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The potential of satellites to control pollution from motor vehicles.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

This paper argues that onboard diagnostic systems linked via vehicle transponders to satellites could provide the basis for a more efficient and potentially global approach to controlling pollution from motor vehicles. Motorists would be subject to multiple emissions charges: (1) a one-time charge when a vehicle is first sold; (2) a recurring charge that would depend on the distance driven during each period of time; and (3) an additional charge in the event of improperly maintained equipment pertaining to pollution abatement. The use of transponders and satellites for (2) and (3) would make conventional smog testing obsolete and would result in large cost savings.

I. Introduction

In light of recent developments in satellite technology, this paper discusses a provocative and potentially global approach to the burning of fossil fuels by motor vehicles. The approach raises several questions--as does any plausible approach to motor vehicle pollution. The paper will address some of the more important questions in the space available, but it should not be viewed as the last say on the matter. Rather, it is intended to be part of an ongoing discussion.

During the last 40 years, governments have required that new vehicles meet ever-tougher emissions standards. However, a disproportionate amount of the pollution from motor vehicles comes from older vehicles (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000), (1) and the more stringent emissions standards for new vehicles make them more expensive and actually encourage people to retain ownership of older vehicles for a longer period of time than would otherwise be the case.

In areas that have been behind schedule in meeting federal air quality standards, older vehicles can be required to pass a smog test as a condition for remaining on the road. That is very costly, however, in terms of both out-of-pocket expenses and drivers' time to have millions of vehicles brought in to be checked. Cheating on smog tests is also thought to be widespread.

As an alternative, economists have frequently recommended that vehicles be charged directly for their emissions, regardless of whether the vehicles are new or old. But most such proposals have still relied on motorists to bring in their vehicles to be checked, at least in terms of the distance that they have been driven during a particular period of time. Thus, some policymakers have simply recommended that older vehicles be charged higher registration fees or that factories or oil refineries be given credit for pollution reductions if they buy up older vehicles and take them off the road.

Efforts to place "remote sensing" devices near freeway on-ramps and off-ramps or at other strategic locations to try to detect high-emission vehicles (without these vehicles needing to be checked at service stations) have been intriguing (e.g., Klein, 2003), but somewhat controversial. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has viewed remote sensing as a complement to, but not a substitute for, ordinary smog tests (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1994). Some of the concerns expressed by the EPA--for example, the feasibility of assessing vehicles' emissions of nitrogen oxides--have already been addressed or may be resolved in the near future. As this paper will discuss, remote sensing merits continued consideration, but whether it should be the main way by which vehicle emissions are monitored remains an open question.

Satellite monitoring of vehicles is a more recent and exciting development. Satellites are now used to levy emissions charges on trucks driving on Germany's autobahns (SPC Media, 2007). Satellite charging has been tested and seriously considered in Hong Kong as well (Wilbur Smith Associates, 2000).

This paper links the discussion to the more general issue of how to best price the use of roadways. Singapore began pricing entry into its Central Business District in 1975, and it now employs more extensive--and electronic--pricing that varies according to vehicle type and traffic conditions (Christainsen, 2006). London introduced congestion pricing inside its inner-ring road in 2003 (New York Academy of Sciences, 2007). Stockholm launched a pilot pricing program in its downtown area in 2006. A permanent road pricing program began in 2007 (Stockholmsforsoket, 2007).

Road pricing exists in a few other places as well, but outside of Germany, satellites remain an untapped mechanism for charging vehicles. While it can be readily seen that satellites offer a potentially global approach to the management of traffic congestion and vehicle pollution, there remain sensitive issues involving civil liberties and government control over the satellites themselves.

Section II of this paper outlines U.S. policies with respect to pollution from motor vehicles. Section III discusses the possible use of emissions charges vs. direct controls over emissions or vehicle gas mileage. Subsidies for alternative fuels that are alleged to be less polluting than fossil fuels (e.g., ethanol) are also discussed.

Section IV of the paper looks at the technological and administrative issues relevant to the use of satellites or related technology for assessing emissions charges. The use of satellites as opposed to remote sensing (without satellites) is discussed. Germany serves as a case study in satellite charging; its experiences can be compared to places like Singapore that already have electronic road pricing that is not based on satellites. Hong Kong is also worth mentioning insofar as it has conducted field tests that have attempted to assess the efficacy of satellite use.

Section V discusses the possibility of extending ordinary...

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