How-to:
How-to:
IDLE REDUCTION
IDLE REDUCTION
Purpose: To reduce unnecessary idling in fleet and delivery
vehicles, specifically heavy-duty vehicles.
Purpose: To reduce unnecessary idling in fleet and delivery
vehicles, specifically heavy-duty vehicles.
Step 1.
Step 4.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Evaluate Idling Practices
 Observe idling behaviors at your worksite, especially at loading docks.
 Monitor complaints made by public about idling of fleet vehicles.
 Review output on idling from Electronic Vehicle Monitoring Systems
 Conduct an assessment of fleet vehicles.
 Contact Mecklenburg County Air Quality at 704-336-5430
to identify least fuel efficient vehicles in fleet.
 Review Manufacturer’s recommendations for specific heavy duty
vehicles.
Review or Adopt a Written Idle Policy for Fleet Vehicles
 Define unnecessary idling based on Manufacturer’s recommendations.
 Establish time limit on idling vehicles.
 Define exemptions.
Train Employees and Contractors
 Maintain ongoing communication with employees and contractors
even if fleet vehicles use idle reduction technology.
 Craft an idle reduction message that includes information about:
 Health and Air Quality impacts;
 Common misconceptions about the necessity of vehicle idling;
 Wear and tear on vehicle engines;
 Impact of fuel costs on fleet budgets;
 Communicate your message effectively.
 Incorporate idle reduction policy in new employee training or
orientation programs;
 Post NCDAQ “Turn Off Your Engine” signs at your worksite.
 Provide NC Air Awareness “Don’t idle” information cards and air
fresheners to all heavy-duty vehicle operators as a visual
prompt to reduce idling;
 Discuss necessity of idle reduction with operators that do not
complying with written idle reduction policy;
 Incorporate idle reduction message in regular correspondence
(newsletters, meetings, etc.) with employees
Step 5.
Improve the fuel efficiency of your fleet
Contact PJ McKenzie with Mecklenburg County Air Quality
(980-314-3374, Paul.McKenzie@mecklenburgcountync.gov)
for a fleet analysis and/or to apply for a Grant to Replace Aging Diesel
Engines (GRADE).
Evaluate Results of Idle Reduction (Review Step 1).
How-to:
Air Awareness
IDLE REDUCTION CHALLENGE
How-To Guides
Purpose: To encourage drivers and fleet management to
participate in company’s idle reduction efforts.
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Acquire the support of your Fleet Management and Warehouse Foreman.
Select a date range for Challenge.
Determine a metric to evaluate current idling practices (See Step 1 in
How To: Idle Reduction)
 Observe vehicles idling on worksite
 How many vehicles are idling and how long?
 When and where are vehicles idling?
 Review output about idling from Electronic Vehicle Monitoring
Systems
 How much time is spent idling?
Establish idle reduction goal (i.e. 50% reduction during date range).
Select appropriate incentive from the Incentives Idea List to encourage
employee participation.
 Consider providing a free luncheon if idle reduction goal is met.
Publicize the Idle Reduction Challenge.
 Incorporate Idle Reduction Challenge in regular correspondence
(newsletters, meetings, etc.) with employees.
 Post flyers in common areas
 Post NCDAQ “Turn Off Your Engine” signs at your worksite.
 Provide NC Air Awareness “Don’t idle” information cards and air
fresheners to all heavy-duty vehicle operators as a visual prompt to
reduce idling;
 Discuss necessity of idle reduction with operators that do not
complying with written idle reduction policy;
Evaluate idling incrementally throughout Challenge date range.
 Recruit volunteers to make observations at various times of day.
Release results and reward employees for a successful challenge!
Purpose: The Air Awareness “how-to” Guides are your outreach
tool-kit! This toolkit identifies ways your organization can raise
awareness, encourage behavior change, and implement
responsible operational actions. Look inside to find-out
“how-to”:
1. AQ 101 Information Session
2. Transportation Fair
3. “Pool” Party
4. Don’t Drive Day
5. Stay-in For Lunch Day
6. Gas Cap Check
7. Operational Actions
8. Idle Reduction Challenge
**Your Air Awareness Coordinator
will assist in all stages of planning,
promotion, and execution of events!
Prizes are even provided by Air
Success Story:
“As part of the Air Awareness Program, the
City of Monroe sponsored a gas cap check
in partnership with Union County. The
goal was to check as many fleet and personal vehicles as possible.
“At the event, 424 vehicles were checked.
26 failed and were supplied with brand
new gas caps free of charge.
“Each leaking cap equals 200 pounds of
evaporative emissions per year and our
event will now prevent 5,200 pounds of
these evaporative emissions from being
released each year.
“In addition, 30 gallons of gasoline a year
can evaporate from a leaking cap regardless of how many miles the vehicle
is driven; it continues to evaporate while parked. This equals
Top 5 Event Success Tips!
780 gallons of gas saved per
1. Publicity: As much and as often as possible
year just from the caps that
2. Location: Pick a place that employees visit regularly
were replaced in this check.”
3. Food: Gets people “in the door”
4. Door Prizes: See out Incentive Idea List
-Deanna O’Neill, City of Monroe
5. Music: Creates an atmosphere of excitement and fun