Networkfleet, a provider of wireless fleet management, announced that the City of Napa, Calif., has received a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to install Networkfleet wireless fleet management to help reduce harmful vehicle emissions. Networkfleet says the awarding of this grant recognizes its ability to improve air quality by monitoring emissions status continuously while reducing engine idle time and fuel usage. The grant was awarded through the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency.
Networkfleet says it combines GPS location tracking with diagnostic monitoring to give fleets a complete and accurate picture of their vehicle operations; by connecting directly to a vehicle’s onboard computer, Networkfleet performs a complete U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-mandated emissions control system check every four hours of vehicle runtime. According to the company, fleet managers are notified immediately of emissions control system failures; Networkfleet also monitors excess engine idling and improves fuel efficiency by identifying unnecessary vehicle use and poor driving habits.
With the awarding of this grant, the City of Napa says it will be able to complete its installation of Networkfleet on all light-duty city vehicles used by the police, fire, water, streets and community resources departments. Networkfleet says it also has enabled the City of Napa to enroll in California’s Continuous Testing Program; rather than checking emissions every two years at a smog check facility, the city can identify vehicles that are out of compliance instantly and get them repaired.
“Before using Networkfleet, one of our vehicles could go out of compliance the day after a smog check, and we might not know it,” says Chris Burgeson, fleet manager for the City of Napa. “Now I am notified by e-mail and can fix it right away. This ensures we have no polluting vehicles on the road. We will also be able to use Networkfleet to improve routing efficiency for our fleet. For example, when we have a water problem, we can immediately identify which crew is closest to the location and dispatch them.”
“Networkfleet’s continuous emissions monitoring — combined with the system’s ability to reduce fuel usage, lower idle time, reduce speed and miles traveled — is having a significant impact on reducing harmful greenhouse gases,” says Keith Schneider, president of Networkfleet, based in San Diego. “We are proud to work with the City of Napa to help them achieve their goal to lower emissions and improve air quality.”
