Toward an Idle-Free Zone

1. Toward anIdle-Free Zone We’ve all experienced it – walking past a parked car, with its engine running, idling away. And because it’s parked, it’s going nowhere, of course, needlessly releasing exhaust into the air that you and the vehicle’s driver are breathing. Or walking past a row of parked trucks or buses, engines roaring, with the smell of diesel fumes in the air. Well, I’m here today to tell you that I’m concerned about unnecessary vehicle idling in our community – and what it’s doing to our health, our air quality and our climate. I’m also here to tell you that many other individuals and communities across Canada share this concern, and they are taking action. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today about the issue of vehicle idling and, most important, about how we can move toward making our community an idle-free zone.We’ve all experienced it – walking past a parked car, with its engine running, idling away. And because it’s parked, it’s going nowhere, of course, needlessly releasing exhaust into the air that you and the vehicle’s driver are breathing. Or walking past a row of parked trucks or buses, engines roaring, with the smell of diesel fumes in the air. Well, I’m here today to tell you that I’m concerned about unnecessary vehicle idling in our community – and what it’s doing to our health, our air quality and our climate. I’m also here to tell you that many other individuals and communities across Canada share this concern, and they are taking action. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today about the issue of vehicle idling and, most important, about how we can move toward making our community an idle-free zone.

2. Presentation Overview Why idling is a problem Myths about idling Benefits of taking action What we can do about idling In my presentation today, I’d like to talk to you about four main things. First, I’ll discuss why vehicle idling is a problem. I think many of us realize it’s a problem, but some of us may not understand the full extent of the problem or why idling is clearly not the right thing to do. Second, I want to share with you the three key myths that many Canadians believe about idling. I’ll also speak about the corresponding realities that are the flip side of these myths. Shattering these myths is one of our biggest challenges when it comes to reducing vehicle idling. Third, I’ll outline the benefits of taking action to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling in our community. Certainly, the benefits of not idling are many, especially compared to the costs. Finally, I’ll talk about what we can do, as individuals and together with others, to do something about idling. And I want to assure you, there’s lots of help available to get us started. All the information and tools we need are available to us – we just have to decide where and how to take action. For example, the graphics you see on the left side of the screen are available to us for use as part of our campaign. Later on, you’ll see other tools we can use.In my presentation today, I’d like to talk to you about four main things. First, I’ll discuss why vehicle idling is a problem. I think many of us realize it’s a problem, but some of us may not understand the full extent of the problem or why idling is clearly not the right thing to do. Second, I want to share with you the three key myths that many Canadians believe about idling. I’ll also speak about the corresponding realities that are the flip side of these myths. Shattering these myths is one of our biggest challenges when it comes to reducing vehicle idling. Third, I’ll outline the benefits of taking action to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling in our community. Certainly, the benefits of not idling are many, especially compared to the costs. Finally, I’ll talk about what we can do, as individuals and together with others, to do something about idling. And I want to assure you, there’s lots of help available to get us started. All the information and tools we need are available to us – we just have to decide where and how to take action. For example, the graphics you see on the left side of the screen are available to us for use as part of our campaign. Later on, you’ll see other tools we can use.

3. Why Idling Is a Problem Idling is such a waste – in more ways than one. Idling our vehicles is a problem because it produces unnecessary pollution that contributes to environmental problems such as climate change and smog. This pollution directly affects the health of our children and other vulnerable members of our community, such as the elderly and people with respiratory problems. Idling also is a complete waste of money. It burns gasoline needlessly and gets you zero kilometres to the litre. With the price of gas these days, it’s a wonder anyone idles at all – for economic reasons alone. And to top it off, idling is not even good for your vehicle’s engine, contrary to popular belief. I’ll come back to this point in just a minute when I talk about the three key idling myths.Idling is such a waste – in more ways than one. Idling our vehicles is a problem because it produces unnecessary pollution that contributes to environmental problems such as climate change and smog. This pollution directly affects the health of our children and other vulnerable members of our community, such as the elderly and people with respiratory problems. Idling also is a complete waste of money. It burns gasoline needlessly and gets you zero kilometres to the litre. With the price of gas these days, it’s a wonder anyone idles at all – for economic reasons alone. And to top it off, idling is not even good for your vehicle’s engine, contrary to popular belief. I’ll come back to this point in just a minute when I talk about the three key idling myths.

