Use of Wireless Mobile Data Devices as Transponders for the Commercial Motor Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) Electronic Screening Systems

Anne S. Ferro
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
July 19, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 139 (Friday, July 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43262-43263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17418]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration


Use of Wireless Mobile Data Devices as Transponders for the 
Commercial Motor Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) 
Electronic Screening Systems

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; announcement of policy.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) 
network devices can be used as transponders for the purposes of CVISN 
electronic screening truck inspection and weigh station bypass systems. 
CMRS network devices such as smartphones, tablets, fleet management 
systems, global positioning system (GPS) navigational units, and 
onboard telematics devices (referred to collectively as ``wireless 
mobile data devices'') have the capability of transmitting and 
receiving the same information between the driver and the inspection 
site as the dedicated short-range communication (DSRC)-enabled 
transponders operating at the 915 MHz frequency currently used to 
fulfill the CVISN electronic screening requirement for core compliance. 
This policy does not affect the applicability or enforcement of FMCSA's 
regulations prohibiting texting and the use of hand-held wireless 
mobile phones by commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning this notice 
or this activity, contact Mr. Jose M. Rodriguez, CVISN Technical 
Program Manager, Technology Division of FMCSA, (202) 366-3517, 
jose.rodriguez@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The purpose of the CVISN program is to advance technological 
capability and promote the deployment of Intelligent Transportation 
System applications for commercial vehicle operations, including 
commercial vehicle, commercial driver, and carrier specific information 
systems and networks. CVISN is divided into core and expanded 
deployment. Before a State is eligible for expanded deployment funding, 
it must complete core deployment. In order to complete core deployment, 
States must install an electronic system to screen transponder-equipped 
commercial vehicles at a minimum of one fixed or mobile inspection site 
in the State and replicate this screening at other sites. The objective 
of electronic screening is to identify enrolled vehicles; to screen 
vehicles based on safety history, weight, and credential status (e.g., 
registration, fuel tax payment, operating authority); and to allow 
enrolled vehicles that meet the State's criteria to bypass inspection 
sites. By allowing compliant vehicles to bypass weigh stations and 
inspection sites without stopping, FMCSA and its State partners are 
able to increase the effectiveness of enforcement efforts by targeting 
high risk motor carriers. Currently, weigh stations and inspection 
sites electronically screen DSRC-enabled transponder-equipped CMVs to 
determine if an inspection is necessary or if the driver should bypass 
the weigh station or inspection site.
    In the past, States have installed only DSRC electronic screening 
transponder systems to satisfy the CVISN core electronic screening 
requirement because that was the prevalent technology at the time the 
CVISN program was authorized. States or private companies providing the 
DSRC screening services were required to install DSRC infrastructure to 
participate in the information sharing between roadside activities and 
the vehicles required to be in compliance with Core CVISN deployment. 
States may continue to deploy DSRC electronic screening transponder 
systems operating at the 915 MHz frequency to fulfill the CVISN 
electronic screening requirement for core compliance.

Use of CMRS To Comply With CVISN

    Since the CVISN program began, there has been a significant 
expansion of CMRS networks in North America.

[[Page 43263]]

States may now use available CMRS networks to screen trucks equipped 
with wireless mobile data devices used as transponders. CMRS network 
devices such as smartphones, tablets, fleet management systems, GPS 
navigational units, and onboard telematics devices are capable of 
transmitting and receiving multiple forms of wireless mobile data and 
thus, are considered transponders for the purposes of the CVISN 
program.
    CMRS transponders use commercially available mobile radio 
transmission frequencies to access cellular data networks and exchange 
carrier and vehicle credentials utilizing web-based technologies. 
Triggered via GPS signaling, CMRS transponders communicate through the 
internet to electronic screening systems that issue traditional red 
light/green light responses for in-cab displays mounted on the 
dashboard. Because CMRS transponders are hardware neutral, drivers can 
install a variety of cellular-enabled GPS-connected devices (such as 
smartphones, tablets, fleet management systems, GPS navigational units, 
and onboard telematics devices) in vehicles.
    This policy announcement does not affect the applicability or 
enforcement of FMCSA's regulations under 49 CFR part 392 prohibiting 
texting and the use of hand-held wireless mobile phones by commercial 
motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

Benefits

    Use of wireless mobile data devices as transponders with CMRS 
provides benefits to FMCSA and key stakeholders including State CMV 
enforcement agencies, industry, and participating motor carriers:
    1. All of the remaining 11 States that have not yet achieved CVISN 
core deployment status because they have not met the CVISN electronic 
screening requirement will have another option to achieve CVISN core 
deployment status. This makes States eligible for the expanded CVISN 
funding deployment milestone and improves data sharing among States and 
FMCSA.
    2. The electronic screening system enables State enforcement 
agencies to identify CMV drivers and check their safety status at 
highway speeds and enables FMCSA and State partners to more efficiently 
utilize resources to target high risk carriers.
    3. The capability to check the safety status of drivers and 
vehicles at highway speeds will decrease congestion and vehicle 
emissions at inspection sites. Motor carriers will avoid fuel costs 
associated with idling at weigh stations and inspection sites.
    4. State agencies can add additional electronic screening sites, 
both fixed and mobile, with no infrastructure-related costs. CMRS-
enabled systems give States significant flexibility in activating and 
de-activating geofences (the virtual perimeter for the real-world 
geographic area in which truck station bypass systems electronically 
screen CMVs).
    5. For participating motor carriers, available CMRS-based 
electronic screening systems are technology-platform neutral and could 
be operated, on wireless mobile data devices, as well as onboard fleet 
management systems. The use of the system is consistent with FMCSA's 
prohibition against the use of hand-held mobile phones and texting and 
complements existing DSRC-based screening systems.

    Issued on: July 8, 2013.
Anne S. Ferro,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-17418 Filed 7-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P