Implementing a Statewide School Bus No Idling Program Sample Action Plan
Background
This outreach plan was originally developed by the Asthma Regional Council of New England (ARC) for the Rhode Island (RI) Department of Environmental Management to assist RI undertake a statewide school bus no idling program. ARC has modified the plan to make it more useful to a range of states and programs that are embarking on collaborative efforts to reduce diesel emissions from school buses by adopting and promoting a no idling policy. Some specific references to Rhode Island organizations remain in the document as illustrative examples. The plan is written in an outline format and was used as an internal planning document. The strategies outlined assume that one agency or organization is committed to spearheading the initiative which was the case in RI. Each state, locality and community will be best served by developing a plan that meets their needs. This sample plan may provide useful strategies, tools, and suggestions.
Sample Plan
The objective of the plan is to determine who the outreach will target, what we will be asking them to do, how we will secure their support, and how we will measure success. This plan focuses on two core activities: Target Decision Makers with Strategic Requests, and Create Opportunities to Garner Enthusiasm And Visibility. Under each of these core activities, the plan identifies critical steps, discusses possible strategies/timing, and defines how to measure success. TARGET KEY DECISION MAKERS WITH STRATEGIC REQUESTS 1. Transit Providers: Hold meetings to present the No Idling Policy and discuss the issues. a. Action Requested: Adopt No Idling Policy, train drivers, monitor implementation. b. Strategy: Request meetings with key officials. Provide examples of similar actions in other states. Provide model policies and training materials. Explore possible challenges. c. Timing/Materials: Provide estimated date for implementation d. Measurement of Success: Number of buses affected by adoption of No Idling Policy and/or steps.
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
2. School District Decision Makers: Superintendents and Transportation Directors a. Action Requested: Take the 8 key steps outlined in attached memo. b. Strategy: Send letter to school districts outlining the issue – why idling has a negative impact on children’s and drivers’ health, increased fuel costs. List the steps that districts should take to implement a No Idling Policy and Program. Enlist the support of the state Department of Environmental Protection/Management (if they are not the sponsoring agency), Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Health (DOH) as collaborating partners on letter to school districts. c. Timing and Materials: Target follow up in districts in which the bus provider has already agreed to a No Idling Program and/or in which a districts have expressed interest d. Measurement of Success: Districts contacted by mail, how many districts receive follow-up contact? How many districts are adopting some form of the No Idling Program? How many districts and bus companies adopt No Idling policies? CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO GARNER ENTHUSIASM AND VISIBILITY 1. Identify and engage strategic partners. a. Public partners: Collaborate with the Division of Motor Vehicles to add no idling component to existing bus driver training for state certification. Secure DOE and DOH signatures on communication to Superintendents. b. Private and non-profit partners: Team up with organizations to provide staff to assist in outreach efforts. 2. Convene a press event to announce any Clean School Bus Program. a. Target Audience: School districts, parents, others. b. Action Requested: Take the No Idling Pledge and sign on to the Clean School Bus Program and participate in press event. c. Strategy: Convene only after securing one program participant (school district or transit provider). Announce districts and bus providers that have adopted a No Idling Policy and are participants of Clean School Bus Program. Distribute certificates of recognition. As appropriate, enlist support of environmental, health and school advocacy groups. d. Timing: After agreement is finalized. e. Measurement of Success: Press generated, number of districts receiving certificates, other districts that express interest due to the event or following the event. 3. Create or identify a viable bus driver training. a. Target Audience: Bus providers and/or districts.
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
b. Action Requested: All school bus drivers complete training. c. Strategy: Training becomes a core element of adopting a No Idling Policy. Provide model training materials (EPA CD -- "Reducing School Bus Idling: A Key to a Healthier Ride" EPA420-V-04-001 available through 1-800-490-9198; ARC Facthsheet on Information for School Bus Drivers see -://www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org/about/BusToolkit.htm. Provide examples of incentives for drivers. Look for opportunities to conduct outreach and training at pre-existing meetings. DMV incorporates the training into their certification and recertification requirements. d. Timing: Collaborate with DMV and transportation providers. e. Measurement of Success: Number of districts with training, number of bus drivers trained.
