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01/02/2007 Idle Reduction – Laws and Technologies
The Environmental Protection Administration, EPA, recently released a model idling law that the agency hopes will be used by States and localities to develop consistent truck-idling regulations nationwide. The EPA model law is a suggestion and has no regulatory impact on either the trucking industry or local governments. It is however, an attempt to standardize what has become a hodgepodge of differing anti-idling regulations among States, counties, and cities. (According to EPA estimates, there are anti-idling laws in almost half the States and dozens of municipalities.)
The patchwork of laws and regulations regarding idling restrictions has long been a problem for drivers and owners who find it difficult to know which law is applicable in which jurisdiction. In many cases the fines for violating these restrictions can be substantial. The transportation industry has advocated standardized anti-idling laws in order to increase compliance and decrease the confusion in the current system.
The model law was developed as part of the EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership, a voluntary collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry designed to reduce pollution while at the same time increasing industry efficiency and profits. During August and September 2005, five public workshops were held around the U.S. which brought together representatives of the transportation industry, State and local officials, environmental and health advocates, and members of the public to discuss the issue of idling trucks. The result was the suggested model law issued by the EPA in May 2006.
Some of the key elements of the law are:
- It applies to commercial diesel vehicles only.
- Owners of loading/unloading locations may be held liable for causing vehicles to idle for 30 minutes or more while waiting to load or unload.
- Drivers may not permit vehicles to idle more than 5 minutes within any 60-minute period. There are a number of exemptions to this requirement, see the regulations for details.
- Some exemptions expire after a set number of years after the implementation of State programs for idle reduction technologies.
- Penalties are set as a warning to a driver or loading/unloading facility operator for a first offense. For a second violation, a $150 citation to the driver, and/or a $500 citation to the vehicle owner or loading/unloading facility owner.
The EPA stressed that its goal was not to issue the law as a new regulation, but rather to facilitate the creation of consistent idling laws around the country in order to increase fuel savings, reduce emissions, and encourage compliance.
Idle Reduction Technologies
The American Research Transportation Institute, ATRI estimates that the average sleeper cab truck idles 28 hours per week or 1,456 hours per year. Typically a truck will burn 0.8 to 1 gallon of fuel per hour while idling. In addition to the approximately $4,000 direct fuel cost per year (at current prices), idling is estimated to add significantly to the yearly maintenance costs of the vehicle.
There are several options available to reduce truck idling. Each has benefits and drawbacks based on cost, size, efficiency etc.
The next two alternatives are often called shore-power options because they mimic the way that docked boats draw power from shore based facilities.
- Truck stop electrification allows a truck to plug into an electrical power supply to power heating, air-conditioning, and appliances. Both the truck and the truck stop need to be wired to provide this option. Initial installation by truck stops requires a major investment, while the cost of wiring a truck can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
- Advanced truck stop electrification also provides power from an external source but does not require any truck modifications. Truck stop bays are equipped with consoles that fit into truck window frames. The consoles provide heat, air-conditioning, electricity, and telecommunications services. This type of installation is gaining popularity because of its convenience for drivers. However it also requires a major investment by truck stop operators.
There is now a consensus among government, the transportation industry and the environmental lobby regarding the need to reduce truck idling. Because of that consensus there will likely be continued development of new technology, and refinements of existing technology aimed at reducing wasteful truck idling.
Note - The Department of Energy has created a worksheet that will allow you to estimate savings when using idling reduction technology. For a free copy go to:
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