FMCSA's Office of Research and Analysis is committed to reducing the large truck-related fatality rate from 2.8 per 100 million truck-miles in 1996 to 1.65 by 2008.

Latest Publications 5/22/06 Summary Report of the Industry Capabilities Meeting 4/21/06 Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) Analysis Series: Using LTCCS Data for Statistical Analyses of Crash Risk 3/31/06 Tractor-Trailer Dynamic Alignment Research Report 3/28/06 Expanded Satellite-Based Mobile Communications Tracking System Field Test All Reports All Technical Briefs All Analysis Briefs

Mission

The mission of FMCSA's Office of Research and Analysis is to reduce the number and severity of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes and enhance the efficiency of CMV operations by:

• Conducting systematic studies directed toward fuller scientific discovery, knowledge, or understanding
• Adopting, testing, and deploying innovative driver, carrier, vehicle, and roadside best practices and technologies

By expanding the knowledge and portfolio of deployable technology, the research and technology program will help FMCSA reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities and will deliver a program that contributes to a safe and secure commercial transportation system.

Strategic Objectives

• Produce Safer Drivers: Research techniques that help to ensure commercial drivers are physically qualified, trained to perform safely, and mentally alert
• Improve Safety of Commercial Motor Vehicles: Improve truck and motorcoach performance through vehicle-based safety technologies
• Produce Safer Carriers: Support efforts to improve carrier safety by applying safety management principles, compiling best management practices, communicating best practices, and supporting the Agency's enforcement of carrier-related regulations
• Advance Safety Through Information-Based Initiatives: Improve the safety and productivity of commercial motor vehicle operations through the application of information systems and technologies
• Improve Security Through Safety Initiatives: Develop and implement safety initiatives that also have security benefits for truck and motorcoach operations
• Enable and Motivate Internal Excellence: Improve performance to serve the customers and stakeholders of the Research and Analysis Divisions more effectively and economically. Data quality and the improvement of SafeStat are a major focus for FMCSA, but they are not included in this plan because they are being addressed by FMCSA organizations, outside of research and technology.