TEN FOUR MAGAZINE - TRUCKING ON-LINE MAGAZINE FOR TRUCKERS

Tech Tips and Tid Bits...

CLEARING THE AIR
HELPING YOU COMPLY WITH ANTI-SMOKE LAWS

Over the last 30 years, Congress has fought hard to clean up our nation’s air. Much of their efforts have been aimed at trucks. Many of you have probably been both annoyed and inconvenienced by these laws, but the truth is a well-maintained engine lasts longer, gets better fuel economy and emits less pollution. For these and many other reasons, it just makes sense to ensure that your truck is running at its best. Let’s look back at the beginnings of this “fight” to clean the air and at a program that can help you comply (and avoid costly penalties).

In 1970, Congress passed the Clean Air Act to address the problem of air pollution nationwide. The act was successful. Today, cars emit 70%-90% less pollution than their 1970 counterparts. Despite this progress, clean and healthy air remains a problem in many parts of the country due to population growth. Nationwide, there are more than 90 million private and commercial vehicles on the road. California alone has over 25 million motor vehicles on its roads and highways.

In 1990, Congress revised the Clean Air Act, hoping to reduce emissions another 40%. In California, the Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted the Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and the Periodic Smoke Inspection Program. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) assists the ARB in administering these programs.

The Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program (HDVIP) was designed to reduce excessive smoke emissions and tampering from heavy-duty trucks and buses. Inspections are performed at CHP weigh stations, randomly selected roadside locations and fleet facilities. Any truck, at any time, can be subjected to an inspection, so it is a good idea to make sure your truck is clean. Upon failing a test, a first-level citation is issued with a fine of $800. If the necessary repairs are made within 45 days, $500 of the fine is waived. Failing a second time within a twelve month period will cost you $1,800. In extreme cases, CHP or ARB personnel can place a vehicle out-of-service until repairs are made. Lack of maintenance and engine tampering are the main causes of high smoke levels.

The Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) was established to promote self-inspection of fleet vehicles. California-based truck and bus fleets with two or more vehicles are required to conduct annual smoke opacity and tampering inspections for all of their vehicles. To ensure compliance, the ARB audits maintenance and inspection records and may test a representative sample of vehicles. The PSIP complements the roadside program by ensuring that all heavy-duty vehicles are well-maintained and tamper-free. But most of you already know all this. But what you might not know is that there is a program out there that offers low-cost (about $125) training and certification for anyone wanting to perform (or just know more about) smoke testing.

In 1992, the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology (CCDET), a joint effort by community colleges, government and the transportation industry, was created to assist the trucking and transit industries in complying with the ARB’s anti-smoke regulations. The CCDET offers, through selected California community colleges, a one-day, low-cost course that provides an in-depth look at both of these programs. Additionally, participants in the course receive hands-on training on the correct administration of the snap-acceleration test that is required under both smoke inspection programs. Participants are also taught about basic smoke emissions, troubleshooting and repair.

For a diesel repair facility that offers smoke testing, CCDET participation will assure your customers that the snap-acceleration test is being administered correctly, which helps prevent your client's vehicles from receiving citations. For a fleet owner, this training will also assure that your maintenance technicians perform the test properly and help to avoid costly penalties. Fleet owners will also benefit from increased fuel savings and get the maximum use from their vehicles due to proper maintenance. This course can also be beneficial for any owner operator who simply wants to know more about the subject or wants to ensure that any test performed on his or her truck is done properly. Certified CCDET technicians have the skills and know-how to keep heavy-duty vehicles in compliance and penalty free.

The CCDET coalition selected six California community colleges to serve as lead institutions in conducting the 8-hour training program. In Central California, contact San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton at (209) 954-5241. In the San Francisco area, call College of Alameda at (510) 748-2393. Southern California has four locations. In Los Angeles, contact Los Angeles Trade Tech College at (213) 763-3900. In San Diego, contact San Diego Miramar College at (619) 388-7673 or Palomar Community College in San Marcos by calling (760) 744-1150. And in Orange County, contact Santa Ana College at (714) 564-6661. All of these schools have qualified instructors and the proper test equipment for your training.

The trucking industry has argued that the HDVIP’s snap-acceleration test is unreliable and incorrectly fails clean trucks. This contention has been ongoing since the program’s inception back in 1990, and has now been litigated four times. In all cases, the test has been upheld by the California courts, including two decisions of the Third District Court of Appeals that were left standing by the California Supreme Court. The trucking industry now fully supports the snap-acceleration test.

Emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles are a major contributor to the harmful particulate matter (smog) in our air. These emissions post significant environmental and public health impacts. Losses in agricultural productivity from total environmental impacts are estimated by the ARB at $300 million to $1 billion per year. Public health impacts associated with diesel emissions include an increased chance of contracting various respiratory diseases and cancer. Air pollution is especially dangerous to the elderly and the young. Additionally, excessive smoke emitted from heavy-duty vehicles continues to be the public’s primary air pollution complaint.

You might not like the new “cleaner” engines and the rules may be annoying (and costly) at times, but let’s face it – we need clean air to breathe. Clearing the air is the responsibility of each and every one of us. And if cleaning the air isn’t motivating enough for you, how about saving money? The CCDET program can provide you and/or your employees the necessary skills to help you save money and do your part to help clean the air. The time has come to realize that the Air Resources Board and the anti-smoke regulations are not the enemy – smog is! For more information, visit www.arb.ca.gov today.