cvsa guardian 4th quarter 2011

Volume 18, Issue 4 Fourth Quarter 2011

About the cover:

Table of ContentsInsight

President’s Message ......................................................................................................1Executive Director’s Message ..........................................................................................2Letters to the Editor ........................................................................................................3The Legislative Rundown ................................................................................................4Knowledge Matters ........................................................................................................5The Regulatory Rundown ................................................................................................6

Federal NewsAsk the FMCSA Administrator..........................................................................................8NTSB Moves to Prohibit Use of Hand-Held, Hands-Free

Cellular Phones for all Commercial Vehicle Drivers ......................................................9National Motorcoach Safety Summit Advances Dialogue,

Energizes, Empowers Stakeholders ..........................................................................10PHMSA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Harmonize U.S. Radioactive

Materials Transportation Requirements With International Standards ..........................10 The National Training Center Rolls Out New Hazardous Materials Training Courses ..........11National Transportation Safety Board Reports Out on

Commercial Vehicle Crashes in Indiana, Kentucky ......................................................12CCMTA Works to Develop EOBR Standard ....................................................................13Final Rule Issued on July 20, 2011 Should Eliminate Confusion

Inspecting Void Venting on 400 Series Cargo Tanks....................................................14

CVSA NewsBrake Adjustment Area of Concern During CVSA’s Brake Safety Week, Targets

Drivers, Mechanics on Proper Brake Inspection, Maintenance, Operation ....................15CVSA Calls on Drivers to End Senseless Deaths by Defeating Distracted Driving Now ......16 CVSA Recognizes Students for Academic Achievement with Scholarships ........................17NAIC Recognizes Inspectors’ Dedication to Commercial Vehicle Safety ............................18CVSA, IANA Present Multi-Part Series on the New

Roadability Regulations Focusing on Container Chassis ..............................................19CVSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTSIntelligent Transportation Systems Forum Highlights

Cutting Edge Technologies, Industry Best Practices ..................................................20CVSA Leadership Changes ............................................................................................21Four Drivers Recognized for Buckling Up, Being Saved by the Belt ..................................22Richard Henderson Honored for Decades of Dedication to CVSA,

Commercial Vehicle Safety........................................................................................23

Cover Story/FeatureInternational Safety Team Inducts Six New Members, Brings Drive and Passion to

Commercial Vehicle Safety Message..........................................................................24

Inspector’s Corner ..................................................................................................26

Committee & Program NewsCVSA Associate Advisory Committee Outlines 2012 Objectives ......................................27COHMED: Now More Important Than Ever, An Excellent Way to

Maintain Knowledge, Proficiency in HazMat Arena ....................................................28Getting Everyone Involved and Participating is Key to

Delivering the Message During CVSA Brake Awareness Week ....................................29

Regional NewsMaryland State Police Target Commercial Trucks, Buses During “Operation Tailgate”........31New Mexico Takes Proactive Approach to Ensuring Passenger Carrier Safety....................30Fort Worth, Texas Dedicates Efforts to Brake Safety Week ..............................................31 Washington State Reopens Scale Site with a 98-Hour

Commercial Vehicle Safety Emphasis ........................................................................32

Regional Rap ............................................................................................................32

Associate Member News 18-Wheels & BUSted ....................................................................................................34Mining the CSA Data: A Requisite for Carrier Performance Improvement..........................35ATRI 2011 Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry Identifies Challenges ............................35INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: Con-way Freight Partners with CVSA to Improve Safety ..............36James Burg Trucking Co. Facilitates Testing and Technology Tour ....................................36

Why We Do What We Do....................................................................................37

RAD Inspection News ............................................................................................39

GuardianPublished by:Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance

6303 Ivy Lane, Suite 310Greenbelt, MD 20770-6319

Phone: (301) 830-6143Fax: (301) 830-6144www.cvsa.org

Dedicated to government and industry workingtogether to promote commercial vehicle safetyon North American highways.

HEADQUARTERS STAFF

Stephen A. KepplerExecutive Director

Collin B. Mooney, CAEDeputy Executive Director

Larry D. SternDirector, Level VI Inspection Program

Richard D. HendersonDirector, Government Affairs

Adrienne L. GildeaDirector, Policy & Government Affairs

William P. SchaeferDirector, Vehicle Programs

Randy J. WestDirector, Driver Programs

Laura M. ZabriskieDirector, Communications & Marketing

Iris R. LeonardManager, Member & Program Services

Claudia V. McNattManager, Meetings & Events

J. Craig DefibaughController

For comments, suggestions or information,please email us at [email protected].

Guardian is a publication of the Commercial VehicleSafety Alliance and the Federal Motor Carrier SafetyAdministration.

2012 International SafetyTeam, program sponsors andCVSA program chair (pic-tured left to right) LawrenceHiggins, James Trombley,Capt. Norman Dofflemyer,Matthew Epling, DickLandis, Andrew Stoeckle,Steve Maupin, Keith Kernsand, Lindsay Campbell.

Fourth Quarter 2011 www.cvsa.org

Guardian

CVSA members and associate membersare dedicated to providing leadership andtechnical expertise to improve commer-cial vehicle safety. By coming togetherand actively participating in theAlliance’s Annual Conference this yearin Austin, attendees played a critical rolein advancing regulatory, policy andenforcement decisions that will ultimate-ly save countless lives.

When I look at our membership, I seenumerous people who are activelyengaged in the many issues the CVSA isinvolved in. By “actively,” I mean theyare getting as much, or more, from themeetings as they are putting into them.For example, I look at the VehicleCommittee that had 40 important itemson their agenda. Our members con-tribute so much in terms of sharing theirknowledge, expertise and contacts toachieve sound results. Ultimately, theyare communicating this informationback to their jurisdictions by sharing theCVSA’s message and training others tohelp cultivate our culture of safety.

Not only does this knowledge benefitthe enforcement agencies or companies,but our members are consistentlyadvancing into leadership roles withintheir own organizations. I am but one ofcountless examples of members whohave contributed to the Alliance’s mis-sion of commercial vehicle safety whichhas translated into success back home.There are many past presidents and oth-ers that have shared many successes andbenefited from being actively involved.A further testament to this was ourrecord attendance, levels of sponsorship,and number of exhibitors at the CVSA’sAnnual Conference & Exhibition inAustin. We can’t thank everyone enoughfor this exceptional level of support. It

speaks volumes to your commitment tocommercial vehicle safety.

During my tenure as CVSA PresidentI intend to underscore how importantcommunications and training are toachieving outstanding results. By com-municating with our members, associatemembers, and other interested audienceswe are sharing best practices that are suc-cessful and results-oriented. By collabo-rating with other groups that share ourcommon mission we are building invalu-

able relationships which in turn extendour reach and impact on highway safety.We have our goals, but by reaching outwe can leverage our resources and broad-en our message to ultimately reduce com-mercial vehicle related crashes through-out North America.

Towards this end, in an effort toenhance our communication about whothe CVSA is and what we do, the CVSAcreated a video, “Finding the Right Fit.”This video captures what the CVSAmeans to many of our members andassociate members – in their own words.I highly encourage you to visit the web-site, www.cvsa.org, to not only view thevideo but also use it in your own outreachto prospective and interested audiences.

Achieving zero commercial motorvehicle fatalities, personal injury crashes,and incidents throughout North Americais going to be an exceptionally challeng-ing task, but this is why we know we can’t“go it alone.” We must have true collabo-rative efforts between governments,industry, trade groups, suppliers, the gen-eral public, and others to do what somemay say cannot be achieved.

There is no doubt in my mind thatthe CVSA, as an organization, willaccomplish collectively through collabo-ration with others more than it ever willon its own. Our members and associatemembers are our best advocates becausethey clearly see the value of this organi-zation. The commercial vehicle-relatedcrash and fatality reductions over thepast few years have not been by accident.The commitment and dedication ofthose actively involved in the CVSA isclearly paying dividends. Please keepmoving aggressively forward and shareyour successes with others.

Thank you!

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I N S I G H T

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

CVSA Members Active in Advancing Regulatory,Policy, Enforcement Decisions That Save LivesBy Maj. David L. Palmer, CVSA President

Ultimately, [our members]

are communicating this

information back to their

jurisdictions by sharing the

CVSA’s message and

training others to help

cultivate our culture of safety.

Maj. David L. Palmer

Thanks to all who joined us in Austin atPresident Palmer’s Annual Conference.We had great numbers for attendees,exhibitors and sponsors. The feedbackwe received by all accounts was verygood, and a lot of work was completed.Thanks to all of you who participated,and in particular, our Committee andProgram Chairs for their tireless efforts.Please make sure you complete the fol-low up survey to let us know how we cancontinue to improve on CVSA’s events toenhance the value you are receiving foryour investment of time and money. Aswe move into CVSA’s 2011/12 fiscalyear, I wanted to reflect on the past year,as well as offer some thoughts on what isahead in the coming year.

In 2011 we have enhanced our com-munications efforts through SafetyExchange, Guardian, the Daily NewsClips, Webinars, Podcasts, Facebook,LinkedIn, and Legislative and Regula-tory Updates. Several of these initiativeswere new in 2011, and we hope that youfind them to be of value. We are alsocontinuing to enhance the CVSA website as well to make upgrades to themember content areas. We added tech-nical staff support in several areas tosupport committee and program needs.We made adjustments to the conferenceschedules and content based on feed-back from the members. 2011 also sawCVSA establish a separate buildingreserve fund that (if all goes to plan) willset us up for the long term once our cur-rent building lease expires. We expandedour relationships in 2011 to engage witha number of different stakeholdergroups and organizations to help advo-cate for CVSA policy, regulatory, legisla-tive, program, educational and aware-ness goals in support of our mission.

This past year also saw us refocus backto the basics. FMCSA’s CSA Programshaped the activities of a number ofcommittee and program activities in2011, particularly in the areas of unifor-mity, data quality and training. Morespecifically, we augmented the engage-ment between the Training Committee,CVSA Staff and the National TrainingCenter, which has already born fruit andwill continue to do so into the future.The increased sponsorship contributionsin 2011 contributed significantly to ourability to do all of these enhancementsfor the members – thanks to all of oursponsors! Also, I would like to thankPast President Dowling for his excellentleadership this past year.

We expect there will be a number ofkey legislative, regulatory and policyissues likely to impact on CVSAMembers and Associate Members thatwill be in various stages of implementa-tion in 2012, most notably: Governmentspending, CSA, EOBRs, Hours ofService, Truck Size & Weight, BusSafety, CDL MedCert, Safety Rating

Reciprocity, Entry Level Driver Training,Distracted Driving, Speed Limiters,Stability Control Systems, Wetlines,HM-241, the Cross-Border TruckingPilot Program, and Reauthorization toname a few. All of this, in addition to aPresidential election will be taking placein the United States. We thought 2011was a busy year!

There is a significant question remain-ing with all of this envisioned activity, thatbeing the potential impacts to the econ-omy and (in the U.S.) if and how theU.S. Congress will weigh in and if so, towhat degree. As most of you may beaware, in August the compromise debtceiling law – The Budget Control Actof 2011 – created a special joint com-mittee in the U.S. Congress with a stat-ed goal of achieving at least $1.5 trillionin budgetary savings over 10 years fromspending cuts or tax revenue. The com-mittee’s recommendations are dueNovember 23, 2011. If the joint com-mittee or Congress fail to act byDecember 23, 2011 the bill calls forautomatic across-the-board cuts, split50-50 between defense and non-defense spending, including Medicare.Social Security and Medicaid would beexcluded from those automatic cuts.The plan also requires the House andSenate to vote on a balanced budgetamendment to the Constitution, whichwould require a 2/3 majority in bothhouses. That vote must take place byDecember 31, 2011. How this mayimpact on transportation is yet to beseen, but we certainly will be trackingand reporting on it to you, as well asweighing in on the issue with Congresswhere necessary.

Needless to say, all of us will cer-tainly be busy in the coming year.

2


Executive Director’s MessageBy Stephen A. Keppler, CVSA, Executive Director

Stephen A. Keppler

Roadside inspectors are looking moreclosely at the trailer ABS operation.Does the ABS warning turn on and offwith the ignition. If not, a violation ispossible and the problem may be verysimple to repair.

The ABS malfunctions are likelypower or sensor related. The majority ofECU’s returned to the manufacturers arefunctional suggesting that the ABSrepair procedures are not adequate.

A significant number of ABS malfunc-tions are power related. The ElectronicControl Unit (ECU) requires 9.5v as spec-ified by Technical Maintenance Council’sRecommended Practices 137. This meansa minimum of 10 volts is needed at the nosesocket with the trailer running lights on.

There is a simple, three-step processwhich eliminates wasted time and part

replacement. As a necessary element,confirm the battery is delivering suffi-cient power exceeding 11 volts withoutan amperage load.

The first step is to turn on the brakecircuit to verify operation. The brake cir-cuit is the secondary power source for theECU. With the brake circuit, does theABS lamp turn on and off? Does theECU module chatter signifying thebrake circuit is powering up the ECU?

The second step is to turn on the aux-iliary circuit to verify operation. Again,does the ABS lamp turn on and off? Doesthe ECU module chatter signifying the

auxiliary circuit is powering up the ECU?In both the first and second steps, if

the ECU module chatters power is suffi-cient for operation. If the ABS warninglamp is not functioning, check connec-tions and the lamp.

The third step is reading the currentfaults whenever the ECU is powered andthe ABS lamp remains on. The mostcommon ABS faults are sensor relatedsuch as gap spacing and connectionswhich requires reading the ECU. Afterrepair, the stored fault should be cleared.

Bob Blair, CEO, LITE-CHECK LLC

In my previous Letter to the Editor pub-lished in Guardian (Vol. 18, issue 3) Idiscussed how closing safety areasseverely impacts commercial truck driv-ers. In paragraph three of this letter, Iincorrectly referenced a National Trans-portation Safety Board (NTSB) study ontruck driving fatigue. In doing so, I erro-neously implied that the truck rate ofdriver fatigue identified in the study wasrepresentative of all truck crashes. Thisis certainly not the case, and as the studyitself points out, the NTSB estimate offatigue is not applicable to the popula-tion of all truck crashes.

Subsequently, I have conducted fur-ther research on the role of fatigue inLarge Truck crashes. One of the bestavailable data I have come across is from

Safety for the Long Haul, authored bytransportation safety expert Dr. RonKnipling. He states that in the U.S.approximately .4% of large truck crashesare fatigue related according to policereports and fatal crashes are 1.6%.However, please keep in mind that thereis not a single number that can be used toidentify fatigue related crashes becausethere are several differences within thetruck crash population. The four truckcrash populations are: Serious InjuryCrashes, Fatal-To-The Driver Crashes,All Police-Reported Truck Crashesand Fatal Crashes. Obviously, the roleof fatigue varies distinctly for each ofthese categories.

I have also reviewed other availabledata on the role of fatigue in truck

crashes and found the following to befactual:• The FARS system estimates 1.6% in

recent years. This percentage is gener-ally recognized as being under-reported.

• In recent Hours of Service Rulemaking,the Federal Motor Carriers SafetyAdministration (FMCSA) estimated7.2% of fatal crashes.

• In April 2010, FMCSA stated 5.5%.

Since the exact percentage is notknown, reputable sources and industryexperts place the percentage of driverfatigue related fatal crashes involvinglarge trucks at less than 10%.

Shazia NoreenAmerican Trucking Associations

Guardian

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Correction

3

I N S I G H T

CVSA’s Guardian welcomes your letters and comments. To submit a letter,send an email to [email protected] or write to CVSA, c/o Guardian,6303 Ivy Lane, Suite 310, Greenbelt, MD 20770-6319.

Three-Step ABS Test


4

The Legislative RundownBy Richard D. Henderson, CVSA, Director, Government Affairs

Senate Takes Up FY 2012DOT/THUD Appropriations BillFinal Vote Due October 31As of this writing, the Senate is comingclose to wrapping up its consideration ofHR 2112 that would fund DOT for theremainder of the 2012 Fiscal Year, butdue to a Senate recess the last week ofOctober, the final vote occurred onOctober 31st. As reported in theSeptember 23rd Legislative Update, theSenate bill funds motor carrier state safe-ty grants, including MCSAP, at a slight-ly higher level than the House version ofthe bill which has not yet been scheduledfor a vote on the House floor. When theHouse and Senate reconcile the two billsin Conference, the final funding limitswill at least reflect the highest authorizedlevels under SAFETEA-LU.

The Senate bill also contains a provi-sion at the request of Sen. Collins of

Maine that would make the Maine/Vermont truck weight pilot programpermanent. It would increase the limiton Interstate Highways in those states to100,000 lbs. from the current federallimit of 80,000 lbs.

During consideration of HR 2112 onthe Senate floor, Sen. Ayotte, of NewHampshire, was preparing to offer anamendment that would prevent the use offederal funds to finalize, implement orenforce FMCSA’s December 29, 2010proposed new hours-of-service rule.CVSA sent a letter to each member ofthe Senate pointing out it could lead to asituation where no funds would be avail-able to enforce either the new rule or eventhe preceding hours-of-service rule thatis now in existence. Secretary ofTransportation Ray LaHood also sent aletter stating his objections to the amend-ment pointing out that it serves to under-mine the regulatory process. Thus far inthe process, which will be concluded onOctober 31st, Sen. Ayotte’s amendmenthas not been cleared for Senate Flooraction. But there are reports that she isattempting to revise her amendment toaddress the issue raised by enforcement.We will report the outcome through ourLegislative Update after the Senate takesfinal action.

Finally, the Senate bill, as we report-ed earlier, contains language holding thestates harmless with respect to CVISNfunds allocated to them beyondFMCSA’s statutory authority.

Reauthorization Moves a NotchHigher on the Congressional AgendaOn the House side, as we reported earli-er, Republican Leadership has allowedRep. John Mica, Chairman of the HouseTransportation and Infrastructure Com-

mittee, to look for sources of fundingthat would support a longer-term reau-thorization bill at least at current fundinglevels. His proposal earlier this yearwould have resulted in a 30% cut fromcurrent funding levels. The search foradditional funding will not be easy, butthe decision of the RepublicanLeadership at least opens the door forconsideration of a long-term bill in theHouse, possibly next year.

On the Senate side, Sen. BarbaraBoxer, Chairman of the SenateEnvironment and Public Works Commit-tee, has announced that her Committeewill mark-up a two-year Reauthorizationbill on November 9th. Her bill wouldretain current funding levels, but only ifan additional $12 billion is found. Theresponsibility for coming up with theadditional funding rests with the SenateFinance Committee chaired by SenatorMax Baucus. Unless he is able to iden-tify such funding and get hisCommittee’s support for it, SenatorBoxer’s bill, though reported out of herCommittee, could not be reported tothe floor of the Senate with the fundingissue unresolved.

