Could you please let me know what measures you have taken to ensure that all vehicles operated by Transport for London and those operated by third parties to provide services commissioned by Transport for London do not idle their engines when not in use? More specifically, could you also please let me know what text you have included in your contracts with third parties where this includes vehicular travel to ensure no idling takes place; and what steps have you taken / are you taking to monitor and enforce no idling amongst both your own vehicles and those delivering services on behalf of Transport for London.

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TfL Ref: EIR-3843-1920

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11^th March 2020 asking for information about the idling of TfL vehicles.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy.

Specifically you asked:

“Could you please let me know what measures you have taken to ensure that all vehicles operated by Transport for London and those operated by third parties to provide services commissioned by Transport for London do not idle their engines when not in use?

More specifically, could you also please let me know what text you have included in your contracts with third parties where this includes vehicular travel to ensure no idling takes place; and what steps have you taken / are you taking to monitor and enforce no idling amongst both your own vehicles and those delivering services on behalf of Transport for London.”

I can confirm that we hold the information you require.

Within our construction contracts we have standard clauses that require contractors to use best practicable means to minimise air quality impacts from the works and from construction traffic. We also require contractors to comply with the Mayor of London’s Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on The Control of Dust and Emissions During Construction and Demolition. This includes a standard mitigation measure to ‘ensure all vehicles switch off engines when stationary – no idling vehicles’. We also include clauses about the emission levels that vehicles must meet, and clauses about encouraging the use of vehicles with zero or ultra-low tailpipe emissions (such as electric), and for contractors to ensure that all vehicles are operated in such a way to ensure that environmental impacts are reduced as far as reasonably practicable (this would include switching off engines when not in use). In addition, we normally require suppliers to meet the FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) requirements, which cover fuel efficient driving.

TfL seeks to mitigate the negative impact of freight wherever trucks or vans are used by us or within our supply chain. We achieve this by operating in line with the FORS standard and specifying the same in all of our contracts. The wording in our contracts states:

“Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme Accreditation:

12.4 Where the Service Provider operates Delivery and Servicing Vehicles to provide the Services, it shall within 90 days of the Contract Commencement Date:

12.4.1 (unless already registered) register for FORS or a scheme, which in the reasonable opinion of the Authority, is an acceptable substitute to FORS (the “Alternative Scheme”); and

12.4.2 (unless already accredited) have attained the standard of Silver Accreditation (or higher) or the equivalent within the Alternative Scheme and shall maintain the standard of Silver Accreditation (or equivalent standard within the Alternative Scheme) by way of an annual independent audit in accordance with the FORS Standard or take such steps as may be required to maintain the equivalent standard within the Alternative Scheme. Alternatively, where the Service Provider has attained Gold Accreditation, the maintenance requirements shall be undertaken in accordance with the periods set out in the FORS Standard.”

The FORS standard specifies the need to mitigate the negative environmental impact of Freight movements. Specifically on idling it includes the following:

“O2 Fuel, emissions and air quality: Engine-idling is minimised to reduce fuel waste and unnecessary emissions.”

We also have the same clauses in other contracts, such as our facilities management contract, ensuring consistency across TfL.

We use telematics within our own fleet to monitor excessive idling and we fit night heaters to vehicles that have staff in them for extended periods to discourage idling. Some vehicles need to keep their engines running because of the equipment they are fitted with but we have very few that fall into this class. We have communicated to drivers not to idle engines unnecessarily because of the noise and environmental issues, notwithstanding the fact it is an offence.

In regard to buses, bus drivers are trained and regularly reminded to switch running engines off if they not about to go into service. As an example, the “Big Red Book” (the bus driver’s operating manual) contains the following instruction:

“When you are at a bus stand: You must switch off your engine. Leaving it running wastes fuel, is a noise nuisance, damages health and is an offence. London borough officers may also issue you with an on-the-spot penalty fine.”

And:

“When you are at a bus station: Switch off your engine as soon as you can.”

At many garages operators display posters reminding drivers to do this, and TfL monitors some of the busiest interchange areas of the network and instructs drivers to switch off if they are idling. Bus operators are also attempting to solve this issue at the source by introducing hybrid diesel-electric buses that offer automatic shut-off technology. This turns the engine off if the bus is not moving or if the accelerator is being pressed. Some types of hybrid do not have this as the engine management system reduces overall emissions more efficiently by having the engine operating throughout the service cycle. This does not mean drivers should not switch off if they are not returning into service after a couple of minutes. Another way we are combatting wider environmental issues is by upgrading the bus fleet to an ultra-clean diesel standard which reduces the most harmful emissions significantly – whether buses are in or out of service. More than 95 per cent of the fleet is now at this ultra clean standard or better and the remaining five per cent will follow or be replaced with new vehicles by this coming autumn. The Euro VI standard engine reduces oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter by up to 95 and 80 per cent respectively, and the hybrid technology helps cut CO2 and reduce climate change impacts. Ultimately, we don’t want any bus to emit tailpipe emissions. Our longer-term plan is to increasing switch to zero emission buses as economically as possible. Currently, our Business Plan sees this as being by 2037 although our strategy is to see if we can electrify the network earlier and work out what the costs and logistics would be of faster adoption.

Finally, on a different matter, please note that the Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the Coronavirus. It is essential for London, and in particular for all critical workers, that we continue to provide a safe transport network that enables them to make the journeys they need to. In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present. Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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