Mobile Sources Forum Archive

The Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission (GCVTC) was created by provisions within the Clean Air Act of 1990. The Commission's task was to report to Congress and EPA by 1995 on measures that could be implemented that could contribute to improved visibility in the Colorado Plateau and principally in and near the Grand Canyon. The Commission prepared a report that developed an emissions inventory, outlined several potential measures and identified areas of investigation to pursue in the future. The Report continues to serve as a basis for the current understanding of the visibility in and near the Colorado Plateau and as the basis for policy decisions that will be required in the future.

The Western Governor's Association (WGA), in conjunction with federal, state, tribal and local entities, has formed a successor organization to the GCVTC known as the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP). The purpose of the WRAP is to continue the work of the GCVTC in developing and planning programs that can contribute to reducing emissions and improving visibility in the intermountain west. The WRAP can recommend regional approaches to improving air quality and reducing regional haze. Ultimately, the responsibility for implementing any or all recommendations of the WRAP lies with individual states, and their legislatures and governors, and tribes.

The WRAP is composed of one principal planning group, the Initiatives Oversight Committee (IOC), and one principal technical group the Technical Oversight Committee. Beneath the IOC and TOC are several Forums, whose job it is to develop technical and policy options for the specific area of interest. One such forum is the Mobile Source Forum (MSF) which reports jointly to both the IOC and TOC. The Mobile Source Forum is responsible for evaluating and developing, where possible, consensus approaches to reducing mobile source emissions. The MSF (specifically its Emissions Inventory Task Force) is issuing this Request for Proposal.

Project Objective:

Development of a Mobile Source Emissions Inventory is crucial to understanding and then identifying methods to improve visibility in the Grand Canyon region. This objective of this project is to: 1) develop a 1999 baseline inventory, 2) "grow" the inventory to 2040 and express this inventory in 5 year intervals [If possible, the contractor is to grow the process to 2060 in line with the expected guidance in EPA's upcoming Regional Haze Rule], and 3) show the uncertainties associated with the out-year projections.

It is expected that the contractor will coordinate closely with the Emissions Forum, the Emissions Inventory Work Group, and the various Task Forces of the Mobile Source Forum.

Tasks

1. Become familiar with the work that was performed for the GCVTC and applicable work that has transpired since the GCVTC report was issued. This task is expected to include: 1) review of the mobile source emission inventory used in the GCVTC report "Recommendations for Improving Western Vistas" which is documented in another GCVTC report entitled "Development of an Emissions Inventory for Assessing Visual Air Quality in the Western United States.", 2) review of the IAS report; 3) review mobile source model improvements including work done by EPA and CARB. (Note: for purposes of this task and all others that follow below, "mobile sources" include all off-road and on-road emissions sources and categories including airplanes, locomotives, construction equipment, recreational vehicles, light, medium and heavy duty vehicles and trucks, hand-held power tools and equipment, personal watercraft, lawn and garden equipment, Ground Service Equipment (GSE), etc.)
   
   Deliverable: A short report indicating areas where data exist and where data are needed. Approach for developing needed information.
   
2. Identify new/updated emissions modeling tools that could be used in the project. These would include for on-road mobile sources, EPA's T2AT (Tier 2 Analysis Tool) and Mobile 6 models as well as CARB's EMFAC99 model. For non-road sources this would include CARB's OFFROAD model and the similar NONROAD model being developed by EPA. Review EPA's trends inventory and consult with EPA on upcoming revisions/improvements to their inventory projections. Determine strengths, weaknesses, uncertainties and possible uses of these tools by the consultant in fulfilling Objective.
   
   Deliverable: A short report indicating what methods, tools, and data are expected to be used in fulfilling Objective.
   
3. Consult with State, local and regional government, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and tribes, early in the project, to encourage their partnership. Early involvement from these local entities should: 1) facilitate their direct input and involvement in this process, 2) improve consistency of data and facilitate incorporation of data in this project, and 3) leverage these project tasks with those required by EPA for SIP/TIP development. Other sources of information may include highway and agencies, State and federal park services, and commerce/transportation agencies.
   
   This consultative/cooperative process will concentrate on developing data on factors such as: a) urban and non-urban population growth, b) activity including anticipated growth in travel/transportation, and activity, and c) growth in vehicle populations etc. Emphasis should be placed on developing growth forecasts through at least 2020 with some attention placed to looking at possible scenarios through the year 2060. In conducting this task, the consultant will investigate the status of urban transportation models used by cities in the West. Through this review, the consultant should identify strengths and weaknesses of models used in forecasting the growth of emissions from transportation sectors in urban settings. If possible, a best practices approach for estimating mobile source growth in urban environments could be identified and compared to the methodology used to compute VMT in representative areas.
   
   Deliverable: A fairly detailed approach/recommended methodology for how the Contractor will develop the baseline and future year emissions projections. This methodology will need to be approved by the Emissions Inventory TF, the Emissions Forum and the Mobile Source Forum. Close coordination with these groups is essential for development of this deliverable.
   
4. Deliver a Mobile Source Emissions inventory. Indicate areas in the inventory that may have particular importance in development of regional haze. The inventory will include summer, winter, fall and spring components. The will be prepared by County, State, tribe, 1 km x 1 km grid within 50 km of the Class 1 area and 20-50 km grids when further than 50 km from a Class 1 area. The baseline inventory shall account for emission reductions from promulgated control measures that are currently effective or become effective by the end of 1999. The report should provide upper and lower bounds for emissions which would be reflective of the uncertainty in the base year.
   
5. Prepare a Final Report documenting key findings, uncertainties, and sensitivities.

Duration

The inventory to be completed within 6 months of project approval. The deliverable from Task 3 is due 6 weeks after project initiation.

Project Initiation Date

August, 1999.

Anticipated Funding

The WRAP has set aside up to $250,000 for this work. However, potential consultants are cautioned that lower bids will strongly considered.

Consultant Requirements

Successful consultants will understand and be able to operate computer models including: EPA Mobile 5.x/6, T2AT, PART5, CARB EMFAC 7g /EMFAC 99. Consultant will have a documented understanding of how IM240, California I/M program, HD Vehicle Test and Repair, AVR/Scrappage, Fuels Effects, Vehicle/Engine Effects, and planning (i.e., activity changes etc.) impact mobile source emissions

Project Management

Successful consultant will designate a Project Manager who will be responsible for interaction with the Mobile Source Forum, the Emission Inventory Task Force of the MSF, and the Emission Inventory Forum that will oversee the project.