INSIGHT
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CVSA to Submit Proposal to Modernize Roadside Inspection Data Collection By Sgt. John Samis, Delaware State Police, CVSA President
Now that we’re well into 2020, I think this is the perfect time to modernize the way we compile our data collected from the North American Standard Inspection Program. The data that we collect from this program is essential for jurisdictions to determine how to best deploy resources. It is also a great way to determine which enforcement practices are a success and which ones need to be amended. With the current system, we have had issues accurately collecting and comparing enforcement data between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. This has been a concern for quite some time now. It was discussed several years ago as the CVSA Board of Directors was developing and implementing the latest CVSA strategic plan and it has continued to be the topic of discussion at many subsequent board meetings. CVSA is currently working to address and solve this issue. Last year, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
announced that it was looking for a vendor to develop and replace ASPEN, the current roadside inspection reporting software that FMCSA provides to jurisdictions to document data during commercial motor vehicle inspections. In addition to replacing ASPEN, FMCSA is also considering replacing SAFETYNET, the information collection system where the data collected from ASPEN reports is compiled and stored. CVSA has proposed that it be the provider for both replacements, and has partnered with Seikosoft to develop replacement systems. Working together, we hope to present a successful proposal to FMCSA. We feel that the combination of Seikosoft’s software expertise and our inspection/ enforcement experience will allow CVSA to provide a new inspection reporting platform that will carry our industry into the next decade. One of the major components of this new software will be to ensure that the data
collected among all jurisdictions within the program will be accurate and comparable. This will help all of us to enhance and tailor our inspection programs and utilize our resources as efficiently as possible. Providing that CVSA is successful in its proposal to FMCSA, the intention is to provide this software as a complimentary member benefit. Jurisdictions currently using ASPEN will need to convert to the new software. Your options to continue with your current information collection system, develop your own or purchase an aftermarket inspection software system will remain the same. The new software replacement will be developed to continue to accept other reporting systems. CVSA will actively continue to develop its relationship with Seikosoft and I am confident that we will present a viable ASPEN replacement that will greatly modernize the collection and storage of inspection data. n
FIRST QUARTER 2020
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