Who's run into these? What is your take on them? I saw one here in north Texas for the first time this morning. I think its kinda crappy if you have an inspection sticker. Seems just another way for the Government to take away our freedoms. Meanwhile lobbyist companies pump disgusting amounts of smog into the air.
DPS Begins Remote Emissions Testing
Vehicles commuting into Dallas, Tarrant and Harris counties will soon be tested for excess pollutants as they pass by roadside detectors in those counties.
The Texas Department of Public Safety will implement the "Gross Polluter Identification and On-Road Testing" component of the Texas Motorist's Choice Program in early October.
"This required component enhances the tailpipe emissions testing program already in place in Dallas, Tarrant, Harris and El Paso counties," said Major Ricky D. Smith of the Texas Department of Public Safety. "It is also one of the best examples of the state's pragmatic and common sense approach to reducing mobile source emissions in Texas."
The Gross Polluter Identification and On-Road Testing component of the Texas Motorist's Choice Program is intended to provide cleaner air for Texas citizens and reduce pollution in areas where smog levels exceed federal health standards. The program also reminds citizens to properly maintain their vehicles, which leads to better fuel economy, longer engine life and fewer mechanical problems.
Instead of expanding station-based tailpipe emissions testing to the nine other ozone non-attainment counties (Denton, Collin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller), Texas will use on-road testing to focus on vehicles from those counties that commute in to Dallas, Tarrant and Harris counties and are grossly violating air quality standards. Vehicles registered in Dallas, Tarrant, Harris and El Paso counties that are identified as gross polluters also will be subject to this program component.
Gross Polluter Identification and On-Road Testing is a non-invasive technique that involves sampling the exhaust of vehicles as they pass on-road detectors. The devices are located in and connected to vans that are strategically parked along roadways. While vehicle owners may be aware of the presence of devices, they are not required to stop or change their driving habits for the test.
Austin-based Tracor Aerospace, Inc. was awarded the contract to deliver a total service package that includes gross polluter identification and on-road testing of approximately 700,000 vehicles. Tracor designed the system using tunable diode laser technology that will sample the exhaust gases of a vehicle as it travels by sampling devices. The system will further determine the presence of certain harmful pollutants, the amount of those pollutants and how the levels of the pollutants relate to the typical emissions status of the sampled vehicle.
"The registered owner of a vehicle identified as a 'gross polluter' will receive a notice that will instruct them to present the vehicle for a verification test at one of more than 2,300 certified emissions testing facilities in the non-attainment counties," Major Smith said. "After the verification test, the vehicle owner may be required to seek necessary repairs to bring the vehicle into program compliance, and present the vehicle for a re-test to obtain an emissions inspection certificate. Failure to comply with the requirements of the notice is a criminal offense."
DPS Begins Remote Emissions Testing
Vehicles commuting into Dallas, Tarrant and Harris counties will soon be tested for excess pollutants as they pass by roadside detectors in those counties.
The Texas Department of Public Safety will implement the "Gross Polluter Identification and On-Road Testing" component of the Texas Motorist's Choice Program in early October.
"This required component enhances the tailpipe emissions testing program already in place in Dallas, Tarrant, Harris and El Paso counties," said Major Ricky D. Smith of the Texas Department of Public Safety. "It is also one of the best examples of the state's pragmatic and common sense approach to reducing mobile source emissions in Texas."
The Gross Polluter Identification and On-Road Testing component of the Texas Motorist's Choice Program is intended to provide cleaner air for Texas citizens and reduce pollution in areas where smog levels exceed federal health standards. The program also reminds citizens to properly maintain their vehicles, which leads to better fuel economy, longer engine life and fewer mechanical problems.
Instead of expanding station-based tailpipe emissions testing to the nine other ozone non-attainment counties (Denton, Collin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller), Texas will use on-road testing to focus on vehicles from those counties that commute in to Dallas, Tarrant and Harris counties and are grossly violating air quality standards. Vehicles registered in Dallas, Tarrant, Harris and El Paso counties that are identified as gross polluters also will be subject to this program component.
Gross Polluter Identification and On-Road Testing is a non-invasive technique that involves sampling the exhaust of vehicles as they pass on-road detectors. The devices are located in and connected to vans that are strategically parked along roadways. While vehicle owners may be aware of the presence of devices, they are not required to stop or change their driving habits for the test.
Austin-based Tracor Aerospace, Inc. was awarded the contract to deliver a total service package that includes gross polluter identification and on-road testing of approximately 700,000 vehicles. Tracor designed the system using tunable diode laser technology that will sample the exhaust gases of a vehicle as it travels by sampling devices. The system will further determine the presence of certain harmful pollutants, the amount of those pollutants and how the levels of the pollutants relate to the typical emissions status of the sampled vehicle.
"The registered owner of a vehicle identified as a 'gross polluter' will receive a notice that will instruct them to present the vehicle for a verification test at one of more than 2,300 certified emissions testing facilities in the non-attainment counties," Major Smith said. "After the verification test, the vehicle owner may be required to seek necessary repairs to bring the vehicle into program compliance, and present the vehicle for a re-test to obtain an emissions inspection certificate. Failure to comply with the requirements of the notice is a criminal offense."