Development of a Strategic Plan for Commercial Vehicle Operations in Texas


Book Description

This report concludes a one-year. project conducted for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to develop a statewide strategic plan for commercial vehicle operations (CVO). The report is divided into seven chapters which address the tasks that were defined at the outset of the project. The first chapter provides background information regarding the need for the strategic plan and its foundation. The second chapter presents the summary of a comprehensive literature review concerning strategic planning for CVO and other related topics. Chapter 3 describes the trucking activity in Texas in terms of fleet characteristics, the distribution of trucking activity, and commodity movements. Chapter 4 provides an overview of truck size and weight (TS&W) regulations and safety regulations, as well as current enforcement practices in the state. The next chapter presents an overview of current practices by government agencies and by motor carriers regarding administrative procedures in the state. Chapter 6 describes current advances in information and transportation technology. The proposed strategic plan for Texas is presented in Chapter 7. This plan includes the mission statement, long- and short-term goals and objectives, and the specific milestones, responsibilities, and funding opportunities for Texas.




Improving Motor Carrier Safety Measurement


Book Description

Every year roughly 100,000 fatal and injury crashes occur in the United States involving large trucks and buses. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the U.S. Department of Transportation works to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. FMCSA uses information that is collected on the frequency of approximately 900 different violations of safety regulations discovered during (mainly) roadside inspections to assess motor carriers' compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, as well as to evaluate their compliance in comparison with their peers. Through use of this information, FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS) identifies carriers to receive its available interventions in order to reduce the risk of crashes across all carriers. Improving Motor Carrier Safety Measurement examines the effectiveness of the use of the percentile ranks produced by SMS for identifying high-risk carriers, and if not, what alternatives might be preferred. In addition, this report evaluates the accuracy and sufficiency of the data used by SMS, to assess whether other approaches to identifying unsafe carriers would identify high-risk carriers more effectively, and to reflect on how members of the public use the SMS and what effect making the SMS information public has had on reducing crashes.




Departments of Transportation, Treasury, HUD, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations for 2006: Department of Transportation FY 2006 budget justifications


Book Description




Food Safety: Theory and Practice


Book Description

Written for graduate students or college seniors, Food Safety: Theory and Practice emphasizes a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to food safety. It covers important topics related to the prevention of foodborne illnesses and diseases with a “farm-to-fork” perspective. Each chapter starts with a set of learning objectives for the student and ends with a list of important references and websites for further study and research. Scientific principles that underpin food safety are introduced, and terminology is explained to facilitate comprehension by the student. In keeping with current trends, risk analysis and food safety management are stressed throughout the textbook. The writing style is concise and to the point, and the book contains hundreds of references, figures, and tables. Extremely well organized, this book can serve as the primary text for a food safety course, or it can serve as a background text for more specialized courses in food safety. Key topics include: Risk and hazard analysis of goods - covers risk assessment and hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) evaluations of food safety. Safety management of the food supply - provides a farm-to-fork overview of food safety, emphasizing the risks associated with each step in the food supply. Food safety laws, regulations, enforcement, and responsibilities - describes the major provisions, relationship, and hierarchy of laws and guidelines designed to ensure a safe food supply. The pivotal role of food sanitation/safety inspectors - including the interpretation of standards, problem solving and decision making, education of the food handling staff, and participation in foodborne illness outbreak investigations.




Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications


Book Description

February issue includes Appendix entitled Directory of United States Government periodicals and subscription publications; September issue includes List of depository libraries; June and December issues include semiannual index




ITF Research Reports Moving Freight with Better Trucks Improving Safety, Productivity and Sustainability


Book Description

This report identifies potential improvements in terms of more effective safety and environmental regulation for trucks, backed by better systems of enforcement, and identifies opportunities for greater efficiency and higher productivity.




Federal Register


Book Description




Autonomous Vehicle Technology


Book Description

The automotive industry appears close to substantial change engendered by “self-driving” technologies. This technology offers the possibility of significant benefits to social welfare—saving lives; reducing crashes, congestion, fuel consumption, and pollution; increasing mobility for the disabled; and ultimately improving land use. This report is intended as a guide for state and federal policymakers on the many issues that this technology raises.