Truck and Bus Maintenance
Requirements and Their Impact on Safety
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
11/16/2023
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
11/30/2023
867
867
265
265
0
0
The purpose of this research effort is
to improve FMCSA’s understanding of the safety impact of
preventative vehicle maintenance and to - Develop an operational
definition of “systematic maintenance;” - Evaluate whether current
regulations are sufficient to address: (i) preventative maintenance
intervals, (ii) preventative maintenance inspections with
adequately trained/equipped mechanics, and (iii) motor carriers’
maintenance facilities; and - Gather information to assist in
establishing minimum standards for inspection intervals, mechanic
qualifications and training, and certification of maintenance
facilities. Under contract to FMCSA, the Virginia Tech
Transportation Institute (VTTI) at the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University (VT) will obtain the data required
to address the study objectives. In accordance with USDOT policy on
research involving human subjects, this study will be submitted to
VTTI’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review and approval
prior to beginning data collection. This information collection
will be administered exclusively online, using a two-phase survey
process. Links to both surveys will be emailed directly to
potential respondents. Carriers asked to participate in the Carrier
Maintenance Management Survey (Phase II) will receive, via email,
an informed consent form (ICF). The ICF, which contains no
questions and does not require a signature, will outline the study
objectives and methods, any possible risks, compensation, and
participant rights. The Phase I survey will ask carriers to provide
name and contact information (email and phone number); name of
carrier and USDOT number; current position/job title at carrier;
length of time carrier has been in operation; size of carrier;
types of vehicles operated (e.g., bus, truck, tractor-truck, or
tractor-trailer); and involvement in the past 24 months with a
Federal or State intervention due to vehicle maintenance
violations. Phase II includes questions about demographics;
maintenance practices, intervals, personnel, and facilities; and
State and Federal inspections, etc. This one-time survey is
voluntary for truck carriers and bus carriers to report information
online.
US Code:
49
USC 31108 Name of Law: Motor Carrier Research and Technology
Programs
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.