History

A privately held Kentucky-based corporation, Gordon-Darby was formed in 1982 to pursue opportunities in the vehicle emissions and safety inspection and maintenance (I/M) industry.  The company’s sole line of business is the development and operation of equipment and software systems for the I/M industry.  The company provides a wide range of industry services, from equipment manufacturing and sale to managed decentralized programs to full-scale, contractor-operated centralized programs. 

Areas of Expertise.  Specific areas of experience and capabilities include:

·         Centralized, decentralized and hybrid I/M program management.

·         Overall systems and database design, development, implementation, operation and hosting.

·         Emissions, OBD and safety test equipment design, development, fabrication, acceptance testing, implementation, operation and maintenance.

·         Centralized test-only inspection facility and network design, construction, implementation and operations.

·         On-line vehicle emissions, OBD and safety inspection data communications and transactions. 

·         Training large numbers of vehicle emissions, OBD and safety inspectors delivered via classroom, hands-on and computer-based training (CBT) approaches.

·         Quality assurance of all aspects of inspection network and test system operations, including overt and covert audits of inspectors, stations and test equipment. 

·         Vehicle inspection fraud detection, deterrence and prevention.  This includes design and implementation of a professional internal affairs-based approach to enhancing program performance, and development and use of best of breed data analysis triggers. 

·         Providing the lead in I/M program-related public information and education (PI&E) activities, including providing plan development and implementation.  Most of Gordon-Darby’s large I/M program implementations have included PI&E as part of the contract scope.

·         Vehicle waiver-related support, including waiver issuance in some programs, and waiver support (software systems and tracking) in others.

Gordon-Darby is the only I/M contractor that produces all of its own hardware integration and software systems.  Because we design and build all of our systems, we thoroughly know these systems.  The senior designers who created our first program, and every program thereafter, are still with Gordon-Darby.  They have been and continue to be involved with upgrades to the systems, thus maintaining a knowledge base that is unequalled in the industry.  We combine a limited number of hardware components obtained from outside vendors with internally manufactured equipment to create our own systems. 

Program Operations.  Gordon-Darby currently employs over 400 people in our current Arizona, New Hampshire and Louisiana program operations as well as at our corporate headquarters, data center and call center in Louisville, KY.  Since its founding in 1982, the philosophy of the company has been to emphasize quality over quantity.  As a result, we have developed a solid reputation for operating highly successful programs and are well-known throughout the industry for our efforts aimed at improving vehicle emissions test procedures and equipment.  Successful programs include:

·         Implementation and operation of short-term VID solution for District of Columbia centralized inspection program – 2005 to present.

·         Implementation and management of New Hampshire statewide decentralized OBD and safety inspection network – 2004 to present.

·         Field service and maintenance of OBD/safety test equipment in the decentralized Baton Rouge, Louisiana, OBD and safety inspection program – 2004 to present.

·         Implementation and operation of the centralized emissions inspection network in Maricopa (Phoenix) and Pima (Tucson) Counties, Arizona – 1989 to present.

·         Implementation and operation of the centralized emissions inspection network in Jefferson County (Louisville), Kentucky – 1983 to 2003 (program cancelled by Kentucky State Legislature). 

·         Implementation and operation of the centralized emissions inspection network in Hillsborough/Pinellas and Broward Counties, Florida – 1991 to 2000 (program cancelled by Florida State Legislature). 

·         Implementation and management of Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio, decentralized visual anti-tampering inspection network – 1987 to 1996 (program replaced by new centralized emissions testing network). 

·         Implementation and maintenance of centralized emissions inspection network in three counties in Indiana – 1989 to 1997.

·         Implementation of automated centralized safety and emissions inspection network in Memphis, Tennessee – 1986-1987.

Major Accomplishments

As a primary innovator in the technological advancement of the vehicle emissions testing industry, Gordon-Darby has pioneered many new techniques and processes that have subsequently become standard in today’s I/M programs.  In collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) since 1984, we have continually strived to improve the I/M industry with the ultimate goal in mind:  cleaning up the air we breathe.

The pursuit of this goal has led our company to achieve many industry “firsts” that have become standard practice in I/M programs throughout the United States.  Brief summaries of Gordon-Darby’s major accomplishments are listed below.

2005   As part of an emergency procurement in Washington, DC, developed and implemented a VID system that:

·         Included historical data, which was migrated from a complex, confusing and under-performing VID system.

·         Included OLTP database, plus a data warehouse and ad hoc database.  These major information systems were based on our core NHOST technology for faster implementation and to deliver enhanced, robust performance.  An administrative application, custom designed to meet client needs, was also developed and fully operational at program rollout. 

·         Interfaced with ESP lane hardware and software, with all software changes kept to a minimum to speed implementation.  As a result, we had to quickly design and interface the VID with existing data flows and formats from/to the ESP test systems. 

·         Interfaced with the DMV’s Destiny database system.  After determining applicable business rules and how to pass data elements between the two systems, new interface formats and data flows were developed to simplify and ensure the integrity of the transfer of vehicle identification and inspection status information.

