1

Vehicle Emissions Testing Program

Legislative Audit Bureau

May 2002

2

Overview

The federal Clean Air Act defines the program

The program seeks to reduce ozone pollution

In 2001

– 784,000 tests performed

– 12 testing stations

– 7 southeastern Wisconsin counties

3

Program Structure

FY 2000-01 costs of $11.2 million DNR administrative costs of $68,000 GPR DOT administers contract with a testing firm

– DOT’s administrative costs of $565,300 are from the Transportation Fund

– Contract payments were $10.5 million ($7.7 million from the Transportation Fund and $2.8 million in federal funds) in FY 2000-01

4

Air Quality Measurements

Air quality in southeastern Wisconsin has improved

There have been fewer violations of federal air quality standards

5

Air Quality Improvement

14

9

20

12

910

21

29

8

3

17

2 2

4

8

3 32

4

0

2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

Days per Year in Which Southeastern Wisconsin Ozone Levels Exceeded the Federal Standard

6

Wisconsin’s Testing Program

Federal model allows some discretion Wisconsin’s program is generally more

stringent– more model years tested– more stringent testing technique

Wisconsin is less stringent on some parameters– biennial rather than annual testing

7

Failure Rates Have Increased

New vehicles rarely fail the test Testing for nitrogen oxide, begun in May 2001,

has increased failure rates – Rates increased from less than 10% in early 2001 to

more than 18% in November 2001 Vehicle repair costs have increased

– Costs ranged from $117 to $144 in January through April, then ranged from $142 to $180 during remainder of the year

8

The Testing Contract

DOT manages the contract with Envirotest Systems Corporation

Envirotest owns and operates the vehicle emissions testing stations

Current contract period is from November 1995 through November 2002

Annual payment was $10.6 million in CY 2001

9

Contract Management Concerns

Testing volumes have been 14 to 18 percent lower than anticipated

Waiting time standards were often exceeded A testing lane at one station was frequently closed Public information requirements were not fully

met Customer complaint procedure not clearly posted

at all stations

10

Future Considerations

Some program changes are at the state’s discretion– exempt 4 newest model years– increase emissions thresholds

Program changes constrained by federal law– decrease the cost waiver limit– exempt individual counties from the program– remove reformulated gasoline requirement

11

Future Considerations

Attainment/maintenance status expected in 2002 for six counties

Eight-hour ozone standard has a threshold of 85 parts per billion

12 counties are potentially nonattainment areas under the eight-hour standard – Door, Jefferson, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Rock;

Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha

12

Vehicle Emissions Testing Program

Legislative Audit Bureau

May 2002