The current status of the economyand the need to create more jobs is plac-ing reauthorization higher on theCongressional agenda. Whether the jobsbill proposed by the Obama Admini-stration earlier this fall will win Congres-sional approval is still uncertain at thispoint. Congress may have a higher com-fort level addressing the jobs issuethrough a surface transportation billsince, in addition to creating more jobs,no one disputes the fact that our nation’stransportation infrastructure is badly inneed of repair, upgrading, and newinvestment.

Richard Henderson

GuardianI N S I G H T

5

KNOWLEDGE MATTERS

Quality MattersBy John E. Harrison, CVSA President 2007-2008

I’ve just moved on to the next phase in mylife after recently retiring from state lawenforcement after 31 years in the commer-cial vehicle enforcement field. However, Idid not stray very far from what I’ve been socomfortable doing for all those years. I’mnow working for a firm that specializes incrash analysis, accident reconstruction, and– a new field for them, CMV compliance. Inmy new position I now see many inspectionreports from inspectors from all over NorthAmerica, many of those inspections beingpost-crash in nature, which leads me to thepoint of this article. There have been threekey principles that I have always strived forduring my CMV enforcement career that Iencourage all inspectors to live by:Thoroughness, Accuracy, and Quality.

Thoroughness – I’ve seen in my career,and I’m sure many of you have had experi-ences with, all types of CMV inspectors.There are those that want to just makeeight hours, get a number, and generate apiece of paper. On the other end of thespectrum are those that have a real senseof purpose, want to make a genuine differ-ence in highway safety, and take the utmostpride in their work. I’ve counted myself inthe latter group. Inspectors should con-stantly be aware that their inspections mayshow up later in major litigation, audits,and even as exhibits in Congressional over-sight hearings. On my inspections I’vealways worried about missing seriousdefects or violations, then later that vehicleor driver gets into a crash and my oversightor omission is somehow determined to bea contributing factor to the accident.

Accuracy – With the implementation ofFMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, andAccountability (CSA) program accuracy inso-far as documenting CMV safety violations istaking top priority in the algorithm that is thebackbone of the program. In my opinion,computers are both an enhancement anddetriment to the CMV inspection process.Computers help inspectors more accuratelyidentify carriers, provide an immediate pictureof a carrier’s compliance history, and generatea legible inspection report rather that a hand-

written report. However, computers can alsomake inspectors lazy and complacent byallowing them to rely on a quick pick-list ofviolations. Often times some inspectors willsee a key word in a pick-list and choose a vio-lation without having read the related regula-tory section in the book. This can lead to theinaccurate application of a code section thatmay not even apply to the condition theinspector is trying to document. And as manymotor carrier safety directors can attest to, the“points” assessed under CSA for one codesection versus another can be significant.

Quality – If an inspector is thorough andaccurate, then overall quality will generallyfollow. The quality aspect of CMV inspec-tions is comprehensive in nature andencompasses the two key elements aboveas well as inspector attitude, drive, and anagency’s commitment to the process.Quality to me also includes such things asproper grammar, spelling, violationdescriptions, and notes on inspectionreports that are clear, complete, but con-cise and without ambiguity. Overall timelyresponses to motor carrier industry con-cerns and inquiries are also important,especially insofar as inspection report chal-lenges. I’ve seen a minority of inspectorsthat take offense to inquiries about theirreports; this type of attitude is detrimentalto the overall process, since most motorcarriers want to comply and inspectorsmust understand that effective compliancerequires a partnership with industry.

In closing, I encourage all inspectorsto strive for excellence and try to do thevery best job possible. Take the extrasteps to remain technically competent,stay current with regulatory changes, andfind a mentor that you trust to assist inmastering your skills.

John E. Harrison retired at the rank ofCaptain from the Georgia Department ofPublic Safety and is a Past-President ofCVSA (2007-2008). He is currently employedas a crash analyst and CMV complianceexpert with Collision Specialists, Inc. basedin Gainesville, GA.

A Personal NoteAs was announced at CVSA’s recentAnnual Conference in Austin, Texas Iwill be retiring from my job as Directorof Government Affairs at the end of thisyear. I first came to CVSA in 1993under a two-year Federal HighwayAdministration Intelligent Transporta-tion Systems cooperative agreement.Little did I know then that I would beworking for CVSA for the next 18 years!What a wonderful run it has been. Inaddition to enjoying the work I havebeen doing for CVSA in Congress, Ihave had the great satisfaction of watch-ing CVSA grow over the years into thestrong motor carrier safety organizationit is today. I thank the CVSA member-ship and CVSA Leadership for theirsupport over the years. I hope that youwill offer the same support to my succes-sor, Adrienne Gildea.

Just a comment about today’s envi-ronment in Washington. Highway andmotor carrier safety programs continueto have strong bi-partisan support. Ihave immense respect for the staff onCapitol Hill on both sides of the aisle.They work hard to try and do the rightthing on behalf of their bosses eventhough we may not always agree on aparticular issue. I also want to commendFMCSA Leadership in the previousAdministration as well as the currentone. Without fail, when I call to makean appointment with the appropriatestaff in the office of a Congressman orSenator, and I explain who the membersof CVSA are – namely, the “roadsideofficers who do the truck and businspections in your state,” it doesn’t takelong to get an appointment. They knowwho you are and respect the work youdo. I certainly do.

66


The Regulatory RundownBy Adrienne Gildea, CVSA, Director, Policy & Government Affairs

Focusing on regulatory action as FY2011 came to a close, there have been anumber of developments over the pastfew months regarding FMCSA’s pro-posed hours of service rule. The rule isdue for publication on October 28th, asmandated by a court agreement betweensupporters and opponents of the depart-ment’s proposal. As the deadline forpublication approaches, involved partiesare stepping up their efforts.

In September, House Transportation &Infrastructure Committee Chairman Micapromised to block any changes to the cur-rent HOS regulations. CongressmenBoehner and Cantor also weighed in onthe issue, asking the president to halt theongoing rulemaking, which made OMB’slist of rulemakings that will cost morethan $1 million to implement. The lettercited the suffering economy and the rule-making’s impact on productivity, as wellas the improved safety statistics under thecurrent regulations. In response, safetyadvocates stepped up their activities,

sending letters of their own in support ofthe proposed changes.

In mid-October, Republicans onCapitol Hill made another attempt to stallthe rulemaking, this time in the Senate. Aspart of the 2012 Transportation-Housing& Urban Development appropriations billprocess, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, the juniorSenator from New Hampshire, offered anamendment that would prevent 2012funds from being used to finalize, imple-ment, or enforce the new HOS rules.However, after concerns from industry,including CVSA, about the unintendedimpacts of the language as well as a letterfrom Secretary LaHood, the amendmentwas not brought up for a vote and legis-lation proceeded without the language(see Legislative Rundown for additionalinformation).

Despite the October 28th deadline, therule had not yet been transmitted to OMBfor review in mid-October. OMB has typ-ically has 90 days to review a rule once ithas been received, though they can expe-

dite an issue, calling into question whetheror not the department would have time tofinalize the rule before the deadline. WhileAdministration officials remain committedto issuing the final rule on time, statementsfrom FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferroat ATA’s annual Management Conferenceand Exhibition in late October indicatedthat the Administration recognized thelimited timeframe and raised the possibili-ty of a delay in the rule’s publication.Regardless of when the rule is publishedand what is included, it seems bound forfurther litigation.

Meanwhile, the Administration alsofaced hurdles in moving forward with itsefforts to mandate industry use ofElectronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs).The first EOBR rule (EOBR 1), requiredcertain carriers with records of violationsto employ EOBRs. However, that rulewas challenged by OOIDA and inAugust a federal court vacated the rule,arguing that the rulemaking fails tomeet the Congressional mandatedrequirement to protect drivers againstharassment from employers. FMCSAhad indicated that they will issue a finalrule removing EOBR1 language fromregulatory code.

In addition to wiping out EOBR1,the court’s ruling put FMCSA’s secondEOBR rule (EOBR2) in jeopardy. Therule, which would require EOBRs formost of the industry, was built largelyon the more technical pieces of EOBR1rulemaking. Now that that rule nolonger exists, adjustments to EOBR2will be required. This will likely delayprogress on EOBR2 rule. However, thisdelay should allow FMCSA to makesome necessary revisions to the techni-cal language included in EOBR1 andadjust the harassment language before

Welcome to the first edition of CVSA’s new feature – The Regulatory Rundown. Like theLegislative Rundown, this feature will update readers on developments with the regulatoryprocess, everything from CVSA’s petitions for action at DOT to developments with variousrulemakings of interest and other developments related to the Administration.

GuardianI N S I G H T

7

publishing EOBR2. Work continuedthrough the fall, with the EOBRSubcommittee of the Motor CarrierSafety Advisory Committee meeting inlate October to discuss challenges toimplementing an EOBR mandateindustry-wide. Of particular interest toCVSA members is the issue of a univer-sal interface and ease of use for enforce-ment officers.

Finally, DOT took several stridesforward with the NAFTA mandatedCross Border Trucking program. InAugust OIG issued a congressionally-mandated evaluation of DOT’s imple-mentation of the program. The report

concluded that DOT needed to takefurther steps before moving forwardwith the program. DOT responded inearly October with a report detailinghow it had completed the tasks identi-fied in the GAO report. On October14th, the first Mexican trucking com-pany, Transportes Olympic, wascleared and a second company waspending. Mexico-domiciled truckswere expected to begin operating withthe United States as early as October21st, finally meeting the requirementsof the NAFTA agreement. Once thefirst Mexican truck is allowed to passinto the US under the program,

Mexico has committed to eliminatingtariffs put on US goods in retaliationfor Congressional action that prohibit-ed the program from moving forward.

Even as the department moves for-ward with the program, it continues toface opposition from both safety organi-zations, OOIDA and labor, who claimthe program will impact safety on USroads and further deplete the US jobmarket.

In other DOT news, SecretaryLaHood announced in October that,regardless of the outcome of the 2012elections, he will not return to thedepartment for a second term.

8


Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis-trator Anne S. Ferro answers your ques-tions. In this issue, the Administratordetails plans to improve training; howthe grants process is changing; and howFMCSA views carrier and driver accept-ance of CSA.

Question: What is FMCSA doing toimprove its training to better meetour needs?

Answer: With our training catalog, weare working hard to improve the coursesprovided by FMCSA. In the past year,our National Training Center has madesubstantial progress on an ongoing ini-tiative to improve the quality of ourtraining, instruction and in our commu-nication with you.

Improving communications withCVSA members is very important to us.We use monthly calls with the CVSAExecutive Committee to discuss trainingneeds so that the training provided toyou is relevant and ahead of the curve.We also have regular calls and communi-cations with the CVSA training com-

mittee which keeps our training plan up-to-date and relevant.

We are moving forward with ourinstructor development program becauseinstructors are the heart of any trainingand the central component of our suc-cess. We also meet regularly to reviewand manage the courses themselves. It’sa truly collaborative process. If you arefamiliar with the changes that were madeto the Hazardous Materials course - youunderstand the progress being made byour partnership.

Question: How is FMCSA improvingits grants process?

Answer: We know that you need moneyto attend training and execute yoursafety programs. This year aloneFMCSA awarded approximately $300million in MCSAP and other safetygrants that directly support state andlocal enforcement of commercial motorvehicle safety in order to save lives.These grants help us achieve uniformityin enforcement across the country. Just afew examples of grants awarded in this

fiscal year are as follows:• A new Teens and Trucks program in

New Hampshire received $121,000to educate teen drivers about theimportance of safely sharing the roadwith big trucks.

• The city of San Antonio received$327,000 to conduct its ownTicketing Aggressive Cars andTrucks program so that aggressivedrivers can be stopped and seriousand tragic crashes can be avoided.

• The state of West Virginia received$152,000 to boost its rural roadenforcement capabilities.

To improve the management ofthose grants, we have increased ourinternal controls and oversight. We aremaking sure all grants follow all feder-al requirements and accomplish theirsafety objectives. We are tracking anddocumenting the success stories of ourgrants programs.

FMCSA grants maintain a high safe-ty standard for carriers by putting moreinspectors at the roadside and improvingthe technology these inspectors use toidentify problem carriers and drivers andget them off the roads.

To improve how we issue the grantswe have implemented an automatedgrants management system. As we areovercoming our hiccups in the grantsprocess, which may feel like heartburn toall of you, by focusing on the monitoringand oversight of grant execution, you aregoing to see that we will be asking youfor better documentation, more descrip-tive quarterly reports and evaluations ofyour grant accomplishments.

In the next fiscal year, we will com-plete the application review process ear-lier so that grant recommendations can

Ask the FMCSA Administrator

be pending as funding becomes available.By doing this, we will award grants soon-er in the new fiscal year, even under acontinuing resolution.

All of the changes we are making areto benefit our safety mission. We lookforward to communicating with youabout changes that may happen forFiscal Year 2013 through our safety pro-gram’s reauthorization by Congress.

Question: How has CSA grown inits acceptance among carriers anddrivers?

Answer: In less than a year we havemade great progress in our enforcementprograms because of CSA. We are bet-ter able to identify the “why” of a prob-lem instead of just the “what”. And atthe heart of this great program is theinspections you are carrying out 24/7year-round.

As I travel the country, I hear howCSA has grown has added value in sucha short time among carriers, shippers,insurers and drivers. They are using it toimprove safety performance, and bydoing so holding themselves accountablefor reducing crashes. This behavior isvitally important to our public safetymission.

We have certainly gotten the word out.We have had 1.6 million visits to our CSAweb site and fielded more than 5,500questions over the past 18 months bythose who are affected by CSA. Nearly19,000 folks are receiving CSA updatesthrough a website subscription service.Go to http://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/subscrip-tion.aspx to sign up.

If you participate in LinkedIn, theworld’s largest professional networkingsite, you will find a CSA discussion

group. According to this site, carriers,insurers and brokers all use the safetymeasurement system to screen carriersand drivers.

CSA is motivating carriers to improvetheir safety performance. Everyone is inagreement that good safety scores give acarrier an advantage in the marketplace.Safety conscious drivers are watchingtheir scores and paying attention to thevehicles they drive.

As proof positive that the industry istaking CSA seriously, UPS Freight has anew position advertised called a “CSAData Analyst.” We applaud them formaking CSA a priority.

The industry understands that CSAis here to stay.

I’m counting on you to continue yourstrong support for well-trained inspec-tors and to monitor their work throughtheir questions and requests for reviewthat come in through the DataQ system.Every inspector counts. Every Inspectioncounts towards making CSA thestrongest enforcement platform we havefor achieving commercial vehicle safetyon our highways.

Thank you for your diligence to oursafety mission and Congratulations on ajob well done in 2011 to all our state andlocal safety partners.

GuardianF E D E R A L N E W S

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NTSB Moves to Prohibit Use of Hand-Held, Hands-Free Cellular Phones for all Commercial Vehicle Drivers

The National Transportation Safety Board recently recommendedFMCSA prohibit the use of both handheld and hands-free cellulartelephones by all commercial driver’s license holders while operatinga commercial vehicle, except in emergencies and apply the vettingcriteria of the New Applicant Screening Program to the informationsubmitted by all new entrant motor carriers.

The National Transportation Safety Board also reiterates the fol-lowing recommendations to FMCSA:• Seek statutory authority to deny or revoke operating authority for

commercial interstate motor carriers found to have applicationsfor operating authority in which the applicant failed to discloseany prior operating relationship with another motor carrier, oper-ating as another motor carrier, or being previously assigned a U.S.Department of Transportation number.

• Develop an evaluation component to determine the effectivenessof your New Applicant Screening Program.

For more information about NTSB’s safety recommendation, visithttp://www.ntsb.gov/index.html.

The U.S. Department of Transportation(USDOT) and FMCSA hosted aNational Motorcoach Safety Summit onSeptember 23, 2011, at the RenaissanceHotel in Washington, D.C.

In mid-June, FMCSA AdministratorAnne S. Ferro announced the NationalMotorcoach Safety Summit to advance abroader dialogue on motorcoach safetyamong key stakeholders including indus-try, law enforcement, crash victims, labor,safety advocates, safety consultants,mechanics, drivers, and other communi-ty groups. The event was held to increaseawareness of the importance of motor-coach safety and to energize and empow-er stakeholders, partners and the publicto take personal responsibility in makingmotorcoach transportation safer.

The Summit included input frommultiple modes within USDOT and waspromoted as “One DOT - On the Movefor Motorcoach Safety”. It was the cul-mination of a series of roundtable discus-sions held in August 2011 in New York,

Texas, Ohio, and California. The objec-tive of the roundtable discussions was toidentify challenges to motorcoach safety,then collaborate on strategies to developinnovative, and strategic solutions withcountermeasures to address those safetyconcerns. In addition, all individuals andorganizations were encouraged to dis-cuss, share comments, and vote uponposted ideas using the USDOTs’IdeaScale website. Information gatheredfrom IdeaScale and the regional round-table meetings developed into four majorthemes. The four major themes werebroken down and formed the basis ofeleven breakout topics for the Summitroundtable discussions.

The Summit began with AdministratorFerro’s welcome and introduction ofUSDOT Secretary Ray LaHood, whoannounced in his opening remarks that anew Smartphone application will be avail-able this fall, offering convenient access toa bus operator’s safety record to the public.This should encourage organizations and

passengers to view a company’s safetyrecord before boarding the motorcoach.

Mr. Jack Van Steenburg, FMCSA’sAssistant Administrator and ChiefSafety Officer facilitated a panel discus-sion that included a brief summary ofmotorcoach safety initiatives by theFederal Highway Administration,National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration, Research & InnovativeTechnology Administration, FederalTransit Administration, and FMCSA.

Next, Ms. Anne Collins, FMCSA’sAssociate Administrator for FieldOperations facilitated a Safety Panel rep-resenting victim and safety advocates,workers unions, State enforcement agen-cies and industry. This panel provideddiverse viewpoints of motorcoach safetyinterests and answered questions.

Mr. William Quade, FMCSA’sAssociate Administrator for Enforcementand Program Delivery then explained theSafety Measurement System (SMS) usingthe Behavior Analysis and SafetyImprovement Categories (BASICs), aspart of FMCSA’s Compliance - Safety -Accountability (CSA) enforcement pro-gram.

After lunch, Ms. Bryna Helfer,Director of Public Engagement, U.S.Department of Transportation, served ascoordinator for the Summit roundtablediscussions. At the conclusion of somevery spirited sessions, each group report-ed out their findings to the Summitattendees at large. The recommendationswere documented and most of the eventwas webcast. The webcast can be viewedat http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/PCS/motorcoach-safety.aspx,and the final report will be available forviewing on the FMCSA web site laterthis fall.


