Satellite tracking of fleet vehicles has proven to be effective in reducing miles driven per day. In a previously instituted pilot program, the City of La Verne discovered that combining trips and optimizing routes resulted in fewer miles driven and more work accomplished. The GPS system employed by the City at that time was slow and often unreliable. As technology became available, City staff identified products that provided better GPS service plus remote wireless diagnostic capabilities. Remote diagnostics provide early detection of emission system problems by notifying the Citys fleet operator by email within minutes of the failure.
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Once the project received approval from City Council, an application for grant funding was submitted to and approved by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).The City then contracted with Totally Wireless GPS for purchase and installation of 80 Networkfleet 3500 series diagnostic devices. Under the MSRCs Clean Transportation Funding for Fleet Management and Vehicle Diagnostics program, the City received matching funds for 53 of these devices. After a one week installation period, the program was immediately operational. Notification to the Bureau of Automotive Repair is handled through the Networkfleet office. Upon completion of the vehicle installations, City staff was trained on effectively using the internet based management tools and fleet personnel were trained on Bureau of Automotive Repair response protocol for maintenance alerts.
The Citys objective was to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by more efficient utilization of fleet vehicles, enforcement of the Citys idling policies and cleaner engine performance. It was also important that the system meet the criteria set by the Bureau of Automotive Repair to qualify for their Continuous Testing Program CTP.
There is no scientific data available to quantify emission reduction by early detection. Prior to using the continuous monitoring method, a vehicles emission system could have failed the day after it had a smog check and not be discovered for two years. With real time notifications the vehicle is repaired immediately or not operated until its repaired. In the first five months of operation, the City has reduced its fuel use by 3,169 gallons over the same period one year ago; a reduction of eight percent.