4. Most idle 5–10 minutes a day. Idling produces unnecessary emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). Idling jeopardizes our health. Canadians’ Idling Habits Now I’d like to share a few facts and figures about our idling habits in Canada. A recent study showed that most Canadian motorists idle their vehicles an average of five to 10 minutes each day. This increases in the winter. In the height of winter, Canadians idle their vehicles for a combined total of 75 million minutes a day – equivalent to one vehicle idling for 144 years. This costs us millions of dollars in wasted fuel. Idling also produces unnecessary emissions of carbon dioxide, or CO2, a pollutant that is a major contributor to air-quality problems such as smog. CO2 is also known as a greenhouse gas, which scientists have linked to changes in our climate and to global warming. Health Canada estimates that 5000 Canadians die prematurely each year because of air pollution, and thousands more become sick. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution because they breathe more quickly than adults and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight. Although idling alone does not cause these deaths and illnesses, it does contribute to our health problems. And it is completely unnecessary.Now I’d like to share a few facts and figures about our idling habits in Canada. A recent study showed that most Canadian motorists idle their vehicles an average of five to 10 minutes each day. This increases in the winter. In the height of winter, Canadians idle their vehicles for a combined total of 75 million minutes a day – equivalent to one vehicle idling for 144 years. This costs us millions of dollars in wasted fuel. Idling also produces unnecessary emissions of carbon dioxide, or CO2, a pollutant that is a major contributor to air-quality problems such as smog. CO2 is also known as a greenhouse gas, which scientists have linked to changes in our climate and to global warming. Health Canada estimates that 5000 Canadians die prematurely each year because of air pollution, and thousands more become sick. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution because they breathe more quickly than adults and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight. Although idling alone does not cause these deaths and illnesses, it does contribute to our health problems. And it is completely unnecessary.

5. Now, here are a few more figures – this time on the positive side. It’s amazing how much we can save with the turn of a key. If every driver of a light-duty vehicle in Canada avoided idling for just five minutes per day, we would save 1.9 million litres of fuel. Assuming a fuel price of 70 cents per litre, that’s worth more than $1.3 million. Not idling for five minutes a day would also prevent more than 4500 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. And, as the slide says, all it takes is the turn of a key.Now, here are a few more figures – this time on the positive side. It’s amazing how much we can save with the turn of a key. If every driver of a light-duty vehicle in Canada avoided idling for just five minutes per day, we would save 1.9 million litres of fuel. Assuming a fuel price of 70 cents per litre, that’s worth more than $1.3 million. Not idling for five minutes a day would also prevent more than 4500 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. And, as the slide says, all it takes is the turn of a key.

6. Idling Myth No. 1The engine should be warmed up before driving. Reality Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle. Driving your vehicle is the best way to warm it up. 30 seconds of warming up your vehicle on winter days is enough. Now, I mentioned earlier that there are several key myths that many Canadians believe about vehicle idling. These myths are a big part of why idling is such a problem, and they must be shattered if we are to make real progress on this issue. The first myth is that your vehicle’s engine should be warmed up before driving. Ask most Canadian motorists why they idle their vehicles, and you’ll likely get a simple answer: to warm up the engine before driving away or to warm up (or cool off) the people inside. Contrary to popular belief, idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. In fact, with today’s modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away. As for warming up the people inside the vehicle, there may be compelling reasons – such as safety and comfort – for idling on occasion, but not on a regular basis or for extended periods of time. Besides, what’s often forgotten is that idling only warms the engine, not the wheel bearings, steering, suspension, transmission and tires. These parts also need to be warmed up, and the only way to do that is to get the vehicle moving on the road.Now, I mentioned earlier that there are several key myths that many Canadians believe about vehicle idling. These myths are a big part of why idling is such a problem, and they must be shattered if we are to make real progress on this issue. The first myth is that your vehicle’s engine should be warmed up before driving. Ask most Canadian motorists why they idle their vehicles, and you’ll likely get a simple answer: to warm up the engine before driving away or to warm up (or cool off) the people inside. Contrary to popular belief, idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. In fact, with today’s modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away. As for warming up the people inside the vehicle, there may be compelling reasons – such as safety and comfort – for idling on occasion, but not on a regular basis or for extended periods of time. Besides, what’s often forgotten is that idling only warms the engine, not the wheel bearings, steering, suspension, transmission and tires. These parts also need to be warmed up, and the only way to do that is to get the vehicle moving on the road.

