Comments on: individual action on car idling

By: Going Green Science » Go Green by Turning your car off

Going Green Science » Go Green by Turning your car off — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:36:31 +0000

[...] individual action on car idling [...]

By: Archie

Archie — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:39:18 +0000

Elaine, thank you for the data on idling emissions from the City of Chicago Department of Fleet Management. Projection to idling at city intersections world-wide is a staggering figure of both unnecessary atmosphere pollution with its consequences for climate change and toxicity to human and biological health.
Have you information on those countries and or States which have legislation on idling at intersections? I believe that Switzerland require the third vehicle and above in a line-up to turn off their engines at intersections.

By: Elaine Lemieux

Elaine Lemieux — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 22:25:40 +0000

Congratulations Lynn for your initiative on car idling ! On my side, almost every day I give out my “Pure Air” cards to people who idle their vehicles. Also I give out cards to drivers who turn off their engines to encourage their good habits. I ask everyone to spread the word. So far, I gave out over 800 Pure Air cards and intend to give much more.
Thanks and keep up your good work!
elainelemx@aol.com

By: Elaine Lemieux

Elaine Lemieux — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 22:15:32 +0000

Almost every day, I walk with my daughter to her elementary school. Personally, I am grateful to take time and walk this short distance with her. Unfortunately on our way to school we see on the streets all kind of cars and trucks idling, for example, vehicles owned by the City of Chicago. By leaving their engines running the city workers pollute the air as well as waste fuel and money.
The following was written by Rebecca D. Stanfield, the Environment Illinois State Director: “There is no question that reducing pollution from cars- now the source of about one-third of our nation’s carbon dioxide emissions- will have to be a large part of the plan to protect the planet and our future from the threat of global warming”. It is clear that this also applies to cars, SUVs, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles.
After much thought, I decided to do something. I now talk directly to city workers and every person I encounter on the street whose vehicles are idling. One-on-one I ask them to turn off their engines. To be more convincing, I designed the PURE AIR card. Every time I hand out the card and ask them to turn off their engine. I also ask them to spread the word. Overall, the response has been positive.
Recently I wrote a letter to Alderman, Mrs. Margaret Laurino about my concerns. I was very pleased to receive a letter from the Department of Fleet Management of the City of Chicago. The Commissioner, Mr. Howard Henneman informed me that, in 2005, the City of Chicago took a step to implement its Vehicle Idling Management Policy. In addition, the City of Chicago sent me some important information about the effect of idling that I want to transmit: “Unnecessary idling of the City’s fleet wastes approximately 1 gallon of fuel per hour for diesel vehicles and roughly 0.75 gallons of fuel per hour for automobiles or light-duty vehicles. If the City’s fleet of vehicles were to idle for one hour per day, yearly emissions are estimated to approach 87 metric tons of Nitrogen Oxides, 390 metric tons of Carbon Monoxide, and 13,929 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide. From a cost perspective, the same amount of idling would result in approximately $2,861,000 in unnecessary fuel expenditures.
These facts apply only for the City of Chicago Department of Fleet Management. Imagine the numbers for the whole city and beyond. However, many states and cities all around USA adopt new idling reductions laws and regulations for better air quality. Unnecessary idling is a habit that costs us millions of dollars a day in wasted fuel and energy, produces enormous amounts of pollutant, and after all get us nowhere. I really wish that everyone could receive this PURE AIR message so we could all together really make a difference. This country is capable to be one of the leaders in the environment issues.
Thank You.

By: TedErnst

TedErnst — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:24:23 +0000

Thanks for writing, Kevin and Lynn. I’m so glad you’re both doing what you can to help others make changes, Kevin by pointing out the need to be aware of people’s situations and provide solutions that aren’t too difficult for those just starting out, and Lynn by challenging our assumptions. There are solutions for each of us, no matter what our situation!

By: Lynn Romanek

Lynn Romanek — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 01:03:43 +0000

I understand that asking people to turn off their idlijng car in very cold tempertures is certainly a tall order. It is most defintely easier to turn your engine off in milder conditions. It depends on your committment to the environment. May I suggest keeping a blanket or extra overcoat in your car in order to be environmentally responsible and safe. You may find you have car trouble and need those extra items!! Drive safely & responsibly at the same time!! But thank you for caring enough about this issue to write about it.

By: Kevin Murphy

Kevin Murphy — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 17:32:33 +0000

While it makes sense to promote anti-idling, it also is imperative to consider the impact of our social engineering. For instance, a non-idling car may contain a frozen corpse when a person waiting to pick up another–whose departure may have been delayed by emergencies, etc.– is forced to wait outside a facility that makes no space for “chauffeurs” who have shut off their engines. One alternative, of course, is for the person to drive around, rather than idling at the pickup spot–and that’s a really green solution, is it not?
I wait for my wife at one location for long periods of time–it’s that or cruise, because the facility is most unwelcoming to people who are “merely” picking up. In warm weather, no big deal. It’s easy to sit there with the engine turned off–pleasant, in fact. In winter weather–and in steaming summer–VERY big deal.
So, we must think it through when we undertake the imposition of change upon others, and try to do it responsibly. If we want them to change their behavior, what must our plan include that makes the change (1) safe, and (2) palatble?