For 30 years, SC&RA’s Specialized Transportation Symposium has focused on bringing together industry members and all levels of transportation and law enforcement officials to communicate and act on opportunities of mutual interest. That proud tradition continues throughout the afternoon, starting with this overview from some of the nations most respected regulatory and enforcement officials. Hear what the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is doing to improve U.S. freight efficiency through regulatory consistency so that the nation maintains its competitive edge in the global economy. Find out why the Washington Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) has earned high praise from the specialized transportation industry for listening and acting on harmonization of oversize/overweight (OS/OW) permitting practices. And listen as the President of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) covers OS/OW issues from a law enforcement standpoint. Speakers: Brian Ness, Executive Sponsor, WASHTO Committee on Highway Transport, and Director, Idaho Transportation Department Jay Thompson, President, CVSA, and Commander, Arkansas Highway Police Special Services Paul Trombino, President, AASHTO, and Director, Iowa Department of Transportation

1. Arkansas Highway Patrol and
CVSA President
Major Jay Thompson
Arkansas Highway Patrol and
CVSA President
A Shared Vision
Major Jay Thompson
Arkansas Highway Patrol and
CVSA President

2. About CVSA
• A non-profit 501(c)(3) trade association
– 70 Members, 400+ Associate Members
• Began at industry’s urging in 1982 with several western States and Canadian
provinces
• Why was it initiated?
– Safety was a concern ------ deregulation
– Need for uniformity and reciprocity in regulation, standards, and enforcement
• How does it work?
– Support from public and private sectors critical
– All CMV disciplines at the table and involved in setting and maintaining the standards
– Focused agenda, clear expectations and results
– Processes and procedures for input and output are explicit and inclusive

3. About CVSA
• Charter
• An organization of federal, state and provincial government agencies and
industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico
dedicated to improvement of commercial vehicle safety
• Vision
• The CVSA will be recognized as the international authority on commercial
motor vehicle safety and security.
• Mission
• To promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing
leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers.

4. CVSA Efforts
• State Permit Harmonization
– CVSA supportive of initiative
– Ongoing effort in collaboration with other entities
– Discussed at CVSA S&W Committee meetings
• Pilot Car / Escort Guidance
– Directive from NTSB
– CVSA member participation in group

5. CVSA Size and Weight Policy
Previous policy:
• No changes until completion of DOT study.
• New policy approved February 9, 2015
– Developed by CVSA S&W Committee
– Industry & Enforcement reviewed DOT study & discussed
appropriate position for CVSA on size & weight issues

6. CVSA Size and Weight Policy
No changes should be made without first giving consideration to whether or
not:
• Subject vehicles are actually designed and manufactured to accommodate
the additional weights they will carry;
• Subject vehicles are being properly maintained, with particular attention
paid to the wear and tear of the vehicles’ mechanical and load bearing
components;
• Any new vehicle configuration meets safety performance requirements for
the roadways on which it is designed to travel, with consideration given to
the possible impact to infrastructure and roadway design; and,
• A minimum set of performance requirements should be established for
subject vehicles?

7. CVSA Heavy Vehicle Data Collection Effort
• CVSA overweight (permitted and non-permitted) study data were
collected for 36 months
• Vehicles included in study were those over the allowable:
– Axle weight; or
– Axle group weight; or
– Gross vehicle weight for the roadway on which it operated; or
– Operating under a special permit for the weight
• 11,352 vehicles inspected
• FMCSA analysis from this special study found 4,281 or 38% placed
Out of Service (OOS)

8. CVSA Heavy Vehicle Data Collection Effort
• FMCSA analysis found that whether or not the vehicle
was permitted, made very little difference:
– Permitted were 37% OOS,
– Non-permitted were 38% OOS
• Top vehicle Out-of-Service Rates by violation category:
– Brakes 13.7%
– Brake Adjustment 8.3%
– Tires 3.9%

9. CVSA Heavy Vehicle Considerations
• Tires
– CVSA is exploring how we can
better enforce FMCSRs relating to
tire overloading/underinflation.
Unfortunately, 393.75(h) Tire
Inflation Pressure is very difficult to
enforce at roadside, and CVSA has
supported a January 2014 petition
by the American Trucking
Associations to repeal 393.75(h).

10. CVSA Heavy Vehicle Considerations
• Tires
– NHTSA is working on a possible rulemaking to require tire
pressure monitoring systems in commercial vehicles. CVSA
hopes it can improve enforceability of under-inflation rules.
– Concerns were raised recently that some commercial vehicles
are operated for extended times at speeds above maximum
speed ratings for the tires on the vehicle, a potential source of
premature tire failure. CVSA is following this issue closely.