Inspection & Maintenance and Accelerated Replacement
Establish inspection and maintenance programs and incorporate them into school transportation plans and budgets.
Inspection and maintenance programs ensure that school buses are free of severe mechanical problems and allow them to be addressed in a timely manner. Routine maintenance ensures that buses run smoothly, efficiently, and prevents problems with leaking fumes, soot, fuel, or oil.
Rebuild or accelerate replacement of older diesel engines – equip or rebuild engines with the most advanced emission control systems available.
Vehicles built prior to 1990 are still on the road today, and they emit more than six times more nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and hydrocarbons than newer models. In Georgia, 36.1% of the school buses were built between 1977 and 1990 . Most school systems in Georgia operate buses between ten and fifteen years before replacing them. Operating older buses means that these engines will continue to emit harmful pollutants until they are retired. These older engines should be immediately replaced.
|
