SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will be demonstrating "Smog Check-style" anti-soot tests for big rig trucks and buses between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturday, June 26, 1993 at the Fresno Truck Center, 2727 East Central Ave., Fresno.

 No citations will be issued during Saturday's demonstrations, which are free and will be conducted by the ARB's inspectors who routinely test heavy duty diesel and gasoline powered trucks and buses at California Highway Patrol weigh stations. The tests are designed to identify vehicles with excessive soot-like particle emissions and to repair them to bring emissions down to acceptable levels. The inspections include an electronic measurement of soot emissions from diesel vehicles and an underhood review of anti-pollution control equipment to look or damage caused by poor maintenance, accident or tampering.

On Saturday, the ARB inspectors will be accompanied by instructors who will teach big rig mechanics how to read the smoke emissions and to help them identify levels that can trigger a citation.

ARB emission limits for heavy duty, diesel powered trucks and buses are 55 percent opacity for most vehicles and 40 percent opacity for most big rigs built after 1991. Failure to meet those standards can result in fees of $800 for the first violation and $1800 for a second violation within one year. ARB inspectors generally operate at CHP weigh stations, but urban fleets must test all of their vehicles once a year and record the results, which can be audited by the ARB to insure compliance.

Since the roadside testing program began in November, 1992, 7,003 vehicles have been cited for excessive emissions, resulting in $2.1 million in fines. More important, repairs have reduced soot-like emissions from many of these vehicles by as much as two-thirds, often improving fuel economy as well.

To get to the Fresno Truck Center from California Highway 99 north take the Malaga/Chesnut Exit, turn left at the first stoplight to Chesnut and look for the truck center sign. From California Highway 99 southbound exit on Chesnut Street offramp cross the freeway and look for the Fresno Truck Center's sign. Coordinates are found on page 57, section D-4, 1990 Thomas Bros. Directory.