Archive for month: July, 2013

Below is information on Idling from the EPA website:

Idling

 

 

• A typical heavy-duty truck or bus can burn approximately one gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it idles, generating significant amounts of pollution, wasting fuel, and causing excessive engine wear.
• To reduce idling without sacrificing comfort, vehicle owners can use mobile or stationary idle reduction technology. These devices substantially reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions. An overview of idle reduction technologies for trucks (PDF) (2 pp, 116K) is available from EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership
• The Dept of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory offers a “How Much Could You Save by Idling Less?” calculator (PDF) (1 pg, 234K).  Idle reduction technologies for trucks, buses, locomotives and vessels are verified by EPA’s SmartWay program
• The Department of Energy lists truck parking facilities equipped with Truck Stop Electrification technology by location
• See the Documents Section to download fact sheets on idling.
• All six states in New England have anti-idling regulations.
  • Connecticut (PDF) (11 pp, 214K)
  • Maine (PDF) (3 pp, 12K)
  • Massachusetts (PDF) (2 pp, 142K)
    • Chapter 90: Section 16B. Idling of a motor vehicle engine on school property; penalties; adoption of regulations
    • 540 CMR 27.00: Regulation of motor vehicle idling on school grounds (PDF) (3 pp, 26K)
  • New Hampshire (PDF) (5 pp, 46K)
  • Rhode Island (PDF) (6 pp, 25K)
  • Vermont
• View a compendium of current idling regulations by state.

 

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SmartWay Transport

 

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a voluntary collaboration between EPA and the freight industry to conserve fuel, reduce emissions, and improve transportation supply chain efficiency. SmartWay “makes the business case” for how companies shipping products, and the carriers that move those products, can improve their environmental profile while saving money and time.

 

Companies join the SmartWay Transport Partnership for a 3 year period, and begin by analyzing the efficiency of their operations using SmartWay software. EPA helps partners set individualized goals and select the right strategies to achieve them. Fleets choose from a wide variety of strategies to minimize idle time, reduce rolling resistance, improve aerodynamics, refine logistics and train drivers. Shippers participate by increasing the proportion of their product carried by the most efficient SmartWay carrier partners, choosing the most efficient modes, and improving freight logistics. Partners benchmark their operations, track their savings, and report yearly to EPA. Partners’ SmartWay scores can qualify them to use the logo and receive other forms of recognition, including awards.

 

SmartWay partners now number close to 3000, including most of the biggest trucking companies and most visible shippers.  But SmartWay is not only for huge companies—many smaller carriers and regionally-known shippers participate.  SmartWay fact sheets and case studies showcase successful fuel-saving strategies.  EPA is working with other countries to develop compatible freight efficiency programs that will enable international shippers to streamline their entire supply chain.  SmartWay also specs fuel-efficient truck and trailer models, verifies fuel-saving technology, and sets up financing programs.

 

EPA New England is active in SmartWay, supporting existing partners, signing on new partners, and promoting efficient freight technologies, strategies and infrastructure.  Four NE-based SmartWay partners have received regional Environmental Merit Awards.  For more information, see the SmartWay website or contact Abby Swaine (swaine.abby@epa.gov or 617-918-1841) at EPA New England.

 

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Idling Enforcement

 

All six New England states have anti-idling regulations. The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island regulations are part of state implementation plans. State regulations that are part of state implementation plans are federally enforceable. This means that EPA, as well as the State, has the authority to enforce these laws. EPA has taken enforcement action against fleets in Connecticut, Massachusetts and RI for alleged violations of the anti-idling regulations in those states. The press page of this site contains specific information about these actions.

 

For additional information go to the EPA website:

http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/diesel/idling.html#idling

Robert Drucker, owner of Boston Global Tracking, writes and shares information of interest to fleet owners.  Contact Robert at 508 341 5115 or robert@BostonGlobalTracking.com

 

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