EVANSVILLE — Anti-vehicle idling signs are coming to multiple city properties and public spaces around Evansville as part of a project from the Climate Collaborative.
In 2024, in conjunction with local PBS affiliate WNIN, the Climate Collaborative ran an anti-idling sign contest for local high school students. Three designs were selected, with cash prizes for the winners, and turned into yard signs.
Indiana University McKinney Climate Fellow Hannah Jones presented the plan to the Evansville Parks Board Wednesday afternoon on behalf of the Climate Collaborative.
Jones’ said the winning designs, in yard sign form, will be placed at Swonder Ice Arena, Wesselman Park, the Deaconess Aquatic Center, Garvin Park, Lorraine Pool, Mosby Pool, Rochelle Pool, the C.K. Newsome Center and riverfront parks.
Signs will go up this month and stay through August. While the campaign could be extended to the fall, with a focus on local universities, Jones said the focus is on the summer.
Jones said heat increases air quality problems, and air quality alert days in the city.
According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, 10 minutes of idling adds more than 50 pounds of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and other toxic gasses to the air each year.
“If you idle more than 30 seconds, your car will emit more air pollution than if you turn it off and on again,” IDEM states.
Jones said the campaign is encouraging people not to idle, as well as increasing education around it.
“It’s mostly just public awareness, getting people to think about it, not so much forcing people at the moment,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Anti-idling signs coming to public spaces in Evansville
Reporting by Sarah Loesch, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sarah Loesch, Evansville Courier & Press | USA TODAY Network
