Project Title: Safety Profile of Commercial Motor Carriers Traveling in Maryland: Validation of the Inspection Selection System

Principal Investigators, Institutions, Telephone Numbers:
Sanjay Bapna, Ph.D. (PI)/Associate Professor, Information Sciences and Systems, National Transportation Center/Morgan State University, (443) 885-3941

Jigish Zaveri, Ph.D. (Co-PI)/Associate Professor, Information Sciences and Systems, National Transportation Center/Morgan State University, (443) 885-3738

Project Objectives: The use of safety rating for screening and preclearance of commercial motor carriers will result in enhanced safety for drivers, commercial motor vehicles, and all vehicles in general. In addition, there will be improved operating efficiencies and thus considerable savings in terms of time and money for both government agencies and commercial motor carriers. As a result, both public and private sector participants will benefit from enhanced safety and will realize savings in time, resources, and the cost of doing business. Two major objectives of this project are to:

1. Determine the effectiveness of selection capabilities of the Inspection Safety Selection System (ISS) versus the current procedures for selecting commercial motor vehicles for roadside inspections

2. Gather safety profile information on commercial motor carriers traveling at the three busiest truck weigh and inspection stations in Maryland on a static scale

Project Abstract: The Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) Program is one of the Intelligent Transportation System/Commercial Vehicle Operations (ITS/CVO) User Services. The proposed study determines the effectiveness of using ISS scores for the selection process of commercial vehicles for safety inspection and documents the safety profile of commercial motor vehicles traveling in Maryland and those that are inspected. Safety profile information of commercial motor carriers traveling on three major routes in Maryland are collected, analyzed, and documented. Safety profile information includes ISS scores that are based on prior safety history. This study may also help in evaluating the utility of safety algorithms like ISS and may promote fine-tuning of the algorithm for improved performance and effectiveness

Task Descriptions: This project is divided into four tasks.

Task 1: Site analysis and collection of volume data and carrier USDOT tag numbers and names—This task is comprised of several subtasks: the layout of each site will be studied, logistics for data collection will be determined, data collection techniques will be tested, and data will be collected and transcribed.

Task 2: Collection and analysis of safety data—The USDOT tag numbers and names collected in Task 1 will be used to obtain the appropriate safety scores (ISS and/or Safestat). This task will also require writing and testing of programs to access safety rating data residing on CVIEW.

Task 3: Detailed data analysis to meet the goals and objectives of this project—Safety data will be interpreted, analyzed, and documented.

Task 4: Detailed report preparation—If required, more data will be collected during this phase to supplement the analysis.

Milestones, Dates: This study will be conducted from August 9, 2000 through December 15, 2000.

August 9, 2000 Safety data collection

November 10, 2000 Data analysis and interpretation

December 15, 2000 Final report

Total Budget: $157,000

Student Involvement: Four full-time students will be assisting with data collection and analysis.

Relationship to Other Research Projects: This study is part of the overall Maryland Motor Carrier Project Grant.

Technology Transfer Activities: Results will be presented to the Maryland Department of Transportation. Final technical reports will be distributed via the UTCP reporting process.

Potential Benefits of the Project: This project will help policymakers determine the utility of the ISS safety algorithm. The results of this project will also aid in evaluating CVISN in terms of increased safety due to identification of unsafe and noncompliant carriers, and increased efficiencies in terms of time and cost savings to safe and compliant carriers.

TRB Key Words: ISS, Maryland, Truck, Commercial Vehicles, CVISN, Violations, OOS, USDOT, ICC, West Friendship, Hyattstown, Perryville, Scale House, Weigh Inspection Station

Click below to view the full report: