Despite being approved eight years ago, the Beyond Compliance program by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has yet to be implemented, with the agency twice soliciting public input without progressing the program. In a recent letter, Collin B. Mooney, the executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), renewed the call for the FMCSA to advance the Beyond Compliance program.
CVSA, in late September, adopted a policy in staunch support of Beyond Compliance, incorporating it into its standing policies. The policy emphasizes the crucial role of meaningful incentives in expediting safety and firmly advocates for the creation of the program within the FMCSA.
The policy asserts that Beyond Compliance should encompass all sectors of the motor carrier industry, including smaller carriers, without diminishing existing safety requirements. It emphasizes that the program aims to recognize carriers surpassing minimum requirements, underscoring the commitment to go above and beyond in promoting safety.
In the letter, Mooney underscores the importance of the FMCSA, rather than states, being responsible for the monitoring and verification process of the Beyond Compliance program. This reiteration reflects the CVSA’s position that a unified, federal oversight ensures consistency and effectiveness.
The origin of Beyond Compliance lies in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015, which mandated the establishment of the program within 18 months. The legislation outlined the criteria for motor carriers to receive recognition, including credit or an improved Safety Measurement System (SMS) percentile, for installing advanced safety equipment, adopting enhanced driver fitness measures, incorporating fleet safety manager tools and technologies, or meeting other standards determined by the administration.
Despite the mandate, the FMCSA has faced delays in implementing the program. Mooney’s letter highlights that the FMCSA had sought public input on tools, technologies, and programs for Beyond Compliance, with two public comment requests in 2015 and 2016. The research for Beyond Compliance was reportedly completed in late 2021, and the findings are currently under review for publication.
Mooney stresses that the current safety model primarily relies on compliance, enforcement, and crash data, providing an incomplete picture of a motor carrier’s safety culture. Beyond Compliance presents an opportunity to recognize carriers for safe practices outside direct oversight, fostering behavioral change and enhancing safety culture.
The letter notes that encouraging operators to surpass regulatory minimums and promoting continuous improvements through self-motivation will be crucial for the success of the Beyond Compliance program. The CVSA and Mooney advocate for moving beyond the traditional safety paradigm and recognizing carriers for innovative practices that contribute to overall safety improvements.
Despite the positive reception of the Beyond Compliance concept, challenges persist in establishing a streamlined process for assessing and accrediting carriers based on their safety management strategies. The ongoing efforts to implement the program reflect the broader industry’s commitment to fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.