REMOTE SENSING: AN ALTERNATIVE FOR VEHICLE POLLUTION CONTROL

Abstract

Diesel vehicles have showed to be a major villain of air quality around the world. Since the late 1980s, several countries have implemented Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Programs in-service (I/M Program) as an instrument to control emissions. Coupled with this, Europe and United States have adopted remote sensing (RS) for over 25 years as an additional control tool in combating vehicular pollution. However, in Brazil, vehicle emission mitigation actions have focused only on the manufacture of new less polluting vehicles, which at short time of use tend to emit 3-4 times more than when it was 0km. Due to the low adherence the I/M program in Brazil, this paper aims to present the RS installed in weighing stations on federal highways as a viable alternative (operationally simple and low cost) to control vehicle known to be more emitters pollutants, which are heavy-duty vehicles, especially trucks. Becoming the SR another control instrument foreseen in the Air Pollution Control Program by Motor Vehicles. Because studies show this type of control can discourage the circulation of vehicles in poor condition, with emissions above legal limits and stimulate periodic maintenance of them, due to greater supervision and the possibility of the driver being fined. Therefore, part of the investment could be recovered with less spending on public health.