Researchers examine ‘alternative’ safety methods for motor fleets

Arlington, VA – Large motor fleets working to improve safety outcomes could benefit from “alternative compliance” fleet safety tools used by smaller fleets, according to a report (.pdf file) released in January by the American Transportation Research Institute.

ATRI researchers analyzed safety performance data associated with traditional and non-traditional safety tools, programs and strategies to find out “whether current regulatory requirements, safety metrics and evaluation tools completely and accurately depict a carrier’s safety performance.”

Alternative compliance tools included the Employer Notification System, electronic onboard recorders, fatigue management programs, commercial driver drug and alcohol testing using hair, simulator-based training, speed limiters or governors, and forward collision warning systems.

Researchers suggested a pilot study be conducted to further assess differences between crash rates by carrier sizes and the impact different alternative compliance tools would have on safety outcomes.