MOTOR VEHICLE TAMPERING SURVEY-1983
Under the direction of the Field Operations and Support Division (FOSD) of the EPA, personnel of both the EPA National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) and FOSD conducted a survey of light duty motor vehicle tampering at six U.S. urban areas from September through December of 1983. The 1977 amendments to the Clean Air Act make it illegal for auutmobile dealers, repair and service facilities, and fleet operators to disconnect or render inoperative emission control devices or elements of design. The FOSD is responsible for enforcing the tampering provisions of this Act. In order to determine the pattern and incidence of tampering and fuel switching, a series of surveys were conducted in 1978, 1979, 1981, and 1982. These surveys were conducted by the Mobile Source Enforcement Division (FOSD's predecessor organization), an expert automotive consultant, and NEIC. Consistent inspection procedures were used in all of these surveys to permit comparisons and identification of trends. In addition to the general focus of earlier surveys on identification of trends in rates and types of tampering, the 1983 survey is a principal measurement tool in an Agency program by which credit may be granted on State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for state and local measures to reduce emissions due to tampering and fuel switching. Data from the survey are used in a computer model (MOBILE3) along with engineering test results, to estimate both the emission loading impact of these behaviors and the reductions that may be achieved by various control program configurations. Sites for the survey were chosen in light of the need for data on specific areas considering programs, as well as the continuing need to monitor the general level and distribution of tampering and fuel switching in the nation. (Author)
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Corporate Authors:
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation, 401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC United States 20460 - Publication Date: 1984-8
Media Info
- Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
- Pagination: v.p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Air quality management; Compliance; Data collection; Environmental protection; Exhaust gases; Laws; Motor vehicles; Surveys
- Old TRIS Terms: Exhaust emission control
- Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I95: Vehicle Inspection;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00391664
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM