WASHINGTON, D.C. – If you truck into the U.S. there are some changes that will take place in the landscape between now and the end of the year that could affect your operations.

The top trucking regulator in the U.S. has laid out his priorities for the rest of the year, that include rules for electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track driver compliance with hours of service (HOS) requirements. In a letter distributed by American Trucking Associations to its state affiliates, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Acting Administrator Scott Darling also outlined changes he believes will fine tune the agency’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program and streamline agency processes, such as registration and inspection.

Electronic Logging Devices 

A final rule on ELDs is being reviewed by the top Obama administration officials and is scheduled to be out around Oct. 30.

“Although we cannot discuss the provisions of a final rule before it is made public, I can say that the rule is designed to benefit everyone by improving hours of service compliance, which we estimate will prevent about 20 fatalities and over 400 injuries each year; helping businesses cut paperwork and save money; protecting drivers from harassment; and making it easier for law enforcement and safety inspectors to review driver HOS records.”

Safety Fitness Determination


FMCSA is in the final stages of publishing a proposed rule that would increase the use of inspection data in making what it calls “safety fitness determinations” for motor carriers. This rule will focus on incorporating current on-road safety performance data; such as roadside inspection and crash data, which is used for CSA scores; and evaluating carriers based on their own performance. 



Compliance, Safety, Accountability Phase III

In preparation for a successful launch of the final two CSA interventions, offsite investigations and cooperative safety plans, FMCSA is lining up the necessary training for federal and state investigators and outreach to the industry.

The agency is also moving forward on a new type of investigation, which focuses on identifying trends in carrier crash behaviors.

FMCSA also will be fine-tuning CSA to better identify carriers for investigation so it can intervene more quickly with those found to be at greatest risk. A second Federal Register notice announcing the preview of the changes will be published in the coming months.

Inspection Modernization


FMCSA launched a new version of its inspection software program – Aspen 3.0. It features a new look and feel and enhanced capabilities. Many of the functions needed at roadside are now integrated into the Aspen system without requiring external software. Law enforcement personnel are also able to obtain direct access to out-of-service notices. 



Unified Registration System
 

FMCSA will implement a new, revamped system designed to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the information in its database of registered motor carriers based on a 2013 final rule. The Unified Registration System (URS) will streamline manual processes and combine several forms that regulated entities are required to submit into one unified registration – the electronic “smart form.”

“It is important that we get this right,” Darling said. “As such, we will move forward with a new phased implementation that will ensure a successful launch.” A Federal Register notice will be published in October that will provide details on the updated implementation timeline.



–with files from Truckinginfo.com