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National Motorcoach Safety Summit AdvancesDialogue, Energizes, Empowers Stakeholders By Gregory Nahmens, FMCSA, Transportation Specialist, Commercial Passenger Carrier Safety Division

PHMSA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule toHarmonize U.S. Radioactive Materials TransportationRequirements with International Standards

In August, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials

Safety Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend require-

ments in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) governing the transportation of

Class 7 radioactive materials. To be considered, comments must be received by

November 10, 2011. The proposed rule would align the requirements for shippers

and carriers of radioactive materials with changes made in the International Atomic

Energy Agency’s (IAEA) publication “Regulations for the Safe Transport of

Radioactive Material, 2009 Edition, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. TS-R-1.” The

proposed rule also would update, clarify, correct, or provide relief from certain reg-

ulatory requirements applicable to the transportation of Class 7 materials. The notice

can be found in the Federal Register at http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/rulemak-

ing/nprm-anprm. Contact: PHMSA Public Affairs (202) 366-4831.


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The National Training Center Rolls Out New Hazardous Materials Training Courses

FMCSA’s National Training Center (NTC) isapproaching the end of a year-long proj-ect to redevelop its HazMat training. Theaim of the NTC HazMat CourseRedevelopment Project is to achieve bet-ter learning outcomes for training directedto Federal and State personnel who con-duct HazMat-based compliance reviews,investigations or inspections.

The following is the Design ValidationGroup for the project:• Paul Bomgardner, FMCSA• Janelle Brewster, FMCSA• Bruce Bugg, Georgia Department of

Public Safety • Reggie Bunner, Public Service

Commission of West Virginia• Joe Evans, FMCSA• Don Johnson, Virginia State Police• Scott Maguire, Massachusetts State

Police• Tom Manning, Maryland Department

of the Environment• Rex Railsback, Kansas Highway Patrol• Don Tomlinson, FMCSA• Brad Wagner, Nebraska State Patrol

These Subject Matter Experts providedthe critical input and insight that shapedthe learning objectives and defined specif-ic performance criteria. Their tireless dedi-cation over the past year-including thor-ough reviews at each development phase-drove the Project’s success.

The new HazMat training courses are:• General Hazardous Materials (HM I) • Cargo Tank Inspection (CTI)

• Other Bulk Packaging (OBP) • Cargo Tank Facility Review (CTFR) • Hazardous Materials Specialties (HMS)

HMS is a new, self-paced, all-web-based course covering:• HM Security • Class 1 Explosive Materials• Class 7 Radioactive Materials • Hazardous Substance (HS),

Hazardous Waste (HW), andRadioactive Waste Materials (RWM)

• Division 6.2 Infectious Substances andRegulated Medical Waste (RMW)

The instructional materials for thenew HazMat training courses are pro-duced in a range of media for greaterflexibility. For example, all-web-basedpre-requisites reduce the need forinstructor-led resources and allow for more performance-based/hands-oninteraction in the classroom.

NTC-certified HazMat Instructors willhave two opportunities to re-certify inthe new HazMat training courses:• January 10, 2012, at NTC,

Arlington, VA • January 30, 2012, at the Cooperative

Hazardous Materials EnforcementDevelopment (COHMED) Conference(January 30 - February 3, 2012),Newport Beach, CA

Rollout of the new HazMat trainingcourses will begin February 2012.

To conclude the Summit, Mr. JohnPorcari, Deputy Secretary, U.S.Department of Transportation reiter-ated the importance of making a com-mitment to Think Safety: Every Trip,Every Time, and spoke of the nextsteps. Attendees were encouraged tocomplete a self-addressed postcardwhich included a pledge of personaleffort addressing one of the safetyissues. FMCSA will mail postcards tothe authors in 30 days as a reminder oftheir commitment to enhance motor-coach safety.

As we know, the 2009 Bus SafetySummit hosted by CVSA providedvaluable insights from the industry andenforcement. By contrast, the purposeof the 2011 Motorcoach SafetySummit was to enable and empower alarger and more diversified group. Theevent had an excellent turnout with182 on-site attendees, and at one timean estimated 2,560 people watched theSummit via webcast.

The USDOT modes are reviewingthe information gathered during theregional and national events and willbe applying what has been learned intofuture actions to enhance motorcoachsafety. FMCSA strongly encouragestravelers considering passenger carriertransportation to visit the agency’s web site and review a carrier’s safetyrecords at http://www.ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Passenger/home.asp. FMCSA alsoencourages the public to report unsafecarriers and incidents to its safety hot-line at 1-888-DOT-SAFT or onlineat http://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov. TheFMCSA remains determined toenhance the safety and confidence ofthose who travel aboard commercialpassenger carrying vehicles.


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The National Transportation SafetyBoard (NTSB) recently released reportson two commercial vehicle accidents thatoccurred in Indianapolis, Indiana, andMunfordville, Kentucky.

Indianapolis, IndianaAt about 10:38 a.m. EDT, on October22, 2009, a truck-tractor in combinationwith a cargo tank semitrailer, driven by a73-year-old male and operated byAmeriGas Propane, L.P., rolled overabout 10 miles northeast of downtownIndianapolis. The rollover occurred on aconnection ramp at the junction of I-69south and I-465 south as the driver wasnegotiating a left curve. A series of driv-er inputs, steering hard to the right andthen back to the left, led to the cargotank rolling over, detaching from thetruck, penetrating a steel guardrail, andcolliding with and entirely displacing abridge pier column that supported the I-465 overpass. The tanker was loadedwith 9,001 gallons of liquefied petroleumgas, that escaped, formed a vapor cloud,

and ignited. As a result of the accidentand post-accident fire, the truck driverand a driver of a passenger car sustainedserious injuries. Three occupants fromother passenger vehicles traveling on I-465 received minor injuries from thepost-accident fire.

In its July 26, 2011, Board meeting,the NTSB determined that the probablecause of the Indianapolis accident wasthe driver’s excessive and rapid evasivesteering maneuver that led to his loss ofcontrol. Contributing to the accident wasthe reduced cross slope of the paved rightshoulder, and the susceptibility of thecombination unit to roll over because ofits high center of gravity.

“The NTSB has been concerned aboutthe integrity of cargo tanks carrying haz-ardous materials for more than 40 years,”said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P.Hersman. “There are more than 1,300rollovers a year involving cargo tankmotor vehicles. These accidents pose asignificant safety risk to both the vehicledriver and to the motoring public.”

In this report, the NTSB issued 20 newsafety recommendations to Federal andstate organizations. Recommendationsincluded developing rollover preventionprograms, establishing performance stan-dards for cargo tank designs that mitigatethe release of hazardous materials in acci-dents, improving highway design charac-teristics to reduce heavy truck rollover risk,and developing performance standards for,and then requiring, stability control sys-tems on all newly manufactured commer-cial vehicles, and in all in-use cargo tanktrailers, retroactively.

Munfordville, KentuckyAt about 5:14 a.m. CDT, on March 26,2010, near Munfordville, a truck-tractorsemitrailer combination unit driven by a45-year-old male and operated by Hester,Inc. of Fayette, AL, departed the left laneof southbound I-65, crossed a 60-foot-wide median, struck and overrode a cablebarrier system, entered the northboundtravel lanes, and struck a 15-passengervan driven by a 41-year-old male and

National Transportation Safety Board Reports Out onCommercial Vehicle Crashes in Indiana, KentuckyBy Jennifer Morrison, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Vehicle

Factors Investigator, and Julie Perrot, NTSB, Safety Recommendation Specialist

Indianapolis Munfordville

CCMTA Works to Develop EOBR Standard

The Canadian Councilof Motor TransportA d m i n i s t r a t o r s(CCMTA) is workingto develop a standardfor electronic on-boardrecorders (EOBRs) thatwill give Canada theopportunity to moveforward with its ownstandard while ensuringcompatibility with theU.S.

Last Fall, theCouncil of CanadianDeputy Ministers of Transport directed CCMTA to develop a standard and a proj-ect team was put together with CRA members & technical representatives. Earlyin the new year, terms of reference and a workplan for the project were developed,and a consultant was hired to conduct the work (FPInnovations, formerly FERIC).“Work got under way in early summer,” said Doug MacEwen, CCMTA’s CRAchair recently at CVSA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition. “The consultant is nowfinalizing the project’s first deliverable related to the key elements of the standard(i.e. those data elements necessary for enforcement personnel to determine HOScompliance).”

The consultant’s team also is involved in the related Quebec/Ontario/TC/NBOperational Testing of On-Board Recorders, Smart Cards and Digital SignatureTechnologies. This allows opportunities for linkages between the two projects andwill help in dealing with key operational issues. A draft standard is expected nextmonth, with industry consultation and outreach to follow. The final standard willbe completed by the end of January. A second stage of the work will address appli-cation issues and will begin in the late fall or early winter.

Cargo SecurementThe next meeting of the Public Forum is slated for November 29 in Montreal asper an agreed-upon rotational schedule between Canada and the U.S.Meanwhile, the next meeting of the Regulatory Committee is slated for earlyNovember in D.C.

Periodic Motor Vehicle InspectionAt its meeting in May, the CRA Committee also agreed to a new review of theNational Safety Code Standard on Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspections, to ensureit reflects present manufacturing standards and evolving vehicle technology.

The standard has seen many iterations over the years, but its basic premise hasnot changed: to advance uniformity of inspection programs, minimize costs anddelays to industry generated by existing inspection programs, and reduce accidentsdue to mechanical defects.

The requirements call for annual, in-shop inspection of trucks and trailers, andsemi-annual inspection for buses. We expect the review to be initiated this fall, andhopefully be completed within a year. The standard was last updated in 2006.


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occupied by 11 passengers (eight adults,two small children, and an infant). Thetruck driver and 10 of the 12 occupants ofthe van were killed. Investigators deter-mined that the truck driver used hismobile phone for calls and text messagesa total of 69 times while driving in the24-hour period prior to the accident. Thedriver made four calls in the minutesleading up to the crash, the last call coin-ciding with the time that the truckdeparted the highway.

“Distracted driving is becomingincreasingly prevalent, exacerbating thedanger we encounter daily on our road-ways,” said Chairman Hersman. “It can beespecially lethal when the distracted driv-er is at the wheel of a vehicle that weighs40 tons and travels at highway speeds.”

In its September 13, 2011, Boardmeeting, the NTSB cited distractionfrom the use of a mobile phone by thetruck driver as the probable cause of theaccident. The NTSB also determinedthat the median barrier system, whichhad recently been installed followinganother fatal median crossover accidenton the same section of I-65, contributedto the severity of the accident because itwas not designed to redirect or contain alarge commercial vehicle.

In this report, the NTSB issued 15new safety recommendations to Federaland state organizations, and reiteratedtwo previously issued recommendationsto FMCSA. Recommendations includedbanning the use of mobile phones bycommercial drivers, except in emergen-cies, and using appropriately designedmedian barriers on roadways with highvolumes of commercial vehicles.

The full reports of both accidents areavailable on the NTSB’s web site:www.ntsb.gov.

49 CFR Section 178.345-1 establishesgeneral design and construction require-ments for DOT 400 series cargo tankmotor vehicles. Specifically at 49 CFRSection 178.345-1(i)(1) a cargo tankmotor vehicle composed of more than onecargo tank may be constructed with thecargo tanks made to the same specifica-tion or to different specifications and (2)each cargo tank must conform in allrespects with the specification for which itis certified. The strength of the connect-ing structure joining multiple cargo tanksin a cargo tank motor vehicle must meetthe structural design requirements in §178.345-3. Any void within the connect-ing structure must be vented to theatmosphere and have a drain located onthe bottom centerline. Each drain mustbe accessible and must be kept open at alltimes. The drain in any void within theconnecting structure of a carbon steel,self-supporting cargo tank may be either asingle drain of at least 1.0 inch diameter,or two or more drains of at least 0.5 inchdiameter, 6.0 inches apart, one of which islocated on the bottom centerline.

Past interpretations issued by USDOT, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials

Safety Administration (PHMSA) haveindicated that a void’s vent must belocated as close to the top centerline ofthe tank as practicable and the drain asclose to the bottom centerline of the tankas practicable. An interpretation issuedon 9-25-03 (Ref# 02-0287) indicatedthat it was OK to plug the top vent. Thatinterpretation was subsequently retractedby another on 4-7-04 (Ref # 04-0055)which indicated that the top vent cannotbe plugged. Recent discussions withindustry and enforcement personnel haslead PHMSA to determine that requir-ing an opening on top of a cargo tank tovent vapors that accumulate in the voidspace may not be the best practice. In sit-uations such as with gasoline, the vaporsare heavier than air and will escape orvent through the drain opening.

Venting voids through the top of acargo tank may cause premature corro-sion of the void space as a result of waterpenetration. Allowing the vent to beplugged will also make it easier to iden-tify when there is actually a leak in thebulkhead. Hazardous materials leakingfrom the drain will cause an obviousstain and/or dirt build up. With the top

vent plugged there would be no waterentering the void from the top vent andany leaking would likely be coming fromthe adjacent bulkheads. To address thisproblem PHMSA has revised §178.345-1 to clearly indicate that anyvoid area within the connecting structureof a cargo tank between double bulkheads must be vented to the atmospherethrough the required drain or through aseparate vent. The rule clarification willnot require that the top vent be pluggedor that a new vent other than the cur-rently required drain be installed in exist-ing specification cargo tanks. The revi-sion was effective on August 19, 2011and will ensure that void spaces in theconnecting structure of DOT 406, 407,and 412 cargo tank motor vehicles areproperly vented to allow for the escape ofproduct vapors.

Manufacturers are urged to continueallowing for access to the void spacethrough the top of the tank. In addition,PHMSA suggests the continued place-ment of inspection openings of sufficientsize and number to permit proper visualinternal inspection of the connectingstructure.

Final Rule Issued on July 20, 2011 Should Eliminate Confusion Inspecting Void Venting on 400 Series Cargo TanksBy Joe Evans, FMCSA, HM Program Manager, Eastern Service Center

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Top of void with vent unplugged Top of void with vent plugged Bottom of void with drain unplugged

GuardianC V S A N E W S

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More than 50 percent of commercialmotor vehicle (CMV) out-of-serviceviolations cited during roadside inspec-tions were for brake-related violations,according to CVSA Roadcheck 2011data – indicating much more educationand awareness is needed to reduce thenumber of highway crashes caused eachyear by poorly maintained braking sys-tems on commercial vehicles. CVSAworked with drivers, mechanics and oth-ers during the week of September 11-17,2011, Brake Safety Week, to enhanceknowledge, regulatory compliance andperformance of CMV braking systems.

“Ultimately, brakes are a major factorin being able to operate a commercialvehicle safely, yet they continue to becited as one of the leading factors incrashes due to defects and impropermaintenance and adjustment,” saidStephen A. Keppler, CVSA’s executivedirector. “One of the major goals ofBrake Safety Week is to educate drivers,mechanics and others on the importanceof proper adjustment, maintenance, andoperation to ensure every commercialvehicle is operating safely, and, ultimate-ly, to save lives.”

During Brake Safety Week CVSA-Certified Inspectors, brake suppliers, andindustry partners conduct enforcementand education activities with drivers andmechanics at truck stops, weigh stationsand other locations. This week-longcampaign is part of the ongoing CVSAeffort, called Operation Air Brake, dedi-cated to improving inspection, compli-ance, maintenance, and performance ofcommercial vehicle braking systemsthroughout North America. It is con-ducted with, and supported in part bythe FMCSA.

“FMCSA’s strong partnership withlaw enforcement nationwide is about

raising the bar for safer trucks and buses.To do that, FMCSA proudly joins withour state law enforcement partners toconduct Brake Safety Week,” saidFMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro.

During Brake Safety Week in addi-tion to conducting roadside inspec-tions, enforcement deployed Perform-ance-Based Brake Testers in severalparticipating jurisdictions and at anumber of inspection locations.During the course of this year, as partof Operation Air Brake, CVSA devel-oped two portable brake adjustmentdemonstration models that have beenused throughout the year at industryevents to demonstrate and illustratethe importance of proper brake adjust-ment. There are many other educa-

tional components that are part of theOperation Air Brake Campaign, toinclude a web-based training programgeared toward drivers and technicians,as well as instructional guides andhandbooks. The campaign exists prin-cipally to reduce the out-of-service ratefor brake-related defects. This SelectiveTraffic Enforcement Program (STEP)model has been used successfully inother areas of traffic safety concerns(most notably seat belt usage), and isbeing employed throughout NorthAmerica to focus on the very impor-tant issue of brake safety and regulato-ry compliance. It was developed andinitiated by Canada in 1998. To learnmore about the campaign, visitwww.operationairbrake.com.

Brake Adjustment Area of Concern DuringCVSA’s Brake Safety WeekCVSA Targets Drivers, Mechanics on Proper Brake Inspection, Maintenance,Operation

Since its inception in 1982, CVSA has been a safety advocate of commercialvehicles. CVSA represents the individuals who dedicate their work to promotingan environment free of commercial vehicle accidents and incidents.

As North America's leading commercial vehicle safety organization, the CVSAAcademic Scholarship is the centerpiece of the Alliance's educational outreachinitiative. The Scholarship provides two $1000 grants to graduating high schoolseniors whose parent or legal guardian is a good standing member of CVSA.

This grant program is competitive in its selection criteria, uniquely tailored torecognize outstanding high school seniors. Scholarship recipients are selectedby weighing academic performance and extracurricular activities.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2012For more information, please visit:

www.cvsa.org/about/cvsa_academicscholarships.php

CVSA Academic Scholarship

A killer is stalking North America’s roadwaysand is claiming 14 lives every day in theUnited States alone. Aggressive and unsafedriving behaviors by truck and bus drivers, aswell as the passenger car drivers operatingunsafely around them, are primary factors inmore deaths on our roadways than a 737 air-plane crashing every other week. CVSAcalled on all drivers to make a difference,reduce aggressive and distracted driving andsave lives across North America with itsannual Operation Safe Driver campaignmobilization week October 16-22, 2011.

“We are asking all drivers to join us in pro-viding solutions to this pandemic and to fightback against aggressive and unsafe drivingpractices, especially distracted driving,” saidCVSA Executive Director Stephen A.Keppler. “We need the public’s help in puttinga face on safety within our communities andspheres of influence. As an individual, a com-pany or association, there are many things youcan do to make a difference. It starts with edu-cating your own employees about the dangersof aggressive and unsafe driving. In addition,you can become an active supporter to stopthese senseless deaths that occur daily andaffect each and every one of us.”

Operation Safe Driver takes place acrossthe U.S., Canada and Mexico. Its aim is toincrease activities related to commercial vehicleand non-commercial vehicle traffic enforce-ment; safety belt enforcement; driver roadsidesafety inspections; driver regulatory compli-ance; implementation of commercial drivereducational and awareness programs to themotor carrier population; and, raising aware-

ness to the motoring public about safe opera-tions around trucks and buses.”

During the week of October 16-22,2011 law enforcement across NorthAmerica actively targeted these driversduring ‘Operation Safe Driver,’ a programsponsored by CVSA and FMCSA as wellas strategic partners including AmericanAssociation of Motor Vehicle Administra-tors, American Trucking Associations,

American Association of State Highway &Transportation Officials, American Driverand Traffic Safety Education Association,FedEx Corp., Governors Highway SafetyAssociation, National District AttorneysAssociation and United MotorcoachAssociation.

