DataQs Help |
Who Can Enter Data Challenges? How do I... Determine my Motor Carrier Personal Identification Number (PIN)? Filter my Data Challenge List? Enter Data Challenges & Determine my Challenge Type? Enter Request for a Copy of an Inspection Report? View Details of a Data Challenge? DataQs Flow Chart (How challenges go through the DataQs system) Scenario Examples (opens to same window): 1. Carrier Enters Data Challenge (PowerPoint file) (Text file) 2. State Agency Responds to Data Challenge (PowerPoint file) (Text file) What is DataQs?The FMCSA DataQs system is an electronic means for filing concerns about Federal and State data released to the public by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Through this system, data concerns are automatically forwarded to the appropriate office for resolution. The system also allows filers to monitor the status of each filing. The system does not require any changes in Federal or State procedures for resolving data quality challenges, but will simplify the existing process and provide a mechanism to better track these data challenges. Specifically, the DataQs system:
What Capabilities do I have?DataQs provides users with a web-based system to enter and respond to data quality challenges. There are four levels of users in the system: general public, motor carriers, FMCSA/State agency level users, and FMCSA administrative level users. Each level of user has different capabilities as follows: General Public Users & Motor Carriers:
FMCSA/State Agency Users:
*(This capability is available to FMCSA Division Offices Only. It is available to allow FMCSA to better assist State Agencies resolve data issues.) FMCSA Administrative Level Users (FMCSA HQ and support staff):
Who Can Enter Data Challenges?Any user can enter data challenges into the system including: general public users, motor carriers, FMCSA/State Agency users, and FMCSA Administrative level users. When a data challenge is entered into DataQs, the system will forward the challenge to an organization based on the type of challenge and the location information provided when collecting detailed challenge information. DataQs will then send an email notification to that organization. Back to TopHow is DataQs Organized?When you log into the DataQs system you will see the DataQs default home page. This page provides access to all functional areas of DataQs via top-level and mid-level navigation, displays user profile information, and lists the data challenges the user has access rights to. Top-Level Navigation The top-level navigation appears as tabs on all DataQs web pages and allows access to:
*(This tab is visible to FMCSA/State Agency Users and FMCSA Administrative level users.) Mid-Level Navigation Mid-level navigation appears on all web pages under the 'Enter/List Data Challenge' Tab (DataQs home page). Mid-level navigation buttons displayed are:
User Profile Information The user profile information is displayed just below the mid-level navigation tabs. The information can be updated by selecting the 'Edit Profile' button listed above the Requestor Profile information. Filters for Sorting Data Challenge List The data challenge list can be filtered to display the challenges that match filter selection. The fields available for filter selection will depend on the user's access rights. The fields available for a users access level are listed below under Data Challenge List. Filters can also be saved from session to session by selecting the 'Save Filter' button. A saved filter will automatically be applied when a user logs into the DataQs system. When a saved filter is applied the following text will appear to the left of the filter selection options: SAVED FILTER-APPLIED. The saved filter will be applied at each log in until the 'Clear Saved Filter' button is selected. NOTE: For Saved Filters to take affect the user's browser must be set to enable the use of cookies. Data Challenge List The data challenge list is displayed below the user profile information. The data challenges that appear in the list will depend on the user's access rights and the filtering options selected by the user. General Public users and Non-Validated Motor Carrier users see:
Validated Motor Carrier users see:
FMCSA/State Agency Level Users see:
FMCSA Administrative Level Users see:
Columns that appear in the data challenge list are dependent on user access level. Items included in the listing are:
Note: Data Challenges originating in the U.S. DOT's Docket Management System (DMS) will be entered into DataQs by Volpe Center personnel. The list of challenges can be re-sorted by each column. Clicking the column heading will sort the column in ascending order. Clicking that same column heading again will re-sort the list in descending order. Back to TopHow do I Register for DataQs?All users are required to register with the DataQs system. By default, new users are assigned General Public access rights. General Public are required to fill out the online registration form found by clicking "Register Online" button on the login page. After filling out the form, clicking Submit will bring you back to the login page where you can enter your username and password to access the system. Motor Carriers are required to fill out the online registration form found by clicking "Register Online" button on the login page. After filling out the form, clicking Submit will bring you back to the login page where you can enter your username and password to access the system. Motor Carriers may get additional information not available to General Public users through DataQs by obtaining a 'validated' status. To obtain a validated Motor Carrier status, motor carriers must enter their FMCSA provided Personal Identification Number (PIN). Sixty days of temporary validation can be obtained by faxing a request letter on company letterhead that is signed by an official of the company to (617) 494-2892. State or Federal Agency level users must complete and submit the FMCSA Information Technology Account Request Form. This Form is available from FMCSA's Technical Support Website at http://fmcsa-ts.dot.gov. Once on this site access the form via the Technical Support Tab. Back to TopHow do I Determine my Motor Carrier Personal Identification Number (PIN)?All motor carriers are assigned a PIN by the FMCSA. Users can validate that they are members of a motor carrier's organization by entering their motor carrier PIN. Validated users may get additional information not available to General Public users. Each Motor Carrier has been issued a PIN by the FMCSA to allow them to do online transactions within many FMCSA systems. This number can be found on the FMCSA letter mailed to each carrier as a reminder of FMCSA's requirement to file a biennial update of carrier registration information (Form MCS-150). If you are not able to locate your PIN, you can request it by following these three steps:
