FMCSA formally announces revised implementation date for the CSMS portion of CSA 2010

Consistent with press reports, the FMCSA formally announced the revised implementation date for the CSMS portion of CSA 2010 in today’s (4/9/10) Federal Register. The highlights:

· On November 30, 2010, the FMCSA plans to replace SafeStat with the new CSMS.

· Beginning this Monday, April 12, individual motor carriers will be able to preview their performance data at http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov.

· On November 30, 2010, the FMCSA is planning on: (1) Replacing its current measurement system, SafeStat, with CSMS, (2) sending warning letters nationwide, and (3) implementing a revised nationwide Inspection Selection System for roadside inspectors that will be based on CSMS rather than SafeStat.

· The nine states currently operating in the operational model test - Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, and New Jersey - will carry out the full array of CSA 2010 interventions after the test concludes in June 2010.

· For the remaining 41 States, the new CSA 2010 interventions will be phased in during 2011.

This announcement does not affect the safety fitness determination (SFD) methodology. Changing the SFD requires rulemaking, and the FMCSA stated it will be the subject of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to be published for comment at a later date during 2010. While the rulemaking is in process, the FMCSA will continue to issue safety ratings in accordance with the existing rules at 49 CFR part 385 - Safety Fitness Procedures.