The University of Massachusetts is obligated to follow Massachusetts Air Pollution Control Regulations.
Massachusetts Air Pollution Control Regulations (310 CMR 7.11 & Mass. General Law [MGL] Chapter 90, Section 16A) state that:
- All motor vehicles shall comply with pertinent Registry of Motor Vehicle regulations pertaining to noise and exhaust.
- No person shall cause, allow, or permit the unnecessary operation of the engine of a motor vehicle while said vehicle is stopped for a foreseeable period of time in excess of five minutes.
These regulations are enforceable by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, local, state, and University police departments, local fire departments, boards of health, or state or local building inspectors.
310 CMR 7.11 shall not apply to:
- Vehicles being serviced provided idling is essential to proper repair thereof, or
- Vehicles engaged in the delivery or acceptance of goods for which engine assisted power is necessary and substitute alternate means cannot be made available, or
- Vehicles engaged in an operation for which the engine power is necessary for an associated power need other than movement and substitute alternate power means cannot be made available provided that such operation does not cause or contribute to a condition of air pollution.
University Policy in regards to compliance with 310 CMR 7.11 and MGL Chapter 90, Section 16 A:
- The University is required to comply with the State Department of Environmental Protection Regulation 310 CMR that prohibits motor vehicles from idling in excess of five (5) minutes, (except; If it is necessary in order to properly repair the vehicle, transfer goods, or to operate associated machinery as allowed in the regulation).
- All University drivers are required to be trained in this policy. This requirement is the responsibility of the employees' Department.
- Violation of this policy will be referred to the appropriate University department for corrective action.
Example of Idling Vehicles Found on Campus:
- Appropriate Idling
- Fleet services need to idle to repair the vehicle
- A lift gate is being employed to deliver or receive goods
- A man-lift is being used
- A dump truck is dumping its load
- Inappropriate Idling
- Unattended vehicle left idling
- Delivery truck idling while delivery is made
- Car/Bus idling to keep warm/cool
- Car/Bus idling to warm up on cold winter day
Environmental and Health Impacts:
Idling vehicles emit toxic pollutants & greenhouse gases such as:
- Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide
- Benzene, Formaldehyde, Polycyclic Hydrocarbons
- Particulate Matter
- If every driver stopped idling for just five minutes per day, 4,500 tons of carbon dioxide pollution would be prevented
- Motor vehicles are the largest source of dangerous air pollution that adds to human health problems
- Exposure to air pollutants is greater inside an idling car, and children are much more susceptible than adults
- USA is the number one contributor to Greenhouse gases