SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project:  Commercial Vehicle Security: Practices and Technologies

Project Number:  473700-00074

Principal Investigator:
C. Michael Walton
(512) 471-1414
P.I. Affiliation:  University of Texas at Austin

Project Monitor:
Dick Landis, CEO
HELP, Inc.
(602) 412-2240
Mike Freitas
Managing Director
ITS Joint Program Office
FHWA
(202) 366-9292

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/05

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/06

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $43,500

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $43,500

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
Although significant improvements have been made to secure some sectors of the nation’s transportation system since 9/11, little has been done to address vulnerabilities in the commercial vehicle security in the U.S.  Opportunities exist for improvements in security procedures, enhancement of communications between local, state, and national authorities and carriers, and application of ITS technologies to address these needs.

The objective of this project is to establish a series of recommendations for best practices and technology applications to optimize commercial vehicle security in the U.S.  In order to establish these recommendations, we will first perform an in-depth study of state commercial vehicle security practices to determine current practices and technologies in use.  We will also identify the current roles of state agencies, federal authorities, and carriers in commercial vehicle security, and the existing communications between these stakeholders.  Once we have established a complete list of existing practices and technologies, we can identify data needs not addressed by the current system.  Once these needs have been identified, we can perform a review of available technologies to identify systems that will address existing weaknesses.  After identifying these weaknesses and technologies, we can then matrix each state’s needs against available security practices and against existing technologies to identify potential solutions.  Once these matrices have been completed, we can establish a series of best practices and provide specific recommendations for security practices, technologies, and communications in an integrated system including state and federal authorities and carriers.

Project Objectives:
The objective of this project is to establish a series of recommendations for best practices and technology applications to optimize commercial vehicle security in the U.S.  In order to establish these recommendations, we will first perform an in-depth study of state commercial vehicle security practices to determine current practices and technologies in use.  We will also identify the current roles of state agencies, federal authorities, and carriers in commercial vehicle security, and the existing communications between these stakeholders.  Once we have established a complete list of existing practices and technologies, we can identify data needs not addressed by the current system.  Once these needs have been identified, we can perform a review of available technologies to identify systems that will address existing weaknesses.  After identifying these weaknesses and technologies, we can then matrix each state’s needs against available security practices and against existing technologies to identify potential solutions.  Once these matrices have been completed, we can establish a series of best practices and provide specific recommendations for security practices, technologies, and communications in an integrated system including state and federal authorities and carriers.

Task Descriptions:
Task 1.
Perform an in-depth study of state commercial vehicle security practices to determine current practices and technologies in use.

Task 2. 
Identify the current roles of state agencies, federal authorities, and carriers in commercial vehicle security, and the existing communications between these stakeholders.

Task 3.
Identify data needs to bolster current weaknesses in security.

Task 4.
Perform a technology review to identify potential applications of ITS.

Task 5. 
Matrix state’s needs against security practices and existing technologies to identify potential solutions.

Task 6. 
Establish a series of best practices and provide specific recommendations for security practices, technologies, and communications in an integrated system including state and federal authorities and carriers.

Task 7. 
Document findings in a comprehensive report containing reviews of technologies and practices and recommendations for establishing a seamless, integrated system for commercial vehicle security.

Index Terms:
Security; Freight Security; Inspection; Intelligent Transportation Systems; Trucks; Weigh-in-Motion (WIM); CVO Systems