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SOUTH COAST SCHOOL BUS IDLING STUDY
Impact/Purpose:
Evaluate the behavioral patterns of school bus service and idling at elementaly schools in the South Coast air basin. Results will be used by the California Air Resources Board for assessing children's risks of waiting near idling buses, and formulating strategies to reduce school bus idling .
Description:
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) conducted this study to provide information useful for estimating exposure of children in the South coast air basin to diesel exhaust while buses are loading and unloading at shcool sites. It was found that school buses in California and in the South Coast are frequently older models, with a large percentage pre-dating model year 1994. These buses are likely to emit relatively large amounts of diesel exhaust and currently not eligible for retrofit with advanced controls. The study did not observe many buses idling for prolonged periods of time outside schools. On the other hand, though not part of the study, the study observed very large numbers of passenger cars and sport utility vehicles idling outside of schools for prolonged periods of time. Representatives from the US EPA RegionIX and the California EPA served on the Scientific Advisory Committee.