Subject: Anti-Idling Policy for Fleet Assets

ATTACHMENT G

Subject: Anti-idling Policy for Fleet Assets

Effective immediately, it is the policy of the City of Lynchburg that City fleet vehicles shall not be stationary with the engine operating unless it is essential for the performance of work. When engines must be left operating, for any reason, the operator will remain with the unit.

I.  PURPOSE OF POLICY

This policy contains direction relating to the idling of any and all City fleet vehicles. Idling refers to the operating of a motor vehicle or equipment, regardless of fuel type, while that vehicle is stationary.

The unnecessary operation of motor vehicle engines jeopardizes the health, safety, and welfare and degrades the quality of life of its citizens and environment. Idling of motor vehicle engines adversely affects air quality by contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; wastes fuel and money and causes premature engine failure; and can impair health especially the health of children since exhaust fumes contain fine particles which can trigger asthma attacks, the most chronic disease in children. A large truck left to idle for an hour burns a half-gallon of fuel and adds about 40 miles of engine wear and tear. Furthermore, unnecessary idling reflects poorly on City employees’ stewardship of limited resources and undermines citizen confidence.

The purposes of this policy are to:

·  Reduce fuel consumption

·  Reduce engine wear since engine wear is greater at prolonged idle than during normal operation

·  Protect the health of employees and citizens through reduction of harmful vehicle emissions

·  Reduce the volume of greenhouse gases attributed to vehicle emission as part of the City’s commitment to climate protection (reference US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, signed in 2006)

II.  ENABLING ORDINANCES/LEGISLATION

Code of Virginia 9VAC5-40-5670.Motor vehicles Statutory Authority 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308

III.  REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES

A. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1.  No operator shall permit, cause or allow the engine of a vehicle to idle prior to or at the conclusion of any trip or route for any period of time beyond that which is reasonably necessary to attain normal operating conditions.

2.  Engines are not to be idled simply to “warm up” or pre-heat the interior of the vehicle or in the case of air conditioned vehicles to “pre-cool” the compartment. In most cases, a modern day vehicle needs only a maximum of 30 seconds of idle at start up and the best way to warm up a vehicle is by driving it.

3.  Engines shall never be allowed to idle while refueling the vehicle. Not only is it a waste of fuel to do so but it is both dangerous and illegal. This includes times when portable fuel cans or onboard equipment such as a generator is being fueled.

4.  Whenever feasible, vehicle operators will try to live by the “10 second rule” which simply stated means turning off the engine whenever it is anticipated the engine will be needlessly idling for 10 seconds or more.

5.  There shall be no idling of vehicles during breaks or lunch periods regardless of ambient temperature outdoors. Employees shall not start their vehicles before clocking in for work.

6.  Idling of vehicles is only allowed where such is an operational necessity for the safe and effective accomplishment of the task being performed by the vehicle operator(s).

IV.  CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATION OF POLICY

Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.