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This paper describes a methodology for design and development of On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD) with an objective to improve current reliability process in order to ensure design & quality of the new system as per requirement of commercial vehicle technology. OBD is a system that detects failures which adversely affect emissions and illuminates a MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) to inform the driver of a fault which may lead to increase in emissions. OBD provides standard and unrestricted access for diagnosis and repair. Below given Figure 1 shows the working principle of OBD system. The exhaust emission of a vehicle will be controlled primarily by Engine Control Unit (ECU) and Exhaust Gas After Treatment Control (EGAS CU). These two control units determine the combined operating strategies of the engine and after treatment device. Figure 1 Modern Control Architecture for OBD System in Commercial vehicle [1]

Indian Bharat Stage (BS) vehicular emission norms were introduced in the year 2000 which was two emission stages behind Europe. During last decade India has progressed faster compared to Europe and have implemented BS-IV emission norms in 2010 which is one stage behind Europe. This paper reviews progress of Indian vehicular emissions, and On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) legislations. Further, it also explores the technology advancements in engine emission control devices and Fuel quality happened due to tightening of emission norms.

India has the highest number of road accidents in the world. With over 130,000 deaths annually, the country has overtaken China and now has the worst road traffic accident rate worldwide. This has been revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its Global Status Report on Road Safety pointing to speeding as the main contributing factor. This paper studies and details all the approaches for the reduction of accidents adopted by various countries and especially the necessity of speed governors in Indian vehicles and the role of the same in reduction in accidents with other benefits of speed governors with regard to fuel efficiency, noise & pollutant emissions both in Indian and International aspects. [Reference 7]

Natural gas (CNG) vehicles have been introduced in many parts of world including India, Europe and United States and achieved tremendous success in addressing the energy security and pollution challenges. This paper describes in detail the safety requirements for CNG vehicles in India, Europe and United States. Various safety and design requirements for CNG fuel system components such as gas cylinders, cylinder valves, fuel lines, filling connection, pressure regulator, gas-air mixer, electrical systems, are explained. The safety requirements described in ISO standards, UN-ECE standards, USA FMVSS, NFPA standards and Indian Standards are compared and discussed in detail. It also specifies the procedure for commissioning and installation of CNG vehicles. Further, it is concluded that all these international standards for CNG vehicles have adequate provisions with regard to impact protection, passenger safety and fire safety.

Misfires in SI engines are one of the major causes for increase in vehicle exhaust emissions beyond the regulatory limit. Misfires have a great potential to destroy catalytic converters due to increased exhaust temperatures caused by unburned fuel from the misfired cylinders. It also leads to decrease in engine efficiency and high fuel consumption. Misfires are majorly caused due to unfavorable spark plug temperatures, low ignition energy, fuel system malfunction, improper air-fuel mixture ratio, flame propagation speed, etc. Monitoring of misfire detection in SI engines is an essential requirement of On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) regulations in many countries. This paper compares the conventional and advanced misfire detection technologies in spark-ignition engines, available and under development for meeting the OBD regulations worldwide. It describes the misfire detection principle.

In the recent years, due to rising fuel costs, transportation technologies that provide better fuel economy than conventional vehicle are gaining in popularity with masses. Also, tighter emission norms by various governments have prompted OEMs to look at alternate solutions such as hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles employ an internal combustion engine as well as an alternate energy source to power road vehicles. Various types of hybrid vehicles are available such as mild hybrid, full hybrid, series, parallel and series-parallel hybrids. The level of hybridization (mild or full) and the different powertrain combination (series or parallel) result that on the same route, the engine in a hybrid vehicle operates very different to that of conventional vehicle. The fuel consumed and emissions are also significantly lower in hybrid vehicle. To certify hybrid vehicles, regulators in many countries have modified existing procedures applicable to conventional vehicles.

Overloading is not only a problem for larger goods vehicles, it is equally a problem for smaller vehicles, such as vans, cars and passenger carrying vehicles. Reports indicate that nearly 70% of all traffic on national highways comprise of cargo vehicles while 22% of cargo vehicles are involved in road accidents. Overloading increases the risk of traffic accidents and causes excessive wear and damage to roads, bridges, pavements etc. This paper specifies in detail the existing Indian Legislation on Overloading, different methods of monitoring, Vehicle Overload Control in other countries and India recommendations to curb Overloading of vehicles.

Buses have been main means of mass transport in organized as well as unorganized sectors in India. Though the art and science of Chassis Designing had been practiced and matured by all Indian OEMs, Body design had long not been accorded high priority by them. Till 1989, there was no comprehensive set of rules enforced. Bus designs were developed with scant regard for safety and emission. OEMs sold their products in the form of drive away chassis and the Body Design & Body Building was largely left to Body Builders, many of whom employed poor design, build and quality control practices. Spurious materials, parts, non-uniform construction resulted in number of accidents and many of them were fatal. Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) kicked-in 1st July 1989. With roll out of CMVR, various safety related features like entry/exit door, emergency exits, window frames, their locations, dimensions and designs were defined.