[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 71 (Thursday, April 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16157-16161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9069]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) Model 
Deployment Program

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: The FHWA intends to solicit applications for the CVISN Model 
Deployment Program. CVISN is essentially information system elements 
that support commercial vehicle operations (CVO). This includes 
information systems owned and operated by governments, motor carriers, 
and other stakeholders. CVISN is not a new national information system, 
but rather a way for existing systems to exchange information through 
the use of standards and the US commercially available communications 
infrastructure. CVISN will enable government agencies, the motor 
carrier industry, and other parties engaged in commercial vehicle 
operations, safety, and regulation to exchange information and conduct 
business transactions electronically. The objectives of CVISN include 
the following elements:
    a. Distribution of safety information to computers at the roadside 
to target high risk carriers;
    b. Use of license plate reader(s) at roadside to electronically 
identify commercial vehicles and carriers to check safety information;
    c. Electronic collection of inspection data from the roadside and 
uploading to SAFETYNET;
    d. Electronic application for credentials by motor carriers;
    e. Interfacing of State systems to the International Registration 
Plan (IRP) clearinghouse;
    f. Interfacing of State systems to the International Fuel Tax 
Agreement (IFTA) clearinghouse; and
    g. Electronic clearance at fixed and/or mobile sites.
    To assist FHWA in preparing the request for applications, the FHWA 
is publishing this RFI to solicit comment on issues related to the 
CVISN model deployment program. This RFI has been sent to all State 
agencies that have major responsibilities for the State transportation 
system, Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), vehicle 
registration, and vehicle fuel tax. The RFI outlines FHWA's plans for 
model deployment of CVISN in seven pilot States. A full text of the 
CVISN RFI is being provided for comments.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 22, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to: electronic mail to; Mr. Doug McKelvey at 
[email protected]; Facsimile to FHWA CVISN RFI at (202) 366-
7908; or mail to: Mr. Doug McKelvey, Federal Highway Administration, 
Office of Motor Carriers, 400 7th Street, S.W., HSA-20, Rm. 3419, 
Washington, D.C. 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Doug McKelvey, Office of Motor 
Carriers, (202) 366-0950.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Information on the CVISN Model 
Deployment Program in support of Intelligent Transportation Systems 
(ITS) for CVO.

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

    Commercial vehicle business practices and systems were originally 
designed primarily for intrastate trucking, but several factors have 
changed the way CVO business is conducted. These factors include 
increased emphasis on safety, improved truck technology, the 
construction of the Interstate Highway System, the industry's 
deregulation in 1980, and the interstate agreements for registration 
and fuel tax being adopted nationwide. The systems supporting CVO 
operations have not kept pace. Many of the systems supporting CVO are 
manual processes requiring redundant data entry and cannot share 
information within and among States and customers. Additionally, State 
safety and administrative responsibilities for commercial vehicles are 
projected to increase over the next several years and State budgets are 
anticipated to remain stable or face reductions. To address these 
issues, the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT), 
through the FHWA, intends to support model deployment of CVISN in a 
number of States. CVISN is essentially information system elements that 
support commercial vehicle operations. This includes information 
systems owned and operated by governments, motor carriers, and other 
stakeholders. CVISN is not a new information system, but rather a way 
for existing systems to exchange information through the use of 
standards and the US commercially available communications 
infrastructure. CVISN will enable government agencies, the motor 
carrier industry, and other parties engaged in CVO safety and 
regulation to exchange information and conduct business transactions 
electronically. The purpose of investing in model deployment of CVISN 
in States is (1) to facilitate the development and deployment of ITS 
services that will increase the safety and productivity of CVO and (2) 
to ascertain and educate the general public and key State and industry 
decision makers on the costs and benefits of ITS for CVO.