7. Myth No. 2 – idling is good for your engine. Reality No. 2 – the idea that idling is good for your engine is passé. In fact, it hasn’t been the right thing to do since the advent of electronically controlled engines. The truth is that excessive idling can actually damage your engine.   That’s because an idling engine is not operating at its peak temperature, which means that fuel combustion is incomplete. This leaves fuel residues that can condense on cylinder walls, where they can contaminate oil and damage engine components. For example, fuel residues tend to deposit on spark plugs. As the amount of engine idling increases, the average plug temperature drops, and plugs become fouled more quickly. This, in turn, can increase fuel consumption by four to five percent. Excessive idling can also allow water to condense in the vehicle’s exhaust, which can lead to corrosion and reduce the life of the exhaust system.Myth No. 2 – idling is good for your engine. Reality No. 2 – the idea that idling is good for your engine is passé. In fact, it hasn’t been the right thing to do since the advent of electronically controlled engines. The truth is that excessive idling can actually damage your engine.   That’s because an idling engine is not operating at its peak temperature, which means that fuel combustion is incomplete. This leaves fuel residues that can condense on cylinder walls, where they can contaminate oil and damage engine components. For example, fuel residues tend to deposit on spark plugs. As the amount of engine idling increases, the average plug temperature drops, and plugs become fouled more quickly. This, in turn, can increase fuel consumption by four to five percent. Excessive idling can also allow water to condense in the vehicle’s exhaust, which can lead to corrosion and reduce the life of the exhaust system.

8. Myth No. 3 – shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine and uses more gas. If you’re concerned that continually shutting off and restarting the vehicle is hard on the engine, don’t be. Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components such as the battery and starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting the engine is estimated to add $10 per year to the cost of driving, money that will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced idling.   So, when should you turn off the engine? Believe it or not, more than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine. As a rule of thumb, if you are going to be stopped for 10 seconds or more, except in traffic, turn your engine off.Myth No. 3 – shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine and uses more gas. If you’re concerned that continually shutting off and restarting the vehicle is hard on the engine, don’t be. Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components such as the battery and starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting the engine is estimated to add $10 per year to the cost of driving, money that will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced idling.   So, when should you turn off the engine? Believe it or not, more than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine. As a rule of thumb, if you are going to be stopped for 10 seconds or more, except in traffic, turn your engine off.

9. The Benefits of Taking Action Not idling will: save you money; let you breathe more easily; help you spare our climate and air; and reduce engine wear and tear. When thinking about doing something a little differently from how you are doing it now, it’s a good idea to consider the benefits of making a change. If there are clear benefits – both to an individual and to the community as a whole – most people will be open to making a change, particularly if this change doesn’t involve a lot of effort or cost.   In the case of vehicle idling, it’s a “no brainer.” The costs of unnecessary idling are many, as we have seen, ranging from unnecessary engine wear, to wasting fuel and money, to contributing to climate change, deteriorating air quality and respiratory health effects. The benefits of idling are few, perhaps only to achieve “creature comfort” – keeping warm or cool as you sit in your vehicle. So, what are the benefits of not idling?   You’ll save money – Idling a vehicle for 10 minutes a day uses up more than 100 litres of gas a year. If gas costs 70 cents a litre, you’ll save $70 per year, just by turning your key. You’ll breathe more easily – By turning your engine off when parked, you and others around you – such as children and people with respiratory problems – won’t have to breathe in unhealthy exhaust fumes from a vehicle that is going nowhere. You’ll spare our climate and air – You will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to problems such as climate change and smog, and help achieve Canada’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels by the period between 2008 and 2012. You’ll also reduce wear and tear on your engine.When thinking about doing something a little differently from how you are doing it now, it’s a good idea to consider the benefits of making a change. If there are clear benefits – both to an individual and to the community as a whole – most people will be open to making a change, particularly if this change doesn’t involve a lot of effort or cost.   In the case of vehicle idling, it’s a “no brainer.” The costs of unnecessary idling are many, as we have seen, ranging from unnecessary engine wear, to wasting fuel and money, to contributing to climate change, deteriorating air quality and respiratory health effects. The benefits of idling are few, perhaps only to achieve “creature comfort” – keeping warm or cool as you sit in your vehicle. So, what are the benefits of not idling?   You’ll save money – Idling a vehicle for 10 minutes a day uses up more than 100 litres of gas a year. If gas costs 70 cents a litre, you’ll save $70 per year, just by turning your key. You’ll breathe more easily – By turning your engine off when parked, you and others around you – such as children and people with respiratory problems – won’t have to breathe in unhealthy exhaust fumes from a vehicle that is going nowhere. You’ll spare our climate and air – You will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to problems such as climate change and smog, and help achieve Canada’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels by the period between 2008 and 2012. You’ll also reduce wear and tear on your engine.