CVSA together with FMCSA,TennesseeHighway Patrol, FedEx and members of theSouthwind High School Student’s AgainstDestructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) chapterheld a media conference October 13, 2011 inMemphis,TN. Officials spoke to the group ofstudents, highlighting the importance of driv-ing without distractions. The event, whichincluded a demonstration of a truck and busNo Zone, concluded with the students and allparticipants signing a No Texting Pledge.

“Many of you are new drivers and yournew license is not only a new privilege grant-ed to you but a new power – the power offreedom. It’s a great feeling,” said ScottMugno, Managing Director of CorporateSafety, FedEx Express. “That feeling remindsme of a great quote from a comic book thatbecame a popular movie franchise –“Remember, with great power, comes greatresponsibility…When you are behind thewheel, you and FedEx are sharing the road.And it is in both of our interests to drive safe-ly. We have a strong safety record because wecontinually remind our drivers to think andact safely….and I want you to do the same.”

Operation Safe Driver continues to buildon a highly successful series of educationaloutreach programs geared to specific audi-ences and issues. The Teens & Trucks

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“Each year more than 36,000 people die on the roadways throughout North America – about 4,000 ofwhich are related to large trucks and buses. Many of these deaths are the direct result of unsafe andaggressive driving practices by both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.”

—Stephen A. Keppler, CVSA’s executive director.

CVSA Calls on Drivers to End Senseless Deaths by Defeating Distracted Driving NowOperation Safe Driver Campaign Educates Drivers How to Steer Clear of Tragedy

Training Program was created and launchedin collaboration with CVSA, ArizonaTrucking Association, Arizona Departmentof Public Safety and American TruckingAssociations in 2009-2010. Together CVSAand its partners developed this program tohelp educate young drivers about safe drivingpractices around commercial vehicles that hasbeen shown to hundreds of thousands of teensacross the continent and continues to grow.

This year, the same partnership isreleasing Defeating Distracted Driving, a

new educational program for motor carri-ers about the dangers of distracted drivingfor use by fleets, driving schools and otheroutlets. The program is directed at com-mercial vehicle drivers and its goal is toraise awareness of the risks associated withtexting, emailing, using portable electronicdevices, and other distractions while driv-ing and to reduce crashes attributable todistracted driving.

“The Operation Safe Driver campaignsends a strong message to all drivers to

think safety. In particular, it demon-strates just how serious we are aboutcatching bus or truck drivers who aredoing anything less and will make ourroads safer and save lives by removingthousands of unsafe truck, bus and cardrivers from the road,” said FMCSAAdministrator Anne S. Ferro. “We willnot rest until all drivers are thinking safe-ty first, every trip, every time. TheOperation Safe Driver Campaign movesus closer to achieving our safety goals.”


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Since its inceptionin 1982, CVSA hasbeen a safety advo-cate of commercialvehicles and repre-sents the individu-als who dedicatetheir work to pro-moting an environment free of commercialvehicle crashes and incidents. As NorthAmerica’s leading commercial vehicle safe-ty organization, the CVSA AcademicScholarship is a key piece of the Alliance’seducation and outreach initiatives.

CVSA’s Academic Scholarship is dedi-cated to Gary E. Curtis, a Virginia StateTrooper who had a passion for commer-cial vehicle safety. The Scholarship pro-vides two $1,000 grants to graduatinghigh school seniors whose parent or legalguardian is a CVSA Member in goodstanding. This year, CVSA is pleased toannounce two awards: Ashley Christleand Blake Ashton Lamb as this year’sScholarship recipients.

As you may know, Ashley is the daugh-ter of our former president Darren Christle.Many of us have watched Ashley grow up

as she attendedCVSA events overthe years. We arevery proud toaward this scholar-ship to Ashley whoin addition to beingvery active in

extracurricular activities including gettingher black belt in Tae Kwon Do, serving herchurch and youth groups, and concert andjazz bands, maintained being an honor rollstudent with distinction during her highschool years. She will be pursuing a degreein architecture from the University ofManitoba.

Our second recipient is Blake AshtonLamb, a student from Edgehill, GA,whose mother works for the GeorgiaDepartment of Public Safety. Blake hasbeen an honor roll student, and receivedthe President’s Education Award forOutstanding Academic Excellence in2008 and 2009. His numerous extracur-ricular activities include National HonorSociety, and 4-H. Blake is pursuing adegree in Biological Science from theUniversity of Georgia.

CVSA Recognizes Students for AcademicAchievement with Scholarships

Teens and Trucks Program

The Tennessee Trucking Association isproud to partner with the TennesseeHighway Patrol, FMCSA, CVSA, FedEx andSouthwind High School Chapter of S.A.D.D.to support efforts to reduce distracted driv-ing. The dangers of distracted driving arecertainly evident and all efforts to reducethe epidemic are very important.”

—Dave Huneryager, President & CEO,Tennessee Trucking Association

Prince Edward Island, Department ofTransportation and Infrastructure Renewalhas disseminated the program to all DriverEducation Schools in the province withpositive feedback. As well it has beenincluded in the Novice Driver Program,delivered by the Department throughoutour jurisdiction. This is a great initiativeand kudos to CVSA for developing andsharing this worthy program.”

—Doug MacEwen, Safety Coordinator,Highway Safety Division, Department of

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

“

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Fifty-four roadside inspectors representingjurisdictions across North America con-vened this year in Orlando, FL – August 8-13, 2011 to compete in CVSA’s NorthAmerican Inspectors Championship(NAIC). This year, John Sova, a CVSA-certified North American Standard inspec-tor from North Dakota, was awarded theJimmy K. Ammons Grand ChampionAward for his combined performances insix competition elements including theNorth American Standard Level IInspection, North American StandardHazMat/Transportation of DangerousGoods Inspection, and North AmericanStandard Level I Motorcoach Inspection.

“We are proud to recognize andreward each of our 54 roadside inspec-tors from across North America who notonly demonstrate their professionalexcellence and dedication to highwaysafety but inspire others to do the same,”said Stephen A. Keppler, CVSA’sExecutive Director. “Their enthusiasmand passion goes a long way in advancingcommercial vehicle safety and savinglives due to the information, techniquesand experiences they will share with oth-ers in furtherance of improving unifor-mity in the enforcement of highway safe-ty standards across the continent.”

“I applaud all the competitors whocame from far and wide to be a part of

this extraordinary contest. Their dedica-tion to doing the best job possible helpsus set the safety bar high for all inspectorsand keeps trucks and buses operatingsafely on our highways,” said FMCSAAdministrator Anne S. Ferro. “Their tire-less commitment to safety is not onlyinspiring to us all, it saves lives every day.”

NAIC is managed by CVSA; fundedin part by FMCSA and is successful dueto strong industry participation andsponsorship. NAIC has been recognizedby the American Society of AssociationExecutives (ASAE) as an event that“Advances America.”

In addition to the Grand Championaward, the following additional awardswere presented:• High Points United States: John

Sova, North Dakota• High Points Canada: Erik Eustace,

Ontario• High Points Mexico: Armando

Garcia, Mexico• North American Standard Level I

Inspection: 1. John Sova, NorthDakota; 2. Robert Iman, Maryland;3.Derek Canard, Arkansas.

• North American Standard Level VPassenger Vehicle (Motorcoach)Inspection: 1. John Sova, NorthDakota; 2. Erik Eustace, Ontario; 3.Robert Iman, Maryland.

• North American StandardHazardous Materials/Transportation of DangerousGoods and Cargo Tank/BulkPackagings Inspection: 1. BenjaminSchropfer, Nebraska; 2. John Sova,North Dakota; 3. Derek Canard,Arkansas.

• John Youngblood Award ofExcellence is a special award NAICcontestants bestow on a fellowNAIC inspector who exemplifies thehigh standards and unwavering dedi-cation to the profession. This yearone contestant overcame great per-sonal loss when a tornado, thatripped through Kansas in May 2011,destroyed his family’s home andeverything they owned and yet stillmanaged to represent his jurisdictionat this year’s NAIC. The award thisyear goes to Trp. Jeffrey Norling ofthe Kansas Highway Patrol.

• Team Award: Blue Team: TeamLeader - Diana Morales; MichaelRogers, Alaska; Chad Bernbeck,Colorado; Joseph Colman, Iowa;Robert Iman, Maryland; BenjaminSchropfer, Nebraska; John Sova,North Dakota; Ned Norita,Northern Mariana Islands; ErikEustace, Ontario; GarlandSponburgh, Jr., Washington.

NAIC Recognizes Inspectors’ Dedication toCommercial Vehicle SafetyCommercial Vehicle Inspectors Inspire Others to Achieve Professional Excellence to Save Lives


19

During the past four years, CVSA has part-

nered with the Intermodal Association of

North America (IANA) during their Annual

Conference in December and their

Operations and Maintenance Conference in

May to educate their members in the regula-

tions applicable for the safe operations of

container chassis. These on-site education

seminars have included roadside officers per-

forming Level I inspections on power units

and chassis located on the IANA Exposition

floor as well as presentations on the FMCSR’s

and the North American Standard OOSC

focused on intermodal operations.

With recent successes for both CVSA

and IANA in conducting educational webi-

nar’s for their members, the two organiza-

tions have expanded the already existing

partnership to include developing a series

of Webinars focused on assisting the

Intermodal Equipment Providers (IEP’s),

shippers, maintenance departments and

intermodal trucking companies to obtain

compliance with the new Roadability

requirements.

A tribute to the outreach for both organi-

zations and the level of interest with this sub-

ject matter led to over 600 organizations

signed up for the first joint webinar which

took place on October 11th. To download

the webinar go to http://www.cvsa.org/webi-

nars/index.php.

The second Webinar in this series,

focused on the new FMCSA Roadability

Reviews (CR’s) for the IEP’s, is scheduled

for December 13th.

If you have additional suggestions for

Webinar topics, please don’t hesitate to

contact Laura Zabriskie at [email protected].

CVSA, IANA Present Multi-Part Series on the New RoadabilityRegulations Focusing onContainer Chassis

Photos (from top to bottom): NAIC Grand Champion Trp. John Sova with FMCSA Administratror Anne S. Ferro(left) and and CVSA President Capt. Steve Dowling. High Points Award Recipients. Team Award Recipients.

20


Improving truck and bus safety and effi-ciency through intelligent transportationsystems technology, increasing produc-tivity for state enforcement personnel,and sharing data to enable state enforce-ment personnel to target unsafe carrierswere the focus of a recent IntelligentTransportation Systems TechnologyForum during CVSA’s AnnualConference & Exhibition in September.The forum provided for presentationsand an informational exchange of bestpractices by CVSA member jurisdictionson technology projects and related issues.It also provided informational sessionson cutting edge technology develop-ments in industry, by CVSA Associate

Members and as well as internationalperspectives. FMCSA and NHTSAprovided updates on key ITS related ini-tiatives and offer their insights into whatis being planned for the future.

Presentations on State, Provincial andInternational Best Practices were con-ducted by Capt. Jack Clark, AlabamaDepartment of Public Safety and AllanParrish, CAPS: Advances in CommercialVehicle Enforcement Technology inAlabama; Doug Shackleford and MyraBeckers, North Carolina Highway Patrol:Using GIS Crash Data to Drive CMVCrash Reduction; Nan Tarlton, MississippiDOT: Smart Roadside in Mississippi; TimAdams, International Registration Plan:

CMV Credentials Data - Assessing the Need- Providing on Demand; and, RandyHanson, International Road Dynamics:Innovative Enforcement Strategies.

Industry initiatives included pre-sentations by Jennifer Walton,Kentucky Transportation Center:Overview of an Innovative CollisionAvoidance Technology for CommercialVehicles; Brian Taylor, IntelligentImaging Systems: Smart RoadsideInspection Systems - New Sensor Devel-opments; Lauri Brady, PrePass: BestPractices in Electronic Screening; BradWright, Cambridge Systematics:Integrating Roadside EnforcementTechnologies With Traffic Operations.

CVSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

CVSA’S Intelligent Transportation SystemsForum Highlights Cutting Edge Technology,Industry Best Practices


21

Finally, providing updates on U.S.Federal Initiatives were Alrik Svensen,National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration: Commercial VehicleDriver Acceptance Clinics: Methods forMeasuring Driver Performance of V2VSafety Applications; Ron Schaefer, SAIC:Smart Roadside Initiative Project Update;Capt. Bill Reese, Idaho State Police:Safety and Security Technologies forRadioactive Material Shipments; JeffLoftus, FMCSA: FMCSA ITS/CVOProgram Update gave an overview ofgoals, objectives, technology transfer andtechnology deployment targets; Roadsideinitiatives and applications (WRI, SmartRoadside, International E-screening at

Borders, CMV driver texting detection,wireless trailer VIN detection & commu-nications); Onboard initiatives and appli-cations (Onboard safety systems effec-tiveness study results, USDOT V2V/V2ISafety Pilot overview, Retrofit SafetyDevices); Green initiatives (Alternativefuel safety awareness training for inspec-tors including CNG & H2,); and, JoseRodriguez, FMCSA: CVISN ProgramUpdate that provided 2011 grant results,2012 grant opportunity and priorities,performance monitoring and measure-ment, and deployment targets.

Many of the presentations can beviewed at http://www.cvsa.org/annu-al/2011_annual_conf.php.

CVSA Leadership Changes

CVSA President Maj. David Palmerannounced several changes in leadership atCVSA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition inAustin in September. Membership electedMaj. Mark Savage, Colorado State Patrol,as Secretary-Treasurer. Maj. Savage hasbeen with the Colorado State Patrol for 17years and is committed to working collabo-ratively with all stakeholders in an effort toreduce the number of commercial vehiclerelated crashes on our highways.

In addition, CVSA wishes to extend ahuge thank you to all members and associ-ate members who dedicated their time andleadership over the past year and welcomethose who have stepped forward to serve in2012. • Region II President, Capt. Doug

Shackelford, North Carolina StateHighway Patrol

• Region II President, Alan Martin, PublicUtilities Commission of Ohio; Vice-President, Maj. Lance Evans, IowaDept. of Transportation

• Region V President, Reg Wightman,Manitoba Infrastructure andTransportation; Vice President, PierrePratt, Controle Routier Quebec

• Local Enforcement President, RobertMills, Fort Worth Police Dept.; VicePresident, Sgt. James Slykhuis, YorkRegional Police Service

• Associate Advisory Committee Chair,Gerald Krisa, R+L Carriers, Inc.; ViceChair, Marsha Vande Hei, SchneiderNational, Inc.; Secretary, Rob Abbott,American Trucking Associations

• Training Committee Chair, Sgt. RoccoDomenico; and Vice-Chair Milan“Butch” Orbovich, Public UtilitiesCommission of Ohio

Maj. Mark Savage

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The Saved by the Belt program was creat-ed to recognize commercial motor vehicledrivers whose lives are saved or injuries sig-nificantly reduced because they were wear-ing a safety belt at the time of a crash; Toemphasize safety belt use by commercialdrivers; To use the CMVD as a role modelfor safety belt use; and to increase publicawareness on the benefits of safety belt use.

To be eligible for receiving the award,nominees must meet the following crite-ria: Any commercial vehicle driverinvolved in a motor vehicle crash whoselives were saved or injuries significantlyreduced because of the use of a safety belt;The crash occurred within twelve monthsof nomination; The nominee must beusing a safety belt in the proper manner,and was not the “at-fault” vehicle.

This year, the Saved by the BeltAward was presented to four drivers:

Juan Rivera, nominated by hisemployer FedEx ExpressOctober 4, 2010 Mr. Rivera was travel-ing Southbound around 8:56 pm in thefar right lane in Tampa, FL when an

oncoming vehicle crossed completelyover a double solid yellow line causingimpact, almost head-on to the driverside of the FedEx vehicle. Juan neededto be cut out from the wreckage andsustained serious injury to his legs. Bywearing his seatbelt, this kept him aliveas this accident was gruesome andtragic. To this day he has had severalsurgical procedures to both his legs andfeet, and is optimistic he will walkagain one day.

Leroy Ika, nominated by his employ-er FedEx ExpressDecember 29, 2010 a vehicle lost con-trol (hydroplaned) and crossed threelanes. Hitting a tractor trailer whichspun completely out of control. Thedriver of the Fedex Express tractorbroke hard and tried to steer around thesituation going from lane two over tolane four then onto the small emergencylane just prior to the cement barricade.The tractor trailer was unable to regainsteering after hitting the first vehiclepushing it into and hitting the cementbarricade. The vehicle finally came to astop approx 100 ft. after impact. TheFedEx Express driver survived the acci-dent and impact due to proper use of hissafety belt! There were no fatalities.

Jeffrey Rice, employed by MacsteelService Centers USA, nominated byWayne Santmeier from the MarylandState PoliceOn July 6, 2011 Mr. Rice was drivingeast on MD 291 when a passenger carattempted to pass Mr. Rice’s vehicle in aclearly marked no passing zone. Duringthe illegal passing attempt, that vehiclemet another passenger car headed west-bound. In an attempt to avoid a head-on

collision the westbound passenger carswerved directly into the path of Mr.Rice’s Freightliner. Mr. Rice immediate-ly took evasive action by swerving hiscommercial combination to the right. Inthe effort to avoid the collision Mr. Ricedrove off the right roadside into a ditch.As the Freightliner entered the ditch, thevehicle tipped to the right and subse-quently overturned causing extensivecrush to the driver’s compartment of thetruck-tractor.

Fortunately, Mr. Rice was restrainedby his seatbelt and as a result of properlywearing that restraining device, Mr. Riceremained in the driver’s seat of theFreightliner. The left side of the passen-ger compartment of the Freightliner waspractically the only place on the truck-tractor that did not suffer extensive crushdamage as a result of the overturning.Had Mr. Rice not been restrained andbeen thrown about the cab he wouldhave almost certainly suffered fatalinjuries in the crash. Instead, Mr. Ricesuffered non-life threatening injuries andwas conscious and coherent when he wastransported from the scene by emergencymedical personnel.

Billy Oliver, nominated by hisemployer, Fleetmaster ExpressDecember 8, 2010 around 7:48 am, atractor trailer had pulled over on theright shoulder for a non-mechanicalproblem, but its trailer was partially inthe road. A second rig (Oliver’s) struckthe stopped trailer’s left rear corner, side-swiped its cab, burst through the rideguard rail and tumbled 20 feet down anembankment. The Virginia State Policesaid Oliver could not have avoided thetrailer because of traffic in the left lane.No one was injured.

Four Drivers Recognizedfor Buckling Up, Being Saved by the Belt

CVSA President Maj. David Palmer presents the Savedby the Belt award to Juan Rivera.

Richard Dean “Dick” Henderson has beenworking on transportation policy inWashington, DC, for 48 years. Currently,Dick serves as the Director ofGovernment Affairs for the CVSA, aposition he’s held since 1995. He will beretiring effective December 31, 2011.Dick carries CVSA’s message to Congressand the Administration, helping to pro-duce effective, efficient motor carrier safe-ty policies. Before that,Dick acted as the IntelligentTransportations SystemsCoordinator for CVSA,serving as the liaisonbetween the Alliance andthe Office of Motor Carriersin the Federal HighwayAdministration.

