The FMCSA contracted the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to conduct a study on the role that vehicle maintenance plays in motor carrier safety.
โThe survey described in this notice is to determine what improvements, ranging from better compliance interventions to better vehicle maintenance requirements, would enhance motor carrier safety,โ a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Federal Register announcement stated on November 27.
The current regulation on carrier vehicle maintenance states that every carrier must have a program in place to, โsystematically inspect, repair, and maintain all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment subject to its control.โ The requirement does not adequately define โsystematicallyโ leaving the current regulation dependent upon individual carriersโ understanding.
The agency is seeking comments for the study through December 27.
