Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402:body:0:p18
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 49496–52660

audit of the maintenance regime to ensure the credibility of the program.

 Operators may choose to enter an audited maintenance program for a number of reasons. They may wish to:

           * improve the resale value of their vehicles;

           * improve their standing as a responsible operator with their local community;

           * raise the environmental credentials of their industry;

           * improve their marketing position when seeking contracts with companies sensitive to environmental issues;

           * gain incentives from governments in return for participation in such programs; or

           * gain exemptions from government emissions testing programs.

 An audited maintenance program is a quality system approach to the management of emissions from diesel vehicles. Such programs can make use of standards and infrastructure that have already been established to administer quality management programs for the transport industry.

 Audited maintenance programs offer vehicle operators an alternative to Government regulatory provisions hence their classification as alternative compliance programs.  In the case of regulation relating to vehicle emissions, participation in an audited maintenance program may mean exemption from regular emissions testing.  Participation in audited maintenance programs is open to operators regardless of the number of vehicles they have.

3.       Program Outline

 In developing an effective audited maintenance program a jurisdiction would need to ensure that a such a program is capable of:

           * Identifying the geographic areas where an audited maintenance program could   contribute to improving air quality in a cost-effective manner;

           * Targeting the vehicle categories in those areas (e.g. size, fuel, usage patterns) that would benefit in terms of emissions reductions from program participation;

           * Assessing vehicle or fleet operators for suitability for inclusion in a program; and

           * Measuring the baseline emissions performance of a participating vehicle or fleet and then putting in place systems to ensure this performance is improved, if necessary, and the desired performance is maintained.

 Arrangements for financing the program would need to be determined and a system for its administration established. A regulatory and/or market strategy would need to be developed to ensure adequate adoption of the program.

4.       Program Design

4.1   Program Coverage

 The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure set standards for ambient air quality.  Airsheds of major cities are in general the only regions likely not to meet standards.  Localised pockets within a region may also have air quality problems because of traffic volumes and local geography. Amenity issues may arise when fumes and smoke from a vehicle cause nuisance and visual pollution.

 Research and 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