South Coast Air Quality Management District

Execute Contract to Cosponsor Heavy-Duty Vehicle Chassis Dynamometer Testing for Emissions Inventory, Air Quality Modeling, Source Apportionment and Air Toxic Emissions Inventory

SYNOPSIS:

The Coordinating Research Council (CRC) issued an RFP on January 9, 2001, to measure emissions from a large fleet of heavy-duty vehicles and conduct emissions inventory, air quality modeling, source apportionment and air toxic emissions inventory. At CRC’s invitation, AQMD staff participated in the evaluation and selection process. West Virginia University was chosen as the most qualified candidate. Cost sharing for this project will be provided by the CRC with $700,000, the ARB with $400,000, and the U.S. EPA with $200,000. Staff recommends AQMD’s participation in this project with a co-funding of $200,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, May 25, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the Coordinating Research Council to Cosponsor Heavy-Duty Vehicle Chassis Dynamometer Testing for Emissions Inventory, Air Quality Modeling, Source Apportionment and Air Toxic Emissions Inventory in an amount not to exceed $200,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

There are a number of interrelated issues regarding the combustion of diesel and gasoline fuels and their impact on air quality. Estimation of emissions contributions from heavy-duty vehicles to the inventory is less sophisticated and less based on real-world data than its light-duty vehicle counterpart. Due to scarcity of emissions testing facilities with chassis dynamometers for testing of heavy-duty vehicles, real in-use data are available representing the contribution of the heavy-duty fleet to the emissions inventory. Of primary concern is the use of original certification data to project emissions levels, without careful regard for possible in-use deterioration and relevance of the certification procedure. It is necessary to update existing laboratory-based emissions factors with high quality, in-use data that represent the on-road fleet and its typical activity. In addition, more information is needed regarding the health effects of particle size, shape, and chemistry, and laboratory measuring techniques in characterizing VOCs, semi-VOCs, and size-segregated particulate matter emissions.

Proposal

The main objective of this study is to quantify regulated and certain unregulated gaseous and particulate matter emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in the South Coast Air Basin. Specifically, 75 in-use, California certified diesel and gasoline heavy-duty vehicles will be procured for testing. The vehicles will be tested using California brand and blend of reformulated diesel or gasoline fuels. Samples of oil and fuel will be drawn from each truck for analyses. The oil analysis will help determine the state of the internal components of the engine, and the fuel analysis will relate the fuel properties to the engine out emissions. Emissions characterization will be performed by measuring HC, CO, NOx, CO2, size segregated particulate matter, semi-volatile, and carbonyl emissions from vehicle exhaust using a chassis dynamometer in conjunction with an emissions measurement trailer housing a dilution tunnel and research grade analyzer equipment. Data will be collected in such a manner as to permit estimation of the effects of vehicle loading, idle, and starts on emissions.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2001 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2001CFE-4, "Evaluation of Ultrafine Particles, PAHs, and Other Toxic Pollutants from Different Types of Fuels." The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies in Southern California to achieve air quality standards.

The major benefit of this project will be the obtaining of a comprehensive set of emissions data that can be used for enhancement of emissions inventory, air quality modeling, source apportionment, and air toxic emissions inventory. This will in turn help state and local agencies expedite the implementation of alternative fuel technologies in their efforts to reduce exhaust emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.

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, these circumstances are: B.2.d.(1) Project involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

The Coordinating Research Council (CRC), an internationally recognized auto/oil research consortium, is the pre-eminent leader in the United States in the area of conducting mobile source emission studies. It was the leading group conducting the Los Angeles Sepulveda Tunnel exhaust emission studies of 1987, 1995, and 1996, which were co-sponsored by the AQMD. CRC has led numerous other studies in the area of mobile source emissions with the participation of other major private and public entities. During the past eleven years, CRC has conducted its on-road vehicle emissions workshop in San Diego and presented several papers in this field. The annual workshop, which is co-sponsored by the AQMD and other private and public entities, has become the most important forum for presenting the latest findings in the area of mobile source emissions.

CRC has selected West Virginia University as contractor through a competitive solicitation for this project. Per CRC’s invitation, staff from the AQMD participated in the evaluation and selection of West Virginia University as the most qualified contractor.

Co-funding by the CRC, the ARB, and the U.S. EPA totaling $1,300,000 will leverage AQMD’s contribution to this project at a ratio of greater than1:6.

Resource Impacts

Total cost for the proposed contract during the first year is approximately $1,500,000. AQMD’s contribution shall not exceed $200,000, with a co-funding of $700,000 from the CRC, $400,000 from the ARB, and $200,000 from the U.S. EPA.

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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