A team of watchdogs are on the lookout for buses and trucks that are idling.
Smartphones are now a combination of a mobile communication device and a camera. You can report instances of commercial vehicles being idled in New York City using your smartphone or any other video capturing device. Earn money.
A report from NBC New York shows that NYC’s 2019 Citizens Air Complaint Program law has already been fined $2.3 million for idling. One quarter of the amount was paid to New Yorkers who reported it.
Donald Blair, who is known for his pursuit of idling buses and trucks in Brooklyn, has already earned $55,000 by simply reporting the idling commercial vehicle. An additional $70,000 is needed to make a total of $125,000. According to NBC, Blair’s total is the highest amount any New Yorker has ever earned through this scheme.
Notably, $87.50 is awarded to citizens who report commercial vehicles idling. This is a quarter off the fine. They simply need to capture the vehicle in action, take a video of it for three minutes (or one minute if it is in a school zone), then submit the footage and a sworn statement to the Department of Environmental Protection. A commercial vehicle owner could be subject to a $250 fine.
There are 60 New Yorkers who make up the “Idle Warriors”, a group of NYC watchdogs that focuses on capturing and recording idle commercial vehicles in NYC.
According to the NBC report, there are approximately $8 million in unpaid idling car fines. Amazon is the leader with $250,000 in unpaid idling vehicle fines. UPS is next with $70,000 and FedEx at $60,000. All three companies stated that they are already working to pay the NYC fines.
These logistics companies have already begun to explore electric commercial vehicles. Rivian has already signed a contract with Amazon for the supply of electric delivery vans. Automakers are also involved in the initiative, with GM already designing two new all-electric commercial vehicles .