Senator Browne Introduces "Anti-idling" Legislation

Parked trucks would be limited to five minutes per hour

The noise and noxious exhaust fumes of idling tractor trailers would be significantly reduced in Pennsylvania under legislation recently introduced by Senator Pat Browne.

"Currently, the Commonwealth does not have regulations regarding diesel emissions and idling times and that is something that needs to change immediately," Senator Browne said. "Anyone who regularly travels Interstate 78, Route 22, Route 222, Route 309, or any of Pennsylvania's major highways knows the volume of trucks has increased significantly. That means the number of trucks idling on the shoulders of those highways and in truck stops has significantly increased as well.

"That has resulted in more noise and more pollution. It's no surprise that the air quality in Pennsylvania's major transit corridors is poor," Senator Browne continued. "We cannot reduce the number of trucks on our highways, but Pennsylvania can and must act to limit the noise and exhaust from idling vehicles."

Senate Bill 295, which is now before the Senate Transportation Committee, would bar commercial diesel vehicles from idling for more than five minutes during any 60-minute period. The time frame would be extended to a maximum of 30 minutes for vehicles waiting to load or unload at a location under the load/unload site owner's control.

Any person who violates the provisions of SB 295 would be given a warning ticket on first offense. On subsequent offenses, violators would face fines of $150, if the person is the commercial diesel vehicle operator or $500, if the person is the commercial diesel vehicle owner or the load/unload location owner.

Senator Browne drafted the legislation in response to concerns from residents living around Midway Manor in Allentown. But he has since found that the nuisance, health and safety concerns they raised are being echoed in municipalities across the Commonwealth.

"I looked into this problem after I was contacted by a group of individuals who live directly across the street from a truck stop," Senator Browne said. "I visited the area and found that they – like many people across the state – have serious concerns. These residents have to deal with idling trucks and the resulting noise and air pollution all hours of the day and night on a regular basis. It is time that the Commonwealth enacted legislation to regulate these vehicles so residents do not need to be exposed to the air pollution and noise from these idling trucks."

SB 295 would permit police, fire, ambulance, public safety, military, other emergency or law enforcement vehicles or any vehicles being used in an emergency capacity to idle when in an emergency or training mode, but not for the convenience of the vehicle operator.

An armored vehicle would also be specifically exempted from the idling limit when a person remains inside the vehicle to guard contents or while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded.

SB 295 also provides some specific, limited exemptions for commercial diesel vehicles:

When stopped because of on-highway traffic, an official traffic control device or signal, or at the direction of a law enforcement official.
When operating defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or if equipment is being installed solely to prevent a safety or health emergency, and not as part of a rest period.
When the primary propulsion engine idles for maintenance, servicing, repairing or diagnostic purposes if idling is required for that activity.
When part of a Federal or State inspection, if idling is required as part of the inspection.
When idling of a primary propulsion engine is necessary to power work-related mechanical or electrical operations -- other than propulsion. This exemption would not apply when idling is done for cabin comfort or to operate non-essential onboard equipment.
When due to mechanical difficulties over which the driver has no control, if the vehicle owner submits the repair paperwork or product repair verifying that the mechanical problem has been fixed, by mail to the Department of Transportation within 30 days of the repair.

Senator Browne also included three temporary exemptions in the legislation. These provisions will expire three years after a State financial assistance program for idle reduction technologies or strategies is implemented:

A passenger bus idling for a maximum of 15 minutes in any 60-minute period to maintain passenger comfort while non-driver passengers are onboard.
An occupied vehicle with a sleeper berth compartment idles for purposes of air conditioning or heating during a rest or sleep period.
An occupied vehicle idles for purposes of air conditioning or heating while waiting to load or unload.

Contact:

Lesley Crozier
(717) 787-1349