““Universal ID”Universal ID”Background and Status ReportBackground and Status Report

Roadside Enforcement ActivitiesRoadside Enforcement Activities For most enforcementFor most enforcement

operations, it is physicallyoperations, it is physicallyimpossible to stop andimpossible to stop andcheck every truck.check every truck.

So, enforcement personnelSo, enforcement personnelmust continually makemust continually makedecisions on who shoulddecisions on who shouldstop and who should proceed.stop and who should proceed.

This decision process is called “screening”.This decision process is called “screening”. The objective of screening is to focus The objective of screening is to focus

enforcement resources on the non-enforcement resources on the non-compliant or high-risk carriers and trucks.compliant or high-risk carriers and trucks.

The Importance of Roadside The Importance of Roadside IdentificationIdentification

In order for roadside screening to be In order for roadside screening to be effective, it must be based on effective, it must be based on pertinent information about the pertinent information about the company and/or the truck.company and/or the truck.

Getting this information starts with Getting this information starts with identifying the vehicle and/or the identifying the vehicle and/or the motor carrier.motor carrier.

History of Roadside IDHistory of Roadside ID For many years, we have recognized the For many years, we have recognized the

need to identify commercial vehicles at the need to identify commercial vehicles at the roadside. This has resulted in numerous roadside. This has resulted in numerous requirements over the years, such as:requirements over the years, such as: License platesLicense plates USDOT numbers, ICC numbers,USDOT numbers, ICC numbers,

company names, etc.company names, etc. Special platesSpecial plates PlacardsPlacards DecalsDecals

All of these identifiers were designed to be All of these identifiers were designed to be read by a human observerread by a human observer

The ProblemThe Problem Trying to screen trucks based on manual, Trying to screen trucks based on manual,

human-readable identifiers is difficult, human-readable identifiers is difficult, expensive, and largely ineffective.expensive, and largely ineffective.

As a result, most trucks pass through As a result, most trucks pass through enforcement sites with anonymity.enforcement sites with anonymity.

Trucks who want to avoid enforcement contact Trucks who want to avoid enforcement contact can generally do so:can generally do so: By taking alternate routesBy taking alternate routes By choosing to travel when enforcement is not By choosing to travel when enforcement is not

presentpresent So, there is little success in focusing So, there is little success in focusing

enforcement resources on the non-compliant or enforcement resources on the non-compliant or high-risk carriers and vehicles.high-risk carriers and vehicles.

The Advent of Automated IDThe Advent of Automated ID In recent years, technologies have In recent years, technologies have

emerged that can provide automated emerged that can provide automated identification. These include:identification. These include:Transponder-based systems.Transponder-based systems.

Used for:Used for:Electronic Screening at weighElectronic Screening at weigh

stationsstationsInternational border crossingsInternational border crossingsElectronic toll collectionElectronic toll collection

Optical Character RecognitionOptical Character RecognitionLicense plate readersLicense plate readersUSDOT number readersUSDOT number readers

Current Status of Automated IDCurrent Status of Automated ID Transponder-based systemsTransponder-based systems

widely deployedwidely deployed Accurate, reliable, and inexpensiveAccurate, reliable, and inexpensive But, they rely on voluntary enrollment, But, they rely on voluntary enrollment,

and only a fraction of all trucks participate.and only a fraction of all trucks participate. So, the non-compliant and high-risk So, the non-compliant and high-risk

carriers still operate anonymously.carriers still operate anonymously. OCR systemsOCR systems

Many states are installing and evaluatingMany states are installing and evaluating These offer some potential value.These offer some potential value. But, they don’t work very well for this But, they don’t work very well for this

application.application. They also tend to be expensive, hindering They also tend to be expensive, hindering

widespread deploymentwidespread deployment

The Fundamental QuestionThe Fundamental Question Is it time to transition from the old Is it time to transition from the old

manually-read identifiers (i.e., license manually-read identifiers (i.e., license plates and numbers painted on doors) plates and numbers painted on doors) to a new, electronically-readable to a new, electronically-readable identifier on every truck (i.e., a identifier on every truck (i.e., a “universal ID”)?“universal ID”)?

