1. DOT OA:

FMCSA – Hazardous Materials Division

2.  Preliminary Title:

Testing and Evaluation of Vehicle Disabling Technologies

3.  Subject and Purpose:

Provide a brief description of the project.  The project summary in the e‑Portfolio system may be used providing the information is current.  Include: Topic, Specific Issues, Broad Goals, Potential Public Benefits.

1. Topic:  Vehicle Disabling Technologies.

2. Specific Issues:  Congressionally mandated project on Hazardous Materials (HM)Transportation safety and security testing, including research on cost and benefits of using industry-standard truck disabling technologies, establishing best practices for safety and security applications of remote vehicle disabling technologies, and conducting field operational testing of this technology.

3. Broad Goals:  To evaluate existing vehicle disabling technologies in an effort to determine potential security initiatives.

4. Potential Public Benefits:  Vehicle disabling technologies can be used to reduce the potential for HM shipments to be stolen or used as weapons of mass destruction. 

4.  Is this dissemination likely to be:

(check one)

Highly influential scientific information

Influential scientific information

5.  Peer Review Plan:

1) What is the schedule for peer review?

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2008.

2)  Will the review be conducted through a panel, individual letters, or will an alternative procedure be exercised?

The peer review will be conducted through a selected group that will submit written comments.

3)  Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed, and if so, how and when will these opportunities be provided?

There is no plan to give the public an opportunity to comment.

4) Will the FMCSA provide significant and relevant public comments to the peer reviewers before conducting their review?

There is no plan to give the public an opportunity to comment.

5)  What is the anticipated number of reviewers (3 or fewer; 4-10; or more than 10)?

There will be 3 or fewer reviewers conducting the peer review.

6)  What are the primary disciplines or expertise needed to conduct the peer review?

The primary expertise needed to conduct the peer review will be experts with security, automotive engineering, and HM transportation knowledge and experience.

7)  Will reviewers be selected from within DOT or from an outside organization?  And will reviewers be selected by an outside organization?

The reviewers will be selected by the Chief of Hazardous Materials and will be experts chosen from other DOT modes or the commercial vehicle industry.

8)  Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers?

There are no plans to ask scientific or professional societies to nominate potential peer reviewers.

6.  Contact person:

Ryan Paquet

E-mail:

Ryan.paquet@fmcsa.dot.gov

Phone:

202-366-1705