Introduction
This Business Plan presents the Intelligent Transportation Systems/Commercial Vehicle Operations (ITS/CVO) program to be implemented by DMV, VDOT, and the State Police and includes the strategic framework used to develop the program. ITS/CVO is simply the use of information, communication, sensor, and control technologies to improve the mobility, safety, and productivity of commercial vehicle operations. This plan is a demonstration of the continuing commitment of the participating agencies. The combined efforts of these agencies to date has led to significant improvements in the administration of CVO, and has elevated Virginia to a national leadership position. The ITS/CVO program presented in this plan covers the next ten-year period but concentrates on the current and near term programs.

CVO Vision
In ten years:

• The public is confident in motor carrier safety and feels safe traveling on Virginia’s highways

• Unsafe drivers (carriers, vehicles) are routinely pulled off the roads, while safe drivers (carriers, vehicles) proceed expeditiously

• Motor carrier-related fatalities and injuries are significantly reduced
  (relates to goal 1: Improve highway safety)

• Motor carriers perceive minimal costs associated with motor carrier regulation and compliance activities

• Commercial vehicle operations administration is virtually paperless
  (relates to goal 2: Streamline the administration of motor carrier credentials and taxation and reduce the regulatory burden on motor carriers)

• The availability of complete and thorough traveler and traffic information makes motor carrier travel and routing efficient and intermodal connections seamless
  (relates to goal 3: Reduce congestion costs for motor carriers)

• Motor carriers respect Virginia’s model approach to CVO regulation and compliance activities because of its equity, effective targeting of problem drivers, vehicles and carriers and efficient administration
  (relates to goal 4: Ensure regulatory compliance through fair treatment of motor carriers)

• Virginia’s highway infrastructure is fully protected from oversize and overweight vehicles or is fully compensated for damages
  (relates to goal 5: Preserve Virginia’s investment in the highway infrastructure.)

Business Plan Structure

Key Past Accomplishments
Virginia has a strong record of accomplishments in improving the safety and efficiency of commercial vehicle operations. Some recent key past accomplishments have included the following:

• One-stop shopping, implemented in 1995, allows motor carriers to secure the necessary operating credentials of all agencies in a single visit to one location.

• Capital Beltway Truck Rollover Warning System alerts drivers of potential rollovers on exit ramps.

• Document Readers installed at weigh stations allow drivers to present documents to station operators from the opposite side of the road.

• Commercial vehicle enforcement officers are equipped with Pen-Based Computers to facilitate vehicle inspections.

• Weigh-In-Motion is installed at several weigh stations to facilitate the weighing of commercial vehicles; it is also installed on weigh station bypass routes to enhance truck weight monitoring capabilities.

• Joined the International Fuel Tax Agreement, Inc. such that a carrier need only pay taxes in a single base state.

• Joined the International Registration Plan, Inc. such that a carrier need only register in a single base state.

• Liquidated Damages process has been automated, permitting quicker processing of citations.

Driving Forces
The CVO program in Virginia is being driven by three key factors: availability of federal and state funding; degree of institutional harmony; and utilization of technology to meet needs. Although the Commonwealth of Virginia does not have direct control over these factors, it can influence them. Six program areas are defined in this plan to address driving forces.

ITS/CVO Program
The ITS/CVO program in Virginia was developed in six program areas and comprises dozens of initiatives. The program presents a wide array of projects that take advantage of the many available opportunities to initiate change. Success in accomplishing this ambitious program will be a function of the degree to which challenges and obstacles can be overcome.

Virginia's ITS/CVO program includes the following project array:

CREDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION

• Integrate motor carrier system to create consolidated motor carrier database
  
• Obtain single service provider for IRP, IFTA, Va. Motor Fuel Road Ta,x and Fuels Tax Services
  
• Redesign current overweight citation process to reduce administrative burden
  
• Enhance insurance monitoring system by decentralizing issuance of credentials
  
• Modify SSRS by eliminating UNISYS interface to reduce operating costs
  
• Develop automated PC-based system to track and assess dyed fuel violations
  
• Participate in prototype development of CVISN to facilitate the exchange of motor carrier credentialing and safety information
  
• Establish process to electronically share IFTA licensee account information and documentation, share IRP recap and transmittal data and electronically transfer funds between IRP jurisdictions

SAFETY ASSURANCE

• Upgrade ASPEN software as new versions are released
  
• Install ISS on pen-based computers to allow roadside screening from a mobile platform
  
• Establish land-line modem connections for all Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers
  
• Establish connection to SAFER and CVIEW systems

ROADSIDE OPERATIONS

• Evaluate feasibility of using license plate readers for electronic screening in mobile enforcement operations
  
• Install electronic screening system at Stephens City Weigh Station
  
• Install electronic screening system at Troutville Weigh Station
  
• Demonstrate DSRC interoperability with Advantage CVO screening program
  
• Develop CVO information concept plan and perform evaluation

CARRIER OPERATIONS

• Support testing of Fleet Forward
  
• Partners-In-Motion project development

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

• Actively participate in I-95 Corridor Coalition CVO Work Group
  
• Actively participate in Inter-Regional Institutional Issues CVO Work Group

FUNDING APPROACH

• Evaluate modified rate/fee/penalty schedules to develop incentives for carrier participation

Conclusion
This business plan marks an important milestone, as it represents the first time Virginia has dedicated a plan solely to ITS/CVO. More importantly, this plan outlines a myriad of initiatives that, when implemented, stand to benefit all organizations and individuals that claim a stake in commercial vehicle operations. Though ambitious, a survey of the landscape reveals the climate is right to institute such changes: technology is more readily available and adaptable to the unique needs posed by CVO; benefits are more clearly understood and better articulated; industry is more willing than ever to participate; and states have joined forces to tackle regional issues. Given the unified efforts of the three agencies involved in CVO, coupled with the support from the private sector, Virginia is well positioned to move the program forward.