School District of Springfield Township
                                                                                                Administrative Rule--No. 810.2

AR No. 810.2 School Bus Idling

Control Measures

            Upon arrival to school loading zone, drivers will turn off engine and not restart until time to depart.  Should weather conditions necessitate idling the bus, idling will be minimized and will take place outside the student loading zone.  The bus will then pull in as close to pick-up time as possible, turn off engine, load students, and restart.  See Cold Weather Provisions below.

            In colder weather, schools will provide a space for bus drivers who arrive early to wait inside the school.

            At depots, warm-up idling will be limited to what the school bus manufacturers recommend (usually 3-5 minutes).

            Buses will not idle while waiting for students on field trips, events or any trips off school grounds.

            Loading zone, when feasible, will be located at least 100 feet from air intakes, doors and windows of the school building.  When this is not possible, school personnel will take steps to limit air intake during loading and unloading times.

            When possible, buses will use a diagonal parking pattern with the front end towards the school entrance rather than the typical nose-to-tail pattern.

            Service and delivery vehicles will not idle in school zone.  In instances where idling is necessary to facilitate delivery (such as oil delivery), deliveries will be scheduled before or after school hours.

            Cold Weather Provisions

            If the outside temperature is between 32 degrees and -10 degrees Fahrenheit, idling to operate heaters is allowed for up to 15 minutes.

            If the outside temperature is below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, there is no time restruction on idling to use heating equipment.