BOARD MEETING DATE: April 4, 2008
AGENDA NO. 7

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Cosponsor Pilot Program to Assess Feasibility of Enhancing Smog Check Tests in South Coast Air Basin

SYNOPSIS:

Currently, PM emissions are not measured as part of the biennial Smog Check Program. In addition, all-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles are exempted from loaded mode testing for purposes of measuring NOx emissions. Maschinenbau Haldenwang (MAHA) has proposed to cost-share with the AQMD, four portable particulate measuring devices and one all-wheel/4-wheel drive dynamometer at CARB’s El Monte laboratory and at AQMD’s High Emitter Repair or Scrap (HEROS) Program test sites. Data obtained from the proposed equipment will be used to evaluate the potential for broadening the scope of current Smog Check testing and facilitate the development of a uniform methodology that could be implemented in the Smog Check Program. This action is to execute a contract with MAHA to conduct this project at a cost not to exceed $99,423 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The remainder of the $373,847 project costs will be supported by the other project partners: CARB, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and MAHA.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 21, 2008. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the Chair communicated his 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 Maschinenbau Haldenwang (MAHA) to deliver four portable particulate measuring devices, four portable gas analyzers/smoke opacity meters, and one all-wheel/4-wheel drive dynamometer, in conjunction with equipment training, for use in the AQMD's HEROS Program in an amount not to exceed $99,423 from the Clean Fuels Fund.
 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

California's Smog Check Program has evolved over more than two decades. However, due to practical and technical limitations, PM emissions are not currently measured as part of the biennial Smog Check Program. Additionally, all-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles are exempted from loaded mode testing, which is needed to quantify NOx emissions. Under this proposed project, efforts will be made to evaluate potential enhancements to the Smog Check Program that will address these Smog Check limitations. In addition, PM testing will be conducted in conjunction with the AQMD’s High Emitter Repair or Scrap (HEROS) Program, and would facilitate the development of a uniform test procedure for the quantification of PM emission benefits.
 

Proposal

Maschinenbau Haldenwang (MAHA) submitted an unsolicited proposal to demonstrate the use of particulate measuring devices, gas analyzers/smoke opacity meters, and all-wheel/4-wheel drive dynamometer that could potentially enhance the current Smog Check Program.

PM Measurement

Light-duty gasoline vehicles are estimated to contribute about 40% of the total on-road mobile source tailpipe emissions of particulate matter (PM) in California. Although significant efforts have been made to reduce PM emissions from diesel vehicles, less emphasis has been placed on reducing PM from light-duty gasoline vehicles.

Due to practical and technical limitations, PM emissions are not currently measured as part of California’s biennial Smog Check Program. Equipment currently proven for PM quantification utilizes a gravimetric approach with PM filters. However, this methodology is not practical for use at Smog Check stations because results are not given in real time, and a significant level of expertise and maintenance is required with this methodology.

MAHA has developed a portable instrument, the MPM4, that may be a viable means to quantify PM during smog check tests. The instrument uses advanced laser light scattering photometry technology and high-speed processors to provide real-time particle measurements. The device is designed to be relatively easy to operate and maintain, with an estimated current cost of about $15,000 per unit. This cost could be lowered with volume pricing. The Bureau of Automotive Repair is in the initial stages of developing specifications of a new analyzer system for 2010, this technology to measure PM could potentially be incorporated into the design of a new 2010 analyzer.

Under this proposed project, MAHA’s device would undergo PM correlation testing as part of the AQMD’s High Emitter Repair or Scrap (HEROS) Program. Several vehicles screened through the HEROS Program would be routed to CARB's motor vehicle testing laboratory in El Monte, where PM correlation tests will be performed with a MAHA MPM4, a MAHA gas analyzer/smoke opacity meter, and conventional filter-based testing. Correlation testing may also be performed with other portable particulate measuring devices that show promise for use in Smog Check tests. Additional testing of the MAHA units are proposed to be performed at HEROS Smog Check stations by the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC), the organization responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Bureau of Automotive Repair referee test centers and call centers.

NOx Testing of All-Wheel and 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles

Beginning in 1998, Smog Check stations in the South Coast Air Basin were required to perform Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM) tests on most vehicles. These tests are conducted using dynamometer equipment, treadmill-like devices that partially simulate driving conditions. Previously, two-speed idle mode tests were performed on vehicles. Tailpipe emissions were quantified for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide with two-speed idle mode tests. Because ASM tests partially simulate actual driving conditions, they provide a better indication of actual emissions than the idle mode tests. During ASM testing, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and for the first time, NOx is tested during Smog Check.

Certain all-wheel-drive, 4-wheel-drive, or traction control systems are currently only receiving a 2-speed idle test because these powertrains require the rotation of all four wheels, which cannot be accomplished on the current two-wheel, loaded-mode dynamometer system used at Smog Check stations. Given the increase in numbers of all-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles in recent years, it is important to have selected Smog Check stations equipped with all-wheel-drive dynamometers in order to perform loaded mode testing of such vehicles. MAHA has proposed to provide an all-wheel/4-wheel drive dynamometer that would facilitate ASM testing for vehicles with all-wheel-drive, 4-wheel-drive, and traction control systems. This dynamometer will be evaluated by FCCC for possible use during Smog Check tests.

Specifically, MAHA is proposing to place four particulate measuring devices, four gas analyzers/smoke opacity meters and one all-wheel/4-wheel drive dynamometer at selected HEROS Program test sites and at CARB’s El Monte laboratory. In addition, MAHA will provide equipment training to the Smog Check technicians. MAHA also specified funding requirements and cost share allocations. The total project cost is estimated to be $373,847, with MAHA responsible for the work outlined as follows: delivery of four portable MPM4 particulate measuring devices, four gas analyzers/smoke opacity meters, and one 4-wheel drive dynamometer, in conjunction with equipment training. After equipment testing is completed, AQMD will retain the four MPM4 devices and the four gas analyzers/smoke opacity meters. FCCC will retain the 4-wheel drive dynamometer.
 

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.
 

This program is cosponsored by several entities. AQMD’s contribution will be leveraged at a ratio of approximately one to four. Project funding will be supplied by MAHA and FCCC. Additionally, FCCC and CARB will contribute in-kind support and resources. MAHA is a manufacturer of vehicle testing equipment that is used, among other things, to measure automobile tailpipe emissions. Use of MAHA's equipment is extensive in Europe and expanding globally.
 

Benefits to AQMD

The demonstration of a particulate measurement device for in-use vehicles is included in the March 2006 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Identify and Demonstrate In-Use Fleet Emission Reductions. Through this project, a potential device for measuring PM emissions during Smog Check will be demonstrated. Current measurement technology is unable to fully characterize excessive PM emissions. This new technology under the Smog Check Program would be capable of quickly identifying excessive emissions as well as validating their repair. Approximately 40% of the total on-road mobile source tailpipe emissions of PM in California are from light-duty gasoline vehicles.
 

Resource Impacts

Total cost for the proposed project is approximately $373,847. AQMD’s contribution from the Clean Fuels Fund shall not exceed $99,423. The total estimated cost-share for this proposed project is $124,424 from MAHA and $25,000 from FCCC. CARB and FCCC will contribute the remaining $125,000 with in-kind contributions. The total estimated cost-share for this project is provided as follows:

Sufficient funds are available in the Clean Fuels Fund, which is established as special revenue 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.