Excessive Idling

Vehicle idling increases pollutant emissions through additional fuel combustion and through incomplete fuel combustion that occurs while the engine is not operating at an optimum temperature. NCTCOG is working to put idling restrictions in place as well as implement technology that will allow truck drivers to turn off their trucks and not lose power.

• Airport Operational Improvements: NCTCOG will work with regional airports to develop improvements to non-secure operations such as parking and idling. Examples include Smart Parking and cell phone-waiting lots.
  
• Diesel Freight Vehicle Idling Reduction Program: This project is intended to fund heavy-duty diesel vehicle idling reduction projects, which may include, but are not limited to, planning and establishing site-specific electrification strategies, auxiliary power units, truck stop electrification, and automatic start up/shut down systems. 
  
• Locally-Enforced Idling Restrictions: Originally established in December 2004 by TCEQ, the locally-enforced idling restriction rule places idling limits on motor vehicles in any locality that signs a Memorandum of Agreement with TCEQ.  The rule prohibits any person in the affected area from idling the engine of a heavy-duty motor vehicle for more than five consecutive minutes when the vehicle is not in motion.  This rule is effective during the Ozone Season, which runs from March 1 to October 31. 
  
• SmartWay Upgrade Kit Demonstration Program: NCTCOG, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is conducting a SmartWay Upgrade Kit Demonstration Program to evaluate the effectiveness of fuel-saving technologies, emissions control technologies and idle reduction technologies when incorporated as a unit on long-haul trucks.  Demonstration of fuel savings and emissions reductions gained from these technologies under real operating conditions may lead to greater investment in them, ultimately leading to greater adoption and use.
  
• SmartWay Transport Partnership Program: The SmartWay Transport Partnership, established by the EPA in 2004, is a voluntary, public-private partnership with the ground freight industry.  Truck and rail freight is integral to the nation’s economy; however, heavy-duty diesel vehicles are major consumers of fossil fuels and major contributors to air pollution.  The SmartWay Transport Partnership promotes a variety of strategies designed to reduce energy consumption and vehicle emissions that also lead to a reduction in costs for truck and rail freight operators. NCTCOG is partnering with EPA to support the SmartWay initiative in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and officially joined the program as a SmartWay Affiliate in October 2006.