The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the availability of $30 million in state grants through two annual programs, each designed to strengthen commercial vehicle safety by assisting states to modernize their technology infrastructure to more efficiently collect and disseminate real-time safety data to roadside inspectors and law enforcement personnel.
“Safety is our highest priority and we expect that truck and bus companies, and their drivers, are also focused on safety at all times,” said U.S. transportation secretary Anthony Foxx. “Providing our state partners with the most effective tools for identifying unsafe trucks, buses, and commercial drivers in real time is an investment that pays dividends in preventing crashes and saving lives.”
FMCSA works closely with state commercial vehicle inspectors and law enforcement personnel to monitor the compliance of truck and bus companies and commercial drivers with federal safety regulations. All violations discovered during unannounced roadside inspections, as well as all driving violations by truck and bus drivers, are entered into a national data system that can be retrieved throughout the country. The availability of timely data to roadside inspectors and law enforcement personnel is crucial to improving safety on the nation’s highways and roads.
“FMCSA has long embraced the latest technology in pursuit of our mission reducing the number and the severity of crashes involving large trucks and buses,” said FMCSA acting administrator Scott Darling. “With advanced, real-time data tools, roadside inspectors are able to prioritize carriers for detail inspections based upon their past performance, while assisting law enforcement officers conducting on-scene crash investigations. The value of these technological tools cannot be overstated.”
The grant funding available to the states announced today are through the following two programs:
Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN)
Through the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) program, up to $25 million will be awarded to improve technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation systems applications for commercial vehicle operations. The CVISN program focuses enforcement on high-risk operators, improves efficiency through electronic screening of commercial vehicles, and enables online application and issuance of Registration and Fuel Tax credentials.
Performance Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM)
Through the Performance Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program, $5 million will be awarded to further nationally integrate state commercial motor vehicle (CMV) registration and licensing systems. This technology enables states to determine the eligibility of a motor carrier or registrant at the time of licensing or registration of the company’s vehicles. The PRISM system automatically suspends or withholds ineligible commercial vehicle registration from one state to another.
In November 2014, FMCSA announced an additional funding opportunity to help states strengthen commercial vehicle safety through the Agency’s Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants. To ensure only qualified individuals receive and retain a commercial driver’s license, the CDLPI grants aids states in updating computer hardware and software, strengthen quality control, training and related areas.
The due date for states to apply for both PRISM and CVISN grants is Feb. 2, 2015. The application period for CDLPI grants closed Jan. 6, 2015.
FMCSA will be hosting two webinars for state officials to provide further information on these grant opportunities. The schedule for these webinars is available at www.Grants.gov.
FMCSA anticipates announcing the states receiving the PRISM, CVISIN, and CDLPI grants, respectfully, in the spring of 2015.
