Spring 2008
In April and May of 2008 ISSRC continued work with Tsinghua University in China to build the tools to create a comprehensive emissions inventory. This time the testing took place in the city of Xi’an at the Shaanxi University Science and Technology laboratory. While there, ISSRC tested 40 diesel vehicles classified as light-heavy-duty vehicles. In June, two assistant researchers from Tsinghua University visited ISSRC headquarters in L.A. for training in data analysis. The results of the Xi’an study indicated that although cars in Xi’an tend to be smaller, they produce large amounts of pollution. This may mean that Xi’an needs to implement stricter standards for vehicle maintenance. On a more positive note, some of the newer diesel vehicles that were tested had been subject to more recent and stringent vehicle standards indicated the desired lower emissions. The entire Xi’an report may be downloaded in the Modeling section of the website.
In early June, staff traveled to Mexico City in order to discuss a new project that would work towards setting up a new type of air quality management program in Mexico. More information on that project will be posted as it develops.
Winter 2008
For the first quarter of 2008, ISSRC carried out three day training programs in Beijing and Mexico City. The training concerned the development of effective emission inventories and the accurate estimation of vehicle emissions. The Beijing training was hosted by Beijing Jiaotong University and the Mexico City training was hosted by the Instituto Nacional Ecologica. The training included instruction on use of the new multi-language IVE model as well as presentations on key techniques for the measurement of vehicle movement and emissions. The IVE model now has more than 500 active users worldwide and is being recommended by INE as the national model for use in Mexico.
ISSRC also continued its effort in providing support and analysis to the environmental community on the upcoming PM2.5 plan for the San Joaquin Valley, which is to be adopted in the next quarter. The Hewlett foundation highlighted to its board members last year’s ISSRC effort and the process that resulted in significant improvements to the plan for reducing ozone pollution in the Valley. More recently, ISSRC traveled to Xi’an China April 21 to May 10, where diesel testing of 40 vehicles was completed. The results and report will be available for download in the Fall. Future prospects include a two year program being started with Sao Paulo, Brazil and Mexico City, Mexico for the development of an improved air quality management process. A report on the effect of excess speed of heavy duty trucks on emissions in the San Joaquin Valley will also be completed.
