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Save Fuel and Breathe Easier!. It’s a Good Idea to Shut It Down: Reducing Unnecessary Idling. School Bus Driver “Reduce Idling” Training North Carolina DMV June 2005. Health Effects of Diesel Particles – Especially on Young Children.
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Save Fuel and Breathe Easier! It’s a Good Idea to Shut It Down: Reducing Unnecessary Idling School Bus Driver “Reduce Idling” Training North Carolina DMV June 2005
Health Effects of Diesel Particles – Especially on Young Children • Due to tiny size of fine “Particulate Matter” it can penetrate deeply into the lungs • May cause allergy symptoms, including irritation to the airways • Aggravates bronchitis and pneumonia and triggers asthma attacks • PM is linked to cancer and increased heart attack risk; could lead to “premature death” • REDUCED IDLING REDUCES RISK!
PM2.5 (2.5 µm) PM10 (10µm) Particulate Matter: What is It? A complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets Human Hair (70 µm diameter)
The Decade of the Diesel • Public Policy reflects Health Studies • New, cleaner engine standards • New, cleaner burning fuels • Biodiesel • Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (350 -> 15 ppm) • Diesel engine retrofits • “Idling Reduction” campaigns
Rising Cost of Diesel Fuel • COST TRIPLED in 40 months • February, 2002: $0.55 per gallon • June, 2005: $1.66 per gallon
School Buses in North Carolina • Outstanding safety record • In NC, more than 13,000 buses transport more than 700,000 students nearly a million miles a day
School BusIdling Reduction Benefits • Cleaner, clearer air to breathe • Improved health • Cost savings • Reduced Idling Could Save $1 million per year statewide
Reduced Idling Recommendations • Don’t idle your school bus longer than five (5) minutes to build up air pressure. Additional idling does not warm up the school bus. • Don’t idle your school bus longer than two (2) minutes to cool down the turbo at the end of the route.
Reduced Idling Recommendations • Do not idle your bus while loading or unloading on school grounds.
Reduced Idling Recommendations • Bus should NEVER be left idling and unattended!
Diagonal Parking Nose to Tail Parking School Bus Parking Park Away from Air-Intake for School Buildings
Be aware of your driving position Avoid following trucks or other buses if possible; if not possible, keep your distance to avoid THEIR exhaust School Bus Driving
School Buses – Both Yellow & Green YOU Hold the Key ! Drive Clean
School Bus Resources • North Carolina Division of Air Quality www.daq.state.nc.us/ • DPI Transportation Services www.ncbussafety.org • Clean School Bus USA www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/antiidling.htm • For more information on Anti-Idling Training contact the NC Division of Motor Vehicles, School Bus and Traffic Safety (919/861-3109) www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_services/