·         Was implemented—from start to finish—in two months, which is the fastest ever major VID start-up.

2004/2005     As part of a new I/M management contract with the State of New Hampshire, developed and implemented:

·         Statewide vehicle OBDII and safety testing.

·         Rollout of Gordon-Darby designed and built decentralized New Hampshire OBD and Safety Testing (NHOST) units to the 2,000 private repair shops participating in the program.  Including both software and hardware design.

·         Electronic transmission system with open TCP/IP communications that links all NHOST test units to a central VID developed and implemented by Gordon-Darby.  Stations were provided with the option of connecting via either high speed and dial up access from Day 1 of program operations, with about one-third opting for online high speed access.

·         Thin client tools that deliver:

Ø      Fast, secure real-time access to the VID from any browser, anywhere, anytime.

Ø      Fast, secure and easy-to-use access to multi-dimensional test data.  Users can drill down along pertinent dimensions and download data for additional analysis.

Ø      Secure, user-friendly access to data for ad-hoc analysis that does not require knowledge of SQL.

·         Comprehensive Help Desk service for both motorists and inspection stations, coupled with mobile Referee units.

·         Developed and implemented a Computer Based Training (CBT) program that operates right on the testing unit.

·         Assist the State with public and industry outreach.

2004  Developed and demonstrated a Gordon-Darby-patented user-friendly, tamper-resistant self-serve OBDII kiosk at the annual Mobile Sources/Clean Air Conference that was held in Colorado, in October 2004.  Gordon-Darby’s OBDII kiosk incorporates:

·        Video and audio prompts through the OBDII test process, including Help functions designed to assist motorists in bar code scanning of the VIN, locating and plugging into the vehicle diagnostic link connector (DLC), etc.

·         Integral fraud deterrent features that are built into both the kiosk hardware and software, including a Gordon-Darby-built state-of-the-art VIN decoder, which are designed to minimize the potential for motorists to cheat on their OBDII tests.

2002  Developed and demonstrated an extremely fast and user friendly vehicle information database (VID) and data warehouse system at the annual Mobile Sources/Clean Air Conference that was held in Breckenridge, Colorado, in September 2002.  Gordon-Darby’s VID/data warehouse system incorporates: 

·         Exceptionally reliable data collection from decentralized test systems using either dial-up or TCP/IP (Internet) based communications.

·         Web browser based access from user desktops or laptops to canned drill-down reports on data stored in the warehouse, with the requested reports provided in a matter of seconds.

·         Easy and fast download of data warehouse report contents or the underlying data.

2002   Added full OBDII test functionality to the Louisville program at very low cost and within three months of go-ahead authorization by the client, with no disruption in inspection operations.

2001/2002     As part of a new emissions testing contract with the state of Arizona, developed and implemented:

·         OBDII testing on 1996 and newer vehicles.  

·         Open TCP/IP communications protocol in the Arizona inspection facilities (between the lane computers and station servers, etc.).

·         Real-time communication of test results to the Arizona vehicle registration database using FTP transfers and XML formats.

1999/2000    Developed additional innovative emissions testing technologies, including:

·         TransMass™, a software-based method that uses BAR97-type equipment to predict mass emissions during a transient drive cycle without the need for additional flow measurement hardware.  

·         Remote Inspection Monitoring System (RIMS™), an Internet-based testing and communications technology that involves remote oversight of OBDII inspections in either decentralized or centralized inspection networks. 

1999/2000    Worked with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on numerous modifications to the Arizona emissions program:

·        Test system changes to implement more stringent testing in the Phoenix area.  A new test process, the IM147, was developed in conjunction with Sierra Research. 

·        Implemented more stringent gas cap standards in both Phoenix and Tucson.

·         Implemented snap-idle testing for large Diesel vehicles in Phoenix.

1999  Worked with EPA on additional research projects related to the development of alternative test cycles and OBD II-related issues:

·         Collected research data in Phoenix regarding the effect on preconditioning concerns of conducting multiple Phase 2 (of the IM240) test cycles.

·         Solicited 1996 and newer vehicles to participate in an OBD II emissions test program. 

1998  Served on an EPA-organized subcommittee investigating technical issues involved in I/M checks of the vehicle on-board diagnostic (OBD II) systems.

1997  Installed a high-volume ASM pilot lane for the State of New Jersey less than seven weeks after project approval.

1997  Worked with EPA on additional research projects related to investigating preconditioning concerns in enhanced I/M testing:

·         Conducted several months of ASM pilot lane testing in Tampa to collect research data aimed at investigating failure rates, test procedures, equipment performance, and ASM preconditioning concerns.

·         Collected research data in Phoenix regarding the effect on preconditioning concerns of modifications to the IM240 test cycle.

1996  Worked with EPA to collect additional Phoenix data on the issue of inadequate preconditioning concerns with IM240 testing.

