BOARD MEETING DATE: July 11, 1997 AGENDA NO. 6
PROPOSAL:
Execute Contract to Evaluate Remote Sensing of Nitric Oxide Exhaust Emissions from Light-Duty Vehicles.
SYNOPSIS:
There are several organizations working on the development of Nitric Oxide (NO) remote sensors. An important step in the development of these instruments is a side-by-side comparison of their performance along with an independent evaluation of the usefulness of the data generated during on-road operation. This evaluation will be conducted by the Coordinating Research Council, with the services of Radian International. Total project cost is $149,984. AQMD's contribution shall not exceed $49,984, with the remaining $100,000 being co-funded by the Coordinating Research Council.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, June 27, 1997, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Executive Officer to execute contract with the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), in an amount not to exceed $49,984 to evaluate remote sensing of NO exhaust emissions from light-duty vehicles.
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
Background
Remote sensing of on-road vehicle emissions has proven to be very valuable in determining the fraction of high emitting HC and CO exhaust emission vehicles under hot stabilized operating conditions. These measurements have consistently shown that a small fraction of the in-use vehicles contribute the major portion of the hot stabilized emissions of the vehicle fleet. Much less information is available about in use emissions of NOx. Since more than 95% of the NOx emitted from vehicles is NO, it has been postulated that remote sensing of NO can provide useful information regarding in use vehicle emissions.
Several organizations have been working on the development of NO remote sensors, and limited studies have been conducted with these systems. Therefore, it is important to both determine the accuracy of these sensors and to investigate the utility of their measurements.
Proposal
The main objective of this study is to conduct a side-by-side comparison of the NO remote sensors. This will be done by simultaneous operation of the sensors measuring NO emissions from passing vehicles. Some of the vehicles will be instrumented to be able to continuously monitor their own NO emissions. In addition, a number of the vehicles with high NO emissions will be tested on a chassis dynamometer utilizing the IM240 test procedure. The results will be used to determine the accuracy and precision of the NO remote sensors.
The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved by the Board on October 11, 1996 as Project T6-1, "Advanced Transportation Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration." The major benefit of this project is to enhance capabilities of accurate detection and monitoring of high emitting vehicles. This will, in turn, help state and local programs to identify high emitting vehicles as candidates for repair, scrappage, or replacement by clean fuel vehicles.
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 the sole source as in the best interest of the AQMD. This request for sole source award is being made under provision (4).
CRC (an auto oil research consortium) is the pre-eminent leader in the United States in the area of conducting mobile source emission studies. It was a major player in the development and implementation of the Southern California Air Quality Study (SCAQS). During the past seven years, it has conducted the on-road vehicle emissions workshop in San Diego, and presented numerous papers in this field. It was the leading group conducting the tunnel studies of 1987, 1995, and 1996, which were co-sponsored by the AQMD.
CRC intends to secure the services of Radian International for this study. This will be done in response to the RFP that CRC issued for this project in January, 1997. A total of six proposals were submitted, where Radian International was chosen as the best qualified candidate. The AQMD was fully involved in the evaluation and selection process of the submitted proposals.
The Radian team brings a solid understanding of remote sensing technologies and the utility of these measurements. Mr. Sandeep Kishan will be Radian's Project Manager. Mr. Kishan is an expert in the mobile source area and has significant background with remote sensing studies with over ten years experience. In addition, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair will be cooperating with Radian International in this study, by allowing the use of their extensive facilities and providing test vehicles and master mechanics capable of preparing all types of vehicles.
Radian International encourages the participation of, and uses as subcontractors, small businesses, and minority-, disabled veteran-, and women-owned business enterprises in its programs to the maximum extent possible to ensure efficient performance and comply with contract requirements and applicable laws.
Resource Impacts
Total cost for the proposed amendment is $149,984. AQMD's co-funding shall not exceed $49,984, with the remaining $100,000 being co-funded by the CRC. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1997-98 budget to fund this project.
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