Presented by Wayne Michaud Idle-Free California Inc. Hi…I’m Wayne Michaud of Sacramento County. I’m a transportation efficiency educator, and executive director of Idle-Free California, an organization that shows the important benefits of avoiding vehicle idling - turning off engines when parked. Today I’m presenting Sonoma County Idle-Free Schools. which will show you how to implement an idle-free school campaign here at _____________________.

What is Idling i•dling | ’īdling | verb [ no obj. ] (of a person) spend time doing nothing; be idle: four men were idling outside the shop. • (of an engine) run slowly while disconnected from a load or out of gear: the car is noisily idling in the street. What does “idling” mean? When it’s about an engine, it means running slowly while out of gear – in other words, while parked and going nowhere.

The Idling PROBLEM WASTES FUEL! CAUSES CARBON EMISSIONS! First, idling really does matter. In all of California, it is estimated that idling of all vehicles combined burns 750,000,000 gallons of fuel annually. So, while some idling is unavoidable, such as when vehicles are in traffic, it is almost never necessary to let the engine run when parked or waiting in a vehicle. As to schools, when drivers arrive to pick up students at afternoon dismissal, some will allow their vehicles to idle for five to 30 minutes while waiting. This wastes fuel, causes carbon emissions, and negatively impacts our health. NEGATIVELY IMPACTS HEALTH!

The Idling SOLUTION SAVE MONEY! LESSEN CARBON EMISSIONS! These are the idling solutions! Before we talk about the Idle-Free School Campaign, we’ll go through these significant benefits in avoiding idling. REFER CONSERVE ENERGY! IMPROVE HEALTH!

Save Money! Idling wastes fuel 30 second warm ups 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than shutting off and restarting engine Idling causes engine wear The U.S. Dept. of Energy and other sources tell us that cars, and pickup trucks generally only need 30 seconds to warm up – even in winter. A car warming up for 15 minutes every morning can cost $60 to more than $200 annually, depending on engine size. The solution? Driving gently is the best way to warm up. This allows non-engine parts such as the transmission, bearings, and catalytic converter to warm up too; these parts do not warm up when idling. And If parked somewhere, sitting in a car, it’s better to shut the engine off because restarting it only uses 10 seconds worth of fuel. Excessive idling can cause engine wear and carbon soot buildup in the engine and shorten the life of motor oil, spark plugs, and exhaust system.

Lessen Carbon Emissions and Conserve Energy! One gallon of fuel burned = 20 pounds of CO2 Idling contributes to using more oil. While we rely on oil, unfortunately it is a dirty form of energy that pollutes from extraction to emissions. And, CO2 emissions from Idling contributes to climate change. CO2 is carbon dioxide, a gas that is naturally present in the atmosphere as part of the Earth's carbon cycle. It emanates from plants and trees and we breath it out. But it also occurs from man-made fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas. This is destabilizing the atmosphere and causing climate change. Question: what are a couple of major geological effects we are seeing as a result of climate change? The effects of climate change we are seeing In California include higher temperatures, droughts and wildfires. We can reduce climate change by lessening our carbon footprint, including just turning off vehicle engines when parked.

SHOW UVM LUNG SPECIALIST VIDEO Improve Health! Hydrocarbons Sulfur Dioxide Benzene Nitrogen Oxide Carbon Monoxide The chemicals that come out of vehicle tailpipes, including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, benzene, and particulate matter, have a negative impact on our health, causing cancer over time, aggravating heart conditions and aggravating or causing asthma, a disease that affects our respiratory systems. The EPA reports that monitoring at schools has shown elevated levels of air toxics during the afternoon hour when parents are picking up their children. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of vehicle emissions because their lungs breathe at a significantly faster rate, plus they stand lower to the ground making them more exposed to lower level vehicle tailpipe exhaust. SHOW UVM LUNG SPECIALIST VIDEO Particulate Matter

Give Up a Little Comfort The Benefits? A big challenge in getting parents and other folks not to let their vehicles idle is that they don’t want to be uncomfortable while waiting on hot days. We suggest turning off the A/C, the engine, open windows and have bottled water handy. Exceptions: passengers that are infants, frail elderly or pets. Giving up a few minutes of idling comfort means that every day we’re emitting less CO2 into the atmosphere, conserving energy by using less oil, not polluting the air, and even saving money. Lessen CO2! Breathe free! Save money!

