Released: November 19, 2009
NASSTRAC Supports TSA’s Certified Cargo Screen Program (CCSP) But Calls For Care In Implementation
In recent years, some of NASSTRAC’s shipper advocacy focus has been on proposals by agencies of the federal government affecting transportation safety and security. In fact, this week NASSTRAC filed comments in support of TSA’s Certified Cargo Screen Program (CCSP) while underscoring the need for care in its implementation. In these comments, NASSTRAC emphasizes the need for validation by TSA personnel and suggests that If third-party validators are to be used, certain criteria must be met:
1. Validators cannot undermine the need for consistency and the applicable standards must be uniform. Security measures like the CCSP work best when participants know what is expected and are able to employ training and supervision that are consistent.
2. Validators must understand both components of successful programs – enhanced security and the need for goods to move as scheduled, and arrive safely.
3. Validators must understand that they may come into possession of information that is commercially sensitive. Many shippers are legitimately concerned about aspects of cargo security that extend beyond terrorism. Cargo theft is a large problem, and many shippers go to great lengths to restrict knowledge of which cartons contain the goods that are most attractive to thieves. There is no inherent inconsistency between CCSP and everyday concerns like these; in fact the two efforts should support each other. However, in implementing CCSP, TSA needs to bear in mind that its screening program needs to be coordinated with many other efforts, by other agencies, by carriers, and by shippers, to enhance transportation security.
To view the comments filed jointly this week by NASSTRAC and Health & Personal Care Logistics Conference, click here.
Senate Panels Seek 6-Month Highway Bill Extension
Leaders of several key committees Tuesday urged the Senate to take up a six-month extension of the federal highway program. A letter signed by the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Senate Environment and Public Works, Commerce, Banking and Finance Committees was sent Tuesday to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). It included a request to Senate leadership to file for cloture, which would allow for and debate on an extension and move it toward a final vote.
According to the letter, the Sept. 30 expiration of the federal highway bill “necessitated two short term extensions to the surface transportation program, attached to Continuing Resolutions. Short-term extensions mean less money is available for states, and do not provide states the certainty they need to keep crucial transportation projects moving forward.” Senate leaders including Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.), the top members of the committee, had been pushing for an 18-month extension, but in the letter they said that “on a bipartisan basis, we have decided to move forward with a 6-month extension.” The House already passed a three-month extension in late September.
Truck Tonnage Climbs in August
Truck tonnage climbed for the second month in a row in August, boosting the American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index another 2.1 percent over a similar gain in July. Compared with August 2008, seasonally adjusted tonnage fell 7.5 percent, which was the best year-over-year showing since November 2008. In fact, the gains in tonnage during July and August reflect a growing economy and less of an overhang in inventories, according to ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. His thoughts reflect many others in that most economic indicators, including industrial output and household spending, suggest freight tonnage will exhibit moderate, and probably inconsistent, growth in the months ahead.
NTSB Chair Suggests Making EOBRs Mandatory
Debbie Hersman, the new chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said that fatigue was an “insidious” factor in all types transportation accidents and recommended that as the Department of Transportation reviews its hours-of-service rule for truckers, it should mandate the use of electronic onboard recorders and use all available fatigue research to craft a new rule. Speaking to reporters at the National Press Club Monday, Hersman said that as the agency, which is part of DOT, looks at the 72 hours before an accident happens and “unfortunately, we find fatigue in more incidents and accidents than you would think.” In addition, she said that that as FMCSA revises its HOS rule, any changes “need to be based on scientific principles.”
The DOT said last month it will withdraw its controversial driver HOS rule and write new regulations as part of a deal in which a coalition of advocacy groups agreed to suspend its federal lawsuit challenging the rule. Public Citizen and the Teamsters union have challenged the rule because they say it increases driver fatigue. NASSTRAC’s position is that it will continue to support reasonable rules that appropriately balance the interest of all Americans in highway safety with the needs of shippers, consumers, and the economy for an efficient, productive trucking industry.
> View NASSTRAC Position Paper On HOS
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