2.12 Commercial Vehicle Operations

ITS applications for commercial vehicle operations are designed to enhance communication between motor carriers and regulatory agencies, particularly during interstate freight movements. ITS can aid both carriers and agencies in reducing operating expenses through increased efficiency, and assist in ensuring the safety of motor carriers operating on the nation's roadways. Figure 2.12.1 shows the components of the ITS classification scheme for commercial vehicle operations.

Commercial Vehicle Information System and Networks (CVISN) has created a nationwide framework of communication links that state agencies, motor carriers, and stakeholders can use to conduct business transactions electronically. Electronic registration and permitting at state agencies allows carriers to register online, decreasing the turn-around time associated with permit approval. In addition, Safety In formation Exchange (SIE) programs have been implemented as part of CVISN to standardize the exchange of vehicle and driver safety information between states and jurisdictions. Enforcement personnel at check stations can use national database clearinghouses to confirm carrier regulatory compliance data and crosscheck safety assurance information.

Electronic screening promotes safety and efficiency for commercial vehicle operators. Carriers that equip their fleets with low-cost in-vehicle transponders can communicate with check stations and automatically transfer regulatory data to authorities as trucks approach check stations. These and other technologies such as weigh-in-motion (WIM) scales improve efficiency and reduce congestion at check stations by allowing safe and legal carriers to bypass inspections and return to the mainline without stopping.

Several ITS technologies have been implemented to support motor carriers with their day-to-day operations: automated vehicle location (AVL)/computer-aided design (CAD) technologies assist with scheduling and tracking of vehicle loads; on-board monitoring of cargo can alert drivers and carriers of potentially unsafe load conditions; and traveler information can help carriers choose alternate routes and departure times, avoid traffic, bypass inclement weather, and arrive on time.

ITS can also be used to ensure the security and safety of motor carriers. Asset tracking technologies can monitor the location and condition of fleet assets (e.g., trailers, cabs, and trucks), and remote disabling systems can prevent the unauthorized use of fleet vehicles and assist in asset recovery.

Table 2.12.1 provides information on the benefits and costs of commercial vehicle operations. An assessment of the impact of these systems is indicated by using the symbols in the Impact Legend at the bottom of each page.

Table 2.12.1 – Benefits and Costs of ITS for Commercial Vehicle Operations

Credentials Administration: Electronic Funds

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Customer Satisfaction	1	?	A survey of members of the Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA) and the Independent Truckers and Drivers Association (ITDA) indicated the potential value of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and the Internet for conducting business with Maryland state agencies rated 1.85 and 2.04 on a scale of one to three.[148]
Productivity	1	?	A two-year study by the American Trucking Association Foundation (ATAF) found that the commercial vehicle administrative processes (CVAP) reduced carriers' costs by an estimated 9–18% when EDI was used.[149]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications subsystem Commercial Vehicle Administration subsystem Fleet Management Center subsystem		See Appendix A
System Cost	New York developed an Internet-based One-Stop-Credentialing and Registration system (OSCAR) to provide a cost-effective method to implement commercial vehicle registration and data exchange between states. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, OSCAR provided the following functions: Internet-accessible credential application forms International Registration Plan (IRP) credentialing International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) credentialing Highway User Tax (HUT) credentialing Single State Registration System (SSRS) credentialing[150]		Cost for the Internet-based electronic credentialing system: $577,910 (1999)

