Remote Sensing

How We Measure Emissions Remotely

Remote sensing is a way to measure carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrous oxide pollutant levels in a vehicle's exhaust while the vehicle is traveling down the road. It does not need to be physically connected to the vehicle and allows for a large number of "snapshot" emissions tests to be conducted in a short time.

How Remote Sensing Works

The system uses an infrared (IR) absorption principle to measure emissions. It operates by continuously projecting an IR beam across a roadway. The unit also has a freeze-frame video camera and computer to record a color image of the rear of the tested vehicle, including the license plate. This allows the system to store emissions information for each vehicle, based on the license plate number.

 

Previous and Future Applications

The remote sensing unit has been used by VPMD to characterize incoming fleets of commuter vehicles and to quantify the effectiveness of the winter oxygenated fuels program. VPMD also used the RSU to conduct a pilot gross polluter identification and repair program and a clean screening program and would hope to expand these programs as staffing levels allow. These and other potential future applications are described in more detail below.

• Clean Screening --the RSU can be used to identify vehicles that are running exceptionally clean in real world driving conditions and excuse them from their next scheduled traditional emissions test.

• Gross Polluter Identification --the RSU can identify vehicles with exceptionally high emissions irregardless of whether they are local vehicles or vehicles commuting into Albuquerque on a regular basis. Local vehicles could be called in for an official test prior to their next scheduled test while commuter vehicles could be flagged or selected for emissions as part of their next registration. Changes in local and state law would be required to make either process mandatory and enforceable.

• Consumer Education --RSU emissions readings can be displayed real-time on a large portable LED sign to provide motorists with immediate feedback on their vehicles emissions as they drive by the test area.