1.2  Description of CVISN Model Deployment Program

    The pilot deployment of CVISN is focused on safety and 
administrative processes. Safety systems are being pursued to improve 
safety on the nation's highways and to reduce the burden on safe 
carriers, and help streamline government processes. Administrative 
processes are being pursued because of expected benefits to states and 
the high benefit/cost ratio identified in a recent study for carriers 
processing 100 or more trucks. Three examples of CVISN include 
screening for safety, acquiring credentials, and mainline screening. 
Screening for safety would include Safety and Fitness Electronic 
Records (SAFER) System information that would provide a carrier safety 
snap-shot to the state and in-turn to the roadside mobile and/or fixed 
inspection/weigh facility. A hypothetical scenario would include the 
following: The vehicle pulls into the facility and the United States 
Department of Transportation number is obtained. This information is 
then

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checked on the pen base computer which has a selection algorithm that 
suggests if the vehicle should be inspected for safety. If the 
inspection is performed, information is entered into the database via 
the pen base computer. The results of the information will provide 
vehicle clearance or a citation may be issued.
    Carriers and commercial motor vehicle operators will obtain 
credentials and perform carrier to state business transactions 
electronically, directly from their offices. Carrier Automated 
Transaction (CAT) Software that perform these transactions will be 
provided free of charge to the model deployment states. The CAT is 
user-friendly personal computer software developed using a graphical 
user interface and will be tested in the prototype states prior to 
deployment in the model deployment states. It will be provided to all, 
but primarily used by small to medium sized carriers, states, and 
service providers. The CAT software uses open standards being developed 
through the American National Standards Institute, and these standards 
are scheduled to be formally adopted once they are tested and approved 
by the pilot states. These open standards allow all organizations to 
develop compatible CAT type software. Larger carriers would likely use 
these open standards to integrate carrier to state transaction software 
into their existing fleet management systems.
    Carriers could enroll in mainline screening projects that allow 
carriers to pass inspection stations at mainline speeds for those 
states with roadside inspection/weigh facilities. A carrier's safety 
record will be evaluated using available safety information. The 
probability of a safe carrier being inspected would be very low while 
the probability of a historically unsafe carrier would be very high. 
Participating motor carrier vehicles in the mainline screening program 
would be weighed and classified by high speed screening equipment on 
the highway preceding the inspection facility and electronically 
examined via a truck-mounted transponder to ensure that all required 
electronic screening criteria was met. If the vehicle meets the 
criteria, the driver will be electronically notified by an indicator 
device in the cab of the truck and allowed to bypass the inspection 
facility. When one or more of the criteria are not satisfied, the 
driver will be required to enter the inspection facility for further 
review.
    This RFI outlines FHWA's plans for model deployment of CVISN in 
seven model deployment States, one State from each of the seven 
truckshed regions. The trucksheds were defined by geographic 
distribution in the United States and by truck freight volumes. 
Therefore piloting a national program in each of the seven regions is a 
logical progression to ``grow'' the program. Maryland and Virginia will 
be used to try the first generation of CVISN and it will then be 
refined and transferred to the model deployment states. The FHWA is 
seeking comments on this plan. This RFI is not a request for proposals 
or an invitation for bids. Once comments from this RFI are 
incorporated, this document will be finalized and used to solicit 
applications from states prepared to carry out a model deployment of 
CVISN. States are encouraged to form partnerships with the private 
sector in the CVISN program.
    The FHWA encourages all parties with an interest in ITS for CVO to 
comment on this initiative on or before April 22, 1996.

1.3  CVISN Objectives

    Each pilot State is required to demonstrate the following over a 
two-year period at a few sites and for a portion of the truck and motor 
coach industry:
    a. Distribution of safety information to computers at the roadside 
to target high risk carriers;
    b. Use of license plate reader(s) at roadside to electronically 
identify commercial vehicles and carriers to check safety information;
    c. Electronic collection of inspection data from the roadside and 
uploading to SAFETYNET;
    d. Electronic application for credentials by motor carriers;
    e. Interfacing of State systems to the IRP clearinghouse;
    f. Interfacing of State systems to the IFTA clearinghouse; and
    g. Electronic clearance at fixed and/or mobile sites.
    A system for requesting oversize/overweight permits electronically 
is optional.
    CVISN model deployment States using Dedicated Short Range 
Communications (DSRC) must be interoperable with nearby CVO and toll 
programs. This is not designed to limit strategies, but to encourage 
innovative approaches to achieving the ITS/CVO vision of increased 
safety and efficiency. In addition, the FHWA will accept proposals 
outlining projects that fund additional States in a truckshed region.
    Evaluation is another requirement. CVISN model deployment States 
must participate in an overall project evaluation. As a partner, FHWA 
will provide an independent evaluator to work with the stakeholder in 
refining their draft evaluation plan early in the test. The evaluation 
process will help focus stakeholder efforts and resources through early 
evaluation planning to achieve the maximum cost/benefits from the 
program.