Prior to joining CVSA,Dick worked in the office offormer Congressman Ron deLugo, of the U.S. VirginIslands, serving as theCongressman’s Senior Legisla-tive Assistant for four and halfyears. He coordinated withCongressional Committees andFederal Agencies to promote theinterest of the U.S. Virginislands, focusing primarily on theareas of transportation, infra-structure, and housing.

Dick also served as theExecutive Vice President forthe Private Truck Council ofAmerica. He was responsiblefor monitoring safety and eco-nomic regulatory and tax issuefor the Council and communi-cating the Association’s policypositions on these issues to offi-cials on Capitol Hill and in theAdministration.

Dick also worked for the FederalCity Council, as the organization’sAssistant Deputy Director. He alsoserved as a legislative assistant to for-mer Congressman Fred Rooney ofPennsylvania and as a regional represen-tative for the Highway Users Federationfor Safety and Mobility. He graduatedCum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts

degree from John Carroll University inCleveland, OH.

CVSA will also greatly miss Dick’ssense of humor, knowledge and every-thing he has brought to the Alliance.Please join us in wishing him manyhappy years in retirement.


23

Richard Henderson Honored forDecades of Dedication to CVSA,Commercial Vehicle Safety

Richard Henderson

The CVSA International Safety Teamaward was created to recognize the effortsof these dedicated government and lawenforcement personnel from acrossNorth America, who go above andbeyond the call of duty of their normalresponsibilities and who are having a sig-nificant impact on CMV safety, highwaysafety, and an overall reduction in crashesand deaths.

The primary goals of the InternationalSafety Team are to honor CVSA membermotor carrier safety professionals in gov-ernment/law enforcement for their workin the furtherance of motor carrier safety;and, use these individuals to help furtherthe message of commercial vehicle safetyand public awareness.

CVSA is pleased to appoint the fol-lowing six individuals to the 2012International Safety Team • Lawrence Higgins, New Jersey State

Police• Matthew Epling, Public Service

Commission of West Virginia • Keith Kerns, Public Utilities

Commission of Ohio• Andrew Stoeckle, Washington State

Patrol

• Lindsay Campbell, ManitobaInfrastructure & Transportation

• James Trombley, AlbertaTransportation

Each year one member of theInternational Safety Team is selectedfrom the group to serve as the “TeamLeader.” This person helps coordinatefunctions to attend, works with staffand membership proper messages aredelivered and be the primary pointperson for leading the team. TheTeam Leader is the one member whostands above and has proven himselfor herself worthy of this recognitionby their unsurpassed performance insupport of their jurisdiction’s com-mercial vehicle safety efforts as well asCVSA’s mission. The Team Leader’sprofessional conduct, performanceand accomplishments demonstratetheir true passion and dedication tocommercial motor carrier safetyenforcement and education.

CVSA this year established that theInternational Safety Team LeaderAward will be named in honor of GerryClark from the Pennsylvania Public

24

COVER STORY

International Safety Team Inducts Six New Members, Brings Drive and Passion to Commercial Vehicle Safety Message

“As a member of the Commercial Vehicle Division, I am dedicated to commercial vehicle safety andit is this passion that gives me the great honor of receiving this award. During the CVSA award cere-mony in Austin I was able to meet the wife and children of Gerard L. Clark, the person whom the awardI received was named. While talking with his family I learned of his significant involvement in promot-ing commercial vehicle safety, and was surprised to learn that I grew up very close to where they live.I am honored to receive the award named for such a great person and am grateful for having theopportunity to meet his family. I would like to thank CVSA for recognizing government and lawenforcement personnel for their hard work in furthering commercial vehicle safety. I would also like tothank Con-way Inc. and PrePass for sponsoring the IST. As a member of the IST I hope to bring mydrive and passion to every event we attend. I also look forward to meeting and working with peoplewho share the same enthusiasm in public safety. “

—Trp. Andy Stoeckle


GuardianC O V E R S T O R Y

25

Utilities Commission who unfortunate-ly passed away recently. Gerry was a dearcolleague and friend who had an unwa-vering commitment and profoundimpact on commercial vehicle safety andwas dedicated to the CVSA Mission.Gerry’s wife and sons Carolyn,Matthew, and Michael Clark helped inpresenting this award. Don Wilson alsopledged support for the Program.

This year the Gerard L. Clark TeamLeader Award goes to Andrew Stoeckle,an inspector with the Washington StatePatrol. Trooper Stoeckle began hiscareer with the Washington StatePatrol on July 3, 1997. He graduatedwith the 83rd Trooper Basic TrainingClass on July 1, 1999, Trooper Stoeckletransferred to the Commercial VehicleDivision, assigned to Tacoma on April 16, 2008.

Trooper Stoeckle is responsible forpatrolling and conducting roadsideinspections throughout a densely popu-

lated portion of Washington State.Trooper Stoeckle has proven himself byhis unsurpassed performance in sup-port of the WSP Commercial VehicleDivision’s and the Federal MotorCarrier Safety Administration’s goals,objectives, and missions and has con-ducted 262 Level I inspections in 2010,which is the most of any CVD trooperin the state. He led his detachmentwith 52% of the detachment’s portableweighing hours last year. This profes-sional conduct, performance, andaccomplishments demonstrate his true passion and dedication to com-mercial motor carrier safety enforce-ment and education.

Throughout the year our IST mem-bers will attend safety events, speakingabout CVSA, our programs and com-mercial vehicle safety. They are ourambassadors. So join me in congratulat-ing them, and thanking them in advancefor their efforts.

We would like to thank

our sponsors for the 2012 Team:

PrePass and Con-way Freight

for their support of this program.

“I would like to thank Steve Keppler and all the members of CVSA for allowing my sons Michael and Matthew to be here to witnessthe first presentation of the award in my husband Gerry’s honor. I know Gerry would be proud to know the honor and respect that you haveshown him with this award. My hope is that the recipient of this award today and forever will show the same hard work and dedication thatGerry did to this organization all those years. On behalf of my entire family, thank you.”

—Lyn Clark

Pictured left to right: James Trombley, Lindsay Campbell, Lawrence Higgins, Matthew Epling, KeithKerns, Andy Stoeckle, Capt. Norman Dofflemyer, IST corporate sponsors Dick Landis (PrePass) andSteve Maupin (Con-way Freight).

As I sit down to write this article, NAICis still fresh in my mind. The experienceof being named Grand Champion is onethat I will never forget. Although, theafternoon and evening of the awardsbanquet is a blur, I have fond memoriesof the training, competition, and cama-raderie. Of course, one cannot forget thebonds of friendship established through-out the week.

As I spoke in a press conference uponmy return to North Dakota, where wehad the pleasure of FMCSA’sAdministrator Anne Ferro’s company, Idiscussed why NAIC is such an impor-tant event. To be quite honest, I wasintimidated and was not overly excited toattend the first time I had the opportuni-ty. After attending, it left me with anodd feeling. By the end of the week, Iwas happy it was over and never wantedto go back again. By the time my planelanded in North Dakota, I couldn’t waitto get back to NAIC. NAIC is so muchmore than just a competition. It is reallysomething special to sit in a room full offellow competitors and know that theseindividuals are the best fromtheir respective jurisdictions.Where else can you go andbe surrounded by this muchknowledge, experience, andexpertise on inspecting com-mercial vehicles and have itall in one room. The com-petitors then get to spendthe entire week exchangingideas and building profes-sional relationships, all whileattending the most currenttraining being presented bytop notch NTC instructors.The competition is startedon Thursday which is simply

hands on training in defect detection andthe proper documentation. The compe-tition is a tremendous training opportu-nity. Every year a person attends NAIC,you become a better inspector.

NAIC offers the inspector training onproper documentation of the violations.As we all know, with CSA, the properdocumentation of violations is extremelyimportant. A large part of the competi-tion is making sure the inspector knowswhat to do with the violation once it isfound. Is it truly a violation? Is the vio-lation out of service? Is it part of the 20%criteria for brakes? Is it a part of the 20%and out of service on its own? What unitdoes the violation go on or is it only incombination? Is it out of service in a bulkpackage but not in a non-bulk package?How does the violation differ on a prop-erty carrying vehicle vs. a passenger car-rying vehicle? These are all very impor-tant questions for both the inspector andthe carrier. The inspector must take theproper enforcement action, where thecarrier is concerned with how the inspec-tion is going to affect its safety rating.

Along with the questions comes theproper explanation of the violation. Thecarrier must be able to look at the inspec-tion report and know exactly what theviolation is and where it is located. Thescoring of NAIC takes this all into con-sideration. Finding the violation is onlypart of the inspector’s responsibility. Theinspector must document the violationand take the appropriate action based onwhat you find. This knowledge is soimportant to what we do every day atroadside and learning how to properly doit according to CVSA standards isinvaluable.

NAIC also offers personal growth.Accepting the challenge of facing the bestin a competition setting requires an indi-vidual to step out of their comfort zone andput themselves on the line. As an inspec-tor at NAIC, you are taking risk becauseyou may realize you are not as good as aninspector as you thought you were. I knowthis was true with me the first time Iattended. This only drove me to be a bet-ter inspector. I knew I had areas I neededto work on and as a result of NAIC, these

areas became perfectly clear.Success can only come fromrealizing ones weaknesses andaccepting the challenges andopportunities they provide.

I challenge every inspectorto strive for the opportunity toattend and if you get thatopportunity, don’t be intimi-dated by the competition.When you get to NAIC, makenew friends, learn from thetraining, take in the incredibleatmosphere, and most of all,enjoy yourself. Take pride inknowing that you are one ofNorth America’s best.

Trp. John Sova


26

INSPECTOR’S CORNER

NAIC Strenthens Knowledge of What Inspectors Do Every Day Roadside, Offers Personal Growth OpportunitiesBy Trp. John Sova, South Dakota Highway Patrol, NAIC 2011 Grand Champion

I am delighted and exceptionally proud tohave the honor of chairing the CVSAAssociate Advisory Committee (AAC)for fiscal 2011-2012. Along with thisduty is a responsibility to provide theleadership to bring the committee toenhanced levels of contribution to theAlliance and its membership. The annu-al conference held in Austin, TX, stimu-lated ideas and opportunities for addedvalue that the AAC can foster through itsdiverse array of member organizations. Iwould like to take this opportunity toshare my perspectives and invite a greatersector of industry to join us for an excit-ing future as we contribute to the strate-gic plan and objectives of the CVSA.

Magnifying the momentum initiatedat the annual conference can only be sus-tained with an increased frequency incommunication with the members of theAAC. Our ideas, concerns, and moreimportantly, our recommended solutionscan only be articulated with solicitationfrom our industry members throughconsolidated effective communication ofinternal surveys, research, presentation ofempirical data, and dialogue.

Meeting biannually at the conferenceand workshop may not be the mosteffective means of providing informa-tion and feedback to the CVSAExecutive Committee and membership.Establishing a communication conduitfor AAC members is an initiative under-way with guidance from Laura Zabriskie,CVSA’s Director of Communication.The application of Survey Monkey andsimilar platforms will enable industryto voice their concerns and recommen-dations for critical infrastructure issuessuch as increased weight limitations onthe nation’s roadways, CSA progres-sion to the latter stages of implementa-

tion including the successful initiationof Safety Fitness Determination, andthe like.

Preparing ahead of our meetings is acritical element in our effectiveness andvalue. A repository of issues and theopportunity to comment on them,including the sharing of best practices isa related objective for the AAC I havecontemplated. Sharing success and chal-lenges without compromising industry’sneed to preserve confidentiality andtrade secrets, is an avenue I would like topave, to give everyone involved, anopportunity to express.

An organization, including our com-mittee within the Alliance, must createand align its strategic plan, objectives,and goals with those of the Alliance.

Comme Président du Comité Consultatifd’Associé du CVSA pour l’année fiscal 2011-2012, je vous invite à nous joindre dansnotre but pour avancer plus loin lesobjecitves du comité. Je ne peux pas impres-

sionner assez, l’importance de l’industrie àcontribuer à ce rôle essentiel. J’assure tous lesmembres d’industrie que leurs soucis, idées, etrecommandations seront entendus et com-muniqués aux assistances appropriées.

Como presidente del comité consultivodel asociado del CVSA por el año fiscal2011-2012, le invito a que nos ensamble ennuestra meta para avanzar más lejos losobjetivos del comité. No puedo impresionarsobre cada uno la importancia de la con-tribución de la industria a este papel esen-cial. Aseguro a todos los miembros de laindustria que sus preocupaciones, ideas, yrecomendaciones serán oídas y comunicadasa la audiencia apropiada.

Along with our Vice-Chair, MarshaVande Hei from Schneider National andSecretary, Rob Abbott from ATA, Iinvite all AAC members to promote ourrole in the Alliance and encourage ourcommittee’s growth in membership andcontribution in the wide variety offorums available to us.

27

GuardianC O M M I T T E E N E W S

CVSA Associate Advisory Committee Outlines 2012 ObjectivesBy Gerald A. Krisa, CVSA Associate Advisory Committee, Chair, R+L Carriers Inc., Vice-President of Safety

28

After spending 12 years in school, myhigh school graduation day was a day tocelebrate and a time to get away from theclassroom. In my mind, I had enougheducation to last a lifetime. The day aftergraduation, I drove 800 miles to a cattleranch in the Northern Rocky Mountainsfor a summer job, where I could be as faraway from a classroom as possible. I hadbeen around agriculture most of my lifeand felt I knew a fair share of the busi-ness. What I found was that I had trad-ed the classrooms of high school for anopen air classroom I called “RockyMountain U”. The entire summer wasfull of lessons from experienced hands onthe ranch. I was schooled in everythingfrom field veterinary services to outdoorsurvival. Along the way someone toldme I should attend college.

Returning home in the fall I enrolled inthe fall semester at the University of Utah.My mind was still not ready for sitting ina classroom again. That was reflected bythe fact that my best grade came from an“Intermediate Weight Lifting” class. Infact the entire semester was a disaster. Ittook little encouragement for me to take abreak from school and again leave homefor two years. This was another grandadventure that proved to be filled witheducation and life changing experiences.Returning home at the age of 21, I realizedI had changed and matured. I enrolled inschool and found an appreciation forlearning I had never before experienced. Itwas during this time that I made the deci-sion to begin a career in law enforcement.I was 22 years old and full of excitementfor my new profession. That was 30 yearsago. The police academy fascinated meand I had a thirst to learn everything aboutmy new job. The Utah Highway Patrolwas my new home and family.

I was assigned to work I-80 from SaltLake City to the Nevada State line, 120miles of desert across the Bonneville SaltFlats. Most days I was the only Trooperon duty for much of this area, during myshift. The education continued every dayafter the academy. Working a night shiftby myself, with my closest backup 60miles away and home in bed, I had todevelop skills and talents that I was nottaught in the academy. These wereessential to survival.

I figured 14 years of high speedrollovers, DUI’s at 2 am, and speederswas long enough. It was then that Itransferred to the commercial vehiclesection of the highway patrol. What Ithought had been a career full of learningnow seems like kindergarten comparedto the knowledge I have gained, and con-tinue to gain daily, in the CVSA andHazMat arena. I get daily calls fromTroopers, office staff, and the truckingindustry with questions about everyaspect of commercial vehicle enforce-ment and hazardous materials regula-tions. My days are filled with learning.As I answer these questions I also learn.

COHMED (Cooperative HazardousMaterials Enforcement Development) isan excellent way to maintain knowledgeand proficiency in the HazMat arena. Itseems there are monthly, weekly, andeven daily changes to the HazMat regu-lations. If we fail to keep up with thechanges we will be left behind and lackknowledge.

COHMED is now more importantthan ever before. Listing a wrong vio-lation or completing a low qualityCVSA inspection has never been, norever will be, acceptable. With theimplementation of CSA, it is now morecrucial than ever before that the inspec-

tion is completed correctly. A wrongviolation can affect a trucking compa-ny’s safety rating in a negative mannerand result in needless lost freight con-tracts. Wrong HazMat violations onlycompound this problem.

International harmonization withU.S. and International HazMat regu-lation requires constant learning andeducation. Something as simple asplacard size could be listed wronglyon an inspection and result in a lowerthan deserved safety rating for atrucking company.

The annual COHMED conference isfilled with training events in the class-room as well as hands on training. Thesubjects are chosen with careful thoughtand relate to critical issues. Just as valu-able as the classroom training atCOHMED, is the association with otherHazMat inspectors and industry repre-sentatives. Contacts are made that last alife time. This networking carries onlong after the COHMED conferenceends. A good example of this would bethat I seldom see nurse tanks in Utahwith Anhydrous Ammonia and I am notvery proficient at inspecting them. If Ihad an issue with one that I could notfigure out I would make a call to one ofmy COHMED contacts who works inan area where they look at nurse tanksdaily. He would talk me through theproblem and help me learn. I in turncould be called about low level nuclearwaste being shipped to the EnergySolutions landfill in Utah’s west desert.We live and work in a very dynamicenvironment, that of hazardous materi-als transportation safety. We need tohave our regulation books open daily, tostudy and keep the highest level ofknowledge we can.

COHMED: Now More Important Than Ever, An Excellent Way to Maintain Knowledge, Proficiency in HazMat ArenaSgt. Brad Clayton, Utah Highway Patrol


Along with the knowledge we gain,we need to put it to use. If we learn butfail to use the knowledge, what realvalue is it? Sometimes in our professionwe see someone who has gained greatknowledge in a specific area or has askill few others possess. This persondoes not share, but locks away thisknowledge or skill with the thoughtthat it is job security and they thinkthey become untouchable. This is oneof the worst attitudes and actions (orlack of action) there could be. We eachtook an oath to protect public safety. Iskeeping others from learning and beingmore proficient at their jobs protectingpublic safety? No it is not. This is notthe forum of COHMED. COHMEDis about sharing. Helping those around

us be the best that they can be. Afterattending COHMED it should be yourdesire to share the training with eachmember of your department that couldbenefit from the training. Don’t lock itaway. Share and train.

When I get asked a question I don’tjust give the answer. Together we gothrough the regulations and search outthe answer. This schools the one with thequestion on using the regulation, andhelps me become more proficient with theregulations. I don’t try to share or teachall of the regulations at once. No one canunderstand them all in one day. It’s likeeating an elephant, one bite at a time.

Our lives as CVSA/HazMat inspec-tors are ever changing. We need to keepcurrent and be the best we can be. We

need to have a life time of learning andsharing. COHMED helps with thisdesire to learn and share in our jobs. Takethe opportunity to attend COHMED.The experiences and the people you meetwill be worth it.

Sgt. Brad Clayton of the Utah HighwayPatrol began his law enforcement career in1982. After working 14 years on patrol acrossthe Bonneville Salt Flats he transferred to the commercial vehicle bureau in 1996.Currently he supervises a crew of CVSAinspectors/troopers covering an area of Utahapproximately 80 miles wide and 200 mileslong including the Salt Lake City area. He isalso the State of Utah hazardous materialstransportation coordinator and representsRegion IV in the COHMED leadership.

