Anti-Idling Policy

  

In an effort to put an end to unnecessary idling, the Town of Ajax wants you to kick the idling habit and is undertaking several anti-idling initiatives. The initiatives include an anti-idling bylaw, a community outreach program, and idle free zones.

On September 14, 2009 Ajax Council approved an anti-idling bylaw. The bylaw limits the idling of vehicles engines to less than two minutes. The bylaw also sets out a fine of $38.00 for those that don’t adhere to the limit.

With your help and perseverance, the Town would like to eliminate idling all together. To help achieve this goal, try adding some of these helpful tips to your daily routine:

• Reduce “warm up” idling to 30 seconds.
• If you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off your engine (except at traffic lights).
• Do not use a remote car starter.
• In temperatures below freezing, use a block heater (preferably with a timer) to warm your engine before you start it.
• Spread the word to your family and friends.

The Town will be partnering with local EcoSchools to urge parents to turn off their vehicles while waiting to pick up their children. The Town will also be working with local businesses to help them implement an anti-idling policy within their workplace. Natural Resources Canada promotes the reduction of idling and may offer grants or incentives to business owners who implement anti-idling policies.

Taking this anti-idling campaign a step further, the Town is introducing idle free zones around all municipal facilities and environmentally sensitive areas such as the Town’s waterfront and Greenwood Conservation Area. The idle free zones will be identified with unique signage.

By implementing these initiatives to reduce idling, the Town is maintaining its commitment to preserve the environment. By taking a proactive approach, the Town aims to improve local air quality and further reduce green house gas emissions.

In developing the anti-idling strategies for the Town, an extensive survey was completed during Green Living Days; at the Local GO Station; during the Urban Forest Workshop as well as a business specific survey. The results are as follows:

Residents

• 94% would support reducing vehicle engine idling initiatives brought forward by the Town of Ajax.
• 98% believe each member of the community has a responsibility to protect the environment.

Businesses

• 61% of business own/operate between 1-25 vehicles.
• 17.6% have internal idling policies.
• 65% would support reducing vehicle engine idling initiatives brought forward by the Town of Ajax.
• 100% believe they have a responsibility to protect the environment.

Related Information

• Every Minute Counts Brochure
• Interesting Facts & Stats

Background Information

The Town's Anti-Idling Policy was originally initiated in 2005 to stop unnecessary engine emissions due to idling. The policy stated that Town vehicles would not be permitted to idle for longer than two minutes. In addition, Fleet Services continues to replace old vehicles with hybrids that do not idle - using an internal combustion engine.

Did you know?

• An idling vehicle emits nearly 20 times more air pollution than when traveling at 50km/hr.
• Turning off and starting an engine uses less fuel than letting the engine run for 30 seconds.
• Engine wear is greater at prolonged idle than during normal operation.
• The Ontario Ministry of Transportation estimates that an idling gasoline vehicle with an average sized engine uses about 2.2 litres of fuel per hour, an idling diesel truck engine uses about three litres of fuel per hour.
• Reducing idling time by 10 minutes a day translates into approximately 60.8 hours a year, and a fuel consumption avoidance of more than 100 litres.