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Policy Statement

������̳ prohibits campus-owned vehicles from idling unnecessarily. No vehicle should idle continuously for longer than five minutes, except as noted under “Applicability of the Policy” and “Policy Elaboration” below.

Rationale

������̳ is committed to sustainability. Unnecessary vehicle idling wastes fuel, pollutes the air and is detrimental to human health. This policy establishes an expectation that guides operators of campus-owned vehicles and supports ������̳’s Climate Action Plan.

Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to operators of all campus-owned vehicles, except those operating emergency response vehicles.

Policy Elaboration

An operator of a campus-owned vehicle must turn off the vehicle’s engine upon stopping at a destination and may not cause or allow a campus-owned vehicle idle continuously for longer than five minutes, except:

• While a vehicle is stopped in compliance with an official traffic control device or an official traffic control signal;
• During traffic conditions over which the driver has no control;
• While stopped at the direction of a peace officer;
• To ascertain that a vehicle is in safe operating condition and equipped as required by all provisions of law, and all equipment is in good working order;
• For testing, servicing, repairing or diagnostic purposes;
• When doing so would be inconsistent with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for operation;
• When turning off a vehicle’s engine could jeopardize campus safety;
• To operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment when doing so is necessary to prevent a safety or health emergency, but not solely for the comfort or convenience of the driver or passengers, unless the health of a passenger would be critically aggravated if the vehicle interior was not maintained within certain temperature parameters;
• To recharge a battery or other energy storage unit of a hybrid electric vehicle; or
• To supply power necessary for the operation of auxiliary equipment.

Definitions

Idling is the running of the engine of a stationary vehicle.

Procedures

None

Related Documents/Policies

Climate Action Plan