Grants Available for Thermal Imaging Inspection System 
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced the availability of grants under its FY2006 Research Grants program as specified in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users. The program provides one-time funding for a demonstration project that uses a thermal imaging inspection system that leverages state-of-the-art thermal imagery technology, integrated with signature recognition software, providing the capability to identify, in real time, faults and failures in tires, brakes, and bearings mounted on commercial motor vehicles. The period of performance for this project is 24 months from the date of award.
Applications for grant funding should be sent to FMCSA Headquarters no later than Aug. 25, 2006. For more information, contact Jeff Loftus, Office of Research and Analysis, Technology Division (MC-RRT), at (202) 385-2363 or jeff.loftus@dot.gov.
CBP to Conduct Automation Test on Truck Manifest Data
The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in conjunction with the Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, is currently conducting a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning the transmission of automated truck manifest data.
The ports identified for testing, in the state of New York, are expected to deploy no earlier than June 22, 2006. Comments concerning this notice and all aspects of the announced test may be submitted at any time during the test period. For more information, contact James Swanson via e-mail at
james.d.swanson@dhs.gov.
DHS Extends US-VISIT Requirements
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Technology (US-VISIT) program in 2003 to verify the identities and travel documents of aliens. US-VISIT automates this verification by comparing biometric identifiers, and by comparing biometric identifiers with information drawn from intelligence and law enforcement watch lists and databases. Aliens subject to US-VISIT may be required to provide finger scans, photographs, or other biometric identifiers upon arrival at, or departure from, the United States. Currently, aliens entering the United States pursuant to a nonimmigrant visa, or those traveling without a visa as part of the Visa Waiver Program, are subject to US-VISIT requirements, with certain limited exceptions. Under this proposed rule, the Department of Homeland Security will be extending US-VISIT requirements to all aliens with the exception of aliens who are specifically exempted and Canadian citizens applying for admission as B1/B2 visitors for business or pleasure. Written comments must be submitted on or before Aug. 28, 2006.
You may submit comments identified by Docket Number DHS-2005-0037 using the Federal Rulemaking Portal at
http://www.regulations.gov.
TSA Announces Foreign HAZMAT Drivers Must Undergo U.S. Checks
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that hazardous materials drivers licensed in Canada and Mexico will be required to undergo a background check under the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection’s Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program in order to transport the materials inside the United States. The requirement takes effect on Aug. 10 with the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The checks will be done in the driver's home country and will be similar to those done in the United States.
CBP Requests Applications for Appointments to Committee
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (formerly known as the “Commercial Operations Advisory Committee” or “COAC”) to apply for appointment. CBP will continue to use “COAC” as the acronym for this Advisory Committee. COAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Commissioner of CBP, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Secretary of the Treasury on all matters involving the commercial operations of CBP and related DHS functions. Applications for membership should reach CBP on or before Sept. 15, 2006. Your application should be sent via e-mail at
Traderelations@dhs.gov, fax
at (202) 344-1969, or mail at Wanda J. Tate, Program Management Specialist, Office of Trade Relations, Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 4.2A, Washington, DC 20229.
FHWA Submits Notice of Revision for Value Pricing Pilot Program
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has published a notice that revises a previous notice, published in the
Federal Register on Jan. 6, 2006 (71 FR 970), which invited state and local governments and other public authorities to apply to participate in the Value Pricing Pilot (VPP) program and presented guidelines for program applications. That notice described the statutory basis for the VPP program and updated a previous notice published in the
Federal Register on May 7, 2001 (66 FR 23077), by providing revised procedures, process timelines, and guidance for program participation. The purpose of this new notice is to announce a delay in the consideration of applications for fiscal year (FY) 2007 funds and to temporarily suspend the deadlines to apply for such funds. The purpose of this delay is to allow the FHWA to revise the VPP program guidance to solicit certain types of projects that further the goals of the Secretary of Transportation’s new National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s Transportation Network, announced on May 16, 2006. For questions about this notice, contact Wayne Berman, Office of Operations, at (202) 366-4069, or via e-mail at
wayne.berman@fhwa.dot.gov.
