FMCSA seeks feedback on going 'beyond compliance'

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will hold two public listening sessions in January to gather information on the potential benefits and feasibility of voluntary compliance and on ways to credit carriers and drivers that establish safety programs that go beyond what is required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

The listening sessions will be held Jan. 12 in Louisville and Jan. 31 in Atlanta, although FMCSA will stream the sessions over the web.

The recently enacted FAST Act requires that FMCSA allow recognition -- including improved Safety Measurement System (SMS) percentiles -- for motor carriers that install advanced safety equipment or adopt enhanced driver fitness measures or fleet safety management tools. But the issue didn't just come up in legislation. Partially in response to a request from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance that FMCSA consider a voluntary compliance program, the agency in April requested public input on a "Beyond Compliance" program.

Also, FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee has already explored the question of voluntary compliance and crediting carriers for going beyond compliance and presented a report to the agency in September.

FMCSA is interested in hearing views, data and analysis on three basic questions:

• What voluntary technologies or safety program best practices would be appropriate for beyond compliance

• What type of incentives would encourage motor carriers to invest in technologies and best practices programs

• How FMCSA would verify that the voluntary technologies or safety programs are being implemented.

For details on the listening sessions, click here.