1996  Designed and implemented a fully automated, high-volume ASM pilot lane in one of our Tampa test stations.

1995      Implemented IM240 for 1981 and newer vehicles in Phoenix, Arizona.

·         The program was one of the few IM240 programs in the nation to successfully start on time with no disruption of service and minimal impact to the public.

·         Conducted research program in Phoenix and released test data that first publicized the issue of inadequate IM240 preconditioning concerns.

1994  Participated in the I/M technical review committee responsible for finalizing IM240 equipment specifications, quality assurance, and testing procedures.

·         Gordon-Darby has actively worked with EPA since 1983 to investigate and improve technical test procedure and equipment issues.

1993  Implemented the Louisville, Kentucky inspection system upgrade under a new contract awarded in 1992.  Industry firsts include:

·          First full-scale I/M program in the nation to include an enhanced I/M component—the automated pressure test.

·         Designed, manufactured, and installed new steady-state dynamometers that are field-upgradable to IM240 specifications.

1992  Designed and implemented the FIRST fully automated, high-volume IM240 test lane in the world.  The lane was installed in one of our Phoenix test stations for use by Automotive Testing Laboratories in an EPA research contract.  Industry firsts include:

·         First application of automated calibrations and audits for laboratory‑type testing equipment.

·          First use of automated flywheel and horsepower selections on the inertia weight dynamometer.·        The system provided EPA with second-by-second purge analysis data that had never been available before.

·         First automated pressure test.  Our system accommodated the individual characteristics of each vehicle to optimize the pressurization algorithm.

·         The success of our IM240 system was the first demonstration of the viability of that test process in the real world.

1991  Gordon-Darby BAR90 analyzer units were certified by the Ohio EPA for sale to reinspection facilities in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

1991  Designed, implemented, and began operation of inspection programs in two Florida zones:  the Tampa and Fort Lauderdale metropolitan areas.  Industry firsts include:

·         Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions testing.

·        Totally automated safety inspection system comprised of Gordon-Darby manufactured sideslip testers, brake testers, front‑end play detectors, and integrated headlight testers.

·         Complex reinspection data collection network. Gordon-Darby served as an on-line communication link between the reinspection station analyzers in our contract zones and the State’s vehicle database.

1991  Designed, implemented, and began operation of Arizona’s inspection program in Phoenix and Tucson.  Industry firsts include:

·         Designed and implemented a computerized “smart” waiver system that determines the appropriate waiver action based on the results of the integrated testing system.

·         Provided a higher level of service at lower cost than the previous contractor.  The test fee dropped from $7.50 to $5.40 for passenger vehicles and from $25 to $5.40 for heavy-duty Diesel vehicles.  More lanes and extended operating hours were added, resulting in about 1050 more lane-hours available per week.  Service improved by 46% while the test fee was reduced by 28% at the same time.  ·          Implemented internal covert audits as standard procedure in all Gordon-Darby centralized programs.  Covert audits have since become an EPA requirement for all programs.

·         First use of electric eddy-current power absorbers in I/M program dynamometers.  This new technology simplified dynamometer installation and operation and is now industry standard for steady-state dynamometers.

1990  Designed and implemented the first BAR90-type centralized system in the nation for three counties in Indiana.

1988      Designed, implemented, and began operation of decentralized anti-tampering system in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio.  Industry firsts include:

·         First computerized, software-prompted anti-tampering system.

·         First widespread use of PCs equipped with floppy drives in a decentralized, garage-type environment.  The success of this program paved the way for the use of PCs in California’s BAR90 development.

·          Widespread use of modems as part of decentralized data collection network.

·         First program involving a network management and VID contractor responsible for providing test equipment to, collecting data from, and overseeing test system operations in decentralized test stations.  The success of this program foreshadowed the VID and network management contracts that many states have now implemented. 

1987  Designed and implemented the first totally automated safety and emissions inspection program in the nation for Memphis, Tennessee.  Industry firsts include:

·         Designed, manufactured, and installed automated sideslip testers and brake testers.

·         Headlight testers integrated into the automated system.

·         First application of digitally augmented infrared bench technology in an I/M application.

1984  Designed, implemented, and began operation of the vehicle inspection program for Louisville, Kentucky.  Industry firsts include:

·         First automated "computer matching" enforcement system.

·         First repair industry reporting system.  We worked with the Jefferson County Air Pollution Control District to transform a concept into a data collection system that produced the desired results — a useful tool for the District and the public to gauge repair industry effectiveness.  This feature is now a standard requirement in today’s I/M programs.

·         All equipment calibrations and audits were automated.  This has become standard for all equipment, including safety components, in every Gordon-Darby program.

·         First automated waiver system integrated with the testing system.

·         Utilized customer service hotlines — a standard in all Gordon-Darby programs that is also becoming an industry standard.

·         The inspection system was up and running less than seven months after contract award, the shortest implementation time of any centralized program prior to that time.  

·         This system was a primary source of emissions data for the EPA during the mid -1980s when there were few data available from other sources.