^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
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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.
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\ 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
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