TRUE publication
Real-world NOX emissions and health impacts from tampered and malfunctioning heavy-duty vehicles in Alberta, Canada
Nearly half of Alberta’s population lives within one kilometer of a high-traffic roadway, exposing residents to harmful toxins like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which are often linked to adverse health impacts and premature deaths.
A new study from the TRUE Initiative, for which ICCT serves as technical partner, estimated the rates of tampered or malfunctioning heavy-duty vehicles based on real-world emissions testing data. Researchers then modeled the potential impact these excess pollutants have on public health.
Key findings include:
- 38% of model year 2010–2015 tractor trucks show evidence of tampering or malfunction. Despite making up less than one quarter of the fleet, this group of vehicles is responsible for nearly half of Alberta’s total NOx emissions from tractor trucks.
- By 2035, tampered or malfunctioning vehicles are estimated to increase total NOx emissions by 145% compared with a properly functioning fleet. The real-world prevalence of these vehicles is up to 2.75 times worse than originally forecasted in a 2022 modeling study.
- An estimated CA$5.4 billion in health damages for Alberta communities between 2024 and 2035, including 419 premature deaths. Assuming no policy action is taken, damages this year alone would amount to CA$358 million.
To combat the public health impacts of these excess emissions, the TRUE Initiative recommends several policy solutions, including the adoption of federal anti-tampering legislation, the implementation of a provincial inspection program, and the deployment of roadside monitoring technology to identify high-emitting vehicles.