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ICF is widely regarded as the leading firm in the U.S. for its analysis of fuel economy technology related issues. ICF also is well known in the air emissions arena for our work on emission control strategies evaluation, emission inventory projection, vehicle emission control technology evaluation, and transportation systems assessment.
In 2007, ICF acquired Energy and Environmental Analysis (EEA), Inc., which enhanced ICF's capabilities in alternative fuels such as natural gas, and in automotive emissions and fuel efficiency technologies that impact greenhouse gas emissions. ICF's transportation fuels analyses have included air emissions programs, vehicle technology development, fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and market barriers assessments.
Our services include:
New Vehicle Technology Tracking and Evaluation
Technology evaluation is the cornerstone of ICF's motor vehicle research and analysis. Our continuous monitoring of new technology development sin the areas of fuel economy, safety, and emission control results in detailed profiles of the product plans for all major manufacturers represented in the North American market, and includes most of the world's largest manufacturers.
ICF’s strong engineering skills, a key component of technology assessment, are available for specialized projects, such as test procedure design or failure mode analysis for specific products. ICF works with several well-known laboratories on projects involving both emission testing and analysis.
The varied products of our new vehicle technology evaluation service include:
- detailed manufacturer and size class-specific forecasts of fuel economy to determine competitive position of different manufacturers
- analysis of emission control technology effectiveness under in-use conditions and assessment of failure mode types
- evaluation of advanced automotive engine technologies
- examination of reformulated fuels and alternative fuel technologies and their application in both the U.S. and other countries
Modeling of Fuel Economy Trends
ICF has developed sophisticated models to project future trends and policy impacts on national fuel economy. The models include the penetration of new vehicle and engine technologies as well as the effect of consumer choice and the impacts of many types of government policies, including market-based programs such as taxes and fee-bates. ICF has developed such models for the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), individual states, and foreign countries.
Transportation Sector Air Emissions Analysis
ICF has developed sophisticated emissions modeling and analysis capabilities. The ICF models have been used to support:
- regulatory cost/benefit analysis
- the design of vehicle inspection/maintenance programs
- the development of new control strategies
- the analysis of links between emissions inventory and air quality indicators
- assessments of "conformity" under the Clean Air Act
They are widely used by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board. Similar models have been developed by ICF for use in several foreign countries. Recent products include development of new inspection methods to control heavy-duty truck emissions, models to forecast the effect of extreme ambient conditions and abnormal driving patterns on emissions, and the development of models to forecast trends in ambient air quality as a function of emissions inventory and local meteorology.
Regulatory Compliance Support
ICF provides analytical and data support services, primarily in the context of emissions and fuel economy regulations. ICF provides engineering design analysis, in-use behavior evaluations, air quality modeling, and economic impact analysis to U.S. and foreign regulatory agencies, auto manufacturers, and petroleum refiners. The ability to combine analysis of available data with engineering insight is a unique feature of our regulatory compliance support services. Examples include detailed analysis of the technological characteristics of vehicles failing state vehicle emissions inspection/maintenance programs; support to auto manufacturers, including in-use emissions projections, air quality modeling and health effects analysis, in their request for regulatory or standards waivers; and a study and assessment of fuel economy test procedures worldwide.
Aviation Technology Analyses
ICF provides a range of environmental services to the aviation industry. Specializing in air regulatory compliance and permitting services, ICF focuses on airport operations, associated ground equipment, maintenance base activities, and pollution prevention and waste minimization. ICF is known for its thorough, analytical, and objective approach to solving environmental problems facing the aviation industry. ICF has prepared many of the analytical procedures used by EPA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and several state and local regulatory agencies for calculating emissions from sources associated with airport operations.
ICF compiled emission factors for commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft engines to be used for developing emission inventories, and developed an environmental compliance handbook for a major airline trade association. For an aviation trade association, ICF prepared a model pollution prevention and waste minimization plan to be used by the association's members.
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