8615 - SCHOOL BUS IDLING

Dublin City School District

Bylaws & Policies

8615 - SCHOOL BUS IDLING

This policy applies to the operation of all Board-owned school buses and seeks to reduce student and driver exposure to diesel exhaust particulate matter by limiting unnecessary idling pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 3301-83-20, General Rules, paragraph (O).

Purpose

Eliminate all unnecessary idling by Dublin City School buses such that idling time is minimized in all aspects of school bus operation.

Guidance

	A.	Idling time during early morning warm-up will be limited to what is recommended by the manufacturer (not to exceed 10 minutes) unless extreme cold dictates a longer period for engine warm-up.
	B.	When school bus drivers arrive at loading or unloading areas to pick up or drop off passengers, they should turn off their buses as soon as possible to eliminate idling time. The school bus should not be restarted until it is ready to depart. Exceptions include conditions that would compromise passenger safety, such as extreme weather conditions.
	C.	Buses should not idle while waiting for students during field trips or other extracurricular activities off school grounds.
	D.	In cold weather, a designated area inside the school building should be made available for bus drivers to wait between route events.
	E.	In extremely cold weather, if the warmth of the bus is an issue, idling will be kept to an absolute minimum and take place outside the loading area. The bus will enter the loading area as close to the pick-up time as possible.

Adopted 9/8/09