The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the installation of onboard diagnostic systems (OBDs) for large trucks and buses to monitor their emissions control systems.
The proposal, according to the EPA, requires the emission control monitoring of trucks and buses to be like of cars. Also, that will ensure that the emission control systems would work properly in the service lifetimes of the said vehicles.
OBDs, used in cars since the mid-90s, monitors emissions control components, detects the need for emission-related repairs and alerts the operator when these problems occur. It also informs service personnel of what problem/s exist so that it could be properly repaired. OBD system for highway trucks will also work the same way, according to the proposal.
The proposals are part of the Clean Diesel Truck and Bus Program, which aims in reducing significantly nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, non-methane hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and air toxics from diesel-powered vehicles. The reductions are estimated to prevent at least 8300 premature deaths, more than 9500 hospitalizations and 1.5 million lost work days.
The proposal also makes changes to certain existing OBD requirements for smaller highway diesel trucks.
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