1. DOT OA:

FMCSA – Technology Division

2.  Preliminary Title:

Wireless Truck and Bus Safety Inspection Study

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: Wireless Inspections for Trucks and Buses

2. Specific Issues: This study focuses on developing and analyzing various concepts of operation that would link on-board safety data, and the associated sensors and monitoring technologies, together with a means of wirelessly communicating that data to inspection sites, and thereby improving the quality and/or quantity of commercial vehicle inspections completed annually in the U.S.  The information would be in the form of a safety data message set and could include driver hours of service and vehicle brake and tire information.

3. Broad Goals:  To reduce crashes through improved roadside inspections using wireless technologies that will be able to inspect trucks and buses in a more effective and efficient manner.

4. Potential Public Benefits:  The concept of conducting frequent wireless inspections of driver logs and basic vehicle fault code information for all trucks has the estimated potential for saving lives, preventing injuries, and avoiding property damage crashes.

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 2006.

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?

The public will not have the opportunity to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed.

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

There are no plans to provide public comments to reviewers.

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 cost/benefit analysis, commercial vehicle operations, wireless communication technologies, automotive engineering, and advanced technology 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 Research and will be chosen from other DOT modes.

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:

Mr. Jeffrey Loftus

E-mail:

Jeff.loftus@fmcsa.dot.gov

Phone:

202-385-2363