Credentials Administration: Electronic Registration/Permits

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Mobility	2	+	In Europe, several projects investigated management systems designed to improve the operating efficiency of carriers. Benefits included a 30% reduction in order processing time and fewer processing errors.[12]
Customer Satisfaction	2	?	In a survey of Maryland Motor Truck Association members, 33% thought electronic registration was valuable, 13% were neutral, and 11% thought it had little or no value; 43% were unable to comment.[148]
Productivity	5	++	Three motor carriers surveyed during the CVISN model deployment initiative indicated that electronic credentialing reduced paperwork and saved them 60–75% on credentialing costs. In addition, motor carriers were able to commission new vehicles 60% faster by printing their own credential paperwork and not waiting for conventional mail delivery.[21]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications subsystem Commercial Vehicle Administration subsystem Fleet Management Center subsystem		See Appendix A
System Cost	As part of the CVISN model deployment initiative, Kentucky and Maryland have implemented end-to-end IRP electronic credentialing systems within their states. The costs to deploy these systems vary with the unique characteristics of each state. A significant impact on cost is whether commercial software is used or special software is developed and if third-party services will be used.[21]		Cost to implement end-to-end IRP in Kentucky: $935,906 Maryland: $464,802

Safety Assurance: Safety Information Exchange

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Safety	1	?	The results of field testing in Connecticut indicate that Inspection Selection Systems (ISS) supplemented with electronic sharing of safety inspection data increased out-of-service order rates by 2%. Modeling efforts estimated that ISS could prevent 84 commercial vehicle accidents per year nationwide.[21]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications subsystem Commercial Vehicle Administration subsystem Commercial Vehicle Check Station subsystem		See Appendix A
System Cost	Using cost data based on full CVISN deployment of Safety Information Exchange (SIE) systems in Kentucky and Connecticut, an estimate can be calculated for other states. Initial SIE systems include wireless telecommunications, Safety and Fitness Electronic Record (SAFER) Data Mailbox, and Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW). System cost assumes a state has 50 mobile enforcement units.[21]		Estimated cost for SIE: $650,000 Estimated annual O&M cost: $161,000

Safety Assurance: Automated Inspection

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Safety	1	+	Four states (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee) participated in a year-long test to evaluate the performance of an infrared brake screening system designed to inspect commercial vehicles for brake problems as they enter weigh stations. The percentage of commercial vehicles placed out of service because of brake problems increased by a factor of 2.5 as a result of infrared screening at these stations.[151]
Customer Satisfaction	1	?	In a survey of truck and motorcoach drivers, participants were asked about the utility of various ITS applications in commercial vehicles. Truck drivers held much less favorable opinions of automated roadside safety inspection than motorcoach drivers.[152]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	No data to report.
System Cost	No data to report.

Electronic Screening: Safety Screening

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Mobility	1	?	Most truck drivers and CVO inspectors surveyed during the CVISN Model Deployment Initiative (MDI) felt electronic screening saved them time.[21]
Customer Satisfaction	1	+/-	Motor carriers surveyed during the CVISN MDI were concerned with the cost-effectiveness of electronic screening methods and the expansion of state regulation. However, most truck drivers felt that electronic screening saved them time. Inspectors also noted that CVISN saved time and improved the accuracy and speed of data reporting.[21]
Productivity	2	?	The CVISN MDI analysis considered start-up costs, operating costs, and crash avoidance from better targeted screening over the expected lifetime of the technology. Without considering the cost-saving benefits of crash avoidance from increased motor carrier compliance, the study estimated that electronic screening would have a B/C ratio of 2:1.[21]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications subsystem Commercial Vehicle Check Station subsystem Commercial Vehicle On-Board subsystem		See Appendix A
System Cost	No data to report.

Electronic Screening: Border Clearance

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Mobility	3	+	Simulation models of traffic on the Ambassador Bridge Border Crossing System (ABBCS) showed that electronic border clearance could save equipped trucks 50% of the delay through customs.[153]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	No data to report.
System Cost	No data to report.

Electronic Screening: Weight Screening

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Mobility	1	?	The Westa (weigh station) simulation model evaluated weigh station throughput in Seymour, Indiana, based on variations in entrance ramp length, deployment of screening transponders, and use of weigh-in-motion (WIM) scales. The model showed that WIM scales can be very effective at reducing the number of trucks in queue at weigh stations.[154]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications subsystem Commercial Vehicle Administration subsystem Commercial Vehicle Check Station subsystem Commercial Vehicle On-Board subsystem		See Appendix A
(New) System Cost	Electronic screening infrastructure typically includes automatic vehicle identification, WIM scales, signage, workstations, and telecommunications at the roadside, and transponders installed in commercial vehicles. The majority of the cost for electronic screening is borne by state agencies. Electronic screening costs can range broadly depending on the level of infrastructure.[21, 155, 156]		Roadside equipment cost range: $150,000–$780,000 (1997) In-vehicle transponder cost: $50

Electronic Screening: Credential Checking

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Customer Satisfaction	1	?	Drivers of trucks and motorcoaches were asked about the utility of various ITS applications in commercial vehicles. Both motorcoach and truck drivers held favorable opinions of Commercial Vehicle Electronic Clearance.[152]
Productivity	2	?	A survey of the mid-continent transportation corridor along Interstate Highway (IH) 35 from Duluth, Minnesota, to Laredo, Texas, showed that except for the most conservative growth and high-cost estimates, benefits of electronic credential checking exceed costs for most motor carriers. State agencies, however, were able to realize positive B/C ratios only when very aggressive growth scenarios were paired with low-cost estimates.[155]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications Subsystem Commercial Vehicle Check Station subsystem Commercial Vehicle On-Board subsystem		See Appendix A
System Cost	States interested in converting existing static weigh stations to participate in CVISN electronic screening would not incur some of the one-time start-up costs for the initial site such as software development.[21]		Cost for first site: $522,252 Cost for additional site: $303,450

Carrier Operations and Fleet Management: AVL/CAD

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Mobility	1	?	In Europe, several projects investigated management systems designed to improve the operating efficiency of carriers. Centralized route planning systems reduced vehicle travel distances by 18% and decreased travel time 14%.[12]
(New) Productivity	3	?	Analysis of fleet operations conducted as part of the Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Technology field operational test evaluation demonstrated the potential of tracking technologies to: Increase driver productivity (increased pick-ups and deliveries) in local operations by 3.5% (less than truck load (LTL)-parcel delivery) and 11% (bulk fuel deliveries). Reduce overall fleet operating costs per truck $1,560 to $10,968 per year for long-haul truckload operations.[157]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Roadside Telecommunications subsystem Fleet Management Center subsystem Commercial Vehicle On-Board subsystem		See Appendix A
(New) System Cost	Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning incorporated with terrestrial or satellite-based mobile communication systems, reporting location of power units at predetermined intervals, on-demand by dispatcher or as a result of driver/dispatcher messaging or change in engine ignition status.[157]		Cost: $1,200 (terrestrial) to $2,200 (satellite) per power unit, including installation. Monthly costs approximately $60 per unit.
System Cost	A tracking device installed on fleet trailers can integrate GPS technology with the Internet to provide a secure cost-effective method for remote and accurate management of trailers. The self-powered unit has a rechargeable battery pack, a roof-mounted combination GPS and wireless antenna, and a roof-mounted solar panel.[23]		Cost: beginning at $800 per trailer (2000) Monthly service cost: $19 per subscriber with a three-year contract (2000)

Carrier Operations and Fleet Management: On-Board Monitoring

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Productivity	2	-	The American Trucking Association Foundation (ATAF) conducted an extensive B/C analysis of the effects of CVO user services on regulatory compliance cost of motor carriers. The B/C ratio for on-board safety monitoring ranged from 0.49:1 to 0.02:1.[158]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	Fleet Management Center subsystem Commercial Vehicle On-Board subsystem		See Appendix A
System Cost	No data to report.

Carrier Operations and Fleet Management: Traveler Information

Benefits
Goal Area	# of Studies	Impact	Example
Customer Satisfaction	1	?	The FleetForward operational test conducted by the ATAF provided commercial truckers with real-time traffic information to facilitate routing decisions and improve the operational efficiencies of motor carrier operations along the eastern corridor. Although operating efficiencies were not significantly impacted, 75% of motor carriers felt traffic information was a valuable tool for identifying congestion.[159]
Costs
Unit Costs Database	No data to report.
System Cost	No data to report.

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