1. Report No.

FMCSA-MCRRT-06-002

2. Government Accession No.

3. Recipient's Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Untethered Trailer Tracking Control System Final Report

5. Report Date

September 15, 2005

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Michael Boyden (SAIC), Daniel Stock (SAIC), Mark Jensen (SAIC), Erik Wik (SAIC), Steven Le (SAIC), Yamilet Alfaro-Gunion (SAIC), Andrew Spector (SAIC), Joseph Deignan (SAIC), Carol Mitchell (SAIC), Marc Sands (QUALCOMM), Derrick Vercoe (QUALCOMM), Peggy Erlandson (QUALCOMM), Laura Mack (QUALCOMM), Jennifer Wittpenn (QUALCOMM), Michele Clark (QUALCOMM), Jonathan McQueen (QUALCOMM), Amy Houser (FMCSA)

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
Information Technology Integration Group
10250 Campus Point Drive, MS T2-B
San Diego, CA 92121

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.

DTMC75-03-F-00049

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Acquisition Management Division
400 Virginia Ave. S.W., Suite 340
Washington, DC 20590

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

Final Report – 07/03 to 09/05

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

FMCSA

15. Supplementary Notes

This program was administered through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA Program Manager is Ms. Amy Houser.

16. Abstract

The security of truck operations is a major component of a secure national transportation system. Commercial motor vehicles are not only potential targets of attack, but they can also be used as a means of transferring destructive materials within the country and as weapons to attack other targets. The House of Representatives Report 107-722, Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2003, stated that further development of existing trailer tracking systems was essential. As a result, FMCSA conducted a pilot test of an untethered trailer tracking (UTT) system with the expanded functions specified in the congressional report. For this project, FMCSA worked in partnership with a review team comprised of governmental and industry participants for expert opinions and review for this project.

The purpose of this pilot test was to test a UTT system that meets specific functional requirements and improves the safety and security of trailers and shipments at each phase of its movement. The UTT system included: near real-time trailer identification; accurate time of connection and disconnection activities; location and mapping of trailers; geo-fencing to identify a risk area or unscheduled trailer movement; remote sensing of a loaded or empty trailer; and security of the cargo door.

The pilot test was conducted using three operational scenarios. Scenario 1 involved national truckload delivery of standard dry van deliveries. Scenario 2 involved a national truckload delivery of high value retail clothing and electronics. Scenario 3 included the regional truckload of Class 1.1 – 1.6 Explosives. Each scenario included 25 trailers, with various combinations of UTT system components installed on the trailers. Following a period of specification, systems design, and prototype testing, the UTT technologies were then installed and tested on the trailers over a 3-month period per scenario from October 2004 through January 2005. Data from field testing, staged tests, and expert opinions were collected to determine the functionality of the UTT system and potential improvements in security, safety and efficiency through the use of the UTT system.

17. Key Words

Untethered Trailer Tracking; Asset Tracking System; Tractor-Trailers; Commercial Motor Vehicles; Motor Carriers; Safety; Security; Efficiency

18. Distribution Statement

19. Security Classification (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classification (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No of Pages

123

22. Price

N/A