Idle Reduction Policy

  1. Applicability.
    1. This voluntary policy can be applied throughout Southwest Missouri.
    2. This policy applies to owners or operators of commercial, public and institutional heavy-duty diesel vehicles which are designed to operate on public streets and highways.
    3. This policy applies to owners or operators of locations where commercial, public and institutional heavy-duty diesel vehicles load or unload (hereinafter referred to as "load/unload locations").
    4. Passenger vehicles as defined in Section (2)(I) of this rule are exempt from this rule.
  2. Definitions.
    1. Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) - an integrated system that -
      1. provides heat, air conditioning, engine warming, or electricity to components on a heavy-duty vehicle; and
      2. is certified by the Administrator under part 89 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), as meeting applicable emissions standards.
    2. Commercial Vehicle - any motor vehicle, other than a passenger vehicle, and any trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer drawn by such motor vehicle, that is designed, used and maintained for the transportation of persons or property for hire, compensation, profit or in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.
    3. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - The value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum design loaded weight of a single vehicle.
    4. Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle - A vehicle that -
      1. has a gross vehicle weight rating greater than eight thousand five hundred (8,500) pounds; and
      2. is powered by a diesel engine; and
      3. is designed primarily for transporting persons or property on a public street or highway.
    5. Idling - The operation of an engine in the operating mode where the engine is not engaged in gear, where the engine operates at a speed at the revolutions per minute specified by the engine or vehicle manufacturer for when the accelerator is fully released and there is no load on the engine.
    6. Institutional Vehicles - Any motor vehicle, other than a passenger vehicle, and any trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer drawn by such a motor vehicle, that is designed, used and maintained for the transportation of persons or property for an establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program especially one of a pubic, educational, or charitable character.
    7. Load/Unload Locations - Distribution centers, warehouses, retail stores, railroad facilities, ports and other similar facilities where truck drivers may idle their engines to maintain cab comfort while waiting to load or unload.
    8. Passenger Vehicle - Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, designed for carrying ten (10) passengers or less and used for the transportation of persons.
    9. Public Vehicles - Any motor vehicle, other than a passenger vehicle, and any trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer drawn by such a motor vehicle, which is designed, used and maintained for the transportation of persons or property at the public expense and under public control.
  3. General Provisions.
    1. Requirement for existing load/unload locations. No existing load/unload location owner or operator shall cause or allow vehicles covered by this rule to idle for a period greater than thirty (30) minutes in any sixty (60) minute period while waiting to load or unload at a location under their control.
    2. Requirement for heavy-duty diesel vehicles. No owner or operator of a vehicle shall cause or permit vehicles covered by this rule to idle for more than five (5) minutes in any 60 minute period except as noted in Section (3)(C) of this rule, and except while waiting to load or unload as provided in Section (3)(A) of this rule.
    3. Exempt emission activities. The following activities are exempt:
      1. A vehicle idling while forced to remain motionless because of road traffic, an official traffic control device or signal, or at the direction of a law enforcement official.
      2. A vehicle idling when operating defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment solely to prevent a safety or health emergency.
      3. A police, fire, ambulance, public safety, military, other emergency or law enforcement vehicle, or any vehicle being used in an emergency capacity, idling while in an emergency or training mode, and not for the convenience of the vehicle operator.
      4. The primary propulsion engine idling for maintenance, servicing, repairing, or diagnostic purposes if idling is necessary for such activity.
      5. A vehicle idling as part of a state or federal inspection to verify that all equipment is in good working order, provided idling is required as part of the inspection.
      6. A primary propulsion engine idling when necessary to power work related mechanical or electrical operations other than propulsion (e.g., mixing or processing cargo or straight truck refrigeration). This exemption does not apply when idling for cabin comfort or to operate non-essential on-board equipment.
      7. An armored vehicle idling when a person remains inside the vehicle to guard the contents, or while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded.
      8. A passenger bus idling for fifteen (15) minutes in any sixty (60) minute period to maintain passenger comfort while non-driver passengers are onboard.
      9. An occupied vehicle with a sleeper berth compartment idling for purposes of air conditioning or heating during government mandated rest periods.
      10. A vehicle idling due to mechanical difficulties over which the driver has no control.
      11. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles used exclusively for agricultural operations and only incidentally operated or moved upon public roads.
      12. Operating an auxiliary power unit as an alternative to idling the main engine.

What's New

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources completes the ground-level ozone compliance review for Southwest Missouri.