FMCSA GETS GRANTS FOR SAFETY

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) recently announced the availability of a $30 million in state grants to improve transportation safety. This grant comes from two annual programs, each that are design to strengthen commercial vehicle safety. The goal of this grant is to modernize the technology infrastructure, making it more efficient to collect and disseminate real-time safety data to roadside inspectors and law enforcement personnel.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx stated that “safety is our highest priority and we expect that truck that truck and bus companies, and their drivers, are also focused on safety at all times. Providing our state partners with the most effective tools for identifying unsafe trucks, buses and commercial drivers in real time is an investment that pays dividends in preventing crashes and saving lives.”

The grant is funded through two separate programs, the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) and the Performance Registration Information Systems Management Programs.

Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks

Thanks to the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks program, up to $25 million will be awarded to the intelligent transportation systems applications for commercial vehicle operations. This money will go to improving technological capability and promote the deployment. The CVISN program is improving efficiency through screening commercial vehicles and enabling online applications for high-risk operators.

Performance Registration Information Systems Management

With the help of the Performance Registration Information Systems Management program (PRISM), $5 million will be awarded to further nationally integrate state commercial motor vehicle (CVM) registration and licensing systems. This will enable states to determine the eligibility of a motor carrier or registrant during the licensing of the company’s vehicles. The PRISM system will automatically suspend or withhold ineligible commercial vehicle registrations from one state to another.

In November 2014, FMCSA announced additional funding to help strength commercial vehicle safety throughout the states. This will ensure that only qualified individuals will receive and retain commercial licensing. The Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) is funding a grant that will update computer hardware and software, strengthen quality control, training and related areas.

The due date for states to apply for both PRISM and CVISN grans is February 2, 2015. The CDLPI grant is now closed.

The FMCSA will be hosting two webinars for state officials to provide more information about each grant. You can find these schedules at www.Grants.gov.

At Progressive Reporting, we believe that the key to safety starts with the driver. By updating commercial safety vehicles with newer technology, not only can we prevent more accidents, but save lives.

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