About Us | Background | Why Be Concerned? | How Does CDN Work? | How To Join | Materials | What You Can Do

   (Photo courtesy of Virginia Department Of Transportation)

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About Us

Similar to our Valley AIRCorps program, the Clean Diesel Network (CDN) is a voluntary, business outreach program that creates and nurtures clean air partnerships, particularly with area members of the freight industry.  CDN was created for trucking companies, independent drivers, truck stops, gas stations, and rest areas operating in Winchester-Frederick County and traveling within the Shenandoah Valley. 

The center of CDN is membership in the Air Quality Action Day Network (AQAD)--a network to inform the public of health risks on Code Orange Action Days and to take simple steps to reduce smog-inducing emissions.  As a secondary objective, CDN also strives to educate the freight industry on the cost effectiveness of proper engine management and maintenance, particularly engine idling reduction.  A variety of informational and promotional materials are available as a guide.

Background

The Shenandoah Valley consists of a network of cities and towns that are connected by Interstate 81--a heavily trafficked corridor that has become a major route for interstate truck transportation in recent years.  Today in fact, I-81 serves as one of the most important transportation corridors on the East Coast and is the route for a large majority of the truck traffic in the Valley. 

Regularly listed as one of the top eight trucking routes in the United States, trucks account for 20% to 40% of the total traffic on I-81.On some sections, the number of trucks nearly equals the number of passenger cars.  This interstate traffic is essential to the economic vitality of the Shenandoah Valley; however, there is increasing concern about the health effects associated with exposure to diesel exhaust.  Reduction in engine idling is one way to cut back on this exhaust.

Idling vehicles emit significant amounts of pollution.  Ozone, or smog, is one of these pollutants.  It forms when sunlight reacts with emissions from cars and trucks.  The worst time of the year for ozone is May through October--when temperatures are highest and the amount of sunlight is greatest.  During this time, ozone forecasts are reported to the public using the Air Quality Index, or AQI.  The AQI is a daily color-coded index that tells you how clean or polluted your air is and what associated health effects might be a concern for you.

Why Be Concerned?

Increased Truck Costs.  If you drive or own a diesel vehicle, you should be aware of the following significant problems associated with engine idling:

• Wasted fuel and money.  A typical truck burns approximately one gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it idles.  If this truck idles for 6 hours per day (300 days a year) at the price of $2.50 per gallon of diesel, this idling comes with a price tag of about $4,500 per truck!
• Excessive engine wear.  Compared to driving at regular speeds, running an engine at low speed (idling) causes twice the wear and tear on the engine's internal parts.  According to the American Trucking Association, such wear can increase maintenance and overhaul costs by nearly $2,000 per year and can shorten the life of the engine.
• State regulations.  Fines of several hundred dollars per idling violation are now being collected by a growing number of states.  In Virginia, you can be fined for idling longer than 10 minutes in commercial or residential urban areas.

Public Health.  Air pollution as a result of idling can pose health risks to everyone, including:

• Truck drivers.  While sitting in an idling vehicle, drivers are exposed to the truck's pollution more than when the vehicle is in motion, because there is no airflow to vent the emissions.
• Children.  Breathing ozone produced by idling has a greater effect on children than on adults.  Children breathe 50% more air, have lungs that are still developing, and have narrower airways.
• Elderly.  People's breathing ability declines as they get older, so even the healthy elderly are more likely to suffer health problems from air pollution.
• People with lung disease, including asthma.  Those with asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases already have breathing problems.  When they breathe in ozone, they become even sicker.
• Active adults.  People who work or exercise outdoors are exposed to air pollution from idling.  Intense physical exertion or exercise increases your breathing rate and forces polluted air more deeply into your lungs.

How Does CDN Work?

When unhealthy ozone levels are likely, the Valley AIRNow Outreach team notifies CDN participants via e-mail or fax. Announcements are also made via local television and radio news broadcasts as well as on the Valley AIRNow Air Quality Hotline (540.450.2207). 

Employers are asked to inform employees and/or customers about forecasted Air Quality Action Days and suggest voluntary actions individual can take to reduce the release of ozone-forming agents, especially during the hottest parts of the day.  Educational materials are also available to display around your facility on these days.

All you need to do is appoint a Clean Air Coordinator and we will help you create your own Air Quality Action Day program for your business.

Help us promote your positive steps by demonstrating that your business cares about the community and the environment!

How To Join

Join the Shenandoah Valley Clean Diesel Network!  It's free and easy to sign up through our online registration, and it takes very little time to manage.  Enroll you or your trucking company now and you will enjoy the following membership benefits:

• Alerts via email or fax on Code Orange Days (on average, only 1 to 2 days per summer) to inform you and/or your employees of days when ozone concentrations are expected to exceed safe levels;
• Publicity on the Valley AIRNow website as well as at local events;
• Recognition in local media resources, such as The Winchester Star or Northern Virginia Daily;
• Educational posters and brochures to display around your facility;
• Bumper stickers to place on your trucks advertising your participation and dedication to improving air quality in the Valley;
• Optional metal street signs to install in designated parking spaces, encouraging drivers to turn off their engine;
• Annual awards of appreciation and exemplary service to the community.

By joining the Network, we ask only that you help spread the word and disseminate any Code Orange Alerts to employees or other independent drivers.  Help educate others on the health risks associated with the Alert and on ways to reduce ozone-forming emissions.

Materials

The following informational and promotional materials are available for review online and will be provided to all Clean Diesel Network members upon program enrollment.

• brochure
• poster
• bookmark/magnet
• bumper sticker
• street sign

What You Can Do

Whether you are a truck owner, driver, or other member of the freight industry, there are several simple yet effective steps you can take to reduce engine wear, improve air quality, and save money!

1. Turn off your engine during rest periods.  Eliminating unnecessary truck idling could save up to 1,900 gallons of fuel each year.  This leads to a cost savings of an estimated $4,500, lower engine maintenance costs, fewer engine overhauls per miles traveled, and better air quality.
2. Turn your engine off if parked for more than 30 seconds.  Generally, more than 30 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.  Compared to driving at regular speeds, idling causes twice the wear on internal engine parts. 
3. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.  Most engine manufacturers recommend that newer engines run for roughly 3 to 5 minutes before driving, which is much shorter than for old trucks.
4. Consider idle reduction technologies.  Many new technologies are available, including automatic engine shut-down systems, diesel fuel-fired heaters, auxiliary power units, and truck stop electrification connections.  For details and funding opportunities, visit www.epa.gov/smartway/idle-fund.htm.
5. Follow idling laws and guidelines in your state.  In Virginia, the maximum idling time in commercial or residential urban areas is 10 minutes.  However, trucks that use auxiliary power units are exempt. 
6. Keep your engine well tuned and maintained.  Regular maintenance and tune-ups improve gas mileage, extend the life of your truck, and improve air quality.
7. Fill up your tank with biodiesel.  Trucks running on biodiesel blends smell better, produce fewer emissions, and significantly improve the lubrication of engine components.  For more information on biodiesel and where to fill up, visit www.biodiesel.org.
8. Get fuel when it's cool.  Refueling your truck during cooler periods of the day or in the evening can prevent gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone, or smog.
9. Don't top off the tank.  This releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump's anti-pollution devices.
10. Spread the word.  If all members of the freight industry took just a few of these simple steps, it could make a big difference in the amount of fuel we consume and the quality of the air we breathe.

Northern Shenandoah Valley Air Quality Improvement Task Force
Phone: 540-450-2207 | | info@valleyairnow.com