Does your company charge you for idling??? How much???

I know lots of folks with low idle times, usually 5-8% is the norm.

The OTR drivers have an APU, and the local drivers sleep at home at night.

If you have less than 1% showing on your readout, your company (or you) doesn't break the idle times into segments. Nor do they combine those segments into a single readout. They have elected to read idle time from the "extended" segment only

3% - 5% is reflective of inner city driving, so short term is not being collected for your averages.

I've seen the data collected off a truck that "never" idled reflect above 10%. It's a common misperception for drivers to omit idle times at red lights from their thinking.

 

Actually, his carrier is less anal than most. Or, if he owns his own truck. the idle times are not being computed like dirt bag Covenant computes theirs.

Covenant collects data from 3 differant idle areas, then combines them for a total.

Short cycle -- collected in traffic 0-5 minute cycles

Mid cycle -- usually collected while fueling, opening trailer doors, etc 5-15 minute cycles

Extended cycle -- anything over a half hour, 15 minutes in some/most cases

You can see how easily the data can be misleading, and inaccurate when using this method of collection.

Had to come back and add this. ANY cycle can be taken away from the total. It's a simple omit command in the software.

 

Might even have an APU. That percent is about normal for a truck with one.

 

RM, while it may be true he has exceptionally low idle times.

The only way to get 1% or lower. Is to virtually never leave the interstate.

Or, be a driver for someone like UPS. Fire up the truck, pull out of the gate, hit maybe 2 lights on the way...pull in the next gate, 500 miles away. Shut the truck off.

He's comparing apples to oranges I think. Not a realistic expectation for an OTR driver.

 

Company does not charge for idling. Boss says stay cool and stay warm. WYour health is important. If you cant work then we don't make money.

Alan