An ad hoc committee will assist the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strengthen FMCSA's research and technology (R&T) program to better meet the needs of the Agency's safety mission as well as to inform commercial motor vehicle carrier enforcement, the research community, safety advocates, and industry of active and planned projects. This Motor Carrier Safety Research Analysis Committee (MCSRAC) will prepare two reports annually to advise FMCSA on its research work. Specifically, the Committee will a) assist FMCSA in refining its research methodologies; b) assist in identifying and utilizing current research in the transportation and related communities; and c) promote transparency of the FMCSA R&T activities.

The Committee will provide:

• A continuing channel for independent assessment of research opportunities through an independent committee;

• A source of broad-based research and technology priority recommendations which FMCSA can draw upon in formulating its R&T program;

• A mechanism for considering the views of commercial motor vehicle related researchers, safety advocates, and industry as they interact with FMCSA research policy and programs issues;

• Assessments of issues related to innovation, the implementation and deployment, and communication of research results, and the application of technology in the field;

• Review, evaluation, and where desirable, recommended changes in the organizational structure, framework, and process through which commercial motor vehicle safety-related research is conducted; and

• Identification of potential new research areas, duplication, and areas needing increased or decreased emphasis, considering prospective progress, costs, and program needs.

In the course of its work, the Committee will scan the relevant literature and government reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), congressional documents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the USDOT Inspector General to identify suggestions and recommendations for improving FMCSA research and provide recommended approaches and methodologies for doing so.