Strengthening the FMCSA R&T Program
An ad hoc committee will assist the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strengthen FMCSA's research and
technology (R&T) program to better meet the needs of the Agency's safety
mission as well as to inform commercial motor vehicle carrier enforcement, the
research community, safety advocates, and industry of active and planned
projects. This Motor Carrier Safety Research Analysis Committee (MCSRAC) will
prepare two reports annually to advise FMCSA on its research work. Specifically,
the Committee will a) assist FMCSA in refining its research methodologies; b)
assist in identifying and utilizing current research in the transportation and
related communities; and c) promote transparency of the FMCSA R&T
activities.
The Committee will provide:
• A continuing
channel for independent assessment of research opportunities through an
independent committee;
• A source of broad-based research and
technology priority recommendations which FMCSA can draw upon in formulating its
R&T program;
• A mechanism for considering the views of
commercial motor vehicle related researchers, safety advocates, and industry as
they interact with FMCSA research policy and programs issues;
• Assessments of issues related to innovation, the implementation
and deployment, and communication of research results, and the application of
technology in the field;
• Review, evaluation, and where desirable,
recommended changes in the organizational structure, framework, and process
through which commercial motor vehicle safety-related research is conducted; and
• Identification of potential new research areas, duplication, and
areas needing increased or decreased emphasis, considering prospective progress,
costs, and program needs.
In the course of its work, the Committee will
scan the relevant literature and government reports from the Government
Accountability Office (GAO), congressional documents, the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the USDOT Inspector General to identify
suggestions and recommendations for improving FMCSA research and provide
recommended approaches and methodologies for doing so.
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