Transportation Border Working Group April 23, 2008 Milt Schmidt North American Borders Division Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC
Transportation Border Working Group Research Initiatives CMV Financial Responsibility Motor Carrier Safety Rating Reciprocity Data Exchange International Trade Data System Driver Medical Standards Cross-Border Demonstration Project
Research Initiatives Canadian Issues Study –Regulatory comparison –Safety rating system comparison –Key issues affecting reciprocity –Web page Motor Carriers Enforcement
Research Initiatives Cargo Securement –Vermont-Quebec –Closed Trailers Safety Rating Comparative Analysis –North Dakota-Manitoba –US data run using Canada methodology (NSC) Border Inspection Vehicle Identification –University of New Mexico
US-Canada Safety Rating Reciprocity US-Canada MOA 1994 Security and Prosperity Partnership Agreement Mutual recognition of motor carrier safety ratings Status –Identify significant issues –Work to resolve significant issue –Agreement expected by September 2008
CMV Safety Data Exchange First Step for Safety Rating Reciprocity CMV Safety Inspection Data –Identification of motor carrier –Quality of data Accident Reports –Definition of accident Driver Conviction Data –FMCSA does not currently collect
Canadian Petition Canadian Embassy –Financial Responsibility –Allow Canadian insurance companies to issue MCS-90 endorsement NPRM Published –9 comments Final Rule expected by December 2009
ACE-ITDS FMCSA partnering with CBP MOU is ready for signature Process has been tested –License verification –Motor carrier safety status –Outstanding penalties –Out-of-service order –Insurance –CVSA decal Expected implementation – Summer 2008
Driver Medical Standards 1999 Exchange of Letters FMCSR-National Safety Code Exceptions –Diabetes –Epilepsy –Hearing –Waivers/Regulatory Exemptions Review of Standards
Cross-Border Demonstration Project NAFTA 2002 Appropriations Bill –Section 350 requirements OIG Annual Reports –Verification of 8 Section 350 requirements Secretary’s certification February 23 announcement
Background Iraq supplemental funding bill –Pilot program –Federal Register Notice –OIG Review Implemented Demonstration Project on September 6, 2007 FY 2008 Appropriations Act –“None of the funds made available under this Act may be used to establish a cross-border motor carrier demonstration program…”
Scope of Demonstration Project Up to 100 US Carriers Up to 100 Mexico –Domiciled Motor Carriers One Year
Regulatory Requirements All US Safety Regulations –FMCSR –FMVSS All US Environmental Standards All Registration and Fuel Tax Regulations –IFTA –IRP All Immigration Requirements
Key Issues Every Vehicle Every Time Check –CVSA Decal check –Driver license check –Verify English language proficiency Point-to-point domestic transportation (cabotage) –Applies only to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
Key Issues English Language Proficiency/Sign Recognition –English Language Assessment –FMCSA policy Commercial zone exemption from OOS Applicable to all motor carriers operating in US –Sign Recognition Assessment –Volpe Study
Key Issues Vehicle Tracking –Hours of Service –Entry in and exit from US –Mileage –Cabotage
Status Participants –MX carriers: 21 –US Carriers: 8 Vehicles –MX Vehicles: 73 –US Vehicles: 48 Trips –MX Crossings: 5842 Beyond Zone: 680 –US Crossings: 1150
Tranpsportation Border Working Group QUESTIONS? Milt Schmidt Division Chief North American Borders Division Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC