SAMPLE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY TO LIMIT SCHOOL BUS IDLING

(adopted from Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance Sierra Club Air Toxics Campaign*)

(a) Purpose. This policy seeks to reduce student and driver exposure to
diesel exhaust particulate matter by limiting unnecessary idling of school buses
pursuant to Minnesota Statute 123B.885 (Diesel school buses: operation of
engine: parking).

(b) Applicability. This policy applies to district-owned school buses and
contracted school buses while being operated for the purpose of transporting the
school district’s students at public expense.

(c) Idling Control Measure.

(1) The school district shall:

(A) relocate school building air intake systems more than 100
feet away from school bus parking areas when practical and
shall take other measures to reduce intake of school bus
exhaust where relocating intake systems is not feasible,
such as regulating closure of air intake vents.

(2) A driver of a diesel school bus:

(A) must turn off the bus upon reaching a school or other
destination and must not turn on the engine until necessary
to depart from the school or destination; and

(B) must park the bus at least 100 feet from a known and active
school air intake system, unless the school district has
determined that alternative locations block traffic, impair
student safety or are not cost-effective.

(3) The employer of the school bus driver must ensure that:

(A) the bus or vehicle driver upon employment, and as
necessary thereafter, is informed of the requirements of this
policy and the reasons therefor.

(4) The employer of the school bus driver must ensure that:

(A) all complaints of non-compliance are reviewed and remedial
action is taken as necessary.

* The OEA and the Sierra Club would like to thank transportation directors throughout Minnesota
for assistance in developing this sample policy. | December 2002

(d) Exemptions. The requirement that a driver of a diesel school bus must turn off the bus and must
refrain from idling does not apply for the period or periods during which idling is necessary
under the following circumstances:

(1) Turbo-diesel Engine Cool Down or Warm Up

(A) To cool down a turbo-charged diesel engine for a period not
to exceed 5 minutes before turning off the engine. (The cool
down should be in accordance with the bus manufacturer’s
specifications); or

(B) To warm up a turbo-charged diesel engine for a period not to
exceed 3 minutes. (The warm up should be in accordance
with the bus manufacturer’s specifications).

(2) Cold Weather

(A) If the outside temperature is between 32 degrees and –10
degrees, idling to operate heaters is allowed for up to 15
minutes; or

(B) If the outside temperature is below –10, there is no time
restriction on idling to use heating equipment.

(C) In cold weather, if bus drivers will be at a location for more
than 15 minutes, an indoor waiting area is encouraged.

(3) Safety of Children and Emergencies

(A) Use of lift equipment during loading or unloading of children
with one or more disabilities;

(B) Use of a heater or an air conditioner of a bus during loading,
unloading or transport of children with exceptional needs;

(C) Use of defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other
equipment for safety or health considerations;

(D) Use of the bus headlights or four-way flasher warning lights
for visibility purposes; or

(E) For other traffic, safety, or emergency situations.

(F) In any of the above cases, if equipment can be run from the
battery then the drivers should refrain from idling, unless
there is a significant concern of draining the battery.

(4) Maintenance of Operations

(A) To charge a battery of a school bus, if needed; or

(B) For testing to verify that the bus is in safe operating condition
as part of the daily pre-trip vehicle inspection, or as
otherwise required, including to measure vehicle emissions.