Remote Sensing Program Jim Jones IM Solutions 2016 Virginia's Road to Clean Air One Car at a Time

Remote Sensing - What is it? Road side sensing systems capture vehicle emissions as vehicles pass thru “traps” set up on roadways. Virginia uses Envirotest’s unmanned analyzers which utilize beams of light, mirrors, detectors and a remote camera to observe exhaust emissions from passing cars.

Remote Sensing - What is it? Combining Envirotest’s management software, their AccuScan® RSD5000 and cooperation from DMV, DEQ has put in place a comprehensive enforcement process used to identify and confirm High Emitters.

Is Remote Sensing needed? Yes, by supplementing the current program it: Allows large volumes of vehicles to be inspected daily. Allows cars that are not registered in the program area to be scanned for poor emissions.

Is Remote Sensing needed? Citizen notification promoting regular maintenance, saving the citizen money and allowing for better air quality. The program can be used as an evaluation tool to determine emission gains in air quality and effectiveness of fleet maintenance.

How does it work? Capture of emissions results Distribution of test results Resolution of inspection observances

Capture: Roadside Sensing Setup A maximum of 15 unmanned RSD5000s placed daily throughout NoVA observe vehicles as they drive past, recording speed, acceleration and vehicle emissions. Exhaust readings are recorded, run through the reviewer (software) to be vetted and sent to Mobile Sources for final processing and approval.

Capture: Roadside Sensing Setup Sample of Case Reviewer

Capture Its all smoke and mirrors. The source side of the SDM (Source/Detector Module) sends infrared and ultraviolet light across the road to a transfer mirror. The transfer mirror sends the light back to the detector side of the SDM. The light is split into infrared and ultraviolet light using a special dichroic mirror.

Capture The infrared light is focused to an infrared detector and the ultraviolet light is reflected to a spectrometer. From this point the observation analyzer converts this information into data the roadside sensing computers can convert into recognizable gas readings.

Capture: Roadside Sensing Setup

High Emitters Vehicles that exceed remote sensing standards will receive a Notice of Violation (NOV) of the observance(s). They are given 30 days to demonstrate compliance by having a confirmation test and then if needed, have necessary repairs performed to obtain a “pass” or “waiver” result. Distribution

Resolution & Enforcement of NOV The car must pass or waiver within 30 days. Once a Pass or waiver is obtained the NOV is resolved and the owner will then be able to register their car if due. If the NOV isn’t resolved in 30 days, the case is escalated to the Treasurers Office for enforcement of the civil charge.

Resolution & Enforcement of NOV Once civil charge is paid and the car passes or waivers then the NOV is resolved. In all cases a fail result will be recorded with the DMV until a pass or waiver is obtained.

Clean Screen Program Virginia’s Clean Screen Program is run by Envirotest. The program is known as RapidPass. Citizens of qualifying vehicles can elect to purchase a RapidPass to meet registration requirements in lieu of a conventional emissions inspection.

Clean Screen Program Purchase price is the same as the fee charged at an inspection station. A portion of the fee collected is given to Virginia’s Transportation and Highway Fund. Income from the RapidPass program completely funds the High Emitter program.

Liquid Leakers Soon we will be adding identification of liquid leakers to the total screen program. RSD sites will identify vehicles that have a high HC signature related to a possible fuel leak. Vehicles identified will receive an Advisory Notice from DEQ advising them of a potential leak and suggest they seek diagnosis and repairs if necessary.

History Observation and data collection began in early Enforcement endeavors began early in Due to contract expiration and renewal, Virginia has a total revamp of the program. Operationally it is much the same, but now utilizes unmanned RSD5000’s and new and improved software. RapidPass officially launched March 2016.