To study the efficiencies of different idle reduction technologies and to compare their short- and long-term economic costs. The goal is to reduce the amount of diesel emissions that enter a truck cab and to improve air quality in the cab while a driver is resting in a sleeper berth at a truck rest stop.

Previous Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) research measured air pollution inside truck cabs and sleeping berths while vehicles were idling at a truck stop. The study found that pollution inside truck cabs exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The pollution was worse when trucks were idling. Of all the pollutants from diesel exhaust, particle matter of 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) or less poses the greatest health risks for truck drivers. Potential adverse health effects include asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular issues, and premature death. Therefore, reducing the idling of diesel engines is a critical factor to driver health. Following FMCSA’s initial study, the Agency was determined to conduct a new study to analyze the efficiencies of idle reduction technologies for trucks and to compare their economic costs in order to reduce driver exposure to diesel exhaust and maintain driver wellness and health.

This research project will focus on diesel particulate matter, which is the pollutant of concern. The following idle reduction technologies will be considered: automatic shut-down/start-up systems; auxiliary power units; battery air conditioning systems; electrified parking spaces; filtering devices; fuel-operated heaters; shore connection systems; and thermal storage systems. The effort will also take into account the different categories of model year engines (i.e., 1990 and earlier, 1991‒1993, 1993‒2007, and 2008 and later).

The outcome of this effort will include a literature review and analysis, development of a methodology for the study, implementation of the study, and a final report compiling the results of the study.

July 2015: Kick-off meeting

October 2015: Literature review and analysis

November 2015: Proposed research methodology

December 2015: Peer review of the research methodology

December 2015: Final methodology

January 2016: Begin execution of the research methodology

October 2016: Peer review of the draft final report

FY 2015: $481,078

Execution of the research plan is in progress.

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in collaboration with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Georgia Institute of Technology