Idle (engine)

This commonly occurs when drivers are stopped at a red light, waiting while parked outside a business or residence, or otherwise stationary with the engine running.

[4] Consequently, recommendations have been made to shut off a car's engine after ten seconds of idling to reduce emissions.

Source:[6][3] Health effects of idling are related to engine exhaust, and include acute effects such as eye, throat, and bronchial irritation; nausea; cough, phlegm congestion; allergic or asthma-like respiratory response; increased risk for cardiac events; cancer, and chronic effects, such as bronchitis, decreased lung function, damage to reproductive function (low birth weight and damage to sperm chromatin and DNA).

[11] Many newer semi-trucks have small auxiliary power units (APUs) to run accessories more efficiently while the truck is parked.

673-1998 Chapter 517 in the Municipal Code) in Canada in 1996 to reduce idle time to 3 minutes for vehicles and marine vessels.

[14][15] There are plans by the health department to ask for the bylaw to be amended to a limit of one minute and no exemptions to be made for the city's fleet, including the Toronto Transit Commission buses.

[14] Other Canadian municipalities have followed Toronto's lead: In a bid to reduce air pollution, the Hong Kong Government enacted the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Ordinance from December 2011.

Both police traffic wardens and inspectors of the Environmental Protection Department can fine offenders HK$320.

[31] The state of Colorado has in place a tax credit for alternative fuel and qualified idle reduction technologies, as well as the Green Truck Grant Program which allows the Governor's Energy Office to provide reimbursement of up to 25% of costs to owners of commercial trucks used in interstate commerce to reduce emissions.