Motor Carrier Safety Assistance

 

The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) is a Federal formula grant program that provides financial assistance to States to reduce the number and severity of crashes and hazardous materials incidents involving commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The goal of the MCSAP is to reduce CMV-involved crashes, fatalities, and injuries through consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs. Investing grant monies in appropriate safety programs will increase the likelihood that safety defects, driver deficiencies, and unsafe motor carrier practices will be detected and corrected before they become contributing factors to crashes.

Active 20.218 Federal Motor Carrier Safety, Department of Transportation A - Formula Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Similar to 2015. Within FY 2016 the following national safety elements were reached: • 3,294,578 CMV safety inspections conducted; • 412,487 CMV traffic violations identified; • 35,769 safety audits of new motor carriers conducted; • 6,269 compliance investigations of motor carriers initiated, and • 878,919 out of service safety violations identified. The above accomplishments were achieved by the 55 States and U.S. Territories that were recipients of MCSAP funds within FY 2016. These efforts provided the majority of national CMV and passenger carrier safety enforcement supported through FMCSA.
Fiscal Year 2018 Fiscal Year 2018: Within the current fiscal (FY 2018), over 2 million CMV inspections have been conducted under the auspices of this program, leading to safer highways with over 400,000 out of service (OOS) violations issued. This data also feeds FMCSA’s various safety data systems, allowing the Agency and its State partners to direct enforcement resources as necessary. The FMCSA has also launched its multi-year Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP) project, allowing States to submit Plans (required for MCSAP eligibility) covering a three-year time span. This reduces administrative burdens on the State and FMCSA, while also enhancing the ability to effectively assess commercial vehicle safety impact over a specific time-period.
Fiscal Year 2019 Fiscal Year 2019: According to the FMCSA’s most recently published “Large Truck and Bus Statistics”, over 3 million CMV inspections have been conducted under the auspices of this program, leading to safer highways with over 600,000 out of service (OOS) violations issued. This data also feeds FMCSA’s various safety data systems, allowing the Agency and its State partners to direct enforcement resources as necessary. The FMCSA has also launched its multi-year Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP) project, allowing States to submit Plans (required for MCSAP eligibility) covering a three-year time span. This reduces administrative burdens on the State and FMCSA, while also enhancing the ability to effectively assess commercial vehicle safety impact over a specific time-period.
Fiscal Year 2020 Fiscal Year 2020: According to the FMCSA’s most recently published “Large Truck and Bus Statistics”, approximately 3.4 million CMV inspections have been conducted under the auspices of this program, leading to safer highways with over 670,000 out of service (OOS) violations issued. This data also feeds FMCSA’s various safety data systems, allowing the Agency and its State partners to direct enforcement resources as necessary. The FMCSA finalized the launch of its multi-year Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP) project, allowing States to submit Plans (required for MCSAP eligibility) covering a three-year time span. In addition, the FMCSA was able to complete critical updates to its MCSAP calculation formula (for use in FY 2021) and regulatory framework as required under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
Fiscal Year 2021 According to the FMCSA’s most recently published “Large Truck and Bus Statistics”, approximately 3.4 million CMV inspections have been conducted under the auspices of this program, leading to safer highways with over 670,000 out of service (OOS) violations issued. This data also feeds FMCSA’s various safety data systems, allowing the Agency and its State partners to direct enforcement resources as necessary. FMCSA successfully implemented the new MCSAP allocation formula and regulatory framework as required under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
Fiscal Year 2023 Fiscal Year 2023: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ACT (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was passed early in FY22. Dollar amounts by State have been determined by the allocation formula. Information about the changes in the program can be found within the FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Comprehensive Policy located on the FMCSA website https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants/grantee-resources. FMCSA emphasizes the importance of safe commercial vehicle operation within highway construction zones, enforcement of traffic laws designed to mitigate driver behaviors associated with crashes (i.e. distracted driving), and the importance of detecting carriers operating in an out-of-service status as core parts of its FY 2023 MCSAP Grant. In addition, FMCSA placed significant emphasis on the improvement of commercial vehicle safety in-line with the strategies contained within the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS). This also includes renewed emphasis on areas where CMV and public safety intersect, such as combatting human trafficking and drug interdiction.
