Thursday, February 12, 2009

Anti-Idling Laws

Our idling, polluting, money-wasting buses deserve their own post/thread. Many comments were scattered in the UCO Officer posts.
An excellent observation from Grace: Ms La Bonte has a different answer for different people. When I complained to her she told me the buses would be too hot for the people if they shut them off. I told her I (turn) my car off when I am not using it and turn the motor on when I am leaving with the air conditioning when needed. I cool off quite quickly. No one seems to adddress the pollution factor. I walk past the buses on my way into the clubhouse and hold my breath because I don't want to breath in the air from the exhausts. In Montreal, where I hail from, they passed a laws years ago that it was unlawful to leave a car idling for more than 2 minutes. Ms LaBonte in her wisdom? is a polluter.


Dave, What was the dollar cost for busses standing 6 deep at the Clubhouse for 15 minutes with engines running and three busses which do the same at Publix for 10 minutes?? TIA


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Ok! first a few assumptions:

1) Bus engine size: 351 CI / 5.7L ( this info. from a Capri mechanic but not confirmed by management).

2) Fuel consumption @ idle: 500ML in 10 minutes (Federal statistics mean value).

3) Gas Cost: $2.00 per gallon.
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6 busses idle at CH for 15 minutes: $13,967.92 / year

3 busses idle at Publix for 10 minutes: $4,655.67 / year

Total: $18,623.59.

Remember, these are only two data categories; where else in the route do the busses idle for over 1 or 2 minutes?

Save the air and save our money; turn the busses off during extended stops of over 2 minutes, not to include traffic lights.

Dave

7 comments:

elaineb said...

You do not have to go to Canada for Anti-Idling Laws: Idling is illegal in 42 states -- Although most anti-idling laws are still aimed at large trucks and commercial vehicles, a growing number of regions and municipalities are planning or close to enacting laws limiting or prohibiting idling of passenger cars.
Idling wastes fuel and money -- It's been estimated that American drivers unnecessarily consume over 2 billion gallons of fuel each year while idling.
Idling adversely affects the health of millions -- Researchers have proven a direct link between air contaminants present in vehicle emissions and serious respiratory conditions. Younger children and older adults are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of these pollutants.

Anonymous said...

Your govt will back your efforts.
Incentives and Funding for Idling Reduction Projects
The DOE Clean Cities program provides a listing of Federal and State programs that offer incentives and funding for idling reduction projects. Further information can be found at http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/fed_summary.php/afdc/US/0

Anonymous said...

If they won't shut the buses off, get another bus company.

Anonymous said...

Ralph, the best and easiest thing to do is make sure LaBonte does not become a Vice President. She does not have the education, experience, and most of all, the motivation to help Century Village. Everything she touches turns to ashes. The post office bus stop at the Clubhouse, for instance.

Al

Mike said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Thanks Al, I did not know Labonte was resposible for the Post Office debacle. That makes her a candidate for stoning on BBQ Island not a candidate for the UCO Board

Anonymous said...

Asthma Anyone? Engine idling has serious health consequences, experts say. Air pollution contributes to ozone depletion, increases rates of asthma and heart disease and contributes to the greenhouse gases that are associated with climate change.