In other words, do we need to update In other words, do we need to update our identification requirements for our identification requirements for commercial vehicles to keep pace with commercial vehicles to keep pace with changes in technology?changes in technology?

The Benefits of Universal IDThe Benefits of Universal ID For government:For government:

More effective and efficient screening.More effective and efficient screening.Make better use of personnel.Make better use of personnel.Focus enforcement resources on the high-risk carrier.Focus enforcement resources on the high-risk carrier.

More consistent enforcement coverageMore consistent enforcement coverageMonitor more routesMonitor more routesNot just on Interstates any moreNot just on Interstates any more

Harder for non-compliant carriers to avoid Harder for non-compliant carriers to avoid enforcement.enforcement.

More consistent tax collectionMore consistent tax collection Improved safetyImproved safetyBetter protection of highway infrastructureBetter protection of highway infrastructure Improved homeland securityImproved homeland security

The Benefits of Universal IDThe Benefits of Universal ID For industry:For industry:

Creates a more level playing fieldCreates a more level playing fieldmore difficult for anyone to short-cut the requirements.more difficult for anyone to short-cut the requirements.Everyone must play by the same rules.Everyone must play by the same rules.

Better revenue base – everyone paying their fair Better revenue base – everyone paying their fair shareshare

Streamlined operations at enforcement locationsStreamlined operations at enforcement locationsSafe and legal trucks avoid stops and delays.Safe and legal trucks avoid stops and delays.Fuel and time savings.Fuel and time savings.

Improved safetyImproved safetyReduced need for deceleration, acceleration, diverging and Reduced need for deceleration, acceleration, diverging and

merging.merging.Less need to stop trucks on shoulder to perform checks.Less need to stop trucks on shoulder to perform checks.

Improved condition of roadwaysImproved condition of roadwaysFewer overweight trucks – less pavement damageFewer overweight trucks – less pavement damageBetter revenue base – improved maintenanceBetter revenue base – improved maintenance

What Would Universal ID Look What Would Universal ID Look Like?Like?

There are many options, including:There are many options, including:A uniform, machine-readable license plateA uniform, machine-readable license plateA transponder (like NORPASS, PrePass, E-A transponder (like NORPASS, PrePass, E-

ZPass)ZPass)A more advanced transponder, integrated A more advanced transponder, integrated

with an onboard computerwith an onboard computerA transponder built into the license plateA transponder built into the license plateA transponder built into a windshield decalA transponder built into a windshield decalMany othersMany others

Universal ID is Not a New Universal ID is Not a New IdeaIdea

June 1999 – “A Needs Assessment and Technology June 1999 – “A Needs Assessment and Technology Evaluation for Roadside Evaluation of Commercial Evaluation for Roadside Evaluation of Commercial Vehicles”Vehicles” Funded by FHWA, Office of Motor CarriersFunded by FHWA, Office of Motor Carriers Project carried out by KY Transportation CenterProject carried out by KY Transportation Center Report included two recommendations related to Report included two recommendations related to

Universal ID:Universal ID: An assessment should be conducted into the feasibility of An assessment should be conducted into the feasibility of

placing an electronic identifier on every truck; andplacing an electronic identifier on every truck; and A stakeholder forum should be established to document specific A stakeholder forum should be established to document specific

concerns of the motor carrier community regarding electronic ID concerns of the motor carrier community regarding electronic ID technologies. This forum will be tasked with sorting through the technologies. This forum will be tasked with sorting through the advantages, disadvantages, fears, and concerns and creating a advantages, disadvantages, fears, and concerns and creating a recommended path for implementation.recommended path for implementation.

