction Brochure: “There are 25 Million Reasons Why it is Important to Reduce Idling” (PDF, 6 pages, 406K) (April 2006, EPA 420-F-06-018), that provides a basic overview of the Idle-Reduction Campaign. The brochure comes complete with a tear out Idle-Reduction Pledge Card, which school bus drivers can sign, as a way to make a commitment to limiting idling time; turning off the engine whenever possible; and learning more about implementing idle-reduction programs in the school district.
- A Clean School Bus USA Poster: “Reduced Idling = Cleaner Air” (PDF, 1 page, 2.7M) (December 2005, EPA 420-H-06-001), that provides a visual reinforcement of how the program can benefit kids and the community, together with a teacher’s guide for structured classroom learning.
- A Clean School Bus USA Fact Sheet: “What You Should Know About Reducing Diesel Exhaust from School Buses” (PDF, 4 pages, 177K) (November 2003, EPA 420-F-03-038).
- By sending an e-mail message to cleanschoolbususa@epa.gov you can also receive:
- A Teacher's Guide
- Background information to support your press release
The Idle-Reduction Web Form is available to order a selection of these materials
For more information on other resources, visit the Clean School Bus USA Outreach Materials page.
Learn from Other School Districts
As part of Clean School Bus USA's National Idle-Reduction Campaign, 10 school districts across the U.S. have pledged to improve the health and safety of kids who ride school buses by promoting engine idle-reduction policies and practices. In participating with the pilot program, these school districts are recognizing bus drivers who successfully reduce idling. Learn about how the Idle-Reduction Campaign is making an impact in communities. Case studies about these pilot schools will be posted at this site when completed.
- N.H. DES Air Resources Division, Concord, NH (R1)
- Air Pollution Control Division, Waterbury, VT (R1)
- Longwood Combined School District, Yaphank, NY (R2)
- Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management, Clearwater, FL (R4)
- Okemos Public Schools, Okemos, MI (R5)
- Ohio Environmental Council, Columbus, OH (R5)
- Howell School District, Howell, MI (R5)
- St. Charles Parish Public Schools, Luling, LA (R6)
- St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO), St. Louis, MO (R7)
- Adams 12 Five-Star Schools, Broomfield, CO (R8)
Teacher's Guide and Curriculum
The Teacher's Guide offers four modules that support the teaching of concepts found in the Clean School Bus USA Idle-Reduction Campaign literature. The modules include Health, Science, Social Studies, and Math and are intended to be teaching tools and suggestions that teachers can choose from based on their needs. The Teacher's Guide is available upon request by sending an e-mail message to cleanschoolbususa@epa.gov.
Each module contains the following sections with an Appendix at the end of the entire Guide:
- Overview
- Teacher’s Prep
- Classroom Questions & Answers
- Classroom Activities
- Research Activities
Technologies to Reduce Idling
School buses can be retrofitted with equipment that helps reduce idling. While some of this equipment is standard or optional on new buses, older buses most likely do not have it. Note: EPA provides this information only as an aid to fleet managers and others concerned with bus idling, and it should not be viewed as an endorsement of any particular technology or product.
-
Heaters
Aftermarket auxiliary heaters can be used to warm up engines and passenger compartments in colder climates. This equipment runs off the school bus fuel tank or off electric outlets and includes a timer that can be programmed to automatically start the heating function. There are three types of heaters:
- Engine Block Pre-Heaters are used to heat the engine block for a warm start. Each block pre-heater uses only 1/2 cup of diesel fuel per hour as opposed to at least a half-gallon of fuel per hour of idling. Block engine pre-heaters cost approximately $1200 - $1500, installed. Some of the reported benefits of these heaters are lower emissions and fuel savings, longer engine oil life, less wear-and-tear on the engine, and relatively easy installation and maintenance. They can be used in remote yards or other situations where electrical block heaters are not practical or available to install and can be started by a timer, potentially saving time that would have been used to start and idle the buses.
- Compartment/Engine Block Heaters warm up the engine block and passenger compartments simultaneously while using an auxiliary heater. These heaters cost approximately $2300 - $2500 installed. The heaters use only one cup of fuel instead of the half-gallon of fuel needed to idle for an hour. These heaters are especially useful for nighttime-activity buses and buses that transport very young and/or special-needs children. In addition, the radiant heat keeps the windows from frosting or fogging — a safety concern.
- Electric Plug-in Block Heaters warm up the engine block by heating the engine coolant or oil. They are powered by electricity and are available in a range of voltages and watts, drawing between 1000 - 1500 watts per bus per hour. They include a timer that can automatically start or turn off the heater. A heater is mounted on the engine block of each bus and is plugged in when the bus is parked at the depot. Even in the coldest climates, engines will have a "warm start." Bus depots and garages can be designed or retrofitted to bring in the electrical service required. Such heaters usually cost less than $100.
Auxiliary school bus heaters are available from the following companies:
-
Overhead Flashing Lights and Other Safety Equipment
Some safety equipment can be run by re-wiring the circuitry in the bus. Some newer buses already have circuitry wired this way. The master switch for the overhead red flashing lights should be wired off the battery-positive side of the body solenoid (not the ignition side) so that it will have power at all times, even with the key in the “off” position. The wire terminals from the overhead flashing lights unit should be connected so that the complete system works with the key off and the door open. Check with the manufacturer of the overhead unit for more information on re-wiring the circuitry.