1.4  Expected CVISN Benefits

Expected Benefits for State Governments
    a. Data interchange among States, carriers, financial institutions, 
and insurance carriers will be electronic and efficient.
    b. Administrators and enforcement personnel will have electronic 
access to required data.
    c. Enforcement resources can be focused on high risk carriers and 
drivers.
    d. Credentials issuance, taxation, inspections, and compliance 
reviews will be automated to proceed more efficiently.
    e. Better enforcement of weight, size, safety, and tax regulations.
    f. In the long term, re-engineered policies and practices can be 
based on measured data and careful analysis.
    Expected Benefits for Motor Carriers
    a. Reduced administrative burden in regulatory compliance.
    b. Vehicles of safe and legal carriers will incur less delay.
    c. Technology investment can support multiple services.
    d. Uniformity of services across North America.
    e. Focus on unsafe carriers will ``level the playing field.''
    f. Reduction in exposure to lane change movements at inspection 
sites.
    g. Increased commercial vehicle fuel efficiency.
    h. Reduced commercial vehicle emissions.

2. CVISN System and Organizational Coordination

    The objectives of the CVISN model deployment program (Section 1.3) 
will require system and organizational coordination. The organizations 
and capabilities described here include the safety inspections and 
electronic clearance; registration; electronic credentials, clearance, 
and motor carriers; fuel tax system; and oversize/overweight. This 
section takes a paragraph to describe what each objective achieves with 
the CVISN deployment and how this is accomplished. The FHWA assumes 
that model deployment States will upgrade existing systems or use a 
private provider to operate and maintain the systems. The FHWA supports

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automation of the existing functions, but is not encouraging the 
addition of new systems. For example, the Single State Registration 
(SSR) and insurance systems have legislation pending in Congress, so 
this model deployment is delaying integration of SSR into the CVISN 
model deployment pending the outcome of this legislation.

2.1  Safety Inspections and Electronic Clearance

    The State commercial vehicle safety system will upload inspections 
electronically at the roadside using the ASPEN pen-based system or 
current State system. Safety information will be provided 
electronically to the roadside to enforcement officers. Preliminary 
data has indicated that the effectiveness of roadside safety 
inspections can be doubled combining this safety information with 
experienced law enforcement officers. This will allow automated 
screening to clear safe operators and focus safety enforcement on high 
risk carriers. Federal model deployment funds could be used for 
hardware and software, and the State will provide manpower to solve 
organizational issues leading to deployment and resources such as motor 
carrier inspectors to operate the system. This will be coordinated with 
the existing Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). The State 
will also electronically clear transponder-equipped safe and legal 
trucks and buses at fixed and/or mobile sites.

2.2  Registration

    The State registration system will electronically accept 
registration requests, issue credentials electronically, and respond to 
queries of authorized users. Federal model deployment funds could be 
used to purchase the necessary hardware and software to interface the 
existing pilot State registration system and build an interstate IRP 
clearinghouse. This IRP clearinghouse will be developed and operated 
under the direction of the IRP board of directors. The State 
registration agency will provide organizational coordination of the 
technology deployment and any modifications required in the existing 
State system software. Federal model deployment funds could be used for 
travel funding to resolve organizational issues and to participate in 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards meetings to 
ensure the registration standards developed meet the pilot State's 
requirements.

2.3  Electronic Credentials, Clearance, and Motor Carriers

    Carriers and commercial motor vehicle operators will be able to 
obtain credentials electronically. A small carrier if needed would go 
to a single location, either a State or private provider, instead of 
the numerous locations currently required. User friendly personal 
computer (PC) software would be developed. This software will allow 
carriers to obtain credentials directly from their office. Larger 
carriers would likely integrate credential software in their existing 
fleet management system.
    Carriers could apply for electronic clearance that allows safe and 
legal carriers with transponder-equipped vehicles to pass inspection 
stations or mobile sites at mainline speeds.

