CSA 2010 May Increase Drivers’ Needs at Truckstops and Travel Plazas

Motor carriers, the primary customer base of truckstops and travel plazas nationwide, are preparing for the new safety protocol Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010).
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Motor carriers, the primary customer base of truckstops and travel plazas nationwide, are preparing for the new safety protocol Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010). In the months leading up to CSA’s implementation, motor carriers are expected to increase driver training, focus on pre-trip inspections and repairs, and evaluate their long-term hiring strategies. Truckstops and travel plazas may also see changes in the needs drivers have when they stop for fuel or observe their federally mandated rest periods.

Under CSA 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has assigned weighted values for violations, and carriers will receive a monthly safety score. The score is comprised of seven behavior analysis and safety improvement categories, also called BASIC. They are: unsafe driving, fatigued driving, driver fitness, alcohol and drugs, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement and crash history.

Sean Flynn, manager of Flynn’s Travel Plaza in Shrewsbury, Mass., said that until the final scoring systems are released, it will be hard to tell exactly how CSA 2010 will affect fleets and the truckstops that serve them. Hours of service will continue to be important under CSA 2010, and Flynn expects he may see more drivers adhering closely to the rules. This means they may be spending more time at truckstops and rest areas. Flynn also said locations that provide FMCSA inspections may see an uptick in business.

Barry Stang, executive vice president of the Motor Carriers of Montana, said CSA 2010 could lead to more repairs being done on the road. “It depends on points and how violations are treated,” he said.

The program originally was scheduled to launch in July, however, earlier this month the FMSCA announced it would delay the nationwide rollout of the CSA 2010 until Nov. 30. Carriers should be able to review their rankings by August, but full-scale enforcement won’t begin until November. FMCSA will use the additional time to review comments and feedback from the trucking industry and fleets, particularly those in pilot states.

Fleets and industry groups have been working with national and regional FMCSA officials to share their feedback on the pilot program. Gary Woodford, chief program manager for CSA 2010, said the agency is considering the comments and hopes to release updated guidelines prior to the nationwide rollout. “We have gotten feedback from our field staff, the motor carrier industry, state trucking associations and ATA. We’ve also learned from our field test, and we’re incorporating those changes in a number of ways,” he said.

{HBMHighway Business Matters is a brief semi-monthly newsletter created exclusively for companies that provide products or services to the truckstop and travel plaza industry. Highway Business Matters will keep you informed on trends, tactics, and tips to help you connect to the $65 billion truckstop and travel plaza industry. 

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