DVIR to change, GPS navigation survey released, CSA Roadcheck coming

The Michigan Department of Transportation has recommended allowing truckers to cross the Ambassador Bridge with hazardous materials that are currently banned. This would end the practice of crossing by barge or driving north to cross the Bluewater Bridge at Port Huron. As welcome as this accouncement is, the Michigan DOT expects a final decision to take up to one year. The proposal will lift the ban on the following hazard classes:

• Explosives
• Radioactive
• Flammable Liquids
• Corrosive

At the end of each day drivers are currently required to complete a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) which must be retained by the motor carrier. FMCSA previously revised this rule for intermodal haulers and now plans to extend that to all motor carriers. FMCSA will be publishing a proposed rule that will eliminate the need to fill out a DVIR if there are no defects. Drivers will still be required to perform a post-trip inspection. If defects are discovered the form must be filled out, repairs noted and the form filed.

FMCSA has estimated that this change will save the industry $1.5 billion per year. Although some have questioned the accuracy of the savings, the change will result in reduced clerical and compliance responsibility for the carrier. This action is the result of efforts by the White House to cut red tape and expenses for businesses.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released the first of two surveys dealing with GPS navigation systems. The survey compiles information gathered by interviewing 677 drivers and 169 motor carriers to gather information about the extent of navigation system use and how these systems are perceived. The second analysis will collect and compare quantitative data on navigation system-generated routes with known truck routes and restrictions.

The popularity of GPS navigation systems has increased dramatically. Global shipments of commercial navigation systems, such as those used in large trucks, will climb from 3 million in 2010 to 7.5 million by 2015. Over the past five years GPS usage has increased dramatically. Nearly all carriers allow their use, while only 1% have a policy prohibiting them.

As these devices become more commonplace the impact on safety is not fully understood. The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has stated that 81 percent of bridge strikes were a consequence of large trucks using non-commercial or outdated GPS systems for navigation. FMCSA has begun a campaign to inform drivers of the correct use of GPS devices and will most likely initiate a rulemaking aimed at enrty-level driver training.

A poll of 500 truck drivers in 2012 revealed the following:

• A standard truck road atlas was the most preferred routing option
• Followed by a GPS routing device
• GPS load technology
• Finally, route planning software

As you might expect, age plays a factor in these decisions. Older drivers prefer more traditional methods of route planning while younger and newer drivers easily adopt emerging electronic options.

The majority of drivers have sole responsibility for routing while nearly 1/3rd use routing provided by the carrier. The balance relied on a combination of carrier provided information and self routing. A small number (1%) use other means. The most popular method to obtain routing information was a stand-alone unit such as Rand McNally, Garmin and PC Miler. Other methods used are:

• In-cab systems such as those provided by Qualcomm, PC Miler, and PeopleNet
• Hard copy atlases or road maps
• Printed directions such as those from web-based applications (Google Maps or MapQuest)
• Directions from a dispatcher

Use this link to receive a full copy of the report from ATRI

Roadcheck is the largest enforcement program targeted on commercial vehicles in the world. Approximately 14 trucks or buses will be inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during a 72-hour period from June 4th through the 6th. Approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial and federal inspectors at 1,500 locations across North America will perform these inspections. CVSA sponsors Roadcheck with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).

Roadcheck is one of a series of activities that occur year round whereby CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, driver and cargo safety and security. Over 1 Million inspections have been done since the program’s inception in 1988. According to CVSA the result is more than 220 lives saved and 4,045 injuries avoided.