CHAPTER 3.  CVISN DEPLOYMENT STATUS

 

 

            Since 1991, the U.S. DOT has sponsored numerous field operational tests (FOTs) to demonstrate new ITS technologies for commercial vehicle operations and encourage their deployment.  The CVISN MDI supports the overall USDOT emphasis on improving safety and efficiency in transportation.  Specifically, the FMCSA has set the goal of reducing deaths and injuries from truck and bus crashes by 50 percent by the year 2010.  One of the main purposes of CVISN is to increase highway safety by targeting, identifying, and removing unsafe vehicles from service until they are in compliance with safety regulations.  CVISN roadside and electronic credentialing technologies are expected to improve safety by providing state and federal enforcement officials with electronic access to timely and accurate motor carrier information.

 

            The evaluation of the CVISN MDI—by collecting and presenting safety, cost, and other program information—also supports the goal of the U.S. Congress (as stated in TEA-21) of having CVISN deployment completed in a majority of states by September 30, 2003.  CVISN provides the system architecture and standards for data management to support deployment efforts in the states.

 

            Early tests demonstrated the technical feasibility of certain information system and networking technologies, which have evolved into technologies used for completing CVISN deployment.  When the CVISN Model Deployment Initiative (MDI) began in 1996, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), formerly the Office of Motor Carriers, developed a three‑step strategy to assist states in CVISN deployment.  This strategy was discussed in Section 1.2.

 

            States participating in the Model Deployment Initiative included two “prototype” states – Maryland and Virginia – and eight “pilot” states – California, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington.  At least four of these states (Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and Washington) have demonstrated Level 1 capabilities in all three areas, and many other states have made significant progress in one or two areas (Radin 2000; PTI 2000).  The CVISN initiative is now being expanded to other states.  According to the FMCSA, eight states have been fully funded to achieve Level 1 deployment by September 30, 2003.  An additional 30 states have indicated that they expect to complete Level 1 deployment by September 30, 2003, dependent upon receiving FY 2001 federal ITS deployment or state resources to support CVISN deployment.

 

            Thus far, the most successful CVISN component, as demonstrated by widespread deployment, is the use of laptop computers for Safety Information Exchange at the roadside. Wireless connection to SAFER, electronic screening with DSRC, and end-to-end electronic processing of international registration plan (IRP) credentials have also been successfully deployed in some states and will likely enjoy widespread deployment as technical and institutional issues are resolved.

 

            Most CVISN states are relying on voluntary participation of motor carriers in electronic screening programs, which use dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) for vehicle identification and communication between roadside information systems and the driver.  The other components of electronic screening—CVIEW and participation in clearinghouses—show promise, but technical and institutional issues still need to be resolved.  The use of license plate readers for automated vehicle identification has not been as successful because of low reliability.

 

            The following sections describe the progress states are making toward achieving CVISN Level 1 deployment in each of the three technology areas.  In each section, we provide a national perspective, followed by brief updates from the ten pilot and prototype states.

 

            Table 3-1 shows the deployment status of CVISN technologies across the U.S., in all of the technology areas.

 

Table 3-1.       CVISN Deployment Status by State (as of January 2002)