Mind Your Engines! - TheFunTheory.com

Street traffic accounts for around 20% of global CO2 emissions. Yet, a significant share of these emissions is generated while not moving at all, e.g. in front of red lights or traffic jams. In other words, it is completely wasted. By incentivizing people to turn off their engines when they are idle, CO2 emissions can be reduced, fuel consumption optimized, cleaner air enjoyed and even money saved. While car manufacturers around the world are working on emerging technologies for cleaner transportation, it still has to be expected that more aged, less fuel-efficient models will populate the world's streets for a long time. Simple billboards that measure CO2 output via a number of methods (air pollution, noise volume, street vibration; depending on traffic density) will ask drivers to turn off their engines while standing still, and offer them to show a funny video clip, quotations, a news flash, the weather forecast or even the funniest advertising clips (revenues can be used for the installation of the billboards). This way, CO2 emissions are cut not only by making it fun for the drivers, but also by encouraging them to save money and enjoy their waiting time.

If drivers turned off their idling engines for only 10 minutes a day, 51 liters of gasoline can be saved annually and global CO2 emissions can be cut by approximately 0.2% (own calculations based on European Central Bank statistics). According to studies, turning off the engine of a vehicle is already efficient when idling would otherwise equal or surpass 8 seconds - contrary to the widespread popular belief that starting up the engine burns much more fuel than idling it for many seconds.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• funtheory
• mind
• your
• engines
• fun
• theory

[dkeasterly]

Good idea, however...It does take an equivalent of 5 minutes worth of gasoline to start a vehicle.

[Linksfire1]

The screen wasn't real, it was digitally projected on to the area, that's why people didn't turn off their engines.

[sonicvictory]

can I say my thought is how we are thinkin about energy saving and environMENTAL solutions and yet the way some people talk to each other in this comments area makes me think how we might need to consider the solutions that have ALREADY been given to us on how to love each other in this world that is so full of energy. And put that energy that is IN us and around us to more eternal use.. Jesus said heaven and EARTH will pass away but MY words will never pass away. Try that first .

[jokshan100]

And what if they dont turn off their engines??? The clip will still play..duh!

[blockinater]

@dkeasterly

on a modern car, it's more efficient to turn off your engine than idle for 15 seconds

[metashader]

@dkeasterly Generally speaking, that's true of carbureted engines, not modern fuel-injected ones.

[dkeasterly]

@gwunta Gotta love when the only response someone can give is a weak attempt at an insult...Also, if you were "building cars and engines when you were still a c^m stain on your mum's pillow," you would more than likely be a little more mature.

Oh right...this is the internet...click on e-thugs, click on.

[thebaconmanbob]

@dkeasterly actually you are WRONG. If you are going to be idling for more than 30 you will save gas by tuning off the engine. i guess im not allowed to post a link, but search "does it take more energy to start your engine than to idle" on google and you will see that this is true

[killerxbird]

its fake...

[KPAracing]

Mind your engines! (Take good care of them)...The stupid theory. A mechanic knows more than a Greenie. End of story.

[KPAracing]

These greenies are stupid. They dont have a clue about engines at all. It requires alot more fuel turning the engine on from off when compared to idling. For the 30 seconds you are gonna wait is a waste turning ur engine off. If we really want to save the ecosystem we should look at other succesful ways of reducing CO2 emissions. Using Biofuels like Ethanol helps reduce CO2 emissions. Diesel doesnt produce CO2's at all. And Biodiesel? Thats even better...

[gwunta]

@dkeasterly Mate I didnt get that info from google. I got it from personal experience. Mate, I was was building cars and engines when you were still a c^m stain on your mum's pillow. Now off you go, do your little experiment and come back and apologise for your ignorance - duche