New vehicle idling ordinance to improve air quality
08/01/2008
The Minneapolis City Council and Mayor R.T. Rybak recently approved changes to the City’s vehicle idling ordinance that aim to reduce air pollution. The ordinance limits most vehicle idling to three minutes, except in traffic.
“Most of the air pollution in Minneapolis comes from vehicles, and cutting down in idling is one easy thing we can all do for our environment, our health, and the health of our neighbors,” said Mayor R.T. Rybak. “And in these times of high gas prices, it’s also a way for people to save fuel. If you’re sitting in an idling car, you’re getting zero miles a gallon. That’s not good for your pocketbook or the environment.”
Vehicle motors release particulate matter, dirt, nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the air. These chemicals are linked to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease and asthma and are the major source of human-caused global warming. Reducing vehicle idling in Minneapolis translates into substantially less air pollution. Reducing air pollution protects the public health and the environment.
For the driver, reducing idling saves money in fuel. On average a car will burn more than half a gallon of fuel for every hour spent idling. In general, 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel then restarting the car. Warming up a car’s engine in winter needs no more than 30 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Engines generally pollute more when cold, and driving a vehicle cuts warm-up time in half. Idling a cold engine actually pollutes more than driving it does, and idling is harder on the engine.