Abstract
Motor vehicle inspection programs (MVIPs) are used extensively by many communities in the United States as a means to reduce mobile source emissions. In 1992, Florida initiated a motor vehicle inspection program for six counties that were identified as nonattainment areas for ozone pursuant to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The costeffectiveness of Florida’s motor vehicle inspection program in reducing emissions is evaluated, and the results are compared with the costeffectiveness of other MVIP technologies that are available as alternatives to Florida’s current program. Five combinations of current MVIP technologies were chosen as the alternatives for analysis that represent the range of options available for a motor vehicle inspection program. The results of the cost-effectiveness analysis indicate that the program including the technology of Accelerated Simulation Mode is the most cost-effective of all of the alternatives presented. This program is much more cost-effective in reducing pollutants than the current inspection program in Florida, an annual idle test. In addition, this program is estimated to eliminate more absolute megagrams (tons) of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. The legislature of Florida has continually examined the issue of continuing or changing the motor vehicle inspection program in Florida. However, no changes have been made to the program since its inception in 1992. The cost-effectiveness comparisons of MVIPs could be useful to other communities searching for costeffective methods of reducing mobile source emissions.
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