Motor Carrier Efficiency Study Phase I

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU, Public Law 109-59), Section 5503 – Motor Carrier Efficiency Study, set aside
funding to examine the application of wireless technology to improve the safety and efficiency of
trucking operations in the United States. The intent of this Section is to enable the U.S.
Department of Transportation to partner withthe motor carrier and wireless technology
industries to cooperatively identify and test promising applications and devices in a real-world
environment, and to promote the adoption and use of successful solutions by an array of motor
carriers.
The specific objectives of the Study are to:
• Identify inefficiencies in freight transportation.
• Evaluate safety and productivity improvements made possible through wireless
technologies.
• Demonstrate wireless technologies in field tests.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was assigned responsibility for
administering this program via the Motor Carrier Efficiency Study (MCES). The program will be
completed in two Phases. Phase I has been completed and addressed the first two objectives
listed above. The actual field tests will be conducted under Phase II of the program.
The results of Phase I are summarized in this MCES Final Report. This Report constitutes one of
seven reports developed under Phase I of the MCES. The others are:
• Motor Carrier Efficiency Study Final Literature Review Report: A Primer on Wireless
Technologies and Freight Inefficiencies for Motor Carrier Operations, March 2007.
• Motor Carrier Efficiency Study Analysis Methodology Development Report, February
2007.
• Motor Carrier Efficiency Study Stakeholder Summary Report, May 2007.
• Motor Carrier Efficiency Study Inefficiencies Report, July 2007.
• Motor Carrier Efficiency Study Analysis of Wireless Technologies, December 2007.
• Motor Carrier Efficiency Study 2006 Annual Report, October 2007.