Recent DevelopmentsRecent Developments In 2007, a concept paper was developed under In 2007, a concept paper was developed under

the auspices of FMCSA’s Roadside Ad Hoc the auspices of FMCSA’s Roadside Ad Hoc Team.Team. ““Concepts/Scenarios for Roadside Identification of Concepts/Scenarios for Roadside Identification of

Commercial Vehicles”Commercial Vehicles” Subtitle: “Developing a Vision for the Future Where Subtitle: “Developing a Vision for the Future Where

Every Truck Can Be Identified Electronically”Every Truck Can Be Identified Electronically” This paper included the following:This paper included the following:

The background of roadside identification, The background of roadside identification, The case for having an electronic identifier on every truck,The case for having an electronic identifier on every truck, The Fundamental Question, i.e., “Is it time to transition….to The Fundamental Question, i.e., “Is it time to transition….to

a new, electronically readable identifier on every truck?”a new, electronically readable identifier on every truck?” Some concepts/scenarios for what this electronic identifier Some concepts/scenarios for what this electronic identifier

might look like.might look like.

Recent Developments Recent Developments (cont’d)(cont’d)

This paper was discussed/refined by the Ad This paper was discussed/refined by the Ad Hoc TeamHoc Team

The paper was presented in numerous The paper was presented in numerous forums, in order to gather feedback:forums, in order to gather feedback: AAMVA Motor Carrier Services SessionAAMVA Motor Carrier Services Session IRP Industry Advisory CommitteeIRP Industry Advisory Committee CVISN National Program Manager’s TeleconferenceCVISN National Program Manager’s Teleconference KMTA Safety CouncilKMTA Safety Council CVSA ITS CommitteeCVSA ITS Committee NORPASS Board of Directors MeetingNORPASS Board of Directors Meeting Kentucky CVISN Team RetreatKentucky CVISN Team Retreat

Phone calls were also made to numerous Phone calls were also made to numerous industry representatives to request feedback.industry representatives to request feedback.

Recent Developments Recent Developments (cont’d)(cont’d)

In September 2007, the concept paper was In September 2007, the concept paper was presented to CVSA’s ITS Committee.presented to CVSA’s ITS Committee.

The ITS Committee passed a resolution to The ITS Committee passed a resolution to petition FMCSA to require an electronic petition FMCSA to require an electronic identifier on every truck.identifier on every truck.

CVSA’s Executive Committee passed the CVSA’s Executive Committee passed the resolution as well.resolution as well.

CVSA prepared and circulated a draft CVSA prepared and circulated a draft petition letter.petition letter.

In March 2008, CVSA’s ITS Committee In March 2008, CVSA’s ITS Committee reviewed the letter and passed a motion to reviewed the letter and passed a motion to simplify the letter before sending. simplify the letter before sending.

Recent Developments Recent Developments (cont’d)(cont’d)

The ITS Committee formed a subcommittee to The ITS Committee formed a subcommittee to simplify the letter.simplify the letter.

Subcommittee completed its work in January Subcommittee completed its work in January 2009.2009.

Letter was considered by the full ITS Committee Letter was considered by the full ITS Committee during a teleconference on 01/21/09.during a teleconference on 01/21/09.

ITS Committee sent the letter back to the ITS Committee sent the letter back to the Executive Committee for action.Executive Committee for action.

ITS Committee also asked Executive Committee ITS Committee also asked Executive Committee to seek input from CVSA’s Associate Advisory to seek input from CVSA’s Associate Advisory Committee before taking action.Committee before taking action.

These discussions will take place at CVSA’s These discussions will take place at CVSA’s Spring Workshop in Louisville (April 4-6)Spring Workshop in Louisville (April 4-6)

Current CVSA RecommendationsCurrent CVSA Recommendations Amend 49 CFR 390.21 to require every Amend 49 CFR 390.21 to require every

interstate commercial motor vehicle to be interstate commercial motor vehicle to be equipped with an electronic device equipped with an electronic device capable of communicating (via radio capable of communicating (via radio frequency) a unique identification number frequency) a unique identification number when queried by a roadside system.when queried by a roadside system. Simple, low-cost, decal-type, RFID device.Simple, low-cost, decal-type, RFID device. Each device assigned to a specific vehicle.Each device assigned to a specific vehicle. Each device has a unique ID number assigned Each device has a unique ID number assigned

per existing ISO standard.per existing ISO standard. Mounted on inside of windshield.Mounted on inside of windshield.

