Citation

McCartt AT, Campbell S, Keppler S, Lantz B. Transp. Res. Circular 2007; (E-C117): 41-57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, U.S. National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Two agencies of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the states share responsibility for motor carrier safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets standards for new truck equipment and has some jurisdiction over equipment standards for trucks currently on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees the safety of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce (vehicles operating across state lines). FMCSA regulations cover equipment, licensing, hours of service, and vehicle inspection and maintenance; FMCSA and the states share responsibility for enforcing these rules. The responsibility for regulating and enforcing the safety of intrastate commercial vehicle travel (travel by trucks operating only within a single state’s borders) resides with the states. In addition, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration promulgates regulations concerning safe transportation of hazmat, including cargo tank manufacturing standards. FMCSA enforces these regulations for highway transportation. This section of circular E-C117 describes the major enforcement and compliance programs of FMCSA and the states, recent trends in these programs, and key research issues. Although commercial vehicle enforcement and compliance activities also include general traffic enforcement initiatives directed at passenger vehicle drivers, this section focuses primarily on activities directed at interstate motor carriers and bus companies and commercial vehicle drivers and their vehicles.

Keywords: Pipeline transportation