Last week, I reported on developments to CSA 2010 that recently emerged before the program is implemented on December 12. Updates to those developments have already been released, and below is a comparison of where we are on those changes, as of today:

1. Modifying the presentation of SMS BASIC results 

Since our last update to this part of the program, the American Trucking Association (ATA) has announced they support the recent improvements the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plans to make to the Cargo-Related BASICS. The changes ATA approves include:

• Withholding Cargo-Related BASIC scores from public view when carrier scores are publically released in early December. The agency must first be able to confirm that changes �effectively and accurately identify unsafe carriers.�
• Replacing the term �deficient� with �alert� to signify when a motor carrier�s BASIC score reaches above the FMCSA intervention threshold on its public website.
• Using pop-up disclaimer language �alerting users to the intent of the scores and cautioning against misuse.�

2. Publicly displayed information

A heated legal case is currently in court, pitting select carrier groups � which include the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, the Expedite Alliance of North America and the Air & Expedite Motor Carriers Association � against the FMSCA. The Carriers are suing FMSCA to prevent the public release of carriers� CSA 2010 safety performance data.

In addressing what information will be made public, the FMSCA has confirmed that when the program is implemented, they will withhold two scores out of the seven CSA categories: Crash Indicators and Cargo-Related BASICs.

The FMSCA has also stated in court that the safety information released to the public in CSA 2010 is nothing different than the information previously reported under the prior program, SafeStat. They stated that the alarm over the released information is based on inaccurate assumptions and without acknowledging �that similar data has been available for more than a decade without causing such problems.�

The case is not settled yet. And Getloaded will here to keep you updated as developments occur, every step of way.