Back

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Evaluation of Air Quality Benefits of Battery-Operated Emergency Roadside Flares

SYNOPSIS:

Traditional chemical roadside flares may create safety hazards and emit approximately 5 to 7 tons of sulfur dioxide per year in the Basin, along with nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The Claremont Police Department (CPD) has submitted a proposal to conduct a pilot-project to evaluate the feasibility and air quality benefits of replacing the traditional chemical flares with safer, non-polluting battery-operated flares. Basin-wide substitution of chemical flares with battery-operated flares could reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by approximately 5-7 tons per year. Staff recommends co-sponsoring the proposed pilot project. Total project cost is $9,456 and AQMD’s contribution will not exceed $7,200.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 24, 2000. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the Claremont Police Department to co-sponsor evaluation of the air quality benefits and performance of battery-operated emergency roadside flares, in an amount not to exceed $7,200 in funds from the Advanced Technology Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Traditional roadside chemical flares/fuses are used as emergency and early-warning light sources by law enforcement agencies such as police departments. Officers use them for traffic control, DUI checkpoints, and traffic direction near collision sites. Although functionally useful, the traditional flares have some drawbacks, which include air pollution and safety hazards.

These flares typically contain hazardous materials like strontium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, and sulfur. During the burning of the flares, chemicals are emitted to the atmosphere, which primarily include sulfur dioxide, but also may contain other air contaminants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Some of these chemicals pose an immediate hazard to police officers and motorists in close proximity of the location where the flares are burned. In addition, the flares add emissions to ambient levels of air pollutants.

According to a survey conducted by the AQMD laboratory staff, the use of chemical flares generated approximately 5 to 7 tons of sulfur dioxide in 1998 in the South Coast Basin. Obviously, the emissions are not generated evenly throughout the year. Typically, the use of flares is higher in winter due to a larger number of vehicle accidents.

The air pollution and safety hazard problems could be eliminated by using alternative systems, currently available in the market, that cause no air pollution and appear to be safer for the user and the motoring public. These alternative flares consist of bright light-emitting diodes, powered by rechargeable batteries, which create highly visible light, effective even from long distances. Some brands are made of materials that are waterproof, shockproof, vibration proof, and resist chemicals like jet fuels, gasoline, diesel fuel, road salts, and chlorine. Based on the preliminary emission inventory cited above, it appears that significant emission reduction of sulfur dioxide could be achieved if battery-operated flares replace the traditional chemical flares.

Proposal

The Claremont Police Department (CPD) has been investigating the feasibility of using new types of flares. They have identified a brand of battery-operated, rechargeable flare which would meet the emergency lighting needs of law enforcement personnel.

The CPD has requested the AQMD to participate in a joint six-month pilot project. The objective of the project is to use the battery-operated systems for six months and collect sufficient data to decide if the use of the traditional flares could be eliminated or reduced and replaced by the battery-operated systems. During the course of the project, information will be gathered relative to the effectiveness of the battery-operated systems in different environments, number of times the systems are used, and their safety features. This information will be used to compare the air quality benefits, affordability, and safety aspects of the battery-operated systems with that of the traditional flares. At the conclusion of the project, the CPD will submit a written report to the AQMD that will minimally include the number of times the lighting devices were used, the cost savings, emission reductions, and an objective finding about the effectiveness of rechargeable battery-operated flare systems to replace or reduce the use of the traditional chemical flares.

Benefits to AQMD

This project is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under proposed program number 2000T-1, "Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination." If the results of this proposed project demonstrate that the battery-operated flares are affordable, safer, and effective in replacing chemical flares, AQMD could propose their use in the Basin. Replacing chemical flares with non-polluting battery-operated flares has a potential of reducing sulfur dioxide emissions by approximately 5-7 tons per year. In addition, emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide will also be reduced, which could not be quantified.

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. Specifically, this request for a sole source award to the CPD is made under provision B.2.d.5: Performance of AQMD work concurrent with local government official duties.

The CPD, a local government department, has been investigating the alternatives to chemical roadside emergency and early-warning light sources utilized by law enforcement. They determined that a battery-powered system may meet their needs, but could not afford a demonstration pilot project due to the lack of funds. The CPD is very enthusiastic about the proposed project and capable of accomplishing the project goals. Staff recommends a sole source award to the CPD.

Resource Impacts

Total project cost is $9,456. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $7,200 in funds. The contractor’s contribution will be $2,256 in funds. Sufficient funds are available from the Advanced Technology Fund. This fund was established as a special revenue fund for revenues received as a result of fines, penalties, and settlements from air pollution violations. These settlement payments by the violators are to be used by the AQMD to support the development and demonstration of advanced technologies, and the assessment of resulting emissions benefits.

/ / /