[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69717-69718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27441]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration


Use of Advanced Information Technologies To Monitor Compliance 
With Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), USDOT.

ACTION: Notice of Policy Change.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to inform the motor carrier community of policy 
changes regarding the FMCSA's use of advanced information technology.

DATES: Effective Date: This change in policy is effective December 19, 
2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lee Zimmerman, Chief, Enforcement 
and Compliance Division, MC-ECE, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 
Telephone: 202-366-6830. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Web site address: 
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Background

Current Policy

    In 1997, the FMCSA issued a policy memorandum which limited the use 
of advanced technology during Agency investigations regarding motor 
carrier compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. 
The Agency recognized the technologies, which were emerging and being 
implemented within the industry in 1997, offered positive opportunity 
to advance operational safety performance. Therefore, the Agency 
decided to

[[Page 69718]]

initiate the 1997 policy limiting the use of technology data and 
electronically produced records during reviews and for regulatory 
enforcement purposes, in order to promote and encourage the use of 
these new technologies by the industry. This policy afforded the 
industry the opportunity to fully integrate the technology in its 
operations and overall safety management system.
    After more than a decade since the Agency established its policy, 
the use of advanced technology has become widely accepted and an 
integral component of the industry's logistics and operations 
management systems. The Agency's policy achieved its purpose; the once 
emerging technologies are today a common and essential component of the 
industry's logistics, operations and safety management systems to 
achieve the safe and efficient transportation of passengers and 
freight. Therefore, with this notice, the FMCSA rescinds the 1997 
policy on Advanced Information Technology.

    Issued on: November 13, 2008.
Dan Hartman,
Associate Administrator, Field Operations.
[FR Doc. E8-27441 Filed 11-18-08; 8:45 am]
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