Fiscal Year 2024 Fiscal Year 2024: Continuing to build upon the role played by the MCSAP National Program Elements established in 49 CFR § 350.203 and supported by IIJA/BIL funding, FMCSA is encouraging all MCSAP participants to review their jurisdiction’s crash statistics and engage in high-visibility efforts to combat the large number of CMV crashes and fatalities. MCSAP lead agencies should partner with other State, local safety departments, and educational research institutions where appropriate, to address CMV crashes. If the MCSAP lead agency is engaging in partnership efforts with other State, local agencies, or educational research institutions FMCSA asks they ensure it is accurately reflected within their Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP). In response to IIJA/BIL requirements, the Crash Causal Factors Program (CCFP) is being established to carry out a comprehensive study to determine the causes of, and contributing factors to, crashes that involve a commercial motor vehicle. The CCFP is an evolutionary safety initiative moving from a crashworthiness to crash avoidance focus. Current data collections tend to be focused on the survivability of crashes, but the CCFP will provide critical insights into causal factors contributing to these crashes thereby enabling identification and development of appropriate countermeasures to reduce the occurrence of CMV crashes. While FMCSA is currently merging and analyzing available datasets (e.g., from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), FMCSA) to gain a more complete picture of crashes, no existing dataset adequately captures all important causal factors. The upcoming CCFP will fill this gap, allowing FMCSA to identify the key factors that contribute to CMV crashes. MCSAP is governed by 49 U.S.C. §§ 31102 and 31104, as amended by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. No. 117-58 (2021) (IIJA) § 23001(b), and 49 CFR part 350. The term “State” for the purposes of MCSAP, defined in 49 U.S.C. § 31101(4) and 49 CFR § 350.105, includes a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. MCSAP funding is allocated per the funding formula as prescribed within the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Pub. L. 114-94 (2015), section 5106(d)(1), and outlined within 49 CFR § 350.217., U.S.C.
MCSAP is governed by 49 U.S.C. §§ 31102 and 31104, as amended by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58 (2021) (IIJA) section § 23001(b), and 49 CFR part 350. The term “State” for the purposes of MCSAP, as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 350.105, includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible for MCSAP. The MCSAP grants are provided annually to the State's MCSAP lead agency. A MCSAP lead agency is designated by the Governor as the State motor vehicle safety agency responsible for administering the Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP) within the State. The CVSP is also known in statute and regulation as the "Plan" and serves as the MCSAP grant program application, project plan, and budget. Under the Basic and Incentive grant programs, a State lead MCSAP agency, as designated by its Governor, is eligible to apply for Basic and Incentive grant funding by submitting a commercial vehicle safety plan (CVSP), in accordance with the provisions of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 350.201 and 205. A State lead MCSAP agency, as designated by its Governor, must self-certify that it will meet the conditions in 49 CFR Part 350.201. These conditions can be found on the FMCSA website at: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/350.201 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants must register with Grants.gov to apply for funding. Applications should be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided and must be submitted electronically to FMCSA through the Grants.gov website. As stated above, States must also complete and submit a CVSP to FMCSA for review and assessment. 90-120 days of the submission deadline (subject to availability of funds) or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable. October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 The deadline for MCSAP applications is August 1 of each year. The deadline may, for good cause, be extended by the Division Administrator/State Director for no more than 30 calendar days. From 30 to 60 days. The FMCSA will notify the State, in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP) whether: (1) the plan is approved; (2) Approval of the plan is withheld because the CVSP does not meet the requirements, or is not adequate to ensure effective enforcement of the FMCSRs and HMRs or compatible State laws and regulations, (a) If approval is withheld, the State will have 30 days from the date of the notice to modify and resubmit the plan, or (b) disapproval of a resubmitted plan is final. From 30 to 60 days. In accordance with the provisions set forth in 49 CFR Part 350.207, any State aggrieved by an adverse decision may seek judicial review under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 7. Not applicable. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. ? 31102(i) and grant/financial management requirements in 2 CFR part 200, each CVSP receives a fair, equitable and objective review prior to award approval. This review ensures that applicable statutory and regulatory requirements will be met and allowable CVSP projects and activities will succeed. The CVSP review process generally consists of a review in the following areas: 1) Application Review. The FMCSA reviews the CVSP and all supplemental attachments (e.g., forms and certifications) for completeness and to ensure that the MCSAP lead agency meets the basic eligibility requirements defined in the solicitation (notice of funding availability); 2) Programmatic Review. The FMCSA reviews the CVSP to make sure that the information presented is reasonable and understandable and the activities proposed in the application are measurable, achievable, and consistent with program or legislative requirements. The FMCSA evaluates the CVSP against the performance-based information required in accordance with 49 CFR ? 