Solid Waste Collection Vehicle Fleet Maintenance in California 2004-01-1717

Appropriate vehicle maintenance practices are a critical component to the successful long-term application of diesel particulate filters on heavy-duty vehicles. In a survey of 60 randomly-selected solid waste collection fleets in California we determined the quality of fleet maintenance practices, and ascertained whether a difference exists in the quality of maintenance between three types of fleets: publicly-owned, and large and small privately-owned companies. The fleets, in general, were well maintained, with public fleets consistently ranking above large and small private fleets. These findings are attributed to a number of factors, including time and money available for proper training and vehicle maintenance. While most fleets are well-maintained overall, those California solid waste collection companies that do not adhere to high fleet maintenance standards may experience difficulties with the use of diesel particulate filters and other hardware technologies that reduce diesel particulate emissions.