^SmartWay Transport Partnership U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Fuel Savings from Idle Reduction Examnle: Take 5 trucks idling 10 hours per day 50 idle hours 50 idle hours 50 gallons for diesel At $3.78 per gallon $189 per day At 300 days per Projected savings of $56,700 Idle Reduction for Shippers A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies Instituting 'no idling policies can help shippers save fuel, extend engine life and lower the lei/els of hazardous diesel exhaust for a healthier work environment. Idle reduction also helps shippers reduce their carbon footprint. What is the Challenge? Excess or unnecessary truck idling wastes fuel, adds costs and creates additional emissions. Trucks waiting for loading or unloading at shippers' facilities, truck stops and distribution centers often let their engines idle for several reasons: • Keep truck cabs comfortable, either by heating or cooling the area, ensuring a comfortable temperature when they drive away. • Run their generators to provide electricity for auxiliary power equipment, appliances or charging computers, cell phones, etc. • Keep the engines warm during cold weather to make starting easier as oil can become more viscous in extreme cold temperatures. Despite these driver benefits, engine idling has several downsides. Idling is an inefficient use of diesel. One hour of engine idling uses up to one gallon of fuel without offering any payback in freight movement. In addition, idling reduces engine life by adding engine hours, thus reducing the truck's resale value. One hour of idling also releases over 20 pounds of carbon into the air, which increases health risks to shipper facility personnel as well as the driver and the surrounding community. Idling also produces noise pollution. What is the Solution? Shippers do not often have direct control over driver behavior, but they can strongly influence it. Shippers can eliminate idling on their premises by: • Instituting 'no idling' policies for all trucks waiting in their facilities. • Educating drivers about their'no idling' policy, explaining in detail what it means and the specific rules that must be followed. • Establishing driver comfort stations or waiting areas so drivers are not limited to waiting in their cabs. Some retail shippers encourage drivers to 'roam' their showrooms and use employee lounges and restroom facilities. • Offering prime loading and unloading times and docks to fleets that have company-wide 'no idling' policies and those that are SmartWay partners. • Training supervisors and others with authority, such as security personnel, on how to tactfully approach and discuss the 'no idling' policy with drivers who may run afoul of it. U.S. EPA SmartWay | EPA-42O-F-I3-O26 | www.epa.gov/smartway ------- Idle Reduction for Shippers Continued Costs Generally speaking, shippers' costs for implementing and maintaining a 'no idling' policy are low. High-quality, aluminum, multi-colored 'no idling' signs are priced at around $50 to $75 per sign. They also are offered in several languages. Offering drivers access to current facilities incurs no costs. However, carving out a separate driver waiting area will depend upon local construction costs based upon how much remodeling is required. Costs and time for training employees about the policy are also nominal because these rules are usually incorporated into regular orientation and training classes. Savings and Benefits There are several benefits to shippers who institute 'no idling' rules at their facilities. 'No idling' rules can contribute to the company's overall plan to reduce its carbon footprint while helping to put shippers into compliance with local and state emission reduction goals. Distribution center workers will enjoy the health benefits of breathing fewer diesel particulates. According to the EPA, diesel exhaust is of specific concern because it has been judged to pose a lung cancer hazard for humans as well as a hazard from non-cancer respiratory effects. In EPA's final "Health Assessment Document for Diesel Engine Exhaust," which received extensive scientific peer review, EPA classified diesel exhaust as likely to be carcinogenic to humans by inhalation at environ- mental exposures. Several other agencies have made similar findings. By reducing emissions, shippers may prevent long-term health injuries to workers, which also may lead to lower health insurance premiums. By lowering carriers' costs through 'no idling' rules and preferred dock treatment, shippers may be able to negotiate lower shipping rates. For example, if a warehouse distribution facility has five trucks idling 10 hours a day, this would equal so idle- hours or the consumption of 50 gallons of diesel (assuming one gallon per hour). At $3.78/gallon (on Jan. 2,2012) this would cost $189 per day. For facilities operating 300 days a year, this fuel consumption would cost $56,700 and produce about 300,000 pounds of carbon emissions (15,000 hours @ 20 pounds per hour). By reducing diesel consumption by its carriers, shippers help to lower the cost of their fuel, which is a savings that may be passed on to the shipper. in a. o X 0 O +- in OJ 3 in \ Post'no idling'signage at facility entrances, loading zones and docks. Signs must be clear, easy to read and abundant. 2 Shippers must be ready to explain to employees and drivers the reasons for their'no-idling' policy and penalties incurred if the rules are breached. 3 Plan where drivers will wait while their truck is loaded or unloaded.This can include building a separate comfort station area or having drivers use current employee facilities. U.S. EPASmartWay | EPA-42O-F-I3-O26 | www.epa.gov/smartway ------- |