FACT IS…
► U.S. EPA found elevated levels of benzene, formaldehyde and other air toxics at schools that coincide with parents picking up children from school.
► Idling engines produce thousands of tons of toxic pollution each year.
► Children are still developing and are physiologically different than adults. Children have higher respiratory rates, faster heart rates, and thinner skin.
► Children may be exposed to air pollutants more because they tend to be outdoors more and are often very active when they are outdoors.
► Studies have linked various negative health outcomes in children exposed to vehicle pollution, including:
- Reduced lung function;
- Respiratory infection;
- Decreased cognitive performance;
- Reduced language abilities;
- Asthma symptoms; and
- Chronic respiratory symptoms.
Fact Is...
► Idling for 10 seconds uses more fuel and emits more greenhouse gases than restarting the engine.
► Vehicles warm up faster when driving than they do when idling. Drive slowly at first and avoid revving the engine.
► You will protect your car engine if you idle less. Idling can cause damage to engine parts like cylinders, spark plugs, and the exhaust system.
► Only the battery and starter are affected by frequent starts, but the cost of this wear-and-tear is well below the fuel-cost savings of shutting off your engine.
► In some cities, like Boston, it is against the law to unnecessarily idle a vehicle and it is punishable by citations and fines.
You can reduce vehicle idling and still maintain your comfort with these simple season-based action items:
Spring/Summer: Keep Your Cool
► Park your vehicle in the shade and walk to a cool area while waiting.
► When parked outside, leave windows open a crack to allow hot air to escape
.
► Use a sun shade in your windshield when parked to reflect sunlight and heat.
►
When driving after being parked outside, open your windows for a short time to allow the hot air to escape. You'll feel the cool air from your air conditioner quicker.
Winter: Avoid Ice Build-Up & Warm-Up Idling
► Park in garage or under carport if available.
► Cover outside of windshield with sunshade or hang towels on windows overnight.
► Keep warm inside your vehicle with a jacket and gloves.
Spring & Fall:
► Roll down windows and enjoy the mild or warm temps while your engine is off.
► Much vehicle idling is simply done out of habit. Break the idling habit - Fix the air!
DO THE MATH
Different vehicles consume fuel at different rates when idling. From U.S. EPA Idle Free Schools Program:
| Light-duty passenger car |
0.0053 gal/min
|
| Light-duty pick-up trucks, SUVs, minivans |
0.0118 gal/min
|
How many minutes do you idle in one school year?
15 min./day x 180 school days/yr = 2,700 minutes of idling per school year
How much fuel does that idling consume?
2,700 min/yr x 0.0053 gal/min = 14.31 gallons of fuel per year in a passenger car
2,700 min/yr x 0.0118 gal/min = 31.86 gallons of fuel per year in a pick-up truck, SUV or minivan
How much air pollution does that idling vehicle emit?
For every 1.17 miles driven, about 1 pound of pollution and greenhouse gases are emitted (Pima Association of Governments, 2017). Assume a person can drive 7 miles in 15 minutes in a school neighborhood.
2,700 min/yr x 7 mi/15 min ≈ equivalent of driving 1,260 miles
1,260 mi x 1 lb/1.17 mi = 1,077 pounds of pollution and greenhouse gases per school year
School Pocket Parks can give a reason for parents to not idle their vehicles while waiting to pick up their children from school. With less idling vehicles on school grounds, the air will be healthier to breathe.
A School Pocket Park can be a small area on school grounds that can be used for relaxation, enjoyment, learning, volunteering and promoting a stronger community. They can act as outdoor classrooms, meeting spaces or areas for parents to network or volunteer, They can incorporate shaded areas, seating, a Little Free Library, community garden, or even a work area where parents can help with simple teacher tasks. Your School Pocket Park can be what the school, its students and community can imagine!
Ideas and Resources:
► Pocket Park flyer developed in collaboration with a UofA College of Public Health student intern.
► Establish a No-Idle Zone: Idle Free Schools Programs and free toolkit at ADEQ and U.S. EPA.
► Plant low-cost shade trees: Trees for Tucson, Trees for You.
► Install free bike racks: Tucson's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.
► Develop a Little Free Library with book donations from the community and/or Literacy Connects
.
► Use the space as an outdoor classroom.
► Engage classes by assigning art or science projects for the outdoor space.
► Provide benches and tables for visitors or students to gather at for conversation or lessons.
► Plant low-maintenance native vegetation that attracts butterflies or build nest boxes for desert birds.
► Visit the Tucson Audubon Society for educator resources or volunteer opportunities.
► Make a Zen Garden or Peace Garden as a setting for quiet reflection or service learning.
► Install a shade canopy or ramada to protect people from the sun.
► Reference the Watershed Management Group for ideas on rainwater harvesting
► Offer students leadership opportunities and hands-on ecology education with a school community garden. Manzo Elementary is a great example. Community Gardens of Tucson provides planting guides and resources.
► Use your student council, honor society or other engaged student group to develop and maintain the space. Perhaps even your students' parents would lend a hand as they wait for their students at the end of the school day. Utilize service groups to help plan and install your features: