BOARD MEETING DATE: January 21, 2000
AGENDA NO. 10

Execute Contract to Cost-Share Determination of Non-Registration Rates of On-Road Vehicles

SYNOPSIS:

The vehicle emissions inventory is based upon the number of vehicles registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. However, a 1989 study indicated that 8% of on-road vehicles are not registered for up to a month and 1% are not registered for two or more years. The ARB issued a solicitation with California University Services to determine the non-registration rates of on-road vehicles. Through this competitive process, the ARB selected UCR CE-CERT to conduct this project. Staff recommends executing an agreement with the ARB in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to cost-share this $210,000 project.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, December 17, 1999, fewer than three members were present and therefore, pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, the Committee forwards this letter without recommendation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the ARB to cost-share the determination of non-registration rates of on-road vehicles, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The emissions inventory for on-road motor vehicles is based upon the population of vehicles registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, previous studies have shown that a significant percentage of the vehicle population may be unregistered at any given time. Although DMV maintains a file of non-registered vehicles, this file includes vehicles that have become inoperative or which have relocated outside of California. It would be inappropriate to include these vehicles in the inventory since they do not contribute air pollution emissions.

In 1989, Valley Research under a state contract performed an analysis of the non-registration status of vehicles in the SCAB. In this analysis, the registration status of vehicles parked at shopping centers was determined through a review of DMV records. The results of the analysis revealed that 8% of the passenger car fleet may go unregistered for up to a month. The omission of these vehicles from the population would result in a proportional underestimation of the emissions inventory. It was also determined that about 1% of the fleet may go unregistered for two or more years. It can be assumed that these vehicles would not benefit from the Smog Check program given that denial of registration is the penalty for non-participation. This subset of "chronic" unregistered vehicles may contribute disproportionately to the emissions inventory.

Proposal

The ARB issued a solicitation to California University Services soliciting proposals from universities to determine the non-registration rates for on-road vehicles in California. Four universities expressed interest, but only two provided acceptable proposals: CSU Sacramento and UC Riverside (UCR) CE-CERT. Through an evaluation process in which AQMD staff participated, the proposal from UCR CE-CERT was selected for funding.

Under this proposal, license plate data will be collected at different and diverse locations throughout the entire State of California. A minimum of 200 vehicles will be sampled in most of the smaller counties with over 9,000 vehicles sampled in the larger counties. Over 115,000 vehicles will be sampled throughout the state with over 50,000 vehicles sampled in the four-county SCAB. The data will be gathered at a number of sites representing diverse activities using two-member teams with digital cameras. Vehicle license plates identified as non-registered will be compared against DMV records to determine short- and long-term non-registration rates by county.

Secondly, unregistered vehicle files from the DMV database will be compared with Smog Check records obtained from the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and analyzed to determine the relationship and correlation between vehicles failing previous Smog Checks and those observed to be unregistered. A telephone survey will also be used to supplement this database analysis to determine if trends consistent with the analysis are found. A final report will document the findings of this study. This proposed project will be completed in about 16 months.

The proposed project is included in the October 1998 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Category 98T3-1, Advanced Transportation Systems Research, Development and Demonstration. AQMD’s Clean Fuels Program has been active in transportation research and economic estimates related to improved air quality.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project will seek to determine the level of and reasons for the non-registration of vehicles. Non-registrations lead to an underestimation of on-road motor vehicle emissions, unless properly accounted for. As a result of this study, the vehicular emissions inventory will be more accurate. Improving the emissions inventory is essential in developing and implementing cost-effective AQMP control measures. In addition, accurate inventories help focus the technology development efforts of the AQMD Clean Fuels Program to maximize potential emissions benefits.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD; specifically, is B.2.d.(1): projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors. The ARB will cost-share the bulk of this project.

The proposed project contractor, UCR CE-CERT, was qualified and selected by the ARB through a competitive solicitation. AQMD technical staff participated in the review and scoring of the proposals. The ARB will serve as the overall manager for the resulting contract. The ARB has extensive experience in managing and administering projects involving emissions inventory development.

Resource Impacts

Total cost to the AQMD for the proposed project will be $50,000 with the ARB’s estimated contribution being $160,000. Total estimated project cost is $210,000.

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

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