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The March at the Student Pick-Up Line

“Parents are lining up 20 minutes before dismissal.”

“It’s a sea of running engines in the pick-up line.”

“There are some parents that arrive 45 minutes before the bell!”

Teachers and administrators have seen it all. Every weekday afternoon, families across metro Atlanta line up their vehicles outside schools to pick up their children. It’s a routine that seems harmless but carries significant hidden costs, particularly when engines are left idling during the wait.

Families juggle activities, work demands, and childcare every day

For parents, it can be a matter of resources. Some schools don’t offer bus routes close enough to their homes to make for a comfortable walk for students; other schools, namely smaller charter and private schools, may not have a bus system at all. Further, parents are shuttling themselves between meetings and errands, pulled at both ends with the demands of life amidst boiling summer temperatures and gridlock traffic.

So, if a car idles for half an hour in the school pick-up line, what’s the big deal?

Let’s explore the environmental, health, and economic impacts of this common commuter habit, and see how a small change can make a huge difference.

First, the science

Car idling contributes substantially to air pollution. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an idling car emits around 20 times more pollution than one traveling at 30 miles per hour. This includes harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to smog formation and have detrimental effects on air quality.

Moreover, idling wastes fuel. The Department of Energy estimates that idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine. Considering that many parents idle between 10 to 30 minutes in school pick-up lines, the cumulative fuel waste is substantial. This unnecessary fuel consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.

Young lungs at work

The health implications of car idling are particularly concerning for children. Schools are often located in residential areas where the concentration of pollutants from idling vehicles can be higher. Children, due to their developing respiratory systems, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution. Exposure to pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter (PM) has been linked to respiratory problems, asthma exacerbation, and other chronic illnesses.

A study published in the journal Environmental Research highlighted that children exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution show a significant decrease in lung function growth. This is alarming, given that repeated exposure during school pick-up times can contribute to long-term health issues.

Dollars and cents

Beyond environmental and health concerns, idling also has a financial cost. The wasted fuel directly translates to wasted money. The average vehicle burns about 0.2 to 0.5 gallons of fuel per hour while idling. For an individual, this might seem negligible, but collectively, it adds up. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that Americans waste approximately 3 billion gallons of fuel annually due to idling, costing billions of dollars.

Furthermore, idling can increase vehicle maintenance costs. Running the engine without driving can actually cause engine components to wear out faster. Over time, this can lead to more frequent repairs and replacements, adding to the overall cost of vehicle ownership.

What you can do

Small adjustments build lasting habits that combat air pollution. Furthermore, practicing these adjustments can have positive overflow affects, such as connecting with community members and improving relationships with teachers during that hectic flurry of activity at dismissal!

  • Turn Off Engines, Weather Permitting: Modern vehicles do not require long periods of idling to warm up, and restarting the engine uses less fuel than idling for extended periods.
  • Start a New Routine: Schools can encourage walking, biking, or carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles in pick-up lines. Safe routes and walking school buses can be organized to facilitate this.
  • Idle-Reduction Policies: Implementing and enforcing no-idling policies around school zones can significantly reduce emissions. Signs and reminders can be effective in encouraging compliance. Georgia Commute Schools has an Anti-Idling Certification that rewards schools with free aluminum signs, resources, and more. If you are a teacher or parents who would like to get your school certified, apply here!
  • Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about the negative impacts of idling through school newsletters, w

    Signs like this one can remind drivers in school carpool lines

    ebsites, and parent-teacher meetings can foster a community-wide effort to reduce idling.

  • Smart Pick-Up Systems: Some schools have adopted systems where parents receive a text message when their child is ready to be picked up, reducing the time spent idling. Inquiring about school policy and how technology can make dismissal more efficient is an excellent way to take action.

Making an impact

Car idling in school pick-up lines is more than a minor inconvenience; it’s a practice with invisible but significant environmental, health, and economic consequences. By taking proactive steps to reduce idling, we can improve air quality, protect children’s health, and save money.

Most importantly, practicing small changes in our daily routines can lead to substantial benefits for our communities. We’re never too young or too old to be stewards of clean air!