Study of Warning Devices for Stopped Commercial Motor Vehicles

The core mission of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) is to reduce commercial motor vehicle (CMV) related crashes and fatalities. In carrying out its safety mission, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 504, 31108, 31133, 31136, 31502, and 49 CFR 1.73, FMCSA conducts research to identify and assess contributing factors associated with CMV crashes and performs analyses to identify effective countermeasures, including the use of warning devices. As part of this effort, FMCSA established a contract with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to conduct research on the effects of warning devices deployed in association with stopped commercial motor vehicles on the behavior of passing motorists. Specifically, the planned research will leverage cutting-edge eye-tracking equipment, vehicle data sensors, and differential Global Positioning System (GPS) to characterize the drivers’ detection and reaction times when on the approach to a stopped CMV in a variety of ambient conditions and in the context of different road geometries. Due to the inherent variability in such metrics, proper research necessitates the use of large sample sizes. To encourage widespread participation, FMCSA intends to offer compensation to research participants. As a result of the applicability of tax laws to research payments, VTTI needs to collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from participants in accordance with issuing a W9 form. In addition, various survey and behavioral data will be collected and so it is necessary to safeguard and protect participants’ privacy. This Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is being conducted to address the risks associated with VTTI collecting, processing, and maintaining PII from study participants on behalf of FMCSA.