The Air Quality Program performs emissions and fuel consumption testing of a broad range of on-road and off-road vehicles using state-of-the-art testing equipment and facilities.

The Air Quality Program performs emissions and fuel consumption testing of a broad range of on-road and off-road vehicles using state-of-the-art testing equipment and facilities. Equipment includes portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS), filter sampling dilution systems, and ambient monitors. Testing under environmentally controlled conditions is performed in TTI’s newly-opened Environmental and Emissions Research Facility. Real-world testing is performed at various test tracks owned by TTI. Specific focus areas of this research include: 

• testing of emissions control technologies
• testing of fuel efficiency improvement technologies
• real-world, in-use PEMS testing on a broad range of vehicle types
• filter sample collection and analysis for air toxics and particulate matter
• fuel efficiency testing including procedures such as the SAE J1321 protocol
• testing in a drive-in environmental chamber
• developing drive cycles to simulate real-world driving conditions
• testing on test tracks to simulate real-world driving conditions

Selected Projects

• Expanding MOBILE6 Rates to Accommodate High Speeds
• Smartway Applications for Drayage Trucks
• Emissions Implications and Control Strategies for Old Imported Light Duty Vehicles
• Characterization of In-Use Emissions from TxDOT’s Non-Road Equipment Fleet
  • Phase 1 Report
  • Final Report
• Collection and Analysis of School Bus Emissions and Activity Data Using PEMS Equipment and GPS Units
• School Bus Biodiesel (B20) NOx Emissions Testing
• Development and Application of Verification Protocol for Auxiliary Power Units
• Characterization of Exhaust Emissions from Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles in the HGB Area
• Fuel Consumption and Emissions Report for Carbon Chain Technologies – Gasoline
• Fuel Consumption and Emissions Report for Carbon Chain Technologies – Diesel
• Emissions of Mexican-Domiciled Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks Using Alternative Fuels