Once you complete the PIN registration process, a notification letter with your PIN will be generated and mailed to the address that was submitted on your most recent Form MCS-150. You should receive this letter within two weeks. Assistance with PIN issues can be obtained by calling FMCSA technical support at: (703) 280-4001 during normal business hours. Sixty days of temporary validation can be obtained by faxing a request letter on company letterhead to (617) 494-2892. The letter should include the name of the person requesting temporary validation, and the letter should be signed by an official of the company. How do I Edit/Update my Profile?Clicking on the Edit Profile button in the Mid-Level navigation will display the Requestor Profile page. Change any of the details listed and click Submit when you are through, or click Reset to undo any changes you may have made. Note that if you select the Organization Type of Motor Carrier you will be requested to enter your FMCSA assigned motor carrier PIN number for validation. Non-validated motor carriers receive the same access rights as General Public users. Back to TopHow Do I Enter Data Challenges & Determine my Challenge Type?Any user can enter a data challenge into the DataQs by selecting the 'Add a Challenge' button from the Enter/List Data Challenge screens. When the button is selected a two-screen sequence is initiated for entering the challenge into the system. Determine my Challenge Type On the first screen the challenge type is selected. Choices are (definitions follow):
After selecting the type of data challenge and submitting the form, a screen may appear that displays the states that are NOT PARTICIPATING in DataQs for the type of challenge you selected. If your data challenge is for an event that occurred in one of the listed states please contact the state directly using the phone number provided. Do not continue to add this challenge into DataQs Note: The list of non-participating states can differ by type of data challenge. Also, State Agencies may sign up at any time, so check this list often. The second input screen collects specific information about the data being challenged. The data collected on this screen varies depending on the type of challenge identified on the first screen. When this second screen is submitted the data challenge is loaded into the DataQs system. An acknowledgement screen is generated, the challenge is forwarded to an organization for resolution, and email notifications are sent to State- and FMCSA-selected individuals within their organizations. Note: FMCSA and State personnel can:
Individuals who will receive automatic notification of challenges forwarded to their organization are determined by the organization. Contact the DataQs system administrators to add a user to the automatic notification. Back to TopHow Do I Enter Request for a Copy of an Inspection Report?Any user can enter a report request into the DataQs by selecting the 'Request a Report' button from the Enter/List Data Challenge screens. When the button is selected, an input screen collects specific information about the report being requested. A user may also select the ‘Check this box to request a copy of this Inspection report’ option within the Add a Challenge screen to simultaneously submit a report request while entering a challenge. When the request is loaded into the DataQs system, an acknowledgement screen is generated. The challenge is then forwarded to an organization for research and email notifications are sent to State- and FMCSA-selected individuals within their organizations. Note: FMCSA and State personnel can:
Individuals who will receive automatic notification of challenges forwarded to their organization are determined by the organization. Contact the DataQs system administrators to add a user to the automatic notification. Back to TopHow Do I View Details of a Data Challenge?Clicking on the data Challenge ID number in the data Challenge List will retrieve a detailed view of the data challenge. The detailed view displays the information collected during data challenge entry; identifies the user who entered the challenge into the system; displays each response to the data challenge (with most recent entries listed first); and links to a list of supporting documentation added to the DataQs for the displayed challenge. Clicking on the 'Create PDF File' icon in the Detail View screen enables the user to access a PDF file version of challenge details. The user can view the PDF version, save it, or print it. Back to TopHow Do I Change the Challenge Type?A user can change the challenge type for a given challenge by clicking on the corresponding Challenge ID link. Clicking on a 'Challenge ID' link in the Challenge List takes the user to the Detail View for the challenge, where the user can then click on the 'Change Challenge Type' link below the Challenge Type section. Clicking on the 'Change Challenge Type' link will take the user to the Change Challenge Type screen, where a checklist of possible challenge types is available. The checklist includes types other than the original challenge type. After selecting the new challenge type, the user must then click on the 'Continue' button. Clicking on the 'Continue' button takes the user to a detailed view of the challenge. All challenge information on this screen is editable by the user. Depending on the new challenge type, the user may be required to enter additional challenge information before proceeding. The user may also opt to not make any changes to challenge information. Once the user has made additional or no changes to the challenge information, the user can click on the 'Submit' button in order to save these changes. A 'Reset' button is also available in addition to the 'Submit' button in case the user would like to revert to the original challenge information at any time before clicking on 'Submit'. Clicking on the 'Submit' button takes the user to the Challenge Confirmation screen. This screen enables the user to either upload additional documentation or to return to the list of challenges Once a change of challenge type has been submitted, a response is added to the response list for that particular challenge. This response can be found in the Detail View for the challenge, under Response List. The response describes the change from one type of challenge to the new type.General Public Users and Motor Carriers are able to change the challenge type for open challenges only. FMCSA/State Agency users and FMCSA administrative users are able to change