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You ask who is “everyone”? “Everyone”in a carrier organization includes officemanagement, providing up to date train-ing to their employees, maintenance per-sonnel, enforcement, brake manufacturesand shops performing inspections,repairs, and preventive maintenance. Butthe most crucial “everyone” is the driver!

How do you get “everyone” involved &participating? Carriers can get theiremployees out of the office periodically andinto the shop with a technician to learnhow the foundation brake system works.Conduct safety meetings with educationalmaterials including “hands on” demonstra-tion on the workings of the brakes.Incorporate proper pre/post/en route tripinspection procedures. Enforcement caninvite carriers to participate at scale housesand truck-stops to review brake inspectionsand Level I inspection procedures. Shops

can hold meetings with open Q&A dialogon FMCSA brake regulations, reviewingupdated training materials, roadside brakeviolations, causes, repair techniques, andpreventive maintenance. Brake manufac-tures can hold training seminars involving“everyone” including carriers, technicians,enforcement and drivers.

What is the “message”? The message is,“Have you checked your brakes today?”The message is reduce accidents and viola-tions by enforcing proper brake education.

At Landstar we held hands-ondemonstrations, drivers tested theirbraking skills on our simulators, inspec-tion shops involved drivers as theychecked their brake components includ-ing measurements. Roadside classes wereheld with DOT officers, and education-al materials were distributed to drivers.Safety meetings include a drawing for a

set of steer tires. Drivers that attend anysafety meeting are also including in theannual truck giveaway drawing-so themore safety meetings attended, the morechances of winning a brand new truck.

We encourage “everyone” to partici-pate in brake awareness by checking outthe Operation Air Brake Web Site(www.cvsa.org/programs/op_airbrake.php),contact local enforcement, brake manu-factures, other carriers, and engage thedriver. Get “everyone” involved, andcreate your own “message”.

Getting Everyone Involved and Participating is Key to Delivering theMessage During CVSA Brake Safety WeekBy Shelley Conklin, Inspection Services Coordinator, Landstar

BRAKES:Be diligentRemember to check your brakesAllow proper time to perform

pre/post/en route inspectionsKeep records of your push-rod travel

measurements to be aware of any issuesEstablish a regular brake maintenance

routineSafety is the first priority

REGION IConnecticut, Delaware, District ofColumbia, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, New Hampshire, NewJersey, New York, Pennsylvania, PuertoRico, Rhode Island, US Virgin Islands,and Vermont.

REGION IIAlabama, American Samoa, Arkansas,Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,Mississippi, North Carolina,Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee,Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

REGION IIIColorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,Missouri, Nebraska,North Dakota, Northern MarianaIslands, Ohio, South Dakota, andWisconsin.

REGION IVAlaska, Arizona, California, Guam,Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, Montana,Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,Washington, and Wyoming.

REGION VAlberta, British Columbia, Manitoba,New Brunswick, Newfoundland andLabrador, Nova Scotia, NorthwestTerritories, Nunavut, Ontario, PrinceEdward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan,and Yukon.

I

V

IVIII

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REGIONAL NEWS

New Mexico Takes Proactive Approach toEnsuring Passenger Carrier Safety By Capt. Chris Mayrant, New Mexico Department of Public Safety

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New Mexico Motor TransportationPolice (NMMTP) conducted motorcoach safety operations during FMCSA’sPassenger Carrier Strike Force whichtook place from September 23 - October7, 2011. During this time, NMMTPofficers conducted passenger vehicleinspections at carrier facilities and at theAlbuquerque International BalloonFiesta as tour buses disembarked passen-gers for the event.

During the operation, 48 passengerbuses were inspected.

Although New Mexico experiences acomparatively low passenger carriercrash rate, NMMTP is keenly aware ofthe importance of passenger carrier safe-ty. In relation to recent high profile pas-senger bus crash events, we realize theimportance of focusing more attentionon passenger carrier safety and havetaken a proactive approach to ensure oursafety mission is carried out. NMMTPhas doubled compliance reviews on pas-

senger carriers to include tour compa-nies, rafting outfitters, and school trans-portation that are not exempt from theFMCSR’s.

MTP Sgt. David Abeita andPatrolman Carlos Perea recently joinedFMCSA, the National Park Service andthe Colorado State Patrol during anoperation at Rocky Mountain NationalPark in Colorado. The operation was asuccess and we have been invited to par-ticipating in future joint operations.

The mission of the NMMTP is “Topromote safety on New Mexico high-ways by providing law enforcement traf-fic services to the motoring public, toensure the safe and legal operation ofcommercial motor vehicles and to pre-vent the introduction of illicit contra-band into New Mexico while facilitatingtrade.”

NMMTP is committed to continuedfulfillment of our mission and to thesafety of all who use our highways.

Maryland State Police Target Commercial Trucks, Buses During “Operation Tailgate”

The Maryland State Police CommercialVehicle Enforcement Division recentlyconducted an intense commercial vehicleenforcement campaign designated as“Operation Tailgate”. The campaign tar-geted commercial trucks and buses travel-ing through Interstate 495 in PrinceGeorge’s County Maryland. Interstate495 is one of the identified commercialvehicle high crash corridors in Maryland.

Throughout the night troopers,inspectors, and K-9 units from the StatePolice, in conjunction with inspectorsfrom the Maryland Department ofEnvironment, Montgomery CountyPolice, and Calvert County Sheriff ’sOffice scrutinized the commercial vehi-

cle traffic. Commercial vehicles weredirected off of the Capital Beltway toArena Drive where they were met at a makeshift inspection and weighingsite at FedEx Field, home of theWashington Redskins. Trucks were thenselected for weighing and inspection.

In addition to the FedEx Fieldinspection area, State Police deployednumerous troopers patrolling the beltwayfor trucks failing to exit on to ArenaDrive as directed by signs. The patrolsalso conducted enforcement activities oncommercial vehicles speeding or otherunsafe behavior.

As a result 351 commercial vehicleswere inspected. Of those, 35 vehicles were

placed out-of-service due to serious equip-ment violations. Another 25 drivers wereplaced out-of-service of which 20 driverswere shut down because either they had afalse logbook or were driving/workingbeyond the hours permitted by federalregulation. The other four drivers did nothave the proper commercial driver’s licenseand one bus driver was placed out-of-serv-ice for being medically unqualified tooperate a commercial vehicle.

Besides the 108 citations and 128warnings that were issued, two driverswere arrested for having outstandingwarrants while the passenger of a com-mercial truck was arrested for possessionof marijuana.

During Brake Safety Week, the FortWorth, Arlington and Mansfield Texaspolice departments teamed up for a weekof inspection details in all three cities.Approximately 15 officers spent one fullday in each city inspecting commercialvehicles and utilizing the time to educateindustry personnel about brake safety. Asusual, the officers’ learn from industrysafety professionals also. During thisweek, safety leaders and mechanics fromdifferent trucking companies were invitedto attend and not only learn but sharetheir experiences and knowledge withenforcement personnel. We understandthat it takes both industry and enforce-ment working together to reach our goalof safer roadways. During this week,officers conducted 108 Level I inspec-tions. 24 of these vehicles were taken outof service for brake violations. We feel

that this ratio is still too high and hopethat through our education efforts, wecan reduce this out of service rate.Officers also handed out hundreds ofbrake and safety belt brochures to indus-try drivers. The City of Arlington alsosent their prosecutors and Judges to oneof the details so they may better under-

stand what exactly the inspectors do on adaily basis. Our cities take pride in work-ing with each other to make our entiremetroplex a safer place to work, visit andlive. All three departments, which areCVSA members, will continue to worktogether on a monthly basis and partici-pate in all CVSA safety campaigns.

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Fort Worth, Texas Dedicates Efforts to Brake Safety Week By Officer Robert Mills, Fort Worth (TX) Police Department, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

REGIONAL RAP

ROBIN ABEL RECOGNIZED FOR WASHINGTON STATE “SECUREYOUR LOAD” ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN

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After being closed for over 12 weeks formaintenance and equipment upgradesthe Washington State Patrol (WSP)reopened their Nisqually scale site onInterstate 5 in Dupont Washington. Inconjunction with the unannouncedopening WSP commercial vehicle offi-cers and troopers conducted a 98-houraround-the-clock commercial motorvehicle safety emphasis focusing atten-tion on driver’s hours of service (HOS)violations. The heavily traveled Interstatecorridor is a vital arterial connectingmany cities and shipping ports up anddown the west coast and Canada.Armed with some of the latest technolo-gy and real time data, from sources suchas Washington State Department ofTransportation (DOT) automatic licenseplate readers and images, weighing infor-mation provided by Oregon DOT, andFMCSA quarry central records, officersand troopers were able to verify HOSlogs kept and presented by drivers duringthe inspection process. The high 70% outof service rate for HOS violations tellsthe story, it was obvious CMV driverswere taken by surprise with the scaleopening. Many of the drivers werecaught pushing and exceeding the limitsof their HOS, in addition to the discov-ery of several falsified log books earningdrivers a serious CSA violation, expen-sive ticket, and 10 hours in their sleeperbirth. In all 290 drivers were inspectedand 139 HOS violations discovered.HOS violations included (62) 11/14hour rule, (30) falsified logs, and (6)no/not current record of duty status.

In support of the FMCSA and CVSAthe Washington State Patrol continuesefforts aggressively enforcing CMV rulesand regulations to make Washingtonroadways the safest in the nation.

Washington StateReopens Scale Site with a 98-hour CommercialVehicle Safety EmphasisBy Sgt. David Bangart, Washington

State Patrol, Commercial Vehicle

Division, Tacoma

The Metropolitan King County Council recently recognized and thanked Renton resi-dent Robin Abel for her years of volunteer work to promote awareness and enforce-ment of “secure your load” regulations on vehicles.

Abel is the mother of Maria Federici, who was severely injured seven years ago whenan unsecured piece of furniture fell off a truck on the freeway and went through herwindshield. Since then, Abel has become a leading advocate for roadway safety andstrengthening traffic laws requiring secured loads.

According to a Seattle Times article about the accident and its aftermath, Federiciwas driving home to Renton from her late night job at a Kirkland bar when parts ofentertainment center came loose from a rental truck and came through her window,striking her in the face.

Federici required months of rehabilitation, facial reconstruction, and lost her eye-sight as a result of the crash, the driver of the truck received a $1,000 citation for litter-ing, failure to secure a load, driving without insurance and driving with a suspendedlicense, according to news reports at the time.

Since then, Abel has become a leading advocate for roadway safety and strength-ening traffic laws requiring secured loads. With her persistence, the state Legislaturepassed “Maria’s Law,” making it a crime to carry an unsecured load.

Recently, Robin worked with the Washington State Patrol on a statewide “SecureYour Load” campaign and patrols in May. In conjunction with the patrol, she alsoworked with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on promot-ing the use of highway reader boards to send out the message.

“I have been inspired by Maria’s courageous recovery, and by Robin’s untiring andpersistent work to strengthen laws and enforcement for securing loads on vehicles,”said Councilmember Lambert. “Thanks to her vigilance, King County’s garbage trans-fer stations now are posted with reminder signs to all drivers to secure their loads. Weall are safer on our roads and freeways because of Robin’s dedication to this cause.”

WSDOT Regional Administrator Lorena Eng also provided details about the state’srecent “secure your load” campaign. “In addition to being a hazard to drivers, unsecuredloads pose a safety problem to maintenance crews and law enforcement, who mustremove the debris while under live traffic,” said Lorena Eng. She also noted the cost ofdebris removal from statehighways, which amountedto $4 million in 2010.

The recognition thanksRobin Abel “for her inspir-ing personal dedication toimproving safety on road-ways in King County andacross the state,” andurges all agencies, busi-nesses, and residents totake extra precautions to“secure your load.”

“Secure your load as ifeveryone you love is drivingin the car behind you,” Abeladvised.

“Robin Abel (holding recognition) with members of the MetropolitanKing County Council, Washington State Troopers Capt. DarrinGrondel (back row center) and Commercial Vehicle EnforcementOfficer Bill Balcom (back row right) and WSDOT RegionalAdministrator Lorena Eng (front row right).

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AAMVA/IRP/FMCSA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDFOR HIGHWAY SAFETY FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) would like toacknowledge its appreciation of Supervisor Joseph Spinelli of the NJMVC Division of Inspection Services - Bus Unit for his recent accept-ance of the AAMVA/IRP/FMCSA Distinguished Service Award forHighway Safety for Commercial Vehicles. Supervisor Spinelli hasbeen with the MVC Commercial Bus Unit since March 1998 and rou-tinely goes beyond his daily job responsibilities in order to ensurethat New Jersey's roadways are safe.

Each year, Supervisor Spinelli performs roughly 600 New Jersey-mandated inspections of commercial buses. He became federally-certified to conduct commercial bus inspections for the USDepartment of Highway Safety Motor Carrier Safety AssistanceProgram (MCSAP) in 1999 and to date, has performed over 850MCSAP inspections of commercial buses. By the end of this year,Supervisor Spinelli will have performed over 8,000 inspections oncommercial buses.

Supervisor Spinelli exceeded expectations by assuming oversightresponsibilities as the NJMVC's MCSAP Coordinator in 2008 afterthe retirement of the previous coordinator. Even more to his credit,Supervisor Spinelli assumed additional duties by volunteering toserve as a representative and liaison for the NJ MVC Commercial BusInspection's participation in the Comprehensive Safety Analysis(CSA) program and CVSA.

On numerous occasions, Supervisor Spinelli has been invited andhas participated as a speaker to present detailed information at theCVSA Bus Safety Summits and other various passenger committeesas well as to partner law enforcement agencies and associate mem-bers of the CVSA.

As a testament to Supervisor Spinelli's professionalism and dedi-cation to highway safety, the Motor Carrier Safety Administration/Motor Carrier Management Information System has increased NewJersey's rating from “poor” as of January 2008, to an improved over-all rating of “good” in January 2009. Through the exceptional con-tinued efforts of Supervisor Spinelli, New Jersey has maintained thesame “good” rating through January 2011 with the goal of steppingit up a notch to “very good” through January 2012.

While it is apparent that Supervisor Spinelli is an expert in theCommercial Bus industry, the real reason for receiving this distin-guished service award is his selfless and incomparable contributionsto the Commercial Bus program. Additionally, his technical input andexpertise are and have been crucial to the continued success of NJ'sCommercial Bus Inspection program. The NJ MVC is honored tohave him as part of its family and is proud of his recent acceptanceof the AAMVA/IRP/FMCSA Distinguished Service Award forHighway Safety for Commercial Vehicles.

SOUTH DAKOTA HIGHWAY PATROL, SD TRUCKING ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZE MOST IMPROVED TRUCKING COMPANY

The South Dakota Highway Patrol and the SD Trucking Associationhave partnered together to recognize the most improved truckingcompany in South Dakota using information gathered from CSA data.

Representatives from the trucking association and highwaypatrol analyzed information provided by the FMSCA reflecting thechange in scores since the implementation of CSA. Changes inindividual BASIC scores were compared as well as the overallchange in the combined BASIC categories. MCT TransportationLLC of Sioux Falls, SD was presented the newly formed award atthe annual meeting of the South Dakota Trucking Association. Thisaward was presented by representatives of The South DakotaHighway Patrol to MCT Transportation LLC for their hard work anddedication to improving highway safety. MCT Transportation LLCsignificantly improved scores in four of the seven BASIC categories.A total of 100 points of total improvement across the seven cate-gories was the result of focused effort by MCT to improve theirsafety measurement system. MCT Transportation LLC’s improve-

ment was through its own initiative and the reduction in score wasachieved without intervention.

Myron L. Rau, President of the South Dakota Trucking Association,said, “When approached about the concept of this award and itsselection criteria, I was elated. The title, Partnership in Safety Award,speaks for itself; it is and will be a coveted award presented in a part-nership between law enforcement and the trucking industry.”

In attendance at the awards luncheon was FMCSA AdministratorAnne Ferro and Dave Osiecki, American Trucking Association VicePresident of Policy and Regulatory Affairs. Administrator Ferroremarked that it was a wonderful use of the data provided by thesafety management system.

The award is the first of the planned annual award to be givenevery year to the most improved trucking company based on CSA’ssafety management system data. The award is intended to reflectthe cooperative effort between enforcement and industry to reducehighway traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

Nine out of ten fatal crashesinvolving trucks and buses are theresult of driver error, and nearlyhalf of those deaths are caused bythe commercial vehicle driver.More people die on rural roadsand in work zones than anywhereelse. These tragedies are prevent-able. And traffic enforcement is akey component in the overallsolution to reducing these trafficfatality and injury crashes.

Too often, law enforcementofficers who have not receivedspecialized commercial vehicleenforcement training such as thatprovided through the MotorCarrier Safety Assistance Program(MCSAP) are reluctant to stopcommercial trucks and buses.

To address this issue, theAmerican Association of MotorVehicle Administrators (AAMVA)sought and received funding fromFMCSA to convene the RuralRoad/Work Zone Safety WorkingGroup. In addition to staff fromAAMVA and FMCSA, the workinggroup is comprised of representativesfrom the International Association ofChiefs of Police, the National SheriffsAssociation, and the Commercial VehicleSafety Alliance.

The purpose of the working group isto encourage, through training, the use ofnon-MCSAP personnel for commercialvehicle and driver enforcement helpingto maximize the resources of FMCSAand its State partners by increasing theopportunity to have contact with morecarriers and drivers. The ultimate goal ofthe increased contact is to achieve greaterreduction in large truck and bus crashes,injuries and fatalities.

To achieve this end, the workinggroup decided the best deliverable wouldbe a roll-call type training video for non-MCSAP law enforcement personnel.The video educates police administra-tors down through the line officer aboutthe scope of the truck and bus crashproblem and why stopping commercialtrucks and buses that commit crashcausing traffic violations is so critical toimproving traffic safety. The video alsopoints out the benefits this trafficenforcement emphasis has to improvingpublic safety and preventing terrorism.Commercial vehicles are often used inthe furtherance of criminal enterprisesthat can be interdicted after legitimatetraffic stops have been made.

The video also provides offi-cer safety tips so officers can stoptrucks and buses in a way that issafe for the truck and bus driversand the officers themselves. Butthe underlying theme through-out is to just treat trucks andbuses like big cars. Officers don’tneed to be trained on how toread a log book or other docu-mentation unique to commercialvehicles, or to inspect equip-ment. All they need to ask for isthe driver’s license, registrationand proof of insurance, just likethey would ask of any car driver.Getting the “ordinary” officerengaged in stopping trucks andbuses that commit traffic viola-tions will serve as a force multi-plier to officers whose primarymission is commercial vehicleenforcement.

