JUNE 2DD5
AN OVERVIEW FOR CITIZENS AND
SOLUTIONS FOR RAILROAD COMPANIES
SAVE MONEY AND
REDUCE POLLUTION
LDCDMDTIVE SWITCHER IDLING
AND IDLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
Switchers can spend
more than 4,000 hours
idling per year.
Idling switchers use
3 to 11 gallons of fuel per
hour depending on the
outside temperature.
Nationally, idling switchers
emit 13,000 tons
of NOx and 500 tons
of PM per year.
For more information:
Visit www.epa.gov/ne/
eco/diesel/,orcallthe
EPA Air Quality Hotline at
1-800-821-1237
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency New England
1 Congress Street
Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02114-2023
OVERVIEW FDR
CITIZENS
The locomotive industry plays an important role
in the nationwide transport of people and
products. There are two types of locomotives
commonly used by railroads—line-haul engines,
which move freight or people across long
distances, and switchyard locomotives
(switchers), which move rail cars around a rail
yard. Of the 20,000 large-scale locomotive
engines currently in operation, 5,000 are
estimated to be switchers. In addition, smaller
railroads also operate switcher locomotives. These switchers
are powered by large diesel engines that are frequently left
idling when not in use, wasting fuel and releasing pollution
into the air. Switcher engines can idle more than 4,000
hours per year, consuming over 120 million gallons of fuel
annually. While line-haul engines also idle, their estimated
idling times are far less than switchers. Fortunately, new idle
control technologies have been developed to reduce
switcher idling without loss to productivity. Such products
automatically shut down or start up an engine based on
temperature or a set period of time. These products can
also provide engine warmth in cold temperatures through
the use of a smaller auxiliary engine or an electrical
connection.
WHY Do SWITCHERS IDLE?
Switchers idle for several reasons. Some of the most
common reasons include ensuring the engine is ready for
immediate use, avoiding difficult start-ups due to a cold
engine or a weak battery, and preventing freezing inside the
engine. Locomotive engines do not use antifreeze.
Therefore, temperatures below 40°F can damage the engine.
Due to severe winter temperatures, idling is of particular
concern in the New England states. Idling the engine
maintains the temperature of the fuel, oil, and water
circulating throughout the engine. Idle control technologies,
however, can maintain these temperatures more efficiently
and eliminate the need for idling.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE
PROBLEMS WITH IDLING?
Idling locomotives emit significant amounts of pollution into
the air, including: carbon dioxide, which contributes to
global climate change; nitrogen oxides and volatile organic
compounds, both of which contribute to the formation of
continued:)
ENEFITS OF
INSTALLING
IDLE CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY
O Reduce fuel
consumption
Save money
© Reduce air pollution
O Reduce noise pollution
EPA-901-F-001
I printed on 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50% post consumer waste, using vegetable based inks
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ozone smog; carbon monoxide; and participate matter, which contributes to asthma, heart
disease, lung damage, and possibly cancer. In addition to creating air pollution, idling
locomotive engines are loud and waste fuel.
WHERE Da SWITCHERS IDLE?
Switchyard locomotive idling occurs at rail yards throughout the country. Each railroad
company operates at least one yard in which switchers idle. In New England there are
approximately 100 switchyard locomotives. Several large-scale railroad companies and
many smaller scale railroad companies operate these switchers.
SOLUTIONS FOR RAILROAD COMPANIES
Haw DOES IDLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY WORK?
Idle control technologies allow the main engine on a locomotive - typically between 1,500
and 3,000 horsepower - to be shut down when not in use, without risking damage to the
engine regardless of the ambient temperature. When the main engine is shut down, a
smaller, more efficient diesel engine, known as an auxiliary power unit, between 20 and 40
horsepower, operates instead of the locomotive engine. This smaller engine can provide
power to maintain the fuel, oil, and water temperatures necessary for safe and efficient
operation of the locomotive. Some systems also aid in automatically shutting down or
restarting the engine based on ambient temperature or a set period of time.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF IDLE
CONTROL TECHNOLOGY?
REDUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION
Idling switchers use between 3 and I I gallons of fuel per hour depending on the ambient
temperature. If a switcher idles 12 hours a day in warm weather and burns 3 gallons of fuel
per hour, it would consume 36 gallons of fuel per day. To protect the engine in cold
weather, switchers idle at a higher engine speed, consuming even more fuel. If a switcher
idles 12 hours a day in cold weather and burns I I gallons of fuel per hour, it would
consume I 32 gallons of fuel per day. Therefore, if we assume four months of cold weather
and eight months of warm weather, over the course of a year, a switcher could consume
over 24,000 gallons of fuel per year just idling. Installing an auxiliary power unit can
reduce fuel consumption to 0.8 gallons per hour, saving over 20,500 gallons of fuel per
year. Installing an auxiliary power unit in combination with an automatic shut-down/start-
up system can further reduce fuel consumption.
REDUCE AIR POLLUTION
The emissions resulting from the operation of just one switcher can produce 200 pounds
of particulate matter (PM) per year and three tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per year.
Nationally, idling switchers emit about I 3,000 tons of NOx and 500 tons of PM annually.
Additionally, switchers emit large quantities of other air pollutants. Installing idle control
technology can, in some cases, reduce these emissions by 90 percent.
REDUCE UNWANTED NOISE POLLUTION
Excessive noise from locomotive yards can lead to poor relationships between railroad
companies and local communities. The use of idle control technologies can reduce engine
noise by 84 to 97 percent (or by as much as fifteen decibels).
How MUCH DOES IDLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
COST?
The cost of idle control technology depends on its manufacturer. In general, devices for
locomotives cost between $27,000 and $40,000. This initial investment, however, is more
than offset by the fuel saving benefits of the technology. The example above demonstrates
a potential fuel savings of 20,500 gallons per year. If we assume fuel costs roughly a dollar
per gallon, owners can pay for idle control technology in less than two years. In
subsequent years, the fuel savings will translate into reduced operating costs.
WHO MAKES
IDLE CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY
FOR LOCOMOTIVES?
There are currently several
companies throughout the
country manufacturing and
selling idle control technology.
For a list of vendors and
more detailed product
information visit:
www.epa.gov/smartway/
idlingtechnologies.htm
The following case studies
provide important information
about EPA's experience with
locomotive idle control
technologies:
www.epa.gov/smartway/
idle-demo.htm
The average cost of idle control
technolgy $33,000
Switchers using idle control
technology can save as much as
20,500 gallons of fuel per year and
reduce emissions by 90 percent
Fuel savings can offset the cost
of installing idle control technology
in less than two years.
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