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BAR describes roadside emission surveys: voluntary OIS checks, data use and safety procedures
Summary
BAR staff explained the roadside emissions survey program, where BAR teams and CHP temporarily direct motorists to collect OIS data for program evaluation; staff described sites, procedures, volume and data protections.
SACRAMENTO — Bureau of Automotive Repair staff gave an overview April 28 of the bureau’s roadside emissions survey program, which uses BAR teams with CHP traffic control to collect OIS‑based emissions data from a voluntary sample of motorists.
Why it matters: Roadside surveys provide data the bureau and air regulators use to evaluate program effectiveness, support state air planning and verify whether vehicles are performing as expected when they reach inspection stations.
Gary Goodwin, acting manager in the BAR audits and inspections branch, described program purpose and mechanics. BAR deploys small teams that include BAR field staff with automotive training and a California Highway Patrol officer for traffic control. Participation is voluntary, no personal information is collected for public reporting (VIN or license plate data are handled carefully and redacted prior to public release), and participants receive a vehicle inspection report that does not include pass/fail cut‑points. Goodwin said the program stopped performing ASM (BAR 97 dynamometer) roadside tests and now conducts OIS‑only roadside data collection to speed throughput.
Key facts staff offered: - Survey geography: BAR targets the Bay Area, Central Valley, Greater Los Angeles Basin, Inland Empire and San Diego area — locations with large vehicle populations and air quality concerns. - Survey volume: Goodwin said BAR typically conducts about 10,000 roadside emission surveys annually, subject to resource and scheduling factors. - Participation and refusal: BAR staff said participation is voluntary once directed into the survey lane; refusal rates dropped after the program ceased ASM testing and were reported near 30–40% on average. When motorists decline, BAR records categories of refusal where provided. - Consumer benefits: Participants receive a non‑certifying vehicle inspection report summarizing pulled OBD data and any VIN‑specific open safety recalls; BAR representatives also notify drivers of obvious safety issues such as fluid leaks or tire problems.
How BAR uses the data: Garrett Torgerson, manager of BAR’s engineering and research branch, said survey results feed legislatively mandated smog‑check performance reports and EPA reports. The agency uses surveys to compare vehicle conditions at roadside with conditions at certified inspections and to evaluate program vulnerabilities — for example whether vehicles that passed a recent inspection differ materially from roadside conditions and whether such differences reflect fraud, pre‑inspection repairs, monitor readiness issues or other program gaps.
Goodwin emphasized safety and transparency: survey sites are clearly signed, BAR coordinates with local agencies and city permitting when needed, and the program provides materials so motorists know the survey’s purpose.
Ending: BAR staff asked advisory members to encourage participation and said they will share aggregated data and methodologies with researchers who have a legitimate need; individual identifying data are redacted unless a researcher has a specific approved data‑use agreement.