10. What We Can Do! Voluntary Options As individuals Your personal five-step anti-idling action plan Together School-based campaigns Work-based initiatives Community awareness and outreach campaign Regulatory Options Idling control by-laws Now that we’ve talked about the problem of vehicle idling, the myths that need to be shattered and the benefits of taking action, I’d like to focus on what we can do about idling. There are many things we can do, both as individuals and by working together, to reduce idling in our community. These generally fall into two categories. This first is voluntary. Voluntary campaigns encourage people to reduce idling, usually through making them aware of the problem and asking them to participate in the solution. And it starts with things we can do as individuals – such as remembering to turn your own engine off when you are parked, and spreading the word to your family and friends that this is the right thing to do. There is a personal five-step anti-idling action plan to help you get started, which I’ll show you in just a second. There are also projects or campaigns that we can launch together: At school – perhaps in partnership with the local school boards and the schools themselves. At work – many businesses and industries have fleets of vehicles that idle their engines while waiting for passengers, delivering goods or while on layover. Across the entire community – perhaps with the help of our local municipality, we can encourage everybody across town to do something about unnecessary idling. Another way that some municipalities have taken action on idling is through a regulatory route – by passing an anti-idling by-law. Such by-laws make excessive idling against the law.Now that we’ve talked about the problem of vehicle idling, the myths that need to be shattered and the benefits of taking action, I’d like to focus on what we can do about idling. There are many things we can do, both as individuals and by working together, to reduce idling in our community. These generally fall into two categories. This first is voluntary. Voluntary campaigns encourage people to reduce idling, usually through making them aware of the problem and asking them to participate in the solution. And it starts with things we can do as individuals – such as remembering to turn your own engine off when you are parked, and spreading the word to your family and friends that this is the right thing to do. There is a personal five-step anti-idling action plan to help you get started, which I’ll show you in just a second. There are also projects or campaigns that we can launch together: At school – perhaps in partnership with the local school boards and the schools themselves. At work – many businesses and industries have fleets of vehicles that idle their engines while waiting for passengers, delivering goods or while on layover. Across the entire community – perhaps with the help of our local municipality, we can encourage everybody across town to do something about unnecessary idling. Another way that some municipalities have taken action on idling is through a regulatory route – by passing an anti-idling by-law. Such by-laws make excessive idling against the law.

11. The Five-Step Anti-Idling Action Plan Reduce “warm up” idling to 30 seconds. If you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off your engine. Do not use a remote car starter. In temperatures of 0?C or less, use a block heater to warm your engine before you start it. Spread the word to your family and friends. Here’s the five-step anti-idling action plan I mentioned a minute ago. It’s easy, low-stress and good for your pocketbook and the environment.   Step 1: Reduce “warm up” idling to 30 seconds – Avoid high speeds and rapid acceleration for the first five kilometres or so to allow all moving parts of your vehicle to warm up. Step 2: If you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off your engine (except in traffic) – More than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than shutting off and restarting your engine. Step 3: Do not use a remote car starter – These devices encourage you to start your vehicle before you are ready to leave, which means unnecessary idling. Step 4: In temperatures of 0? Celsius or less, use a block heater to warm the engine before you start it – This will reduce engine wear, improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from your vehicle. An automatic timer can be used to turn on the block heater two hours or so before you plan to start your vehicle. Step 5: Spread the word to your family and friends – Telling your family and friends about the benefits of not idling will help them save money and help the environment, too.Here’s the five-step anti-idling action plan I mentioned a minute ago. It’s easy, low-stress and good for your pocketbook and the environment.   Step 1: Reduce “warm up” idling to 30 seconds – Avoid high speeds and rapid acceleration for the first five kilometres or so to allow all moving parts of your vehicle to warm up. Step 2: If you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off your engine (except in traffic) – More than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than shutting off and restarting your engine. Step 3: Do not use a remote car starter – These devices encourage you to start your vehicle before you are ready to leave, which means unnecessary idling. Step 4: In temperatures of 0? Celsius or less, use a block heater to warm the engine before you start it – This will reduce engine wear, improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from your vehicle. An automatic timer can be used to turn on the block heater two hours or so before you plan to start your vehicle. Step 5: Spread the word to your family and friends – Telling your family and friends about the benefits of not idling will help them save money and help the environment, too.

