Schools Are Not Drive-Thrus© idle-free study/campaign, fall 2025
Montpelier, Vermont
Washington Central Unified Union School District
Conducted by: Middle School's Seeking Social and Environmental Justice Group
Advisor: Steve Sheeler, Social Studies teacher
This study/campaign was made possible thanks to funding by an anonymous Upper Valley foundation.
Step 1: introductory session conducted 10/10
Step 2: Data collection conducted for three days at school afternoon dismissal on 11/3, 11/4, 11/6
Average temperature: 45 degrees
Total vehicles observed: 70; total vehicles idling: 42 (60%); total minutes/hours of idling: 654/10.9
Amount of fuel consumed*: 5 gal/three days / 1.7 gal/per day average
Amount of fuel consumed annually (est.) - based on 175 day school year: 292 gal
Amount of CO2 emissions annually (est.) - based on 175 day school year: 5,850 lbs**
U-32 Student Data Collection Forms
Step 3: school supports idle-free campaign: [TO COME]
Step 4: driver contact event: [TO COME]
COMMENTS:
*Amount of fuel consumed based on passenger vehicle — car/SUV/pickup truck — idling consumption of 0.43 gal/hr.
**Amount of CO2 emitted based on one gallon of fuel consumed equaling 20 pounds of CO2 emitted (gasoline - 19.64 pounds; diesel - 22.38 pounds)