Background

Mobile sources are responsible for a large portion of the region's air quality problem. It has become apparent that in crafting cost-effective control strategies the linkage between ozone and fine particulate matter (PM10) has an increasing and critical importance. Recent studies indicate that health effects of PM10 are far more adverse than earlier thought. However, PM10 has been designated a criteria pollutant only since 1987. Therefore, the research in developing the emissions inventory of PM10 has been very limited.

The next attainment plan for PM10 is due to EPA by February 1997. To establish the foundation for the attainment plan, the Governing Board, at its December 9, 1994 meeting recognized the need for an improved emissions inventory by approving financial support for a PM10 Technical Enhancement Program (PTEP) presented by Planning staff.

It is believed that a significant portion of PM10 emissions from mobile sources are contributed from gross smoking vehicles. During the past few years, District has developed a vast database of smoking vehicles in the South Coast Air Basin through implementation of the CUT-SMOG program. Staff recommends that a PM10 emissions study of twenty representative light duty vehicles be conducted by using the CUT-SMOG program database. In addition, staff recommends that a limited population density analysis be conducted for heavy duty smoking vehicles. The study will satisfy the objectives of PTEP, and the outcome will be used for the development of EPA's attainment plan. The database obtained from this study can also be used as a baseline for assessment of emissions benefits by the rapid introduction of clean fuels, and improvement of the existing mobile source emission models.

Proposal

The College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), has established a state-of-the-art research facility that includes a vehicle emissions research laboratory and an atmospheric chamber laboratory, specifically for application to this type of research. CE-CERT proposes to conduct the study to provide a full technical assessment of PM10 and PM2.5 total emissions and their respective emission factors from light duty smoking vehicles.

The proposed program will involve the following aspects: identification of one year of data collected from smoking vehicles during the AQMD's CUT-SMOG program; determination of the fleet's age distribution and fuel type; development of a detailed test plan describing the methodology and procedures for vehicle selection, emissions measurements, data analysis and evaluation; inspection of several vehicles and selection of twenty light-duty smoking vehicles for engine wear and suitable for dynamometer test; sample collection and measurement of total PM10 and PM2.5 in grams per mile and the respective emission factors from each of the twenty vehicles; population density assessment of light-duty and heavy-duty smoking vehicles; evaluation of emissions contribution of light-duty smoking vehicles; creation and validation of a database of emissions results and vehicles characteristics, including but not limited to, license plate, year, make, model, and mileage.

The study may be expanded in the near future with funding from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and other governmental and industrial sources. The expanded study may include measurements of gaseous and particulate emissions from approximately 400 vehicles, which could serve as the basis for future EMFAC and MOBILE models.

Sole-Source Justification

Section II, Step 3(C) of the Consultant Selection Policy identifies four provisions under which the Governing Board may award a sole-source contract: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds the cost for consultants, (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health, (3) services are only available from sole-source, (4) other circumstances exist identifying sole-source as in the best interest of the District. This request for sole-source award is being made under provision (3).

CE-CERT was established to facilitate more rapid transfer of air pollution control technology and to provide independent testing for new scientific technology under consideration by industry or regulatory agencies. To accomplish this, CE-CERT is bringing together a critical mass of experience from academia, industry, and government agencies to work on collaborative research projects.

CE-CERT has developed an advanced vehicle emissions research laboratory. The facility contains state-of-the-art testing equipment, including a 48" electric dynamometer, a dilution tunnel, a size fractionated sampling system, and the capability for full chemical speciation of exhaust emissions and particulate size distribution from vehicles. This makes CE-CERT the only laboratory in the region able to conduct the entire exhaust sampling, particulate matter measurements, and on-road smoking vehicles density assessment and data analysis in house.

CE-CERT's expertise in emissions evaluations of conventional and alternative fuel vehicles, environmental impact studies of emissions from mobile sources utilizing smog chambers, and development and application of enhanced transportation models will be critical to the success of this project.

Financial Terms

The total cost of the proposed scope of work is estimated to be $150,000. Staff recommends that up to $150,000 in AQMD funding be authorized to support UCR for this project.

Sufficient funds were transferred from Planning, Transportation and Information Management to Technology Advancement to fund this project. This recommendation was approved by the Technology Committee on September 13, 1995.

THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD

--Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with the University of California, Riverside in an amount not to exceed $150,000 to conduct a study of particulate matter emissions from light-duty smoking vehicles.

Respectfully,

James M. Lents, Ph.D.

Executive Officer

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