Truck Crash Causation Study Now Available
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study announced by U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration this past spring is now available to the public. This is the first national study to attempt to determine the critical events and associated factors that contribute to serious large truck crashes. The study will allow the Department of Transportation and other agencies to implement effective countermeasures to reduce the occurrence and severity of crashes. The project, which collected data over three years, was conducted by FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It found that driver behavior is more likely than other factors, such as weather and vehicle performance, to be the cause of a crash involving large trucks. To
view the study, see FMCSA's Web site.
IJIS Institute Reports NMVTIS is “Invaluable”
In early 2006, the Department if Justice asked the Integrated Justice Information Systems (IJIS) Institute to assess the architecture and technology of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). The assessment looked at the system’s central site operations, state implementation and also included a national survey to assess the NMVTIS state implementation process.
The report describes
the NMVTIS program as having "invaluable benefit to state motor vehicle administrators and the public community as a whole.” The report includes both tactical and strategic recommendations with the ultimate goal of advancing NMVTIS.
GHSA Hosts Teen Driving Camp
Ford Motor Company, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), and a panel of safety experts established the "Driving Skills for Life" program to help teens develop the necessary safety skills for safe driving. The program, to be held at an innovative camp August 1-3 in Michigan, concentrates on the four key areas that are critical factors in 60-plus percent of teen crashes: Hazard Recognition, Vehicle Handling, Space Management and Speed Management. More than 600 teen drivers and their parents are expected to attend. "Driving Skills for Life" also features learning tools, including an interactive Web site (
www.drivingskillsforlife.com), an in-depth CD video and an educator kit. There is no charge for the materials, which not only can be used by young drivers, but also by educators and parents in school or community settings. Teens can test their knowledge and earn prizes by participating online. For
more information, see the press release at GHSA's Web site.
AAMVA & SSA Conduct Conference Call to Discuss New Security Guidelines
AAMVA and the Social Security Administration (SSA) will conduct a conference call with the states on Monday, Aug. 21, 2006 from 1 to 2 pm ET to discuss the new security guidelines. All jurisdictions are invited to join. The agenda and other documentation are available on AAMVA's Web site. Please contact Member and Conference Services if you require assistance with a Web ID and password.
Check Out AAMVA University's FDR Courses
AAMVA University's Aug. 21-25, 2006, Fraudulent Document Recognition (FDR) Instructor Prep course is full. There is, however, another FDR Instructor Prep class scheduled to be held at AAMVA Headquarters Oct. 16-20, 2006. You will be able to register for this course and others online by logging on to our new Web site (www.aamva-u.org) beginning in mid to late August. In the meantime, please contact Linda Honig at (703) 908-5897 or
lhonig@aamva.org with any questions.
Updated SSOLV System Specification Available
The updated Social Security Online Verification (SSOLV) System Specification, Release 2.0.1, July 2006, is now available and has been sent to concerned jurisdictions. The new release documents changes to the Verification Response Codes returned by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to now indicate for a successful match whether SSA records also indicate that the person is deceased. SSOLV message content and format has not changed. In case of any questions, please contact the AAMVA Operations Helpdesk at 1-888-226-8280 option 3 or by e-mail at
operations@aamva.org.
Contribute to AAMVA's MOVE Magazine
The fall 2006 issue of MOVE Magazine will include a feature article titled "Serving the Noncitizen." The article will address how motor vehicle agencies
deal with noncitizens and how they can meet the needs of this group. If you or anyone you know has had experience with this topic, please contact the writer, Lauren DeAngelis, at ldeangelis@aamva.org. As always, AAMVA and the magazine staff greatly appreciate any help you can offer.
Look For a New MOVE This Fall
Starting with the fall 2006 issue, AAMVA members and magazine subscribers will notice a few changes to AAMVA's flagship publication, MOVE. In honor of the magazine's tenth anniversary, AAMVA is bringing you a more personal, modern, and environmentally-friendly MOVE. We'll be reaching out to our members for photos to go on future magazine covers (based on the theme for each issue), so brush up on your photography skills. Look for more information on AAMVA's new Web site in the next few weeks.
Share Information with Other Jurisdictions
Please share information with your fellow jurisdictions by responding to these surveys. Contact Member & Conference Services if you need a user ID and password.
- Utah – Driver License Testing Kiosks (Ends 8/11/2006)
- South Dakota – Victims Compensation Fund (Ends 8/14/2006)
- Virginia - Call Center Telecommuting (Ends 8/8/2006)
- Montana - Registration Renewal Cards (Ends 8/4/2006)
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