FMCSA 11-07
Monday, November 05, 2007
Contact: Melissa Mazzella DeLaney
Tel.: (202) 366-9999 or (202) 366-2309
Safety Rules Reinforced with Satellite Technology for Mexican, U.S. Trucks
Participating in the Cross-Border Trucking Demonstration Project
WASHINGTON – Starting later this month, trucks crossing the U.S.-Mexico border
as part of a new demonstration program will have equipment on board that allows
them to be monitored as they pick up and deliver their loads.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced its plans
today, noting the decision to require the installation of satellite tracking
technology on trucks in the program was made after members of Congress expressed
a desire to know whether participants are complying with federal safety and
trade laws.
The agency will initially spend approximately $367,000 to outfit all trucks from
the United States and Mexico that take part in the program, and use the
information gathered from the equipment to ensure trucks comply with
hours-of-service laws and rules that govern the trips into and out of the
country. The GPS-based technology also will allow real-time tracking of truck
location, documenting every international-border and state-line crossing.
According to FMCSA, the technology will help continue to ensure that trucks
operating as part of the program are complying with the agency’s rigorous safety
standards and U.S. trade laws.
The satellite-based technology, developed by San Diego-based Qualcomm
Incorporated, will be used to track trucks by vehicle number and company only –
no driver information will be collected.
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