Diesel Truck Anti-Idling Campaign Questions

Q1. Why do Truckers Idle anyway?
A1. To Heat or cool cab/ sleeper compartments, Warm the engine for easy start- up during cold weather conditions, Power cab/ sleeper appliances (refrigerator, television, laptop, etc.), Power to run auxiliary devices, Habit, Mask outside noise.

Q2. How does Idling Impact the Environment?
A2. Pollutants of Concern are (THC) - Total Hydrocarbons , CO -Carbon Monoxide, Nox - Nitrogen oxides, CO2 - Carbon Dioxide, & visible smoke.

Q3. What Options are available to Reduce Idling?
A3. There are Idle Limiting Devices, Auxiliary Devices, Truck Stop Electrification (TSE), Advanced TSE, Idle Shutdown Timer, Automatic Start/ Stop System, and Direct Fired Heaters.

Q4. How big is this Idling problem?
A4. Approximately 500,000 heavy-duty trucks travel greater than 500 miles for a typical trip. ( See 1997 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey )

The average idle period is 8 hours per day, 300 days per year, 2400 hrs per year. (See the following two PDF files: EPA's truck driver survey, EPA survey of fleet ECM data. Learn about PDF files.)

Q5. Why is EPA Region 8's Environmental Justice Program concerned?
A5. People should have the best possible information about the air they breathe
and what is being done to reduce unhealthful air pollution in their communities.