Policy 2.24

School Bus and Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle Idling Reduction Policy

1. Purpose. The School Board acknowledges that school buses are viewed as one of the safest, efficient, and environmentally responsible means to transport students to get to and from school. The School Board further recognizes that idling associated with the operation of school buses and other heavy-duty diesel vehicles emits greenhouse gases and other diesel-related pollutants which may pose a significant threat to air quality and public health; wastes fuel and financial resources; and causes wear and tear on engines. This policy seeks to reduce student and driver exposure to diesel-related pollutants by limiting unnecessary idling of school buses and other heavy- duty diesel vehicles on School Property.

2. Applicability. This policy applies to the operation of every district-owned school bus and other heavy-duty diesel engine powered motor vehicle on school grounds.

3. Definitions. For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions shall be applicable.

   1. Heavy-duty diesel engine powered motor vehicle means a district-owned motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating equal to or greater than 8,500 pounds; used on roads for the transportation of passengers or freight; and serves a School District, commercial, or other public/government purpose. For the purposes of this definition, gross vehicle weight rating means the weight specified by the manufacturer as the maximum design loaded weight of a single vehicle.

   2. Idling means the continuous operation of a school bus or vehicle main engine while the bus or vehicle is stopped.

   3. Official traffic control devices mean all signs, signals, markings, and devices, not inconsistent with Chapter 316. Florida Statutes, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic, as defined in § 316.003(23), Florida Statutes, as now or hereafter amended.

   4. Official traffic control signals mean any device, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed, as defined in § 316.003(24), Florida Statutes, as now or hereafter amended.

   5. School bus is a motor vehicle regularly used for the transportation of prekindergarten disability program and kindergarten through grade 12 students of the public schools to and from school or to and from school activities, and owned, operated, rented, contracted, or leased by the School Board, as defined in § 1006.25(1), Florida Statutes, as now or hereafter amended.

   6. School grounds means any school center, facility, including any areas adjacent to school buildings, and used at any time for school related activities, including parking lots, playing fields and driveways, or grounds owned or occupied by the School Board. The definition includes the location of a School District sponsored activity as well as transportation provided by the School District to attend a School District sponsored activity, as an extracurricular activity, field trip and other school-related activities.

4. Policy Statement. The School Board desires to eliminate the unnecessary idling of district-owned school buses and other heavy-duty diesel engine powered motor vehicles while on school grounds. In this regard, school buses and heavy-duty diesel engine vehicles shall not idle for more than five (5) consecutive minutes when not in motion, unless otherwise authorized by this policy. The following control measures shall apply.

   1. No school bus driver shall cause or allow the engine of any school bus subject to this policy to idle prior to, during layover between, at the destination of, or at the conclusion of, any school trip or route for more than five (5) consecutive minutes, except under the conditions provided for in section 5 of this policy.

   2. School buses shall not idle while waiting for students on field trips, events or any trips away from the school center.

5. Exemptions. The idling restriction as provided in this policy shall not apply for the period or periods during which idling is necessary under the following circumstances:

   1. Traffic Conditions. Limited idling is necessary while stopped for conditions over which the driver has no control such as:

      1. for an official traffic control device or signal:

      2. in a line of traffic;

      3. at a railroad crossing;

      4. at a construction zone; or

      5. at the direction of law enforcement officials.

   2. Maintenance of Operations. Limited idling is necessary:

      1. To verify or ascertain that the school bus or vehicle is in good working order or safe operating condition and equipped as required by law, and all equipment is in good working order, either as part of the daily vehicle inspection or as needed provided the engine is mandatory for such verification.

      2. To recharge the battery of a school bus or vehicle; or

      3. For testing, servicing, repairing or diagnostic purposes.

   3. Safety of Students and Emergencies. Limited idling is necessary to:

      1. Use or operate a lift or other piece of equipment designed to ensure safe loading, unloading, or transport of persons with one or more disabilities; or

      2. Use an air conditioner or heater of a bus or vehicle during the loading, unloading or transport of children with exceptional/special needs aboard.

      3. Use of air conditioner or other equipment for safety or health considerations, but not solely for the comfort of the driver.

      4. Use of bus or vehicle headlights or four-way flasher warning lights for visibility purposes; or

      5. For other traffic, safety or emergency situations.

   4. Weather. Limited idling of a school bus to:

      1. Ten (10) minutes prior to passenger loading if necessary to cool the school bus for passenger comfort.

      2. If justified by cold outside temperatures, the minimum period of time to heat the bus prior to loading.

   5. Other Conditions. Limited idling is necessary to accomplish work for which the heavy-duty diesel vehicle was designed, other than propulsion or transporting students/passengers, for example:

      1. The operation of a lift or other auxiliary equipment, other than a heater or air conditioner; or

      2. The collection of solid waste or recyclable material by an entity authorized by contract, license or permit by the School District.

   6. Queuing at a School. Where the physical configuration of a school requires a queue of buses for the sequential discharge or pickup of students, and the queue of buses is actively engaged in the discharge or pickup of students.

6. Responsibilities.

   1. Signage. To the extent practicable, the Superintendent or his designee will post "limited idling" signs in loading and unloading areas to alert bus drivers and other heavy duty diesel vehicle drivers on school grounds of this policy, or that engines should be turned off when a bus or vehicle is waiting or parked. This policy shall further be posted at the Transportation Department, including locations where maintenance is performed on school buses or other district-owned heavy-duty diesel vehicles.

   2. Training. The Transportation Department shall complete an "idling" training session with school bus drivers and other district employees operating heavy-duty diesel engine motor vehicles. All school bus drivers shall be provided with a copy of this policy or equivalent educational materials at the beginning of each school year and at the beginning of their jobs as bus drivers, if they are new employees.

   3. Bus Routing. When possible, the Transportation Department will revise bus schedules to avoid school bus caravanning and will assign the "cleanest" buses to the longest routes.

7. Sanctions for Violation. District-employed bus drivers who are known to have engaged in prohibited behavior with regard to excessive idling of school buses or other heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles are subject to disciplinary action. The Director of Transportation shall monitor and enforce compliance with this policy, and any person may report incidents of noncompliance to the Director of Transportation.

8. Administrative Procedures. The Superintendent or designee is authorized to develop procedures consistent with this policy and amend those procedures from time to time as deemed necessary. Procedures issued by the Superintendent shall be a part of this policy's appendices without further action of the School Board.