Stopping Idling Vehicles

For your attendees’ health and the environment

What is Denver Carbon footprint

Why is idling on Denver’s radar

• It is unnecessary • Over 400,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions

annually 1 minutes of idling is equal to CO in 3 pack of cigarettes

• 40,000 tons of air pollution per year • Why pilot at CCC

Background

• Nearby school experiencing distracting air quality• Councilwoman brings us together• CCC interested in being a good neighbor• City and County of Denver funds and manages

intervention pilot

Baseline establishedMarch – April 2008

• Observations- 18 events (67 vehicles)– larger conventions– mild temperatures (31-81O F)

• 81% found idling • 40% of these were idling beyond 10 minutes

Barriers and Benefits researchMarch-May 2008

18 interviews

– CCC Security Manager – Destination Management Companies (3)– Charter bus company management (4)– Vendors (florists, balloons etc)– Coach drivers (4)– Denver Police (2)

Barriers

• Lack of knowledge of the idling ordinance• Forgetting to turn off the engine• Lack of enforcement • Customer service expectations

Strategy Development May - June 2008

• Transportation Forum– 1 person aware of the idling ordinance– Sounding board created

• Test message on drivers– Fines motivated people the most– Balance with good neighbor and driver health

• Created materials

Strategy Implementation July- October 2008

• New signage posted at CCC (18 posted)• Letters sent announcing project (80 sent)• Pledge sent to companies (27% signed)• Prompts distributed – clocks (142) and magnets (392)• CCC security guards trained• Meetings with general services companies and event

planners• Meetings with transportation companies

Outcomes

• Qualitative:– Relationship building with event industry

– CCC is viewed as a proactive leader

– DEH is viewed as proactive & supportive of constituents

– Positive local media coverage

– Arrow installed automatic shut offs on coaches

• Quantitative: see following graphs

**Note the drop in

both number vehicles

idling and duration of idling time

What can Event Planners do?• Involved the riders in advance

– Consider making a contribution to a cause in the events attendees name. Generating reciprocity improves your success

– Have a distraction for them while waiting to board a bus

• Remind drivers to turn-off the engine while staging• Enter bus and thank guests for helping keep the air

clean and that the temperature will adjust shortly• Request that event facilities have front door or security

people verbally remind drivers to turn their engines off• Partner with your CVB to make engines off the new

normal