| August 2007 Summary
In 2005, the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Governing
Board approved a landmark $4 million voluntary pilot program to detect
“gross-polluting” cars, pickups SUVs and vans using remote sensing, and to
provide incentives to repair them or scrap and replace them.
What is the goal of AQMD’s HEROS program?
AQMD’s program aims to reduce smog-forming and toxic vehicle emissions to
improve public health and help the region make progress toward achieving
federal air quality standards. The pilot project is intended to augment the
state’s existing Smog Check program.
What are the benefits to participating motorists?
HEROS will help motorists owning vehicles with a history of Smog Check
repairs to fix them so they run better and last longer while saving gas and
money. If repairs prove too costly, the program will offer an incentive to
scrap the vehicle. Participating motorists will have the satisfaction of
knowing that they have helped to clean the air in their community.
What are “gross-polluters”?
Gross-polluting passenger vehicles may emit 100 times more air pollution
than a typical vehicle due to lack of proper maintenance, tampering with
exhaust or emission systems or other factors. Not all gross polluters are
old; many are relatively new models.
Why are gross-polluters a problem?
Gross-polluting vehicles make up about 10 percent of the Southland’s
passenger vehicle fleet, and yet they are responsible for more than 50
percent of the air pollution from that fleet. Overall, passenger vehicles
are responsible for about one-third of all smog- and particulate-forming
emissions in the Southland.
How does remote sensing work?
Remote sensing devices, first demonstrated in the1980s, measure a
vehicle’s emissions by projecting beams of both infrared and ultraviolet
light across a roadway such as a freeway on-ramp. As a vehicle passes by,
its tailpipe emissions absorb some of the light. A sensor receives the
light after it passes through the tailpipe emissions and a computer
calculates the vehicle’s emissions level. At the same time, a video camera
captures the vehicle’s license plate and a computer logs and digitizes the
emissions and license plate information. Remote sensing devices today are
capable of measuring a vehicle’s tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon
monoxide and nitrogen oxides in less than one second.
How will the HEROS program reduce emissions?
Although the state’s Smog Check program requires that vehicles pass an
emissions test every two years, evidence suggests that some vehicles have
high emissions in between the biennial tests. By repairing or scrapping
high-emitting vehicles that are not due for their next test, the HEROS
program will accelerate emissions reductions expected from the Smog Check
program.
How is AQMD’s HEROS program structured?
AQMD’s program consists of three elements: remote sensing of vehicles;
testing and repair or scrapping of gross-polluting vehicles; and vehicle
replacement for low-income motorists.
What incentives will be offered for repair, scrapping and vehicle
replacement?
AQMD will offer up to $500 to repair a vehicle or $1,000 to scrap it if
repairs prove too costly. Motorists meeting the state’s low-income
guidelines will be eligible for an additional $1,000 to scrap their vehicle
if they replace it with a used car certified at Low Emission Vehicle
emission standards.
Is the program voluntary?
Yes. Once notified, motorists are under no obligation to bring their
vehicles in for testing or repair.
Who will conduct the program?
Environmental Systems Products of East Granby, Conn., a recognized leader
in the field, will conduct the remote sensing. The Sacramento-based
Foundation for California Community Colleges -- a non-profit entity that
currently provides the referee function for California’s Smog Check program
-- will perform voluntary testing and repair of high-emitting vehicles. Auto
recycler Pick Your Part will perform voluntary vehicle scrapping.
Where will testing and repair be performed?
The Foundation for California Community Colleges will conduct testing and
repairs at 10 Southland community college campuses in Los Angeles, Orange,
San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Each site is approved by the state
Bureau of Automotive Repair to perform vehicle emissions testing.
How many vehicles will be tested?
The program aims to gather remote sensing records of 1 million individual
vehicles -- about 10 percent of all vehicles in the region. Of those, the
highest-emitting 1 percent to 2 percent will be invited to participate in
the program.
How long will the program last?
Remote sensing started in late March 2007 and is expected to continue
through April 2008.
Where will remote sensing equipment be located?
Remote sensing equipment will be located for a few days at a time at more
than 100 sites across four counties, most likely on freeway on-ramps.
Monitoring will not alter or slow traffic flows in any way.
Can motorists find out where remote sensing will be conducted?
No. These sites will not be publicized and will be rotated on an
unannounced basis to ensure a representative sampling of the region’s
vehicles.
How will motorists be contacted?
The Foundation for California Community Colleges will send letters to
motorists with the highest-emitting vehicles inviting them to participate in
the program.
What is required for motorists to participate in the program?
Under guidelines for remote sensing programs adopted by the California
Air Resources Board, a vehicle accepted into HEROS must:
- Be currently and continuously registered for the past two years in the
four-county South Coast Air Quality Management District jurisdiction; and
- Be more than three months away from its next Smog Check.
Is HEROS a replacement for Smog Check?
No. Remote sensing and voluntary repair or scrapping of vehicles is
considered an adjunct to the state’s mandatory Smog Check program.
How is AQMD’s program funded?
AQMD’s program is funded by AB 923 (Firebaugh), approved by the Governor
in 2004. The bill authorized the use of designated vehicle registration
fees for various mobile source emission reduction programs. Of the $4
million allocated for HEROS, $1 million is designated for remote sensing; $1
million for testing and repair; $1 million for scrapping and replacement;
and $1 million for additional repair, scrapping and replacement, depending
on demand.
Is the HEROS program the only one of its kind in the nation?
Yes. Programs in several other states use remote sensing to gather
emissions data and at least one -- Repair Your Air in the Denver area – uses
the technology in conjunction with a repair program. HEROS is the only
known program at this time that utilizes remote sensing, vehicle repair and
scrapping to reduce emissions.
For more information on the HEROS program, call 909-396-3044.
-#-
|