Current CVSA Recommendations Current CVSA Recommendations (cont’d)(cont’d)

FMCSA shall specify the frequency and (non-FMCSA shall specify the frequency and (non-proprietary) communications protocol. proprietary) communications protocol.

Devices cannot be transferred from one vehicle to Devices cannot be transferred from one vehicle to another.another.

Existing windshield-mounted devices will satisfy the Existing windshield-mounted devices will satisfy the requirement requirement ifif they meet all the specifications. they meet all the specifications.

Each device will have its unique ID number Each device will have its unique ID number associated with a specific truck in SAFER.associated with a specific truck in SAFER.

The process for issuing these devices and getting The process for issuing these devices and getting them registered in SAFER will be determined by them registered in SAFER will be determined by FMCSA based on an assessment of the relative FMCSA based on an assessment of the relative costs, benefits, speed of implementation, and costs, benefits, speed of implementation, and efficiency.efficiency.

Could be the responsibility of state vehicle licensing agencies.Could be the responsibility of state vehicle licensing agencies. Could be the responsibility of the private sector.Could be the responsibility of the private sector.

Current CVSA Recommendations Current CVSA Recommendations (cont’d)(cont’d)

Extension of the federal requirement to Extension of the federal requirement to intrastate carriers will be a state-by-state intrastate carriers will be a state-by-state decision.decision.

To the extent possible (consistent with the To the extent possible (consistent with the requirements for simplicity and low cost), requirements for simplicity and low cost), the devices will support multiple roadside the devices will support multiple roadside operational concepts (weigh station, operational concepts (weigh station, mainline, VWS, mobile enforcement, etc.)mainline, VWS, mobile enforcement, etc.)

Target to have full compliance by January Target to have full compliance by January 1, 2012.1, 2012.

Issues and Research NeedsIssues and Research Needs Technology must be accurate and reliable.Technology must be accurate and reliable. Information security and data privacy.Information security and data privacy. Selection of RF frequency and communications Selection of RF frequency and communications

protocol:protocol: Existing technology? Non-proprietary protocol?Existing technology? Non-proprietary protocol?

Possible interference issues from having more Possible interference issues from having more than one RF device on some trucks?than one RF device on some trucks?

Changes needed to SAFER?Changes needed to SAFER? Prescribing location on windshield?Prescribing location on windshield? Advantages/disadvantages of different Advantages/disadvantages of different

approaches for issuing/registering tags.approaches for issuing/registering tags. Security or encryption issues?Security or encryption issues?

Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked QuestionsHow do we envision this electronic How do we envision this electronic

identifier being used?identifier being used?How does this initiative fit in with How does this initiative fit in with

programs like WRI and CVII?programs like WRI and CVII?How does this initiative fit in with How does this initiative fit in with

programs like NORPASS and PrePass?programs like NORPASS and PrePass?Why did CVSA recommend a passive, Why did CVSA recommend a passive,

decal-type device versus a more-decal-type device versus a more-capable active device?capable active device?

FAQs (continued)FAQs (continued)Why not let trucks with existing tags Why not let trucks with existing tags

(such as NORPASS or PrePass tags) (such as NORPASS or PrePass tags) use those tags to meet the use those tags to meet the requirement?requirement?

Why not have the electronic Why not have the electronic identifier store and transmit the VIN, identifier store and transmit the VIN, license plate number, or USDOT license plate number, or USDOT number instead of just a “unique ID number instead of just a “unique ID number?”number?”

Joe Crabtree, Ph.D., P.E.Kentucky Transportation Center

(859) 257-4508joe.crabtree@uky.edu

Questions/ Questions/ Discussion?Discussion?