I suggest that they present to the city a request to evaluate how much totally unnecessary pollution is caused by residents who refuse to use common sense when starting their cold vehicles in the morning.

All automotive engineers agree that the worst way to warm up a modern engine is by idling. Idling wastes fuel and since the engine is not under any load the catalytic convertor never gets hot enough to do its job, even after 30 minutes of idling.

The proper way to warm up an engine, to prevent the accumulation of acidic vapours in the engine oil and to get the catalytic convertor up to operating temperature is to DRIVE THE VEHICLE away after only about 1 to 2 minutes of idling.

Everybody has to do his/her part and participate in sensible efforts to eliminate pollution wherever and whenever possible.

Modern computer controlled engines are designed to be driven immediately after starting - why stick to old archaic dinosaur type habits when most vehicles now have fuel injection and half a dozen electronic sensors to ensure the most fuel efficient operation possible?

I'll take only a little exception to that statement diplomat. I'm lucky enough to have a garage to park in so it's not an issue for me. But that being said, I think I'd prefer my neighbor to idle his vehicle until it heats up enough to defrost the inside of the windshield that ices up when it's as cold outside as it has been. I think I'd rather have a driver on the road that can see me coming or kids crossing the road, and driving with an Ice Scraper cannot be any safer than driving with a cell phone or a cup of coffee. Apart from that, I do agree that people do let their vehicles run for way to long.

I would suggest that most people warm up the car for heat, rather that to warm the engine. Although of course some would do both.

Noticed a couple of City Vehicles idling in the **Idle free zones last week**

Courier vans, delivery trucks, taxis, etc; hardly ever turn off their vehicles.

Running empty buses around the City all day and night is hardly a way to reduce pollution. There has to be a better way to move these people. Smaller buses, with better logistic control??

Lots of cars idling around every school in the District in the AM and again in the afternoon when they pick up their kids.

Ill conceived closures of bridges that force traffic into one area. IE; 5th and the Bypass causes traffic to idle at that intersection for a minimum of 1 to 1 1/2 hours every morning. The maximum vehicles that can make a left hand turn going South on the bypass onto 5th Avenue is approx 19-22 Vehicles for each left turn signal. This means that during morning rush hour some vehicles have to wait for 3 light changes before they can get going again. We then of course get a further back-up and more pollution when we get to 5th and Carney. Rather than repair the Cameron St. bridge and have this traffic move in a more efficient manner, the City choses to continue with the present way, so we will continue to have this excessive, unneccessary pollution for another 3 years.

PACHA I beleive is on the right track and should try and ensure that this City does not build a Co-Generation system in the bowl area to heat some downtown buildings with water. We have 2 sources of heat at the moment. Gas and Electricity that are already in place, and Im sure that we can afford to heat thess building by this method. The building of the Co-Generation Plant is just a ploy to get access to Federal Money and to spend it.

Its a shame that we elect Politicians, and hire staff to run the City and look after our business, and then we have to form groups to take on City Hall to try and get them to do whats right. Sort of makes you wonder why we bother with Politicians, or City Staff. Are we getting to the point where it would be simpler and more efficient to hire management companies under contract to run Citys and just not renew their contracts if they dont do an efficient job??

Having 6 months of Winter conditions requiring car idling etc are certainly a major contributor, however not the only ones.

>"Having 6 months of Winter conditions requiring car idling etc are certainly a major contributor, however not the only ones."<

Of course not.

>"This means that during morning rush hour some vehicles have to wait for 3 light changes before they can get going again. We then of course get a further back-up and more pollution when we get to 5th and Carney."<

The city apparently is not concerned at all, because it is a provincial highway (Central) and the same stretch of highway that was declared to be a "wilderness highway" when it came to maintenance of the ditches, i.e. cutting the grass!

When are the city officials going start leaning on Victoria as far as the pitifully inadequate lengths of the turning/waiting lanes are concerned?

One can always hope that somebody will be put in charge to take note of the obvious shortcomings, but when, oh when, is it going to happen?

I agree that the Bypass is part of the Provincial Highway system, and they are probably responsible for the turning lanes, or at least they would split the cost with the City, however the increased traffic at this Intersection is a result of the City closing the Cameron St. bridge, and therefore in part it is certainly their problem. Not one that I expect any quick solution to.

At one time they were supposed to have a grade separation there if they ever improved the bridge. They did, but no grade separation. It is becoming obvious why it is needed.

If they are going to keep the "bypass" as a bypass, then the province should depress the entire stretch from Pine Centre to the Nechako eventually and put in a grade separation at the 97/16 intersection.