12. School-Based Campaigns Unfortunately, and perhaps surprisingly, many parents and caregivers idle their vehicles while waiting to pick up children after school. The recent “Turn it Off” project in the City of Toronto found that over a third (35–45 percent) of parents idle their vehicles while waiting to pick up their children.   This is a concern because children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution. As I said earlier, they breathe more quickly than adults and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight. Air pollution tends to be worse in the late afternoon, precisely when driving parents gather to pick up their children, who excitedly rush out of their school into clouds of exhaust from idling vehicles. The graphics you see at the left of the screen are an information card (on top), and a sticker that can be placed in a vehicle’s window. Both were used very successfully in the “Turn it Off” project to reduce idling at City of Toronto schools.Unfortunately, and perhaps surprisingly, many parents and caregivers idle their vehicles while waiting to pick up children after school. The recent “Turn it Off” project in the City of Toronto found that over a third (35–45 percent) of parents idle their vehicles while waiting to pick up their children.   This is a concern because children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution. As I said earlier, they breathe more quickly than adults and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight. Air pollution tends to be worse in the late afternoon, precisely when driving parents gather to pick up their children, who excitedly rush out of their school into clouds of exhaust from idling vehicles. The graphics you see at the left of the screen are an information card (on top), and a sticker that can be placed in a vehicle’s window. Both were used very successfully in the “Turn it Off” project to reduce idling at City of Toronto schools.

13. What can we do at schools? We can reach out to parents and caregivers through school newsletters and anti-idling signs, and by distributing information cards and vehicle stickers. The “Turn it Off” project showed that idling can be reduced dramatically using these approaches – idling at test schools was reduced by 49 percent, and idling time was reduced by 56 percent. We can also involve our students in taking action on this issue. They can make banners declaring their school grounds an idle-free zone. They can participate in encouraging parents and caregivers not to idle, and in monitoring the success of the campaign. We can also include anti-idling as part of our schools’ curriculum.What can we do at schools? We can reach out to parents and caregivers through school newsletters and anti-idling signs, and by distributing information cards and vehicle stickers. The “Turn it Off” project showed that idling can be reduced dramatically using these approaches – idling at test schools was reduced by 49 percent, and idling time was reduced by 56 percent. We can also involve our students in taking action on this issue. They can make banners declaring their school grounds an idle-free zone. They can participate in encouraging parents and caregivers not to idle, and in monitoring the success of the campaign. We can also include anti-idling as part of our schools’ curriculum.

14. Work-Based Initiatives As an individual, contact companies to suggest that their drivers turn off their engines when parked. As a fleet owner or manager, take steps to reduce idling in your own fleet, or join with other businesses and industries in a “fleet challenge.” There are also steps we can take at workplaces. Anyone who has walked by a taxi stand, bus loading area or truck depot will know that unnecessary idling is not limited to personal vehicles. Vehicle idling is also a concern for many businesses and industries, particularly those that have fleets of vehicles for moving goods or people. Simply put, idling costs them money in wasted fuel. The “Repair Our Air” campaign in Ontario estimates that service delivery vehicles spend 20 to 60 percent of their time idling. And, according to estimates by the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States, the average long-haul truck idles away up to $1,790 in profits each year. As an individual, you can contact these companies and suggest that they get their drivers to turn their engines off – to help save money, lives and the environment. Fleet owners or managers can take steps to reduce idling in their fleets, or join with other businesses and industries in a “fleet challenge” to reduce unnecessary idling on a larger scale. Over and above the health and environmental benefits, it makes good economic sense to avoid unnecessary idling.There are also steps we can take at workplaces. Anyone who has walked by a taxi stand, bus loading area or truck depot will know that unnecessary idling is not limited to personal vehicles. Vehicle idling is also a concern for many businesses and industries, particularly those that have fleets of vehicles for moving goods or people. Simply put, idling costs them money in wasted fuel. The “Repair Our Air” campaign in Ontario estimates that service delivery vehicles spend 20 to 60 percent of their time idling. And, according to estimates by the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States, the average long-haul truck idles away up to $1,790 in profits each year. As an individual, you can contact these companies and suggest that they get their drivers to turn their engines off – to help save money, lives and the environment. Fleet owners or managers can take steps to reduce idling in their fleets, or join with other businesses and industries in a “fleet challenge” to reduce unnecessary idling on a larger scale. Over and above the health and environmental benefits, it makes good economic sense to avoid unnecessary idling.

