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Reducing vehicle idle time helps in saving fuel and money, cuts pollution, and also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to US energy security. Moreover, if the idle time is decreased, it also reduces the engine wear and the costs that are associated with it, especially for heavy-duty trucks. Following the idle mitigation system will be helpful.
It saves fuel and money
The Argonne National Library estimates that as many as one million long-haul heavy-duty trucks idle during the rest stops. As the trucks idle, they tend to consume more than one billion gallons of fuel each year. In addition to this, there are thousands of trucks that idle to support the daily jobs. Moreover, there are millions of cars idle waiting for traffic or pick-up situations. Argonne further estimates that more than 6 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel are lost during idling every year. Even at times when the price of fuel is as low as $2 per gallon, the wasted gallons translate to as much as $11 billion annually. This could have been saved if the idle mitigation system had been followed.
Cutting down on harmful emissions
Idle reduction strategies can also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants. The idle mitigation system thereby also helps in reducing pollution. There are also some areas where heavy-duty trucks and trains are required to reduce the noise at night. If they adopt these idle reduction technologies and strategies, the drivers will be able to comply with the noise standards.
Increasing energy security
The US became the net explorer of petroleum in the year 2020 when the exports surpassed the imports, though imports worth 7.86 million barrels per day remained an important part of balancing both the supply and the demand for the domestic and international markets. Together, the transportation sector accounts for approximately as much as 30% of the total US energy needs and as much as 70% of the total consumption of US petroleum. If one reduces the idle reduction strategies to reduce the consumption of fuel, it strengthens the national energy security and also reduces the transportation energy costs that businesses and consumers bear.
Complying with the laws and the ordinances
There are many states that follow idle reduction laws and incentives. Moreover, there are also many countries and municipalities that have enacted idling restrictions. To check out the information that is specifically for heavy-duty trucks, one can check out the American Transportation Research Institute’s idle regulation compendium.
The researchers estimate that, together, light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles waste about 6 billion gallons of fuel every year. Almost half of this is the contribution of the personal vehicles that generate about 30 million tonnes of CO2 each year just by idling. If one considers this on a per car basis, the impact of idling is less, but there are 250 million personal vehicles in the US that add up to this figure.
Conclusion
Modern cars, however, do not need idle reducing systems as the advancement of vehicle technology has made it easier to avoid idling. Current vehicle owners are provided with manuals that contain relevant information on how they can get the best and most economical performance from their vehicles. The catalytic converters also reduce emissions and operate sooner when the car is driven. Even during the coldest days, car manufacturers recommend avoiding idling and driving off gently after running the vehicle for about 30 seconds.
