Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402:body:0:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 52424–55621

experience has shown that the emissions most likely to be affected by repairs or maintenance of a diesel vehicle are particulates and smoke.  NOx is generally a function of the engine design and varies little in current engines which do not have dedicated NOx emission controls. In future generations of engines with NOx control emissions may be considerably influenced by tampering or poor maintenance.

 The quantity of emissions from diesel vehicles are a function of the distance travelled multiplied by emissions per kilometre.  For a well maintained vehicle, emissions per kilometre are generally related to the age of the vehicle and the ADR with which it had to comply with when new. Excessive pollution from new vehicles is likely to be due to tampering and from older vehicles because of wear or poor maintenance.

 Audited maintenance programs therefore  should focus on:

           * minimising emissions of particles and smoke without allowing an increase in NOx;

           * vehicles or fleets which travel significant distances in major metropolitan regions or in regions or transport corridors with local air quality problems; and

           * prevention of tampering for new vehicles and adequate maintenance for old vehicles.

4.2   Program Operation

 The responsible parties in the program will be the regulator, the administrator, the operator, the emissions tester and the auditor. Where relevant, industry associations may also be involved in the design and administration of programs for operators in their industry.

4.2.1   Program Regulator

 The program regulator is responsible for:

           * establishing the parameters within which a scheme should operate;

           * establishing the legal and incentive framework to support the program; and

           * monitoring the performance of the program administrator.

4.2.2   Administrator

 Program administration of many of the existing alternate compliance programs in the transport industry is undertaken by industry associations. Alternatively, the regulator may also administer the program. In determining where the administration function for an audited maintenance program should be located, consideration should be given to ensuring that there is adequate capability to:

           * provide information to operators of the details of the program;

           * assess operators applications to enter the program;

           * maintain necessary data on operators' participation in the program;

           * monitor operators performance;

           * develop and manage the audit process (may involve emissions testing); and

           * apply sanctions for non-conforming operators.

4.2.3   Operators

 Operators are the owners of vehicles who chose to participate in the audited maintenance scheme. It is the responsibility of operators to define and document the maintenance arrangements (organisational structure, procedures, processes and resources) by which control of the factors affecting emissions is ensured. The documentation on maintenance arrangements should be at least the minimum required to minimise cost and maximise the likelihood of compliance.  If a company already