the challenge type of an open and closed challenge. Note: Challenge Type Crash - Not Preventable (Carrier not at fault) cannot be changed by the user. How Do I Respond to a Data Challenge?Note: FMCSA/State Agency Users must manually change the status of data challenges they respond to. Users can respond to a challenge from two locations within DataQs. The first is by selecting 'Go' in the Respond column of the data challenge list. The second is by selecting 'Add Response' from the detailed view of a data challenge. Responses to data challenges are posted in DataQs and are available for review on the detailed view screen for a data challenge. The response screen allows users (with access rights to the data challenge) to enter responses. FMCSA/State Agency users and FMCSA administrative users can also change the status of challenges from this screen. When a response is added for a challenge, email notifications are sent to both the organization responsible for the challenge and the challenge originator. This allows users to participate in a dialogue to resolve the data challenge. For example, if a motor carrier has entered a data challenge into DataQs but didn't provide enough detail for the Federal or State agency to resolve the issue, that agency could then ask for the specific information needed using the response screen. FMCSA/State Agency users and FMCSA administrative users can also forward challenges from this screen by clicking on the 'Forward challenge to another agency for resolution' link. The challenge originator will receive an email notification that a response has been added for the challenge. When the challenge originator logs into DataQs and reads the response, they will know what additional information is needed. They can provide this information by responding through DataQs. The Federal or State Agency will receive an email notification that additional information has been added for the challenge. After reviewing the additional information, a determination of the merits of the challenge can be made; the status of the challenge can be changed; and, if necessary, a formal response letter can be generated using the templates provided within DataQs or an informal email message can be sent. The formal response letter can be uploaded into the system for review by the challenge submitter. How Do I Forward a Data Challenge to Another Organization?FMCSA/State Agency users and FMCSA administrative users can forward a data challenge to another organization for final resolution. The detailed view of a challenge screen allows these users to click on the button 'Forward Challenge'. The Forward Challenge screen allows the user to select the new organization that the challenge will be transferred to and to add a comment that will be posted with the challenge. When the DataQs system transfers the challenge, an email notification is sent to the receiving organization and the user that submitted the challenge. The challenge status of an open challenge is updated to 'Forwarded to another office for resolution'. When an organization forwards a challenge to another organization, the challenge remains in the original organization's challenge list. The 'Forwarded To' column will list the newly assigned organization. Note: To reduce the number of organizations listed in the agency selection list, select the type of organization or a state and select the 'Reduce Agency List' button. The resulting selection list will consist of the organizations that matched the criteria entered. Back to TopHow Do I Add Supporting Documentation?Supporting documentation can be faxed into DataQs or electronic files can be uploaded directly into the system. To upload or fax supporting documentation select 'Go' in the Add Docs column in the data challenge list. Additionally, the 'Add Supporting Documentation' button is available on the add-a-challenge acknowledgement screen, the response screen, or the detailed view of a data challenge screen. When a user has selected the 'Add Supporting Documentation' option, instructions for faxing or uploading documentation is displayed. Faxed documents are sent to a fax number dedicated to the DataQs system. After the fax is sent, the supporting documentation will be available for review through the DataQs system. Users can review the data in the Challenge List by clicking on the 'Y' link in the 'Docs' column for a specific challenge. When documents are uploaded or faxed into the system, an email notification is sent to users with access rights for the challenge. Back to TopHow Do I View Reports?Clicking on the 'Reports Button' at the top of any DataQs screen takes the user to the Reports screen. This screen contains reports that may be viewed and printed for open and closed data challenges. Many reports can be filtered by agency assigned to address the challenge and date of challenge entry as identified below. Views are available in HTML and PDF formats. Clicking on an HTML version of a reports gives the user the opportunity to print the report immediately or to simply view it as a Web page. Clicking on the 'Download Data' link in the HTML version enables the user to download the data in a CSV file format. Clicking on the PDF version of a report also allows the user to view it, save it as a file, or print it. General Public Users & Motor Carriers, FMCSA/State Agency Users, and FMCSA Administrative Level Users (FMCSA HQ and support staff) see the following reports:
FMCSA/State Agency Users and FMCSA Administrative Level Users (FMCSA HQ and support staff) see all previous reports, as well as the following: The following reports are filterable by agency assigned to address the challenge:
The following reports cannot be filtered:
FMCSA Administrative Level Users (FMCSA HQ and support staff) see all previous reports, as well as the following: The following reports are filterable by agency assigned to address the challenge:
The following reports cannot be filtered by Agency:
How Do I View Archived Challenges?
How Do I Provide Feedback?There are two ways to provide feedback on the DataQs system. One way is to select the DataQs Feedback link located in the footer of every screen once you log into the DataQs system. This link will access a form you can fill out with your questions or comments. When the form is submitted, an email with your feedback is sent to DataQs. Another option for providing feedback is to select the DataQs Contacts link located on the footer of every DataQs page. DataQs Contacts contains the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the DataQs team. Back to TopDataQs Flow ChartThe following flow chart shows how a data challenge is resolved through the DataQs system. |
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