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Data management is the key to an effective and successful vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program.
For efficient, reliable and secure program operations, ESP data management software programs integrate a network of vehicle emissions test equipment, inspection facility operations, government computers remote sensing systems and data processing computers, through different telecommunications methods.
ESP's data management program:
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Sends real time vehicle identification to individual inspection lanes from a Vehicle Identification Database (VID),
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Receives test results from the inspection lanes at the data processing computer
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Communicates with and sends updated information on test results and vehicle repairs to the government's host computer, and
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Analyzes all test results and generates statistical and operational reports.
Data management ensures precise, timely and effective program monitoring, management and evaluation. Data management is essential in determining whether, and to what extent vehicle repairs reduce tailpipe emissions. It also measures the contribution of I/M programs to improvements in overall air quality. Conventional ambient air monitoring records ambient carbon monoxide and ozone levels, but it does not indicate the relative contributions of mobile versus stationary sources to air pollution. Data management can accurately assess the impact that a fleet of vehicles has on regional air quality.
The data processing, or host, computer stores all pass/fail test results, clean screen and excess polluter identifications, repair details and station operational data. At the beginning of a test procedure, centralized and decentralized testing stations establish communications with the host computer to acquire vehicle identification information that is needed to properly classify the vehicle test conditions for the test procedure and the Vehicle Test Record (VTR). Using this information, the test system automatically selects and controls the appropriate test procedure, ensuring that the test is conducted properly and in accordance with government requirements.
The data management software resident in the individual test lane computers performs and monitors all the test and data recording functions including the test procedure, terminating abnormal tests, validating data and imposing strict security measures. When the emissions test is completed, the system transfers a vehicle test record to the government database via the host computer and issues a test report to the consumer.
Additional functions, such as on-line registration for vehicles that pass their emissions inspection, can be incorporated into the data management system. The VID contains all pertinent vehicle information, such as weight, chassis style, and number of cylinders and stores test results received from the individual test lanes. The VID also transmits test results to the government computers for registration verification and analysis.
ESP's data management system gives state and government agencies remote access to the database through public telephone, dedicated or leased point-to-point lines, frame relay, DSL and different types of mobile wireless systems.
Through this access to ESP data management systems, government officials can generate the following reports:
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Number of vehicles inspected
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Number of passes and failures
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Number of clean screens or excess polluters
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Average CO, HC, CO2 readings
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Average improvements in pollutants
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Cost, effectiveness and impact of vehicle repairs on air quality
ESP data processing personnel can also use the data management system to generate these reports - plus operational reports, including financial, equipment calibration and maintenance reports.
Founded on the principle of data credibility, system integrity and program security, ESP has an entire department devoted to Quality Assurance (QA). The unit performs an independent software test and review. The QA division is independent of the development engineers and reports through a separate chain of command, creating an additional layer of oversight. Walk-through and peer review audits are performed throughout the software design and development cycle to ensure proper coding, design, testing and installation.
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