Green Mountain College
Tier2-11: Prohibiting Idling

Green Mountain College No-Idling Policy Applicability This policy applies to the operation of any vehicle on Green Mountain College property. Rationale Exhaust from idling vehicles can accumulate and pose a health risk to employees, drivers, and the community at large. Exposure to exhaust can cause lung damage and respiratory problems. Exhaust also exacerbates asthma and existing allergies, and long-term exposure is thought to increase the risk of lung cancer. Idling vehicles also waste fuel and financial resources and contribute to global warming. Idling is bad for the environment and bad for the bottom line. Purpose To minimize idling time in all aspects of facility vehicle operation. Guidance •When drivers arrive at loading or unloading areas to drop off or pick up passengers, they should turn off their vehicles as soon as possible to eliminate idling time and reduce harmful emissions. Vehicles should not be restarted until passengers are ready to depart and there is a clear path by which to exit the pickup area. Exceptions include conditions that would compromise passenger safety, such as: o extreme weather o idling in traffic •At bus and facility vehicle depots, limit idling time during early-morning warm-up to what is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (generally 3 to 5 minutes) in all but the coldest weather. •All service delivery vehicles should turn off their engines while making deliveries to the facility. •All drivers of any vendor or GMC vehicle should receive a copy of this bulletin and be encouraged to discuss it at the beginning of every year. Approved by Cabinet Spring 2011