Carmel Looking To Clear The Air By Going Idle-Free

CARMEL, Ind. -- City officials in Carmel are hoping a new idle-free policy for city-owned vehicles will help improve the area's air quality and save some money as well.

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard Tuesday signed an order making Carmel an idle-free city for all of its 400 city-owned vehicles, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported.

There will be exceptions for police and fire vehicles, Brainard said, but the goal is to improve air quality and conserve funds.

In 2005, the city started purchasing hybrid and flex fuel city vehicles, and 18 new flex fuel police cars just hit the streets.

And then, of course, there are the roundabouts -- Carmel's signature-style, constantly moving intersection, which Brainard said has saved the city and its residents a considerable amount.

"We've saved almost 24,000 gallons of gas per roundabout in Carmel per intersection per year because cars don't idle at the stoplights," he said.

All of the small improvements may also help the city get noticed on the larger stage, officials said.

"Each one of those little things we can say we're trying to do to make our air quality better does help in our applications for federal funding," said city engineer Mike McBride, who himself drives a city-owned hybrid.

The mayor's order also encourages area business, communities and Carmel residents to take part in the idle-free pact.