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Green Ideas We’d Like To See: Gas-Conservation Signs At Railway CrossingsEven at $4 gas, people still don't get it. |
12 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Green Living, Transportation | July 1, 2008 | ||
This may not affect all people — but where I live, to get from one end of town to the other, one must cross some train tracks. Generally, you’re not going to be inconvenienced by this — but several times a day, we do have trains pass through and halt traffic in town.
Sometimes, these trains take as little as five minutes to pass. Other times, it may be as long as 15-20 minutes. Whatever the scenario, it never ceases to amaze me how many people simply sit in their vehicles and keep the gas running. I thought this odd back in 2005 when gas was around $3.50, but simply find it really stupid today.
I’m not really sure at what point we’ll get it. Maybe $6, maybe $9. Until then, we probably need to be told how stupid we are — hence, the photoshopped sign up above that I’d love to see added around the country. Mine’s a little tame. What would yours say?
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anon said,
A good idea if you know (or can see) that the train is a long one. Otherwise, turning the engine off for a short period doesn’t actually save gas or reduce pollution. Restarting most cars uses about (sometimes more than) a quarter cup of gas, whereas idling for five minutes uses less than half that. Also, starting the engine causes more of that gas to be expelled (as exhaust) than if it was just idling. So just like anywhere else – waiting for a friend to get off work, waiting for the kids after school – judge your time carefully and do whichever is going to be better for the planet and your wallet. Perhaps if signs are needed (vs a borader education campaign), they’re needed at more places than just railway crossings.
Michael d'Estries said,
That’s actually not true, Anon. Perhaps if it’s for less than 10 seconds. Otherwise, what you’ve stated above is a myth.
According to the California Energy Commission:
“The recommendation is: If you are going to be parked for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine. Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. And when you start your engine, don’t step down on the accelerator, just simply turn the key to start.”
More information here: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html
xJane said,
YES!!! When I learned to drive (in slightly-more-green-Germany), this was part of the curriculum. You see flashing red lights at a traintrack, you stop, you turn off your engine, you wait. There’s a huuuge intersection where I live that I always turn my engine off at (the lights, if you sit for the whole red light, are at least 1.5 mins).
GG Pique said,
It’s a great reminder that it really is up to us to make a difference. No matter how small it is. Can’t wait for the top brass to take the initiative. Thank you for another green tip.
Tom G said,
I don’t think $4.50 a gallon is high enough to encourage the majority of individuals to conserve. From time to time I drive from Arizona to L.A. California. When gas was $3.00 a gallon everyone on the freeways were driving 75-80 mph. Last time I went to L.A. [mid June 2008] gas was $4.39 per gallon and the freeway traffic was still 75-80 however there did seem to be fewer cars.
To be realistic and to cause a real shift in attitudes and actions we need to get gasoline up to at least $6-7.00 per gallon. We should immediately add a $1.50 tax per gallon to help pay for universal health care, Medicare and Medicaid. We should add a $1.00 tax per gallon to pay for the money the government has been borrowing from the Social Security fund. As much as I would hate to pay this much for gas we as Americans need to start paying for what we spend and stop living off borrowed money. And please don’t get me started on our energy policy of doing nothing for 20 years.
Gideon said,
Turning your engine off at long lights will save you gas. I’ve gone from 30mpg to 37 in my Corolla.
Chris said,
Yes this is such a simple gas saving measure. My friends in Europe ( and of course the savy Germans) MUST turn off the ignition of the car when stopped at a train crossing. It just makes sense!! I do it and get strange looks. Even in the drive through line when I am forced to breathe the exhaust from 5 cars/suvs/trucks in front of me.
Little Flower Urban Dwellings said,
The free market economy says: Gas is still cheap if you don’t mind buring it when you are going nowhere!
T_DeYoung said,
I’ve got a Prius and an older vehicle. I love that the prius turns itself off. Also, I have tried turning off my older vehicle at lights, but in the back of my mind I’m wondering if I’m going to kill my starter motor with all of the additional starts and stops. I’ve kind of backed off of doing this for that reason. However, if I knew that I was going to be sitting for a minute or more I might be more likely to do that.
Loboc said,
It’s 100 + degrees F. outside. My car gets really hot really fast inside (even with the window open). It makes no sense to risk my health to save a couple of cents. (I won’t switch to a motor cycle for the same reason.)
Excessive gas used when restarting the car is no longer true. With modern engine computer controls and fuel injection, there is no longer ‘a quarter cup’ of gas being used to restart. Also, the starter motors are more reliable than back in time. They do less work and are designed better.
I agree that stopping and restarting the engine is good, however, in moderation.
Courtney said,
I try not to idle as much as I can.
My mom will sometimes just sit and talk to me while the car is running in the garage when we get home and I’m like, “MOM, turn OFF the car.” Sure it’s a low emissions car but I still don’t care.
I still see people in huge SUVS who just get inside to turn it on so they can cool off when a perfectly good building is air conditioned. Around here I just see a lot of people idling in SUVS. Idling is bad in any form but SUVS…it’s even worse.
I support a .50 cent per gallon tax to support mass transportation development: bullet trains, light rail, and hybrid buses. I’m sure we would have the money in no time.
Kevyn miller said,
There are several potential solutions to this problem.
1. Bill the railroad for the time and gas they have cost you.
2. Petition the government to ban trains “for the good of the environment.”
3. Demand that the gas tax pay for grade seperation of your local railroad crossing instead of paying for more toy trains for Portland.
4. Make trains travel only at night when they wont waste as much fuel.