NOTICES
Dealerships and Nondealership Inspection Stations; Request for Participation
[31 Pa.B. 6354] The Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, gives notice that, starting in March 2002, and running until August 2002, it intends to conduct a pilot program for the performance of Onboard Diagnostic (OBD)--I/M checks, in anticipation of incorporating OBD testing of Model Year (MY) 1996 and newer vehicles into the emissions I/M program in this Commonwealth by the promulgation of revisions to 67 Pa. Code Chapter 177 (relating to enhanced emission inspection program). The pilot program will be conducted in the following counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Washington, Westmoreland and York. The Department intends to have approximately 34 inspection stations participate in the pilot program with a goal of two stations in each county, one a car dealership and the other a nondealership inspection station.
The purpose of the pilot program will be to familiarize the motoring public and emission inspection test stations with the OBD--I/M check process, including necessary new hardware and software, and to provide data on OBD equipped vehicles in this Commonwealth. The OBD--I/M check process will be an OBD and gas-cap test for MY 1996 and newer vehicles, and a gas-cap and anti-tampering test for MY 1995 and older vehicles.
By this notice, the Department is inviting stations within the previously-mentioned counties that meet the criteria in this notice to volunteer to participate in the pilot. Stations chosen for participation in the pilot program will be provided with loaned equipment and free training for up to two inspectors; all other operating costs are to be covered by the inspection station. Pilot stations will be chosen objectively using final selection criteria designed for maximum pilot effectiveness.
To be considered for use in the pilot program, dealerships and nondealership stations must meet the following criteria:
* Car Dealerships
* Volume Requirements
* In Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Washington and Westmoreland Counties, the dealership must have performed a minimum of 1,000 emissions inspections of model year 1996 and newer vehicles during the period from March 1, 2001, through August 31, 2001, as verified by data in the PENNDOT Vehicle Inspection Information Data Base (VIID).
* In Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton and York Counties, the dealership must have performed a minimum of 5,000 safety inspections during the period from January 1, 2000, through October 31, 2001, as verified by the number of safety inspection stickers issued to the dealership.
* The dealership must not have been suspended for any safety or emissions inspection violation during the period January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2001.
* The dealership must be willing to host demonstrations of the OBD--I/M check equipment and procedures for motorists, inspection station owners, dealerships, the media, members of the General Assembly and their staffs, as well as for Department staff.
* The dealership must be willing to enter into an agreement with the Department outlining the duties and responsibilities of a pilot station.
* Nondealership inspection stations
* Volume Requirements
* In Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Washington and Westmoreland Counties, the station must have performed a minimum of 400 emissions inspections of model year 1996 and newer vehicles during the period from March 1, 2001, through August 31, 2001, as verified by data in the PENNDOT Vehicle Inspection Information Data Base (VIID).
* In Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton and York Counties, the station must have performed a minimum of 3,000 safety inspections during the period from January 1, 2000, through October 31, 2001, as verified by the number of safety inspection stickers issued to the station.
* The nondealership station must not have been suspended for any safety or emissions inspection violation during the period January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2001.
* The nondealership station must be willing to host demonstrations of the OBD--I/M check equipment and procedures for motorists, inspection station owners, dealerships, the media, members of the General Assembly and their staffs, as well as for Department staff.
* The non-dealership station must be willing to enter into an agreement with the Department outlining the duties and responsibilities of a pilot station.
Responses indicating interest in participation in the OBD--I/M check pilot program should be directed to Barry Williams, Vehicle Inspection Division, 3rd Floor, Riverfront Office Center, 1101 S. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104, or be e-mailed to bwillia@dot.state.pa.us on or before December 31, 2001. All responses should include station name, station ID number, station address, phone number and contact person.
Selection of dealerships and nondealership stations for participation will be limited. Criteria for the selection of participating dealerships and nondealership stations will be posted on the Drive Clean PA! website, www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us, or available from the Department contact listed previously. If, in any of the numerated counties, no dealerships or nondealership stations meeting the criteria seek to participate in the pilot, the selection criteria for that county may be altered by the Department to accomplish the pilot program goals.
BRADLEY L. MALLORY,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-2071. Filed for public inspection November 16, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]
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