• A TR Group Site
  • Help
  • Cart
Driving Tests DT logo small
Driving tests
  • Learner licence
    • Car
    • Motorbike
    • Heavy vehicle
    • Learner Licence Plus
  • Courses
  • Tourist
  • Resources
  • Learn
  • Resources
  • Learner licence
    • Car
    • Motorbike
    • Heavy Vehicle
    • Learner Licence Plus
  • Your courses
    • Enrolled courses
  • View all courses
  • Tourist
  • Resources home
  • iOS application
  • Android application
  • Contact us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Home
  • /
  • Resources
  • /
  • News
  • / How is vehicle air pollution tested?

How is vehicle air pollution tested?

Equipment that measures a vehicle’s speed and the quantity and type of its exhaust emissions while under power driving up a hill is used to measure how pollution behaves in the air. Each site is clearly marked, and there is no obstruction to traffic (i.e. vehicles don’t have to stop).

Drivers are channelled through a slightly narrower chicane using cones at this site in Cox’s Bay, Auckland

The vehicles’ licence plates are captured by a camera so that the data can be correlated with the vehicle’s age and type.

The camera captures the licences plates as the vehicles pass

NZTA has an ongoing testing programme to monitor emission levels and how they change over time so that it can determine strategies to help reduce pollution that affects people’s quality of life, and the environment.

This equipment captures the exhaust fumes

Inside the van, where we weren’t allowed to take photos apart from the one below, was a large amount of monitoring equipment with graphs showing various air pollution metrics.

Air pollution is estimated to have a social cost of $935m per year due to increased deaths, hospitalisation and restricted activity days. Despite vehicles becoming more and more efficient over time, it will take many, many years for the entire vehicle fleet to be replaced with newer, less-polluting vehicles because average vehicle age is around 14 years old.

There is more information about NZTA’s transport and air quality projects on this website.

By Darren Cottingham

Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above

‹ Helmet crash testing – choosing the safest helmet
Road mapping technology: Traffic Speed Deflectometer ›
Tagged with: pollution | Posted in News
  • DisqusDisqus
Recent Resources
  • How do you operate an excavator safely in the rain?
  • The Impact of Weather Conditions on Safe EWP Operation
  • Acoustic Emission Testing for Fibreglass Booms: Why It Matters
  • The Evolution of Gantry Cranes in Modern Manufacturing
  • Understanding Load Capacity and Weight Distribution on EWPs
  • How do you efficiently dig a trench? Tips from the pros
  • How to Choose the Right EWP for Your Project: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Pre-Operational Inspection Checklist for Gantry Crane Operators
  • The Importance of Harness Systems When Working on Boom Lifts
  • Safety Procedures for Working Near Power Lines with EWPs

Licences and Courses

  • Car
  • Motorbike
  • Heavy Vehicles
Car
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs
Motorbike
  • Bike-specific questions
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs
Heavy Vehicles
  • Class 2
  • Class 3-5
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs

Vehicle and workplace training

  • About
  • Resources
DT Driver Training TR Group
About
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Resources
  • Homepage
  • Driving Tests Android App
  • Driving Tests iPhone App
  • Getting your learner licence
DT Driver Training TR Group
Copyright 2010-2025 DT Driver Training Ltd, PO Box 12541, Penrose, Auckland, 1642. All rights reserved. Questions and images are used with permission from NZTA; question answers are proprietary.