School Bus Retrofit Program
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School buses are the safest way to transport children to and from school. However, pollution from diesel vehicles has health implications for everyone, especially children. The Utah State Office of Education estimates that 175,000 students travel to and from school on approximately 2,400 school buses statewide. This equates to nearly 26.5 million vehicle miles traveled every year.
School bus emissions contain chemicals that can be reduced or removed easily by developed, cost effective technologies. By reducing exhaust emissions, we can ensure that school buses are also a very clean way for Utah's children to get to school and provide clean-air benefits to communities throughout the state.
In 2007, the Utah Division of Air Quality started the Utah Clean School Bus Project in conjunction with local school districts, county and municipal governments, as well as community and non-profit organizations. This coalition worked together to secure funding to purchase and install emission reducing technologies to retrofit school buses statewide. These include monies from the Clean School Bus USA Project, Diesel Emission Reduction Act, the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) fund, Utah Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Clean Fuel Vehicles Grant and Loan Program, and funds appropriated by House Bill 146 (2008). Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have been used in conjunction with monies from the above sources to complete portions of the retrofit project.
Retrofits are aftermarket vehicle additions that help reduce harmful pollutants found in the bus cabin and in tailpipe emissions. The selected technologies are efficient, easy to install, and cost effective. Based on analysis, recommendations, and cost effectiveness, the Utah Division of Air Quality is recommending the use of Diesel Oxidation Catalyst and Close Crank Ventilation systems for this project.
With the funding obtained approximately 1,200 school buses were retrofitted. These retrofits resulted in reducing 310 tons of particulate matter, 4,694 tons of carbon monoxide, and 854 tons of volatile organic compounds (also referred to as hydrocarbons).
Information
Contact
Mat Carlile
School Bus Retrofit Program Coordinator with the Utah Division of Air Quality
Phone: 801-536-4136