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
Attachment # 1: Possible Public and Private Partnerships:
Public Partners: Department of Education Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Health State PTA affiliate
Possible Environmental Partners: Audubon Society Clean Water Action Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) Environment Northeast State Public Interest Research Group State chapter, Sierra Club
Health Partners: State chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics State chapter, American Lung Association State Public Health Association
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
Attachment # 2: Sample Memo to School Superintendents
To: Superintendents of Schools From: Subject: School Bus No Idling Policy Date: The Department ____________in partnership with the Department of ____________ is launching a new statewide initiative to protect children and bus drivers from breathing excessive amounts of school bus diesel exhaust emissions by limiting the amount of time buses idle their engines. We are working with the Asthma Regional Council of New England and will be asking for your assistance with this program. The following organizations endorse this policy: All participating schools will receive a certificate of recognition authorized by the Departments of _________________ Why? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to diesel exhaust, even at low levels, is a serious health hazard and can cause respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Diesel emissions are well documented asthma triggers and may increase the severity of asthma attacks. Asthma is currently the number one cause of missed school days for American children, and asthma affects more than 1 in 9 children in New England. Researchers from Yale University have linked increased exposure to diesel exhaust directly to idling school buses. Restricting bus idling reduces the amount of pollution in the environment, saves on fuel and could reduce the possibility of harmful exposure to children and drivers. Besides polluting the air, an idling bus consumes fuel and adds wear and tear on the engine, increasing transportation operating costs. The attached fact sheet provides additional information. What Can You Do? By taking these 8 simple steps, schools can protect the health of students and drivers. 1. Identify a person in your district to coordinate the program and act as a liaison with the transportation company and the Department of __________. 2. Adopt a written No Idling Policy. (See attached sample policy statement summarized below). School bus drivers will shut off bus engines immediately upon reaching their destination, and buses will not idle while waiting for passengers. This rule applies to all bus use including daily route travel, field trips, and transportation to and from athletic events. The school bus should not be restarted until it is ready to depart and there is a clear path to exit the pick-up area. During winter months, limit idling time during early morning warm-up to the manufacturer’s recommendation - generally 3-5 minutes, in all but the coldest weather and for the pre-trip safety inspections. Schools should provide an indoor waiting space for drivers who arrive early and need to keep warm. This reduces the need for bus idling.
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
If a bus needs the engine to run flashing lights or maintain other safety equipment during longer duration loading and unloading, maintenance staff should install a heavy duty battery system, an extra battery and/or change the circuit configurations to power lights by battery without running the engine. To reduce engine warm-up time, avoid starting difficulties, and help defrost windows, consider using block heaters that plug into electrical outlets or inline auxiliary fuel fired heaters. 3. Ensure that your school district’s bus drivers complete a no idling training session. 4. Publicize the new policy to the school community. Explain the program to students, parents and community groups in newsletters and at school board and PTA meetings. 5. Ensure that future transportation contracts include no idling statements. 6. Redesign bus parking zones to minimize the potential for diesel exhaust inside the bus and in the school. Move bus parking areas away from school air intake vents. Park buses at a diagonal to prevent front-to-back passing of emissions and reduce diesel fumes in each bus. 7. Post “no idling” signs. Alert drivers that engines should be turned off when a bus is waiting or parked. 8. Apply no idling rules to other diesel equipment including all construction and delivery vehicles on school property. For additional information and resources: www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
School Bus No Idling Policy
Developed by the Asthma Regional Council of New England
Applicability: This policy applies to the operation of every diesel-powered school bus operating in the district and owned by the signatory school bus company or school district. Rationale: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to diesel exhaust, even at low levels, is a serious health hazard and can cause respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. Diesel emissions are well-documented asthma triggers and may increase the severity of asthma attacks. Asthma is currently the number one cause of missed school days for American children, and asthma affects more than 1 in 9 children in New England. This policy is endorsed by the following departments and organizations: _____________________________ In collaboration with our district’s school bus transportation provider, our school district agrees to undertake the following steps immediately: School bus drivers will shut off bus engines immediately upon reaching destination, and buses will not idle while waiting for passengers. This rule applies to all bus use, including daily route travel, field trips, and transportation to and from athletic events. School buses will not be restarted until they are ready to depart and there is a clear path to exit the pick-up area. School bus companies and drivers will limit idling time during early morning warm-up to manufacturers’ recommendations – generally 3-5 minutes in all but the coldest weather and for the pre-trip safety inspections. Below are guidelines for idling in cold weather. If state standards are more stringent, they supersede these recommendations. If the outside temperature is: Above 20 degrees F: Between -10 and 20 degrees F: Below -10 degrees F: 5 minute maximum 15 minute maximum as necessary
Our district’s schools will provide an indoor waiting space for drivers who arrive early and need to keep warm. This reduces the need for bus idling. Transportation operations staff will evaluate and shorten bus routes whenever possible, particularly for older buses with the least effective emissions control. Our district will review bus purchasing schedules and routing to further improve emission performance in conjunction with the district’s transportation provider. School district bus drivers will complete a “no idling” training session. All bus drivers will receive a copy of this No Idling policy or equivalent educational materials at the beginning of every school year.
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org
The construction of new schools will incorporate measures to minimize children’s exposure to diesel emissions. All schools will design bus parking zones to limit diesel exhaust inside the bus and in the school, including avoiding proximate school air intake vents, and parking buses on the diagonal to prevent front-to-back passing of emissions and to reduce diesel fumes in each bus. The direction of prevailing winds should be considered. If a bus requires an engine to be running in order to operate its flashing lights or maintain other safety equipment during longer duration loading and unloading, maintenance staff should install a heavy duty battery system, an extra battery and/or change the circuit configurations to power lights by battery without running the engine. To reduce engine warm-up time, avoid starting difficulties, and help defrost windows, the school bus company will consider using block heaters that plug into electrical outlets or inline auxiliary fuel fired heaters. Bus companies agree to maintain buses according to manufacturers’ specifications. Exceptions to this policy are granted only when running the engine is necessary to operate required safety equipment or to maintain a safe environment for students with special health needs.
School District Representative ____________________________________ Print District and Representative Name______________________________ Transportation Provider Representative______________________________ Print Provider and Representative Name_____________________________
Date ________________
Date__________________
Asthma Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd Floor – Dorchester, MA 02124 - 617-451-0049 x504 www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org