2.4  Fuel Tax System

    The State fuel tax system will (1) electronically accept 
applications for fuel credentials, (2) issue them, (3) accept quarterly 
fuel tax reports, (4) respond to authorized queries, and (5) notify 
other IFTA application States electronically of carriers allocated for 
their State. Federal model deployment funds could be used to purchase 
the necessary hardware and software to interface the existing model 
deployment State fuel tax system and build an interstate fuel 
clearinghouse. This fuel clearinghouse will be developed and operated 
under the direction of the IFTA board of directors and coordinated with 
IFTA. The clearinghouse will notify the model deployment State 
electronically of all carriers allowed to operate in the pilot State, 
who are based in other States. The fuel tax system will provide 
organizational coordination for the technology deployment and necessary 
modifications required in the existing State system software. Federal 
model deployment funds could be used for travel funding to resolve 
organizational issues and to participate in the ANSI standards meetings 
to ensure the fuel tax standards developed meet the pilot State's 
requirements.

2.5  Oversize/Overweight (Optional)

    The State oversize/overweight system will allow the carrier to 
request credentials electronically and issue oversize/overweight 
permits electronically for CVO vehicles in an approved envelope for 
size and weight. Requests outside the envelope will be notified to 
contact the organization in person. Where States have developed 
regional oversize/overweight agreements, the region will select a 
single State to issue credentials for that region. The States will 
provide manpower to resolve issues and operate the system. Federal 
model deployment funds could be used to purchase and install the system 
and provide travel funding to resolve the organizational issues and to 
participate in ANSI standards meetings to ensure that the oversize/
overweight standards developed meet the model deployment State's 
requirements.

3. CVISN Funding

    In fiscal year (FY) 96, the FHWA expects to provide $500,000 to 
each model deployment State to enable them to automate their systems, 
purchase technologies for the model deployment, and develop business 
plans. Additional Federal FY 97 funding is planned. The actual amount 
will be based on implementation cost estimates, Congressional funding 
levels, and past performance.

3.1  Federal Allocation

    Funding for each selected model deployment State will be provided 
over a two-year period.

3.2  Eligible Costs for Federal Funding

    Eligible expenditures for Federal funding will be for software 
development, equipment, installation, maintenance, and other expenses 
to achieve the objectives of the CVISN project.

3.3  Non-Federal Cost Sharing

    The CVISN model deployment States will be asked to contribute at 
least 50% of the cost of the project in hard and soft matches. Non-
Federal cost sharing (private and public) funds and other resources are 
required. The CVISN pilot States will be required to contribute at 
least 20% of the cost of the project as a hard match (cash, equipment 
integrated into the project, or dedicated full-time staff). The 
remaining 30% may be a hard or soft match. States proposing more than a 
50% cost match will be given extra consideration in the proposal 
review.

4. Mainstreaming

    Mainstreaming funds will be available to States and regions in FY 
1996. These funds will help continue to build the organizational and 
institutional arrangements among States, carriers, and vendors to 
ensure the development and deployment of ITS/CVO user services to 
public and private markets. While the model deployment of the CVISN 
architecture proceeds in the model deployment States over the next two 
years, the State and regional forums will be strengthened by providing

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Federal funding to hire regional champions responsible for near-term 
deployment activities. The regional champions and forums will serve the 
following functions: (a) the development of regional and State ITS/CVO 
Mainstreaming plans to prepare for CVISN model deployment in States 
throughout the seven truckshed regions and (b) the dissemination of 
results from the initial CVISN model deployment State to the rest of 
the regional forum. Additional details regarding the 1996 Mainstreaming 
project will be available in April from the FHWA.

5. Evaluation

    The FHWA will conduct a rigorous, independent evaluation of the 
effectiveness of the CVISN model deployment in achieving State and 
National ITS program goals. The independent evaluation may be conducted 
using existing FHWA resources, or, as part of another solicitation, the 
FHWA may contract with one or more independent evaluation contractor(s) 
to evaluate the model deployments.

6. Application Requirements

    The application to be a model deployment State shall include a 
memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the chief executive officer's (CEO) 
signature of relevant State agencies demonstrating their support for 
providing the CVISN services previously outlined. A signature of the 
Governor and/or the CEO of a motor carrier association is optional. An 
organizational chart showing the relationship between the agencies, a 
point of contact for each agency and a lead agency will be identified 
at this time. This process is to ensure management support for CVISN 
services at all levels. If there is no MOA, the application will not be 
considered further.
    Each application shall include and fully address the selection 
criteria statements in Section 7, Selection Criteria.

