Welcome to NexusFi: the best trading community on the planet, with over 150,000 members Sign Up Now for Free
Genuine reviews from real traders, not fake reviews from stealth vendors
Quality education from leading professional traders
We are a friendly, helpful, and positive community
We do not tolerate rude behavior, trolling, or vendors advertising in posts
We are here to help, just let us know what you need
You'll need to register in order to view the content of the threads and start contributing to our community. It's free for basic access, or support us by becoming an Elite Member -- see if you qualify for a discount below.
-- Big Mike, Site Administrator
(If you already have an account, login at the top of the page)
Doing Our Share for Cleaner Air: Idling Reduction: Chicago’s New Anti-Idling Law
City Council recently amended the City’s traffic code to limit standing (idling) of on-road diesel-powered vehicles within the City’s borders to a total of three (3) minutes within a sixty-minute period. The new idling limit will not only improve air quality, but will also result in fuel conservation. Reasons for the ordinance are:
Air Pollution
The City of Chicago is located in a US Environmental Protection Agency designated non-attainment area for particulate matter and ozone. Chicago is a hub for trucking, rail and marine transportation and relies on diesel-powered vehicles and equipment to provide critical services within the City. These diesel-powered vehicles perform crucial work in order to sustain our economy but are also a significant contributor to air pollution in the Chicago region. Unnecessary idling causes the release of a variety of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter and other chemicals that form ground-level ozone and contribute to global warming. These pollutants aggravate respiratory ailments, cause lung damage, and lead to cancer. Read more about diesel [AUTOLINK]exhaust[/AUTOLINK] health concerns from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Wasted Fuel and Money
Idling wastes fuel and money. When idling, a typical diesel-powered truck burns almost a gallon of fuel per hour. Drivers that eliminate unnecessary idling can save significant dollars in fuel costs each year. For instance, by not idling 30 minutes a day for one year, a truck driver saves 125 gallons of diesel and therefore approximately $374 in fuel costs (assuming a diesel fuel price of $2.99 per gallon)—while also preventing at least 101 pounds of air pollution and 2,775 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
To estimate how much you can save by idling less use Argonne National Laboratory’s Idling Calculator. Engine Wear-and-Tear
Idling myths and driver habits lead to unnecessary vehicle idling. The fact is extended idling causes engine damage. Diesel engines were designed to operate at peak efficiency running wide open. At low idle, the cylinder temperature drops causing incomplete combustion which leads to carbon build up on the valves. Engine manufacturers generally recommend that drivers limit idling.
Caterpillar Inc. cautions drivers to "... Avoid excess idling. If the vehicle is parked for more than five minutes, stop the engine. Excessive idling can cause carbon buildup and/or excessive idling can cause the engine to ‘slobber’. This is harmful to the engine."
IC Corporation's engine manual states that "...Excessive idling reduces fuel economy, and may decrease oil life."
Cummins Inc. suggests idling for only three to five minutes before operating with a load.
Who Is Enforcing the Law?
The idling law can be enforced by the Department of Environment (DOE), the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC)’s traffic control aides, the Department of Revenue (DOR)’s parking enforcement aides, and the Police Department. What is the Penalty?
The penalty for violating the excessive standing code is $250 per violation.
Exemptions
The goal of the ordinance is to reduce unnecessary idling; thus, there are certain exemptions from the three (3) minute limit. A complete list of exemptions can be found in the ordinance and include:
Authorized emergency vehicles
Vehicles standing in traffic
Vehicles running when the outdoor air temperature is below 32 degrees or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, for the operator’s or passengers’ safety
Vehicles standing with the engine running to operate auxiliary equipment
The Ordinance
The ordinance is in section 9-80-095 of the Chicago Municipal Code.
City of Chicago Vehicle Idling Management Policy:
The City of Chicago's Vehicle Idling Management Policy limits idling of municipal vehicles to 3 minutes, with certain exceptions. This policy applies to all non-emergency City vehicles, whether powered by gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuels.
Click here to view the Vehicle Idling Management Policy .
Related Links National Idling Reduction Network News
The National Idling Reduction Network brings together trucking and transit companies; railroads; ports; equipment manufacturers; Federal, state, and local government agencies; nonprofit organizations; and national research laboratories to identify consistent, workable solutions to heavy-vehicle idling for the entire United States.
State of Illinois Law Limiting Idling
Illinois State statute 625 ILCS 5/11‑1429 prohibits diesel vehicles of more than 8,000 pounds (heavy-duty trucks and buses) from idling for more than ten minutes per hour when they are parked. The State law applies in areas of the State of Illinois that do not meet federal air quality standards.
Excessive Visible Emissions Regulation
Another recent amendment the City’s traffic code is to section 9-76-140 regarding exhaust systems. The penalty for operating a vehicle that is generating excessive amounts of visible emissions from the exhaust pipe is $100 per violation.
I pick up garbage for the city.
As a Level 1 Sanitary Engineer I can tell you that I don't buy into the crap that compact floursesent bulds have mercury in them.
why we use to eat them for breakfast!
"I wore onions on my belt , as was the fasion of the time" - Grampa Simpson
-----
In 1980, Philips introduced its model SL, which was a screw-in lamp with integral ballast. The lamp used a folded T4 tube, stable tri-color phosphors, and a mercury amalgam. This was the first successful screw-in replacement for an incandescent lamp. In 1985 Osram started selling its model EL lamp, which was the first CFL to include an electronic ballast. [8]