Philes' Forum by Vic Lucariello

With all the bashing from the Newark Star Ledger, et al, that the DMV has sustained of late, I was anxious to hear Director Kamin's first-hand version of things. I will try to recap, without comment, the major points made by Director Kamin. Although I am trying to be objective, keep in mind this is MY column, and not an AP wire-services article. Also, I have attempted to accurately quote Director Kamin:

• Two bid requests were issued by NJ for the running of the new, Federal EPA-mandated inspection system. Only one bid, from Dynamometer, Inc. was received the first time. The bid request was revised; some requirements were removed, and the bidder was required to take over the existing NJ inspection lanes. The second request again elicited only one bidder, Parsons Infrastructure.
• Parson's was awarded the contract in August, 1998 with a deadline for implementation of 12 December 1999. Parsons took over operation of the existing NJ motor vehicle inspection in November, 1998.
• Parson's, together with NJ DMV, mounted a "Manhattan Project" level of effort to implement the new inspection by the deadline. [The Manhattan Project, of course, was the top secret, no expense spared crash program which resulted in the atomic bombs being dropped on Japan during World War II.] Despite this effort, the bugs in the new system were not rectified by the deadline, when 97 lanes opened with the new inspection system on 13 December 1999.
• The major factor in the initial problems encountered with the new inspection was Parson's lack of sufficient and adequately trained personnel to operate the inspection lanes.
• The frozen dynamometer/emissions sampling tube problems were the result of Parson's not adequately specifying the equipment for New Jersey's climate. This problem has been rectified.
• The problems with the brake testers repeatedly failing certain types of vehicles were due to a communications problem between the emissions test computers and the brake test computers, wherein an incorrect vehicle weight was transmitted to the latter. This problem has been rectified by fitting the brake testers with their own scales.
• Summer humidity and temperatures may pose problems with the emissions test this year.
• Since 13 December, Parson's has increased their staffing by more than 80%. Moreover, they have more personnel on duty during the critical 10 AM - 2 PM period when the longest lines have been experienced.
• All inspection stations open at 6:30 AM. "There are no lines anywhere in the state at 6:30 AM."
• The critical path in the inspection process has been determined to be the entering of vehicle data into the inspection computer system. The system is supposed to barcode-scan all required information, except the vehicle odometer reading, from the vehicle registration. Parsons is developing software enhancements to shorten this critical path as well as generally increase the lanes' average throughput.
• "The government isn't always the best [entity] to administer a program."
• At present, 77 of 106 inspection lanes are back to performing the new inspection. Some stations reverted to the old safety and emissions tests due to long lines and commissioning problems. The remaining lanes should be back on the new test by June. Vehicles receive a two-year sticker regardless of which emissions test is performed.
• Two new 6-lane inspection stations are authorized and in the planning stage. A major impediment to construction has been that no one wants a station in their neighborhood, even if it is on state property.
• At present, about 1/3 of the inspections are performed by private inspection facilities.
• When you buy a used vehicle, it DOES NOT have to be re-inspected if it has a valid NJ inspection sticker. The inspection sticker remains valid until the indicated expiration date.
• For vehicles receiving the dynamometer emissions test. The pass/fail criteria for a given vehicle depend upon the year, make and model of the vehicle as well as the odometer reading. Vehicles identical except for odometer reading will have different emissions criteria. More indicated miles increases the allowable emissions.
• [I saved the best for last.] Vehicles driven fewer than 10,000 miles in two years are not subject to the enhanced, dynamometer emissions test. These vehicles must pass the old 'California BAR 90' idle emissions test. You must declare your vehicle as a low mileage vehicle when you enter the inspection lane and hand over your credentials. If the inspector has any problem with this, ask to see the station manager or supervisor. When you return for your next inspection two-years hence, the inspector will check you odometer reading and compare it with that recorded when you received the low mileage vehicle test. If you have logged more than 10,000 miles, you will receive the enhanced test.
• In order to qualify as a low mileage vehicle, you DO NOT have to have limited -use insurance. The ONLY requirement is that you drive less than 10,000 miles in two years.

I hope this was helpful. I intend to declare my '88 M3 a low mileage vehicle when it is inspected in June. I'm sure you will all be awaiting my report with baited breath!

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Copyright 2000 - V.M. Lucariello, PE