EMISSION
STANDARDS
OPACITY
Smoke
opacity is a measurement of light extinction, or
the blackness of the exhaust plume, expressed as
a percentage. 100% opacity would be completely dark,
and 0% would be totally transparent. The black smoke
we see in diesel exhaust is composed primarily of
carbon particles resulting from the combustion of
diesel fuel.
The
opacity limit is measured at the peak, or darkest
point, of the exhaust cloud. This measurement is
most commonly taken during the snap acceleration
test, where the vehicle is at idle, with all brakes
off, and the throttle is "punched" to
the floorboard, initiating the exhaust cloud. Opacity
is measured as a surrogate for particulate matter.
The
table below illustrates the approximate opacity
of our current emission
standards.
HDDVs
are subject to opacity standards based on the production
year of the vehicles' engine. The standards were
devised to take into account the state of engine
technology, and typical wear conditions. The
opacity standards are:
Current Opacity Cutpoints
Heavy-duty
trucks - 18,000 pounds or more |
1990
and older |
40% |
1991
or 1996 |
30% |
1997
and newer |
20% |
No
visible smoke >3 consecutive
seconds |
|
Commercial
& School Buses - 18,000 pounds or
more |
1987
and older |
40% |
1988 - 1993 |
30% |
1994
and newer |
20% |
No
visible smoke >3 consecutive
seconds |
|
Retrofitted* Diesel Buses - 18,000 pounds or
more |
1993
and older |
30% |
1994
and newer |
20% |
No
visible smoke >3 consecutive
seconds |
* Equipped with post-manufacture internal and/or external emissions control technology, and/or exhaust after-treatment devices, as required under the USEPA Urban Bus Program
|
|
PENALTIES
Violations
are placed upon owner or lessee, not
the operator.
The fine for a first offense is $700, reducible
to $150, with proof of repair.
For second and subsequent offenses the fine is $1300,
reducible to $500 with proof of repair.
Failure to comply with the annual inspection requirement
carries a fine of $500.
RULES
& REGULATIONS
Established
by Public Law 1995, Chapter 157, the rules that
govern the Diesel Inspection Program are:
NJ
Department of Environmental Protection
N.J.A.C.
7:27-14 - Control and Prohibition of Air Pollution
from diesel- fueled Motor Vehicles
N.J.A.C. 7:27B-4 - Air Test
Method 4: Testing procedures for Motor Vehicles
NJ
Department of Transportation
N.J.A.C.
13:20-26 - Periodic Diesel Inspection Program
N.J.A.C. 13:20-46 - Diesel Emission Inspection and
Maintenance Program
N.J.A.C. 13:20-47 - Diesel Private Inspection Facilities
- Licensing
NJ
State Police
N.J.S.A.
39:8-59 - 76 - Periodic Diesel Inspection
Program
Questions and comments about the Diesel Inspection Program: dieseld@dep.state.nj.us