15. Here you see just how much businesses can save by not idling. Molson Canada estimates that it is saving almost a quarter of a million dollars a year by controlling vehicle idling.Here you see just how much businesses can save by not idling. Molson Canada estimates that it is saving almost a quarter of a million dollars a year by controlling vehicle idling.

16. Community Awareness and Outreach Campaign Distribute anti-idling signs, information cards and vehicle stickers. Distribute flyers and posters. Develop a community Web page. Prepare press releases and articles for the local newspaper. Produce displays for local events. Make a presentation to city council, the chamber of commerce or other community organizations. We may want to launch a broader awareness and outreach campaign to move toward an idle-free zone across our community. Here are some of the steps we can take to raise awareness about the problem of vehicle idling and encourage people to turn off their vehicles when parked.We may want to launch a broader awareness and outreach campaign to move toward an idle-free zone across our community. Here are some of the steps we can take to raise awareness about the problem of vehicle idling and encourage people to turn off their vehicles when parked.

17. Idling Control By-Laws Find out if your municipality has an idling control by-law or whether it is considering one. Some municipalities have adopted other creative non-regulatory measures – such as anti-idling policies for transit fleets – rather than make unnecessary idling against the law. As I mentioned earlier, idling control by-laws offer another alternative – a regulatory approach. This is usually considered where idling is a widespread problem and voluntary approaches have not been successful. An obvious first step is to find out whether our community has such a by-law or whether one is being considered. The graphics you see at the left of the screen are in support of the City of Toronto’s anti-idling by-law. In Toronto, all vehicles are limited to three minutes of idling time in a one-hour period. Montréal and London have similar by-laws. All of these cities exempt public transit vehicles from their by-laws and relax anti-idling provisions during very cold or hot weather. Other municipalities have non-regulatory measures – such as anti-idling policies for transit fleets – rather than make unnecessary idling against the law.As I mentioned earlier, idling control by-laws offer another alternative – a regulatory approach. This is usually considered where idling is a widespread problem and voluntary approaches have not been successful. An obvious first step is to find out whether our community has such a by-law or whether one is being considered. The graphics you see at the left of the screen are in support of the City of Toronto’s anti-idling by-law. In Toronto, all vehicles are limited to three minutes of idling time in a one-hour period. Montréal and London have similar by-laws. All of these cities exempt public transit vehicles from their by-laws and relax anti-idling provisions during very cold or hot weather. Other municipalities have non-regulatory measures – such as anti-idling policies for transit fleets – rather than make unnecessary idling against the law.

18. The “Idle-Free Zone”Tool Kit The source for our anti-idling campaign: Fact sheets and frequently asked questions Games and quizzes Calculators and worksheets Case studies and vignettes Web site links Graphics Campaign materials such as letters to the editor, posters, brochures, information cards, stickers, presentations, a personal five-step action plan and idling observation forms Now, I started off this presentation by saying that there is lots of help to get us started on an anti-idling campaign, and that we just need to decide how and when to proceed. Natural Resources Canada has developed a Web-based tool kit called the “Idle-Free Zone.” This Web site offers ready-to-use information and tools on the topic of vehicle idling. All we have to do is think about which ones are best suited for our needs. Here’s a sample of what’s in the tool kit: Fact sheets and frequently asked questions – with lots of facts and figures about idling; Games and quizzes; Calculators and worksheets – these can help us show how much we can save in dollars and CO2 emissions; Case studies and vignettes – these describe projects and campaigns that have been successful in other communities; Web site links to other sites on the topic of idling; and Ready-to-use graphics and communications pieces – such as the information card and sticker I showed earlier, as well as lots more – posters, brochures, sample letters to the editor, among others.Now, I started off this presentation by saying that there is lots of help to get us started on an anti-idling campaign, and that we just need to decide how and when to proceed. Natural Resources Canada has developed a Web-based tool kit called the “Idle-Free Zone.” This Web site offers ready-to-use information and tools on the topic of vehicle idling. All we have to do is think about which ones are best suited for our needs. Here’s a sample of what’s in the tool kit: Fact sheets and frequently asked questions – with lots of facts and figures about idling; Games and quizzes; Calculators and worksheets – these can help us show how much we can save in dollars and CO2 emissions; Case studies and vignettes – these describe projects and campaigns that have been successful in other communities; Web site links to other sites on the topic of idling; and Ready-to-use graphics and communications pieces – such as the information card and sticker I showed earlier, as well as lots more – posters, brochures, sample letters to the editor, among others.