In addition to the trainingvideo itself, the DVD includes aresource section that includesvaluable information such as:

• Commercial Motor VehicleAwareness Program (CVSA,FMCSA & IACP)

• Commercial Drivers’ Licenses: AProsecutors Guide to the Basics ofCommercial Motor VehicleLicensing and Violations (NationalDistrict Attorneys Association)

The DVD was realeased in September2011. A copy is being mailed to the ChiefLaw Enforcement Official of every State,County and Local law enforcementagency in the United States. Additionalcopies can be obtained by contactingBrian Ursino, AAMVA Director of LawEnforcement at [email protected].

18-Wheels & BUStedBrian Ursino, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Director of Law Enforcement

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A S S O C I A T E M E M B E R N E W S

After almost a year since the inception ofCompliance Safety Accountability(CSA), motor carriers are becoming bet-ter acquainted with the methodology,metrics, and their responsibility for con-tinuous compliance improvement. Oneoutcome of CSA has been the enhance-ment of everyone’s focus on regulatorycompliance and the various indices thatare designed to draw attention to areasthat require greater attention.

Critical skills for leaders in safety, oper-ations management, and maintenanceinclude the ability to examine, validate, dis-sect, and evaluate potential alternativestrategies of corrective action within theorganization. The latter is accomplished inconjunction with an understanding of howimprovement arrives via the algorithm.

Whether a motor carrier or motorcoach organization subscribes to anexternal resource for data analysis, down-loading the data monthly is compulsory.To facilitate the analysis of a carrier’s dataafter downloading it into an excel format,

the two primary worksheets entitled,inspections and crashes require some minoradjustments to the column headings. Asuggestion is to ensure that every columnis named uniquely, meaning that LicenseState and License Number require to berenamed as there are two of each. Excel’spivot table function does not work withduplicate column names, and hence, onerecommendation would be to change thecolumn titles to CDL License State, CDLLicense Number, CMV License State, andCMV License Number. Two final adjust-ments in the Inspections worksheet thatshould be performed include the removalof the line above the columns, and ensurethat the last column entitled BASICforms part of the new column headers.By clicking on Insert, then Pivot Table,you are ready to begin to dissect the dataand draw relevant conclusions. If youexperience any error messages in your useof pivot tables, there are numerous tuto-rials from MicroSoft in addition to sug-gestions posted on YouTube.

By grouping your date data intoyears and months, use your pivot tableto examine what time weighted sever-ity points will be dropping off in thenext cycle, and compare it with yourdaily Compass data to set internalcompany goals and predict your ongo-ing performance. If you create aVLOOKUP with the list of driver redflag violations, you can quickly identi-fy drivers in that category using theCode column, and begin your owninternal awareness and interventionswith affected staff.

A September 29, 2011 GovernmentAccountability Office (GAO-11-858)report indicates a strong recommenda-tion for the full implementation of rank-ings and ratings of drivers. As morecomprehensive data becomes available,carriers will inevitably rely on the per-formance information of drivers in therecruitment and selection process,despite the excess demand for labor anddriver shortage.

Mining the CSA Data: A Requisite for CarrierPerformance ImprovementBy Gerald Krisa, CVSA, Associate Advisory Committee Chair, R&L Carriers Inc., Vice-President of Safety

Economic concerns and proposed changes to Hours-of-Service(HOS) regulations top a list of issues identified by industry, accordingto the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). The reportpresents findings of the 2011 annual survey and analysis, and furthercompares the results from previous years’ survey findings as an indi-cator of changing priorities in the trucking industry.

“While still the number one issue, the share of respondents rank-ing this as their number one issue has dropped each year since reach-ing 51.6 percent in 2009. While this ostensibly speaks to a gradualimprovement in the economy, there continues to be a high degree ofuncertainty in how certain issues will unfold,” states the report.“Freight volume trends have been mixed in 2011 with less-than-truckload and tank experiencing increasing volumes and truckloadand dry van volumes declining slightly mid-year. Despite high levelsof uncertainty, economic forecasters at ATA still predict positive eco-

nomic growth over the next few quarters, albeit at a less than opti-mal pace.”

As industry awaits a final rule from FMCSA following proposedchanges issued in December 2010, Hours-of-Service ranked numbertwo on the list. “The proposed changes - potentially decreasing driv-ing and on-duty times and extending the restart provision - aredeemed significant and problematic by the industry, which explainsthe increased level of concern,” according to the study. Suggestedstrategies to address HOS concerns include publicizing the truckingindustry’s safety record operating under the current HOS;Supporting studies that generate scientific evidence on the safetyimpacts of existing and proposed HOS rules; and, Conductingresearch on new methods to address driver fatigue.

For more information on ATRI’s study, go to www.atri-online.org.

ATRI 2011 Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry Identifies Challenges

Con-way Freight, the largest subsidiary ofCon-way Inc., recently partnered withCVSA to sponsor the InternationalSafety Team. The alliance between thetwo organizations was a natural fit sinceCon-way Freight’s number one corevalue, Safety, aligns with CVSA’s safetymission. Working alongside each otherand collaboration to promote mutualinterests in highway safety is a key steptoward advancing safety awareness amonggeneral motorists as well as commercialtruck drivers in the LTL industry.

Bob Petrancosta, Vice President ofSafety for Con-way Freight remarked that“As a company with 15,000 driver salesrepresentatives, we strive to make safety thepriority and the focus of every aspect of ouremployees’ workday. As we continuouslyimprove our company’s safety programs weare also complementing CVSA’s mission ofpromoting commercial motor vehicle safe-ty. Con-way Freight actively partners withindustry leaders to help promote a saferwork environment and safer drivers.” Con-way continues to sponsor the NorthAmerican Inspectors Competition’s GrandChampionship Award.

“For the first time in 2011, we aresponsoring the International SafetyTeam program as one of the ways toshow our support for CVSA. The mem-bers of this prestigious team will beinstrumental in promoting safety bestpractices and awareness within the

trucking industry as well as furtheringthe message of safe driving in communi-ties throughout North America.”

Petrancosta said it was important tosponsor CVSA’s International Safety Teambecause Con-way shares the same commit-ment to improving highway safety andincreasing understanding of effective safedriving practices among the public sector.The program is similar to the AmericanTrucking Association’s America’s RoadTeam initiative, which Con-way has beeninstrumental in supporting. “TheInternational Safety Team can fulfill thesame important role as Road Team Captainsas ambassadors for the industry and a valu-able resource for education and awareness ofthe trucking industry’s message of safety andprofessionalism,” said Petrancosta. “It is aperfect partnership. As drivers become safer,so do the roads we and our families drive on.”

Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a

$5.0 billion freight transportation andlogistics services company headquarteredin Ann Arbor, Mich. Con-way deliversindustry-leading services through its pri-mary operating companies of Con-wayFreight, Con-way Truckload and MenloWorldwide. These operating units pro-vide high-performance, day-definiteless-than-truckload (LTL), full truck-load and multimodal freight transporta-tion, as well as logistics, warehousing andsupply chain management services. Con-way also operates Road Systems Inc., atrailer refurbishing and manufacturingcompany which supplies trailing equip-ment to the company’s trucking fleets.Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operatefrom more than 500 locations acrossNorth America and in 20 countries. Formore information about Con-way, visitwww.con-way.com.

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Con-way Freight Partners with CVSA to Improve Safety

On August 19, 2011, a tour of the world headquarters of Meritor-Wabco in Troy, MI wasfacilitated by Jim Burg, President of James Burg Trucking Co. for FMCSA and MichiganState Police Motor Carrier Enforcement personnel. Heavy duty truck on-board safety sys-tems were presented, specifically; disc and drum brakes, roll and electronic stability sys-tems, and forward looking collision mitigation system with active foundation brake appli-cation (On-Guard). Following a tour of the testing and technology center, attendees wereallowed to ride in a truck equipped with the On-Guard technology for a first-hand expe-rience of current collision mitigation technology. (By increasing reaction time of 1 second,90% of all rear striking accidents could be prevented or, at least, mitigated.)

Pictured from left to right are: Jim Burg, JBTC President Dave Walters, Meritor District Manager, Pat Muinch,FMCSA Michigan Division Administrator, Capt. Harold Love, Michigan State Police, Traffic Safety Division,Lt. Charles Black, Michigan State Police, Traffic Safety Division, James Taylor, Meritor Director, NE region,Todd Swales, Meritor-Wabco Training Manager, Sgt. Kevin Hogan, Michigan State Police, Traffic SafetyDivision and Mathew Fabry, FMCSA Federal Program Manager.

James Burg Trucking Co. Facilitates Testing and Technology Tour

New CVSA Associate and Local Enforcement Members

Alaska Teamster-Employer Service Training Trust

Center for Transportation Safety

Collision Specialists, Inc.

Crosshair Consultants of New York,LLC

ECA-SSI Simulator SystemsInternational

Farruggio's Express, Inc.

Fusion Sleep/Sleep4Safety

Inter-Rail Transport, Ltd.

Knight Transportation, Inc.

Lehigh Hanson Materials, Ltd.

Linde North America, Inc.

Melton Truck Lines, Inc.

Mt. Lebanon Police Department

NIC Technologies

North Richland Hills PoliceDepartment

NPL

PAM Transport

Precision Strip Transport, Inc.

Rand McNally

Savage Logistics, LLC

Shamrock Materials

Shell Canada, Ltd.

Superior Bulk Logistics, Inc.

Telerac, Inc.

The Utility Line Clearance Coalition

Tideport Distributing, Inc.

Truck Service, Inc.

Tyron Developments, Ltd.

United Petroleum Transport (UPT)

Guardian

37

A S S O C I A T E M E M B E R N E W S

CVSA is introducing a new feature in Guardian, Why We Do What We Do, aphoto gallery of out-of-service violations found roadside. We encourage allmembers to send us your photos with a description of the out-of-service vio-lation and thank Alberta Transportation for sharing this idea with us!

Why We Do What We Do

Loose load found by Transport OfficerKayla Myra.

Brake caged with vice grips found byTransport Officer Rob Sapinsky.

Major wheel problems found on long combination vehicle by Transport OfficerDan Beaudry.

Crack in air pot found by Sgt. GarfieldScharfenberg.

Loose load from Transport Officer JamesTrombley.

Missing slack adjuster for air brake fromTransport Officer Joseph Cote.

38

Second Quarter 2011 www.cvsa.org

PRESIDENTMaj. David PalmerTexas Department of Public Safety

VICE PRESIDENT Lt. Thomas KellyMaine State Police

SECRETARY/TREASURER Maj. Mark SavageColorado State Patrol

CVSA Executive Committee, Committee & Program Chairs

REGION PRESIDENTS Region I Sgt. Raymond WeissNew York State Police

Region II Capt. Douglas ShackelfordNorth Carolina State Highway Patrol

Region III Alan MartinPublic Utilities Commission of Ohio

Region IV Lt. Bruce PolleiUtah Highway Patrol

Region V Reg WightmanManitoba Infrastructure and Transportation

LOCAL PRESIDENT Robert MillsFort Worth Police Department

REGION VICE PRESIDENTS (Non-Voting)Region I Sgt. Daniel CusumanoRhode Island State Police

Region II Vacant

Region III Maj. Lance EvansIowa Department of Transportation

Region IV Capt. Chris MayrantNew Mexico Department of Public Safety

Region V Pierre PratteContrôle Routier Québec

LOCAL VICE PRESIDENTSgt. James SlykhuisYork Regional Police

PAST PRESIDENTS Capt. Steve Dowling, California HighwayPatrolFrancis (Buzzy) France, Maryland State Police Darren E. Christle, Manitoba Infrastructure

and Transportation

GOVERNMENT NON-VOTING MEMBERS William (Bill) Quade, Federal Motor Carrier

Safety Administration (FMCSA) William (Bill) Arrington, Transportation

Security Administration (TSA)Doug MacEwen, Canadian Council of Motor

Transport Administrators (CCMTA), CRA ChairMauricio Hinojosa, Secretaria de

Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT)Adolfo Spinola, Secretarìa de Seguridad Publica,

Policìa Federal Preventiva

ASSOCIATE NON-VOTING MEMBER Gerald Krisa, MBA, Chair AssociateAdvisory Committee, R+L Carriers, Inc.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Associate Advisory Gerald Krisa, MBA Committee R+L Carriers, Inc.Driver-Traffic Enforcement Lt. Thomas FitzgeraldCommittee Massachusetts State PoliceHazardous Materials Sgt. Thomas FullerCommittee New York State PoliceInformation Systems Capt. William ( Jake) ElovirtaCommittee Vermont Department of Motor VehiclesPassenger Carrier Lt. Donald Bridge, Jr.Committee Connecticut Department of Motor VehiclesProgram Initiatives Sgt. William (Don) RhodesCommittee South Carolina State Transport PoliceSize and Weight Capt. Jay ThompsonCommittee Arkansas Highway PoliceTraining Committee Sgt. Rocco Domenico

Colorado State PatrolVehicle Committee Kerri Wirachowsky

Ontario Ministry of Transportation

38

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Level VI Inspection Carlisle SmithPublic Utilites Commission of Ohio

COHMED Capt. William (Bill) ReeseIdaho State Police

International Safety Team Capt. Bill DofflemyerMaryland State Police

Saved by the Belt Sgt. David MedeirosRhode Island State Police

Operation Safe Driver Capt. Jack HegartyArizona Department of Public Safety

Operation Airbrake John MeedSaskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

Roadcheck Lt. Mike JunkinAlabama Depatrment of Public Safety

North American Inspectors Paul TamburelliChampionship (NAIC) Checkmark Vehicle Safety Services, Inc.

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Guardian

39

R A D I N S P E C T I O N N E W S

Level VI Classes Scheduled for 2011/12

Under a cooperative agreement with theU.S. DOE, CVSA has scheduled LevelVI classes for 2012 to certify inspectorsto conduct Level VI inspections on alltransuranic waste and Highway RouteControlled Quantities (HRCQ) ofradioactive materials. CVSA providesLevel VI training to inspectors whomeet the prerequisite of being Level VII and HazMat certified. The followingare the classes scheduled:

n Little Rock, AR–December 5-8

n Phoenix, AZ–February 15-16Level VI “Train the Trainer” Course

n New Braintree, MA–March 19-23

n Springfield, IL–June 18-21

n Scranton, PA–October 1-4

n Sacramento, CA–October 15-18

n Austin, TX–November 5-8

Any state interested hosting a class orneeds inspectors trained is asked tocontact Larry D. Stern, Director,Level VI Program, at [email protected] 301-830-6147.

RAD Inspection News is made possi-ble under a Cooperative Agreementwith the U.S. Department of Energy.

Blue Ribbon CommissionRecommends New Strategyin Report

The Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC)on American’s Nuclear Future releasedits draft report to the Secretary ofEnergy on July 29, meeting the deadlineset by President Obama when he estab-lished the BRC on January 29, 2010.The 192-page report summarizes theBRC’s findings and recommendationsfor a new strategy for managing thenation’s highly radioactive waste.Describing the current policy as “trou-bled for decades and…now all but com-pletely broken down,” the BRC cited alitany of costs and “damages” that haveresulted from the current approach interms of public confidence, ratepayer andtaxpayer expenditures, state-federal rela-tions, and the standing of the U.S. on theinternational stage. “A new strategy isneeded,” said the BRC. “Not just toaddress these damages and costs butbecause this generation has a fundamen-tal ethical obligation to avoid burdeningfuture generations with the entire task offinding a safe permanent solution formanaging hazardous nuclear materialsthey had no part in creating.”

The new strategy outlined in thereport includes seven “key” elements:• A new, consent-based approach to

citing future nuclear waste manage-ment facilities.

• A new organization dedicated solelyto implementing the waste manage-ment program and empowered withthe authority and resources to succeed.

• Access to the funds nuclear utilityratepayers are providing for the pur-pose of nuclear waste management.

• Prompt efforts to develop one ormore geologic disposal facilities.

• Prompt efforts to develop one ormore consolidated interim storagefacilities.

• Support for continued U.S. innova-tion in nuclear energy technologyand for workforce development.

• Active U.S. leadership in interna-tional efforts to address safety, wastemanagement, non-proliferation, andsecurity concerns.

The BRC took no position onwhether Yucca Mountain was a suitablesite, nor did the members propose anysites to be considered for future disposalor storage facilities.

On the subject of transportation, thereport recommended that “planning andcoordination for the transport of spent fueland high-level waste…should commenceat the very start of a project to developconsolidated storage capacity.” The BRCobserved that “DOE has a well-estab-lished practice of working with state andregional groups and other organizations tocoordinate and provide technical assis-tance for transportation.” The commis-sion suggested that future activities “buildupon these proven approaches.”

Public comments on the report wereaccepted through October 31.

A brand-new shipping package arrived atthe DOE’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant(WIPP) during the early evening hoursof August 25, by an all-too familiar facebehind the wheel.

Long-time WIPP driver RandyAnderson made history, again, when heguided the new TRUPACT-III on itsmaiden voyage from the Savannah RiverSite (SRS), located near Aiken, S.C., tothe underground repository for defense-generated transuranic (TRU) waste nearCarlsbad, NM.

“The trip was uneventful,” saidAnderson at the conclusion of the 1,534mile trip from SRS to WIPP. “Therewere no mechanical problems and nosafety issues. Everything went accordingto plan, and the trailer pulls nice.”

Anderson’s participation in monumen-tal WIPP shipments reads a lot like thekey history of the entire WIPP project.He was one of two drivers who brought

the first shipment of TRU waste from LosAlamos National Laboratory to Carlsbadin 1999. A month later, he was one of thedrivers who brought the first interstateshipment to WIPP. He was also behindthe wheel when the first shipment of wastearrived from the Hanford Site inWashington State, and he also drove thefinal shipment of TRU waste out of RockyFlats. Finally, he helped drive then thefirst shipment of remote-handled TRUwaste arrived at WIPP in 2007.

Most recently, Anderson shared first-shipment TRUPACT-III driving dutieswith Henry Leyva. Both men work forCAST Specialty Transportation, whichholds one of the two transportation con-tracts with WIPP.

The box-shaped TRUPACT-III is aNuclear Regulatory Commission-approved Type B package used to trans-port TRU waste in a Standard Large Box-2 (SLB2) by highway trucks. The TRU-

PACT-III, allows SRS, and potentiallyother sites, to ship large items of contract-handled (CH) TRU waste that will not fitin current packages. WIPP will eventual-ly have a total of six TRUPACT-IIIs.

“With the TRUPACT-III, instead ofhaving to break large waste items downand risk unnecessary exposure to workers,we’re able to package larger terms and getthem disposed of safely,” said CBFOInterim Manager Ed Ziemianski. He saidfunding through the American Recoveryand Reinvestment Act was key to theTRUPACT-III’s success. The design andmanufacturing of the TRUPACT-III wascompleted with $12 million in fundingfrom the Recovery Act.

The first TRUPACT-III shipmentrolled into New Mexico’s CVSA inspec-tion near the Southeastern New Mexicotown of Loving. There, two MotorTransportation Police performed anextensive CVSA Level VI inspection onthe vehicle and the package to ensurethat nothing was amiss.