7. Selection Criteria

    Selection for State participation in the CVISN model deployment 
program will include the following criteria:

7.1  Institutional Capabilities

    States interested in model deployment of CVISN should include, with 
their application of interest, supporting documentation indicating the 
extent to which of these institutional capabilities exist. Possessing 
more of these institutional capabilities will increase the ability of a 
State to be selected and to be a successful model deployment State.
    a. Leadership and initiative on ITS/CVO issues and programs through 
participation in ITS/CVO institutional studies and operational tests
    b. Integration with safety strategies and projects targeting high 
risk carriers
    c. An ITS/CVO working group involving State agencies and private 
industry
    d. An ITS/CVO plan (strategic, business, deployment, etc.). If a 
plan is available, a bullet list of major elements should be attached 
with the application including: (1) Goals, (2) Objectives, (3) Actions, 
(4) Schedule, and (5) Funding summary
    e. Strong commitment to customer service and the ability to work 
with the motor carrier industry in their State
    f. A full time project manager to champion deployment of these 
services in the State
    g. Experience and willingness to work with other States and CVO-
related organizations at the regional and national level
    h. Commitment to participate in the evaluation and the CVISN model 
deployment following the two-year operational test
    i. Public/private partnerships involving CVO

7.2  Technical Capabilities

    States interested in model deployment of CVISN should include 
supporting documentation indicating their technical capabilities for 
the items below. It is not anticipated that most of these technical 
capabilities exist in States, but possessing more of these technical 
capabilities will increase the ability of a State to be a successful 
model deployment State.
    a. Significant public and/or private sector investment and 
technical capability in developing, operating, and maintaining CVO-
related information management systems and technologies
    b. Significant progress in developing and operating (including the 
private sector) several ITS/CVO services, including:
    1. Fixed and/or mobile electronic safety screening programs, and 
the ability to support on-line data entry of interstate and intrastate 
safety information
    2. Electronic clearance programs where States operate a significant 
number of weigh stations, ports-of-entry, or mobile operations
    3. Electronic registration programs for carriers for interstate and 
intrastate registrations, and the ability to respond to electronic 
queries from government and industry to verify the status of 
registrations
    4. Electronic fuel tax reporting, and the ability to respond to 
electronic queries from government and industry to verify the status of 
fuel tax accounts
    5. Electronic oversize/overweight permitting, and the ability to 
respond to electronic queries from government and industry to verify 
the status of oversize/overweight permits
    c. State communications infrastructure or that of a private 
provider is sufficiently developed to provide on-line information 
exchange capability to the designated users
    d. Sufficient support equipment to carry out the model deployment 
of CVISN and ITS/CVO services

7.3  Non-Federal Cost Sharing

    States interested in model deployment of CVISN should include 
supporting documentation of all non-Federal cost sharing (private and 
public) funds and other resources that would be used to support the 
CVISN model deployment program. The CVISN model deployment states will 
be asked to contribute at least 50% of the cost of the project in hard 
and soft matches. The CVISN model deployment States will be required to 
contribute at least 20% of the cost of the project as a hard match 
(cash, equipment integrated into the project, or dedicated full-time 
staff). The remaining 30% may be a hard or soft match. States proposing 
more than a 50% cost match will be given extra consideration in 
proposal review.

8. Schedule

    The time line for the CVISN model deployment state application and 
selection process is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.                  Date                              Event            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..  April 1, 1996......................  Distribution of RFI.          
2..  April 22, 1996.....................  RFI responses due to FHWA.    
3..  May 15, 1996.......................  Distribute Request for        
                                           Applications for CVISN Model 
                                           Deployment Program.          
4..  July 1, 1996.......................  Applications for CVISN Model  
                                           Deployment Program due.      
5..  August 1, 1996.....................  Applications selected for     
                                           CVISN Model Deployment       
                                           Program.                     
6..  September 2, 1996..................  Funding Agreements completed. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Please provide any comments concerning the following questions:
    1. What are your thoughts on the CVISN program?
    2. Is the proposed requirement to demonstrate the seven CVISN 
objectives reasonable in a two year time frame?

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    3. Is Federal funding over a two-year period an appropriate time 
frame?
    4. Is the 50% minimum non-Federal cost sharing reasonable? Could it 
be more?
    5. Should motor carrier support be required for the MOA?
    6. Should the Governor's signature be required for the MOA?
    7. Please provide any additional criteria needed for the MOA.
    8. Is the schedule reasonable?

    Authority: 23 USC 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: April 3, 1996.
Rodney E. Slater,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-9069 Filed 4-10-96; 8:45 am]
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