19. The Anti-Idling Tool KitReady-to-Use Graphics Here are just some of the ready-to-use graphic images we can download, use as is, or adapt for our campaign. Here are just some of the ready-to-use graphic images we can download, use as is, or adapt for our campaign.

20. The Anti-Idling Tool Kit Campaign Materials A few more – a larger image of the information card and stickers. An information card used as part of the “Turn it Off” project. The card is suitable for distribution at schools and other community locations and outlines the benefits of reduced engine idling. A sticker for use on vehicle windows. This transparent sticker was used as part of the “Turn it Off” project as a method of gaining commitment from drivers to turn their engines off when parked. It is specifically designed to be displayed by drivers on the inside of their vehicle’s window.A few more – a larger image of the information card and stickers. An information card used as part of the “Turn it Off” project. The card is suitable for distribution at schools and other community locations and outlines the benefits of reduced engine idling. A sticker for use on vehicle windows. This transparent sticker was used as part of the “Turn it Off” project as a method of gaining commitment from drivers to turn their engines off when parked. It is specifically designed to be displayed by drivers on the inside of their vehicle’s window.

21. Summary Unnecessary idling produces unnecessary pollution. Idling wastes fuel and costs us money. Idling is not good for our vehicles’ engines. We can stop idling and help spare our air, slow climate change and save energy and money. There are many voluntary and regulatory approaches we can take to stop idling. So, in summary . . . Idling is a problem because it produces unnecessary pollution that contributes to problems such as climate change and smog and affects our health. I would underline the word “unnecessary” here. It wastes fuel and money.   And it is not even good for vehicle engines – contrary to myths held by many Canadians. Putting a stop to engine idling is a great way to do our part to spare the air, minimize the effects of climate change, and save energy and money at the same time.   There are many effective actions we can take to stop unnecessary engine idling in our communities by taking voluntary and regulatory approaches.So, in summary . . . Idling is a problem because it produces unnecessary pollution that contributes to problems such as climate change and smog and affects our health. I would underline the word “unnecessary” here. It wastes fuel and money.   And it is not even good for vehicle engines – contrary to myths held by many Canadians. Putting a stop to engine idling is a great way to do our part to spare the air, minimize the effects of climate change, and save energy and money at the same time.   There are many effective actions we can take to stop unnecessary engine idling in our communities by taking voluntary and regulatory approaches.

22. It’s Up to Us! The first step is to take action to reduce your own vehicle’s idling. Next, we need to get out there and let people know it’s a problem and what can be done about it – we need to shatter the myths about idling. Together, we can make a difference! And it’s really up to us. The best place to start is with our own vehicles and to commit to the five-step anti-idling action plan. We should also make it a priority to talk to our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about the problems with idling and how we can make a difference. I believe that by acting individually, and together, we can make a big difference on this issue.And it’s really up to us. The best place to start is with our own vehicles and to commit to the five-step anti-idling action plan. We should also make it a priority to talk to our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about the problems with idling and how we can make a difference. I believe that by acting individually, and together, we can make a big difference on this issue.

23. For more information Visit the Idle-Free Zone: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/idling/idling.cfm Finally – here is the source to get us started. All the information and tools I’ve talked about today can be found here – plus lots more. Thank you.Finally – here is the source to get us started. All the information and tools I’ve talked about today can be found here – plus lots more. Thank you.