The FMCSA eyes plan to require electronic identification technology for commercial vehicles
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is asking for public comment on a new rule to require that commercial vehicles be equipped with electronic identification technology.
In an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) document to be published in the Federal Register on September 23, the FMCSA is asking the trucking community to weigh in on whether every commercial vehicle used in interstate commerce should be equipped with electronic identification technology that can wirelessly communicate a unique ID number when queried by federal or state motor carrier safety personnel. The technology could be used to identify a parked truck or a truck in motion.
The agency said that they are “considering such amendments to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program by more fully enabling enforcement agencies to focus their efforts at high-risk carriers and drivers.”
The FMCSA’s move toward electronic identification technology is a response to a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) petition.
From the ANPRM:
Given the consistent growth in the CMV industry, the number of vehicles to regulate far outpaces enforcement resources. As such, the use of technology for CMV identification is key to efficient and productive safety regulatory oversight. Ease of identification of CMVs allows enforcement personnel to make timely and informed decisions to support their mission critical operations.
The FMCSA is asking the public to comment several aspects of a possible CMV electronic identification number rule, including whether existing technology like ELDs can be utilized for this purpose, cost considerations, and privacy, health, or coercion concerns. Other areas that commenters are asked to address include cybersecurity issues, how many trucks are already have a type of electronic ID technology (e.g., PrePass, Drivewyze), and the impact of electronic identification numbers on highway safety.
You can submit a public comment here after the document is published in the Federal Register on September 23.
Gloss