“We have the best drivers on the roadin the country,” said Carlsbad FieldOffice (CBFO) National TRU ProgramDirector J.R. Stroble. “We’re proud ofthat, and they’re proud to drive thetrucks. The reputation they’ve developedover the years makes it easy to go out tothe public and sell the idea of movingradioactive waste across the highway.When WIPP trucks are on the road, thepublic is confident these are the safesttrucks are on the road, with the highestlevel of training and commitment fromthe drivers.”

Leyva said the TRUPACT-III’s firstshipment felt a lot like all of the othershipments he’s made over the past nineyears. “It was kind of exciting at first, butonce you started the trip, everything fell

40

Familiar WIPP Driver Guides Historic New TRUPACT-III Shipment to Carlsbad Repository


CAST truck drivers Randy Anderson (left) and Henry Leyva stand in front of the new TRUPACT-III shipping packageAug. 25, 2011, at a CVSA inspection station near Loving, NM. It’s another historical moment for Anderson, whoalso drove the first shipment of transuranic (TRU) waste to WIPP in 1999 and the first remote handled TRU shipmentthere in 2007.

into place and was basically the samething,” he said.

The two drivers rotated during thetrip to WIPP, with the alternate restingin a sleeper in the back of the vehicle.Whoever was driving chose the music. “Ilike 70s. He likes old, old country,”Leyva said about their preferences. Thedrivers also have favorite spots along theroute. Leyva said he always looks for-ward to the catfish served in ForrestCounty, Miss.

The CVSA Level VI inspection last-ed 45 minutes. After that, with Andersonbehind the wheel, the TRUPACT-IIImade the final leg of its journey toWIPP. There, after another mechanical,security and radiological inspection, thepackage was removed from the trailer.

Their parts concluded, Anderson andLeyva then drove back to CAST’sCarlsbad yard, where the two men spentthe better part of an hour washing theirvehicle. Both men then had a couple ofdays off before their next road trip.

Anderson grew up in Wisconsin andhas been driving professionally since1967. He moved to New Mexico in the1990s on a recommendation from hisbrother, who suggested WIPP. BecauseWIPP was experiencing some legaldelays at the time, Anderson worked foranother company for two years beforejoining CAST in 1996 as one of thecompany’s first drivers.

A couple of years into his tenure atWIPP, Anderson won first place in thetanker division of New Mexico’s truckrodeo, a competition which includes aninspection, interview, written segmentand driving course, and he went on tocompete in nationals.

“Randy Anderson is the kind of driverI wish I could clone, said CAST Specialty

Transportation Operations ManagerGaylon Fuller. “I have known Randy, whois a top notch employee that is dependableand trustworthy, since 1998 when I was aMotor Transportation Inspector and havehad the privilege of working with him asregulator and now as his supervisor.”

WIPP’s drivers must pass an exten-sive driving and background checkbefore they can even be considered foremployment. After that, there are a

number of extensive road tests. Theyreceive about 200 hours of training,including lessons in emergency manage-ment and communications.

Anderson said he plans to drive forWIPP for another eight years. “I’ll be 70then, so maybe I’ll go part time,” he said.“I like the people and the great safetyprogram, and I just really like to drive.”

41

GuardianR A D I N S P E C T I O N N E W S

Contractor Changes at the Idaho National LabBy Capt. Bill Reese, Idaho State Police

Six days per week Idaho State Police Commercial Vehicle Safety and HazardousMaterials Specialists travel to the Idaho National Lab (INL) and complete inspections onTransuranic (TRU) Waste shipments leaving the INL for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant(WIPP) in New Mexico. These shipments originate at the Advanced Waste MixedTreatment Project (AMWTP) at the INL.

Effective October 1, a new contractor, Idaho Treatment Group (ITG), is taking overthe shipping contract at AMWTP from Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC. With this new transi-tion we are losing a familiar face at the AMWTP. Karlan Richards was the shipping man-ager for Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC. She has worked at AMWTP for the last ten years.During most of those years she served as the shipping manager. Under Karlan’s lead-ership we developed an excellent working relationship and together we moved thou-sands of truckloads of legacy TRU Waste, safely from the INL.

In 1991 she accepted the assignment to Idaho’s Commercial Vehicle Safety pro-gram and served as one of the primary officers assigned to inspect shipments leavingthe INL. As she rose through the ranks, over the past 20 years, one of the most impor-tant things she discovered was the need for good working relationships. Karlan’sefforts were a key ingredient to the success Idaho has enjoyed with the shippingdepartment at the INL and AMWTP. Karlan fostered that relationship throughout thedecade she spent at the INL.

Karlan has accepted a position with Bechtel Corporate at the Los Alamos NationalLab in New Mexico. The troopers and staff here in Idaho will miss Karlan, but wish herwell in her new adventure. We look forward to continuing the good working relation-ship we have enjoyed with ITG. It will be critical to our success.

42


The Gamma Industry Processing Alliance(GIPA) has been asked by the CVSA toprovide an article on the GammaProcessing Industry operations and ship-ments. As an industry, it is our objectivethat this article will provide the reader withsome valuable insights into Cobalt-60sources, how they are manufactured, andthe importance of Cobalt-60 sources incommerce and the necessity of being ableto deliver this product to the end user in asafe, secure and economical manner.

There are two primary global suppli-ers of Cobalt-60 sources; Nordion Inc.based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and,Reviss Services (UK) Ltd. based inChesham, Buckinghamshire, UK. Bothcompanies supply the world withCobalt-60 used in the prevention andtreatment of disease. Approximately 50-60 shipments transit into or through theU.S. on an annual basis.

What are Cobalt-60 sources?Cobalt-60 sources are in the form ofmetallic capsules that contain radioactivematerial (Cobalt-60) which emit ioniz-ing radiation energy in the form ofgamma radiation. This energy is har-nessed commercially to eliminatepathogens and microbes and to modifyand enhance the physical properties of awide range of polymeric materials.

Cobalt-60 starts as inactive Cobalt-59cylinders (one inch long and 1/4 inches indiameter) which are welded into Zircaloycapsules. These capsules are assembledinto reactor targets and installed in powerreactors to be exposed to, and absorb neu-trons. Once the targets achieve the desiredCobalt-60 specific activity (curies/gram),they are then removed, disassembled andshipped to one of the Cobalt-60 suppliersfor double encapsulation into two concen-tric welded stainless steel tubes (17-1/2inches long and 3/8 inch in diameter).These double encapsulated sources arethen shipped to the more than 200 world-wide production irradiator facilities.

Cobalt-60 is a solid metal. It is non-fissionable, non-soluble, non-dispersibleand non-flammable. The half-life forCobalt-60 is approximately 5-1/4 years.

Cobalt-60 sources can be shipped inlarge quantities in specially designed andlicensed Type B (U) lead and steel con-tainers that meet international andnational regulatory standards. TheCobalt-60 sources themselves are alsodesigned to international standards andlicensed by national regulators.

Why are Cobalt-60 sources impor-tant in commerce?Cobalt-60 sources are used to sterilizeby radiation, approximately 45% of all

single-use medical supplies in theworld. An estimated 80% of all surgi-cal gloves are sterilized with Cobalt-60. Many products are optimally ster-ilized with Cobalt-60 gamma radiationversus other available technologies.Certain products can only be sterilizedwith Cobalt-60. Examples are biolog-ical materials such as tissue for trans-plant, plasma, serum; plus alcoholswabs, sealed medical devices used forblood collection, endoscopic proce-dures, and catheterization.

Cobalt-60 also is required for thesterilization by radiation of lab ware nec-essary for drug development and deliveryas well as being relied upon to enhancefood safety and preservation. Further,Cobalt-60 in teletherapy devices is usedin the treatment of cancer, with approxi-mately 45,000 cancer treatments/dayconducted in more than 50 countriesaround the world. There is an ongoingincrease in sterilization demand forHealth and Human Services due to anaging population, greater access to healthcare in developing countries andincreased risk of contamination of food-stuffs with disease causing bacteria whichrequires additional Cobalt-60. For themanufacture of medical products, sterili-zation is a critical manufacturing opera-tion. Sterilization facilities operate 24hours a day, seven days a week in order to optimize their utilization of Cobalt-60. Sterilization capacity is based onprojected product needs and isotopedecay (approximately 1% per month).Operators of large scale irradiation facil-ities maintain only the optimal amountof Cobalt-60 in their irradiators requiredfor the volume of business they are con-ducting. They purchase their replenish-ment supply based on demand.

Gamma Processing Industry – Cobalt-60By Barbara Englehart, Nordion, Inc.

The gamma processing industry created an alliance

to advocate the development of

responsible regulations that enhance the safe and

secure management of Cobalt-60 sources

GuardianR A D I N S P E C T I O N N E W S

Why is timely delivery of Cobalt-60sources important?Since most medical device companiespractice Just-In-Time ( JIT) manufactur-ing, inventories in the order of just 30-40days of supply are common. Low inven-tories help control healthcare costs.Disruption of the supply of Cobalt-60will result in backorders of sterile single-use medical devices translating into apotential negative impact on patient careand treatment.

Cobalt-60 is relied upon to enhancefood safety and preparation. It is used byfruit-producing nations to control exportof crop-destroying insects and by foodproducers to eliminate microbes fromfood packaging. Cobalt-60 is used toeliminate pathogens and extend shelf-life of many foods.

With a limited number of Cobalt-60suppliers, the supply chain for Cobalt-60is critical to maintain. The U.S. is both amajor user of Cobalt-60 and exporter ofsterile product. Approximately 50% of theworld’s sterile single-use medical devicesare supplied from the U.S. In addition, theU.S. is a major transshipment point forCobalt-60 to the rest of the world - there-fore efficient cross border carriage is criti-cal. The supply chain is highly regulatedwith enhanced safety and securitythroughout.

The packages used to transportCobalt-60 are Type B (U) Packageswhich are large in both size and weightand are capable of holding large quanti-ties of the radioisotope. These packagesare shipped to U.S. sterilization facilitiesand to ports for export to overseas desti-nations. These transports are by roadand ocean.

One might ask, how can we beassured these products and shipments are

safe and secure? There are several con-trols in place to ensure safety and securi-ty during transport.

1. Engineering controls dictate thesource and container design.The packages are designed to containlarge quantities of radioactive materi-al and must meet the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reg-ulations for Accident Conditions ofTransport. The performance stan-dards set by the IAEA regulations forType B (U)-96 packages have beenaccepted and implemented in nation-al legislation of the IAEA memberstates. Both the sources and contain-ers are tested to ensure there is NOloss of radioactive material followingthe testing. The packages are licensedby the competent authority of coun-try of manufacture as well as other

competent authorities. Upson com-pletion of the Type B (U) test, aSafety Analysis Report (SAR) is pre-pared which shows the results of thetests and analysis needed to ensurecompliance with the regulations. Inaddition, the SAR includes a contain-ment analysis, heat transfer and insu-lation calculations, the radiation andshielding assessment, the stress analy-sis of tie downs and lifting attach-ments as well as the handling proce-dures. Upon review and acceptanceof the SAR, the competent authorityof the country of manufacture willissue the package design approval cer-tificate which indicates the packagemeets the requirements of the IAEAas well as those of the country ofmanufacture. In order to obtainapproval in other countries, the SARand the package design certificate are

43

44


submitted to the competent authorityof that country for review and accept-ance. In the U.S., it is the US DOTand the USNRC that would providethis service resulting in the issuance ofa corresponding certificate by theUSDOT. The IAEA transport regu-lations are recognized and imple-mented throughout the world,through modal regulations (air,marine, and road).

The Cobalt-60 containers thatNordion and Reviss use have beenlicensed for use in the U.S. by theappropriate national authorities.

2. Administrative Controls andRegulatory Compliance

• US DOT FMCSA – The primarymission is to prevent commercial vehi-cle-related fatalities and injuries. TheAdministration’s activities contribute toensuring safety in motor carrier opera-tions through various programs andenforcement of these programs. Twosuch programs are the FMCSA’sRegulations and the HazardousMaterials Regulations. FMCSA devel-ops, maintains, and enforces Federalregulations that promote carrier safety,requirements for commercial vehicledrivers, carriers, vehicles and vehicleequipment. FMCSA also enforcesHazardous Material Regulations whichare created to ensure the safe and securetransportation of hazardous materials.These rules address the classification,proper packaging, employee training,hazard communication and operationalrequirements for hazardous materials.With respect to Class 7 materials(Cobalt-60) FMCSA is concernedwith route population density, emer-gency response capabilities, exposureand other risk factors, selection of themost direct route unless an alternateroute is safer, the effects on com-merce in that the route shall not cre-ate an unreasonable burden on inter-state or intrastate commerce as wellas concern with any transportationdelays which may cause or be the

result of a safety issue.• USNRC has issued Safeguards which

are applicable to shipments of certainquantities of radioactive material.The safeguards have a requirementfor pre-shipment notification whichis communicated to only those thathave a need to know, monitoring priorto, during and post shipment, teamdrivers, multi-modal communicationcapability, GPS real time tracking, aswell as planned stops in secure areaswhere vehicle and shipment are neverleft unattended.

• CVSA Inspections• State additional inspections and

escorts as well as designated routes• Import and Export Controls

Customs Programs such as C-TPAT,PIP, FAST in addition to other adminis-trative controls such as licensing of thesupplier, customer, carriers, sources andcontainers also exist and help to ensure asafe and secure transport process.Suppliers have to be licensed to possess,transfer, use, process, import, manageand store the substances that arerequired for, associated with or arisefrom the operation of the facility.Customers have to be licensed toprocess, transfer, use, import, manageand store the substances they are pur-chasing for use in their facility. Carriershave to be trained and licensed to trans-

port Class 7 materials. Sources and con-tainers have to be licensed for posses-sion, use and transport.

Denial of shipment due to carrier pol-icy and/or port infrastructure, lack of safehavens along state designated routes, lackof reciprocity between States withrespect to Level VI inspections and legis-lated State escort fees are the major hur-dles that the industry faces. These allhave an impact on the quality and cost ofhealthcare worldwide. More specific dis-cussion on issues experienced in thetransport of Cobalt-60 into, through andfrom the U.S. may be the focus of futurearticles in Guardian.

The gamma processing industry cre-ated an alliance to advocate the develop-ment of responsible regulations thatenhance the safe and secure managementof Cobalt-60 sources and related irradia-tion processing facilities. The alliance,known as GIPA (Gamma IndustryProcessing Alliance), is made up of 15companies from the medical device man-ufacturers industry, Cobalt-60 sourcemanufacturers and one industrial pro-cessing company. GIPA acts as a repre-sentative to regulatory bodies, such as theUSNRC, on behalf of the major gammaprocessing facilities in the U.S. IPA isalso affiliated with the InternationalIrradiation Association (IIA).

GIPA’s mission is to ensure thatgamma irradiation remains a safe, secureand vital processing technology for thesterilization of healthcare products, forthe enhancement of food safety, as well asother agricultural and industrial applica-tions. See www.gipalliance.net

The International Irradiation Associa-tion is an official non-governmentalorganization (NGO) working in closecooperation with key regulators anddecision makers around the world. TheiiA serves as a global hub for the collec-tion and dissemination of informationand educational material about all signif-icant scientific, regulatory, legislative andbusiness critical developments pertainingto the industrial irradiation industry. Seewww.iiaglobal.org

ABF Freight System, Inc.AMBEST, Inc.

Cambridge Systematics, Inc.Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Coach USACode Corporation

Compliance Safety Systems, LLCDATTCO, Inc.

DiSilva CompaniesGreyhound Canada Transportation

CorporationGreyhound Lines, Inc.

Intermodal Association of North AmericaJB Hunt Transport, Inc.

Landstar Transportation LogisticsNational Truck Tank Carriers, Inc.

New York State Motor Truck Association

Ohio Trucking AssociationOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

PrevostSYSCO Corporation

Tennessee Steel Haulers, Inc.United Motorcoach AssociationWal-Mart Transportation, LLC

YRC Worldwide, Inc.

Applus+ Technologies Arizona Trucking Association

Austin Powder CompanyContinental Corporation

DEKRA America, Inc.Great West Casualty Company

Groendyke Transport, Inc.HELP, Inc.

May Trucking Company

Mercer Transportation CompanyR+L Carriers, Inc.

Schlumberger Technology Corporation Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association

STEMCOTML Information Services, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. Vehicle Inspection Systems, Inc.

A & R Transport, Inc.CheckMark Vehicle Safety Services, Inc.

International Road Dynamics, Inc.James Burg Trucking Company

J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.RSC Equipment RentalU-Haul International

2011 CVSA SPONSORSDIAMOND

Academy Express, LLCAce Doran Hauling & Rigging, Inc.

Boyle TransportationBrown Line, LLC

ContainerPort Group, Inc. Daecher Consulting Group, Inc.

Dibble Trucking, Inc.East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc.

Greatwide Truckload ManagementHoffman Transportation, LLC

H.R. Ewell, Inc.Illinois Portable Truck Inspection, Inc.

Intercomp CompanyJames A. Turner, Inc.

Lynden, Inc.

Mid-West Truckers AssociationMr. Safety-Check Systems, Inc.

New Jersey Motor Truck Association Pitt Ohio Express, LLC

RegScan, Inc.The Besl Transfer Co.Warren Transport, Inc.

Zonar Systems

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NORTH AMERICAN CARGOSECUREMENT HARMONIZATIONPUBLIC FORUMNovember 29, 2011Montreal, QC, Canada

2012 COHMED CONFERENCEJanuary 30 – February 3, 2012Newport Beach, CA

BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETINGJanuary 31, 2012Newport Beach, CA

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGFebruary 1, 2012Newport Beach, CA

7TH ANNUAL FMCSA MCSAPLEADERSHIP CONFERENCEApril 23, 2012Bellevue, WA

NORTH AMERICAN CARGOSECUREMENT HARMONIZATIONPUBLIC FORUMApril 23, 2012Bellevue, WA

2012 CVSA WORKSHOPApril 24 – 26, 2012Bellevue, WA

ROADCHECK 2012June 5 – 7, 2012

NAIC 2012August 6 – 11, 2012Minneapolis, MN

CVSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE &EXHIBITIONSeptember 24 – 27, 2012Portland, ME

Presorted Standard

US POSTAGE

PAIDBALTIMORE, MD

PERMIT # 33616303 Ivy Lane, Suite 310Greenbelt, MD 20770-6319

COHMED ConferenceJan. 30–Feb. 3, 2012Newport Beach, CA

CVSA WorkshopApr. 24–26, 2012Bellevue, WA

NAIC Aug. 6–11, 2012Minneapolis, MN

Visit CVSA.org for more information about all of our upcoming events.

CVSA Annual Conference &

Exhibition Sep. 24–27, 2012

Portland, ME

cvsa guardian 4th quarter 2011

Documents

commercial vehicle safety

commercial vehicle drivers

commercial vehicle crashes

cvsa leadership changes

cvsas brake safety week

targets drivers

national training center

decades of dedication