FMCSA to update large truck crash causation study

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is requesting stakeholder input as it develops an updated study of contributing factors to crashes involving large commercial trucks.

In a Request for Information published in the Jan. 15 Federal Register, FMCSA acknowledges that “many changes in technology, vehicle safety, driver behavior and roadway design” have transpired since the 2006 publication of its Large Truck Crash Causation Study. Agency data shows that fatal crashes involving large trucks totaled 4,415 in 2018 – a 52.6% increase from the 2,893 recorded in 2009.

FMCSA said it intends to create a study that will better help the agency and its state partners:

• Evaluate crashes involving large trucks and identify emerging trends.
• Monitor crash trends and identify causes and contributing factors.
• Develop effective safety improvement policies and programs.

According to the RFI, the agency is looking for answers to the following questions:

• Should FMCSA pursue a nationally representative sampling approach or can convenience sampling serve the needs?
• What type of study are you recommending (e.g., nationally representative vs. convenience sampling), and what are the pros and cons of this approach?
• How important is it for the new study results to be comparable with findings of the original one?
• What other sources of data can enrich the new study? How can they be identified and included?

The deadline to comment is March 16.