Truck Topics
Idling and its penalties
Between the various studies that have been done along with the trucking and general press coverage over the last few years, the professional driver is well aware of the cost of idling his truck.
A short review is in order.
It's expensive.
Based on comprehensive EPA testing of idling heavy-duty diesel trucks, the average truck consumes 0.8 gallons of fuel an hour.
The trucking industry has analyzed the impact of idling on engines, both in terms of maintenance and engine wear costs. Long-duration idling causes more oil and oil filter deterioration and increases the need for more oil and filter changes.
Similarly, the longer the idling time, the sooner the engine, itself, will need to be rebuilt. The trucking industry estimates that long-duration idling costs the truck owner $1.13 per day, based on the need for more oil changes and sooner overhaul costs.
Idling is widespread.
Determining the exact number of idling trucks is difficult. At best, estimates of the number of trucks traveling more than 500 miles on a given trip, thereby requiring a mandated rest period, may be an indicator of the number of idling trucks.
The number of trucks with sleeper berths is another indicator of the potential number of idling trucks as is the number of available public and private truck parking spaces in the country. Conservatively, a range of 500,000 to 1,000,000 trucks may idle for extended periods.
As for idling times per day, this number fluctuates as well. On average, truck driver surveys have revealed rest periods in the range of six to eight hours per day, over 300 days per year. When looking at an engine's electronic control module which calculates total idling times, data suggests idling times in the range of 30% to 40% of total engine operating time.
Long-duration truck idling consumes approximately 960 million gallons of diesel fuel annually.
It's unhealthy.
Long-duration truck idling emits 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, 180,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 5,000 tons of particulate matter annually.
Exhaust from diesel trucks and buses has been linked to heart attacks, cancer and breathing problems according to various agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
Because of the factors listed above, a number of state, county and municipal governments have placed restrictions how long truck engines may be left idling.
At least 25 state and local jurisdictions have active no-idling laws, enforcement is more likely than ever, and similar laws are under consideration in other areas with air quality issues.
Shut downs
One well-known example of anti-idling restrictions went into effect at New York City's Hunts Point Cooperative Market, the world's largest food distribution center. With thousands of trucks visiting the area every day, it uses private security to enforce the state's five-minute idling limit.
Hunts Point's officers patrol regularly and warn idling drivers to shut down. Most do, but those who do not are written up as violators. The fine is $300 for the first violation, but the penalties can go to $10,000 or $15,000 for multiple violations.
In another well-known anti-idling case, in fall 2004, EPA inspectors observed trucks owned by Wal-Mart and by other trucking companies idling for long periods of time at six different Wal-Mart properties in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Inspectors observed delivery vehicles idling during the day as well as sleeper cabs idling at night.
Both Connecticut and Massachusetts have anti-idling rules that are included in the "state implementation plans" that states submit to EPA outlining how they will meet national air quality standards. Regulations in the state implementation plan are enforceable by the state and by EPA.
The Massachusetts rule prohibits vehicle idling over five minutes (with certain exceptions). The Connecticut rule prohibits vehicle idling for over three minutes when temperatures are above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with exceptions for traffic conditions, repairs, etc.
As part of a settlement for clean air violations, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will undertake a national effort to reduce diesel truck idling at its 4,000 facilities across the United States. The anti-idling project results from a
clean air enforcement action in Massachusetts and Connecticut brought by EPA's Region 1 office.
Under the terms of the settlement, Wal-Mart will comply with all federally-enforceable idling rules. In addition, through a supplemental environmental project, Wal-Mart has agreed to include all facilities in all states in its idle reduction program regardless of whether the state has an anti-idling regulation.
Specifically, Wal-Mart will post "no idling" signs at all Wal-Mart facilities in all states, and notify other delivery companies that idling is not permitted on Wal-Mart property and may violate state or local idling restrictions. Finally, a $50,000 penalty was levied against the company.
From: EPA Smartway Transport Program
Anti-Idling laws and penalties in the U.S.
1 Arizona (Maricopa County) - 5 minutes limit
60-90 minutes limit when hotter than 75 degrees
First violation, $100
Second and subsequent violation, $200
2. Atlanta - 15 minutes limit
$500 minimum
3. California - 5 minutes limit
$100 minimum
4. Connecticut - 3 minutes limit
Up to $25,000
5. Colorado - (Denver) - 10 minutes per hour limit
$999 maximum and/or one year imprisonment
6. Hawaii - 3 minutes limit $25 to $2,500 per day
7. Illinois - Driver must be present if idling
$500 maximum
8. Las Vegas/Clark County - 15 minutes limit
$10,000 maximum
9. Maryland - 5 minutes limit
$500 maximum
10. Massachusetts - 5 minutes limit
Police penalty: first violation, $100
Subsequent violation, $500
State Department of Environmental Protection:
$1,000 to $25,000 per day
11. Minnesota (City of Owatonna) 15 minutes; five hours in residential areas
$1,000 maximum and/or 90 days imprisonment
12. Minnesota (City of St. Cloud) 5 minutes on West St. Germain Street from 8th to 10th avenues
$200 maximum
13. Nevada - 15 minutes limit
First violation, $100 to $500
Second violation, $500 to $1,000
Tthird violation, $1,000 to $1,500
Fourth violation within three years, $1,500 to $2,500
14. New Hampshire - 5 minutes limit
if over 32 degrees, 15 minutes if below
32 degrees To be determined
15. New Jersey - 3 minutes limit
First violation, $200
Second violation, $400
Third violation, $1,000
Fourth violation, $3,000
16. New York State - 5 minutes limit
First violation, $375 to $15,000
Second and subsequent violations, $22,500 maximum
17. New York City -3 minutes limit
First violation, $50 to $500 and/or 20 days imprisonment
Second violation, $100 to $1,000 and/or 30 days imprisonment
Third and subsequent violations, $400 to $5,000 and/or four months imprisonment
18. Philadelphia - 2 minutes limit
$300
19. Reno/Washoe County - 15 minutes limit
First violation, $250 maximum
Second and subsequent violations, $200 to $500
20. Salt Lake City/County - 15 minutes limit
First violation, $1,000 and/or six months
imprisonment maximum;
Second and subsequent violations, $2,500 and one year imprisonment
21. St. Louis - 10 minutes limit
Up to $500 and/or 90 days imprisonment
22. Texas (Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties) - 5 minutes limit April to October
To be determined
23. Utah - Driver must be present if idling $750 and/or 90 days imprisonment
24. Virginia - 10 minutes limit in commercial and residential areas
$25,000 maximum
25. Washington D.C. - 3 minutes limit, 5 minutes if below 32 degrees
$500
Doubles for each subsequent violation
Source: Overdrive Magazine
We know the downside, but what's a driver to do?
It's hard to ask OTR truck drivers to stop idling because the engines supply heat, air-conditioning and electricity to the cab. The truck is the driver's world and without the power an idling engine provides, his quality of life suffers immensely.
Auxiliary Power Units (APU)'s and truck generators have become fairly common place in the past few years and despite a hefty initial price, the units can pay for themselves in fuel savings with several years.
That initial price, however, can be in the $4,00-$7,000 range and that's a substantial investment for most trucking owner-operators.
The more compact and less expensive direct-fired cab heaters provide a low-cost option to the generator set, but don't offer electrical power. Shore power installations such as the Idle-Aire installations that have been installed in truck stops around the country are yet another alternative, but they're not everywhere the trucks are, at least not yet.
For more information about the health effects associated with exposure to diesel exhaust and strategies to reduce diesel pollution, visit http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/diesel.
Questions about anti-idilng products? Call Espar of Michigan