How You Can Make a Difference! As a motorist, avoid unnecessary idling! Tell your parents the benefits of being idle-free! Participate in our idle-free schools campaign! REFER

Idle-Free Schools Campaign Five Step Process TODAY: Initial discussion OCTOBER: Initial observations & data collection NOVEMBER: School announces campaign FEBRUARY: Driver contact event APRIL: Final observations & data collection So here’s what our campaign will look like: After our initial discussion today, you would conduct initial observations and data collection of drivers idling in the school’s afternoon pick up areas. This should be completed in October. Shortly thereafter, your school will take steps in announcing that it is supporting the idle-free school campaign. In February, campaigners will conduct a driver contact event. And in April, you will conduct final observations and data collection of idling. The Sonoma County Idle-Free Schools toolkit we are supplying today has sample sheets that explain these steps in detail – and additional copies can be downloaded and printed from the project webpage. Next, we’ll take a closer look at each of these steps…

Idle-Free Schools Campaign Step 2: Initial Data Collection Unobtrusively collect idling data until dismissal ends for four days in October Student-led; parents and/or staff can join in Collect data sheets each day Analyze data Present findings to teacher Initial data collection of vehicle idling will be conducted at your school’s afternoon pick up areas where parents arrive in vehicles and wait until dismissal. This should be for 4 days and completed during the month of October. Parents and/or staff can assist in the effort. It is important that this be done in an unobtrusive manner away from the driveway; otherwise, drivers may not idle if they know they’re being observed for it. If asked, you can say you’re conducting a general transportation study for the school, but don’t mention idling. Be ready before dismissal with observation forms, pens, clipboard, and timers. Optionally, if your school has one available, a CO2 gas sensor can be used to supplement your data collection. Collect data each day until dismissal has ended. Note that this effort only targets non-school bus vehicles as California has a school bus idling regulation. At the end of the initial data collection, use the Analyzing the Data form to analyze the data. And finally, present findings to your teacher when you complete all initial data collection.

Idle-Free Schools Campaign Step 3: School Announces Campaign SCHOOL STEPS: Install new no idling signs Notice in school newsletter and on website OPTIONAL: Letter to parents Letter to delivery companies Soon after the end of initial data collection, the school announces support for and participation in the campaign. The school will install the two NO IDLING signs we have provided in the pick up area. The school will place a notice about the campaign in the school newsletter and website. The school may also use sample forms to notify all parents of students, and delivery companies of the campaign. This should all be completed by the end of January. Also, from this point on, the campaign can be publicized, such as in a student newsletter, local newspaper, or on social media.

Idle-Free Schools Campaign Step 4: Driver Contact Event In February for two days Approach all drivers (idling & non-idling) and talk to them with memorized script Display posters and banners for event Be safe around vehicles! In February, campaigners will conduct a two day driver contact event at the pick up areas. You will refer to the toolkit forms on how to conduct this event and suggested script to memorize. And you will hand out the flyers and window decals we are supplying. While you will approach all drivers, for idling drivers you will offer the flyer, decal and a talk. For non-idling drivers, just the flyer and a “thank you” for not idling. For this event, consider making a big no-idling banner or posters to display. Please be polite and thoughtful to idling drivers – many are unaware of the harm and waste of idling. And be alert and safe around vehicles!

Idle-Free Schools Campaign Step 5: Final Data Collection In April Same procedure as initial, including being unobtrusive Compare initial and final data analysis Present results to teacher Campaign ends! Final data collection of vehicle idling will be conducted for four days in April. The procedure will be the same as the initial data collection, including being unobtrusive. You’ll compare initial and final data and submit results to your teacher.

Idle-Free California Inc. Thank you! Wayne Michaud Idle-Free California Inc. Before ending today, to help reinforce what we’re doing, we’ll look at the EPA Region 8: Idle Free Schools seven minute video – it can also be seen on the Sonoma County Idle-Free Schools Campaign webpage.