MJ Bradley & Associates has developed and is managing a project to retrofit up to 46 Newark, New Jersey school buses with emissions-reducing technology on behalf of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protectino (DEP).  The low-emissions buses will serve over 400 students who attend 19 schools.

The modifications to the diesel engines include installation of diesel particulate reactors designed to reduce particulate matter emissions by 50% or greater, and crankcase ventilation filters to reduce oil drips and aerosol emissions.

The retrofits to the diesel engines will significantly reduce emissions and the exposure of children to fine particulates and other pollutants.  Diesel exhaust contains substantial amounts of fine particulates which pose a health risk due to their ability to lodge in the lungs, cause lung damage, and aggravate conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.  Children are one of the groups more at risk to this type of air pollution because their respiratory systems are still developing and they have a faster breathing rate.  Childhood asthma especially in urban neighborhoods is a growing public health concern.

One of the unique aspects of this project is that each bus is being emissions-tested prior to installing the new technology, while remote sensing equipment will measure particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons emissions after the retrofits.  In addition, some of the buses will be fitted with onboard portable emissions testing systems that will provide second-by-second emissions profiles during operation.  The remote sensing technology has been used traditionally to analyze light duty motor vehicle emissions.  However, ESP, its manufacturer, has successfully used remote sensing devices on more than 400 diesel-powered transit buses in Boston, and Staten Island Ferry boats in New York.  The Newark school bus project is its latest application.   ESP is headquartered in East Granby Connecticut.

PSEG is providing half of the $200,000 funding to retrofit the 46 buses owned and operated by Camptown Bus Lines.  Environmental Solutions Worldwide (ESW) is providing the emissions reduction technology and Environmental Systems Products (ESP) is the provider of remote emissions measuring technology that will monitor and document the emissions reductions.  Approximately 14 buses have already been completed, and the rest are expected to be finished by the end of this year.