350.213.; 3) Financial Review. The FMCSA evaluates the fiscal integrity and financial capability of a MCSAP lead agency, and reviews the CVSP details, including the budget and budget narrative, and any other documentation to examine costs for proposed project/program activities to determine if are they appear reasonable, necessary, eligible and allowable for award. Note that approval of the CVSP is not a final approval of costs as defined in accordance with 2 CFR part 200 Subpart E (Cost Principles); and 4) Suitability Review in accordance with 2 CFR ? 200.205 is discussed in more detail in Chapter 7.3. The primary MCSAP activities eligible for reimbursement include the National Program Elements currently outlined in 49 CFR § 350.109: 1. Driver and Vehicle Inspections; 2. Traffic Enforcement; 3. Compliance Reviews, Carrier Interventions, Investigations, and New Entrant Safety Audits; 4. Public Education and Awareness; 5. Data Collection Part 350 is currently being revised to include changes required by the FAST Act. Additional elements will include: 1. New entrant safety audits, 2. Border enforcement activities; 3. Data Quality; 4. PRISM; 5. ITD (operations and maintenance only) Other activities eligible for reimbursement to enforce other laws include: Sanitary food transportation inspections performed under 49 U.S.C. § 5701; and the following activities, when carried out in conjunction with an appropriate North American Standard (NAS) inspection of a CMV and inspection report: Enforcement of CMV size and weight limitations at locations, excluding fixed-weight facilities, such as near steep grades or mountainous terrains, where the weight of a CMV can significantly affect the safe operation of the vehicle, or at ports where intermodal shipping containers enter and leave the United States. Detection of and enforcement actions taken as a result of criminal activity; including trafficking of human beings, in a CMV or by any occupant, including the operator, of the CMV. For documented enforcement of State traffic laws and regulations designed to promote the safe operation of CMVs. This includes documented enforcement of such laws and regulations relating to non-CMVs when necessary to promote the safe operation of CMVs, if (1) the number of motor carrier safety activities (including roadside safety inspections) conducted in the State is maintained at a level at least equal to the average level of such activities conducted in the State in fiscal years 2004 and 2005; and 2) A State may not use more than 10% of the amount of MCSAP Basic funds the State receives for enforcement activities relating to non-CMVs necessary to promote the safe operation of CMVs unless the FMCSA Administrator determines that a higher percentage will result in significant increases in CMV safety. Not applicable. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503 In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. See www.grants.gov for individual award announcements. During the course of the grant project and for three years after the final voucher (invoice) is submitted, grant recipients must retain intact and to provide any data, documents, reports, records, contracts, and supporting materials relating to the project as FMCSA may require in addition to the reporting and record-keeping requirements set forth in 2 C.F.R. ? 200.333. Statutory Formula: Public Law 49 U.S.C. §§ 31102(a)-(k), 31104 (2016), as amended. See 49 CFR part 350, as amended. States agree to adopt and enforce 49 CFR parts 390-397 and 107 (subparts F and G only), 171–173, 177, 178 & 180.

Matching is mandatory. 15%. 85 Federal, 15 State. The FMCSA has waived the requirement for matching funds to be provided by the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.

This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details. Additional Information: The State must maintain the average level of expenditure of the State lead agency (not including amounts of the Government or State matching funds) for commercial motor vehicle safety programs, for enforcement of commercial motor vehicle size and weight limitations, drug interdiction, and State traffic safety laws and regulations for the fiscal years 2004 and 2005. This maintenance of effort requirement (MOE) is substantiated by the State on an annual basis. The funds obligated to a State will remain available for the rest of the fiscal year in which they were obligated and the next full fiscal year. The State must account for any prior year's unexpended funds in the annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP). Funds must be expended in the order in which they are obligated. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. Contact your regional/local office at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/field-offices FMCSA Grants Management Office
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590 US
FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpDesk@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 366-0621 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants 69-8159-0-7-401 (Formula Grants) FY 22$487,714,693.00; FY 23 est $496,007,396.00; FY 24 est $504,300,099.00; FY 21$304,069,500.00; FY 20$304,069,500.00; FY 19$299,735,500.00; FY 18$294,416,500.00; - No Data Available. Formula Grant calculation based on statutory and regulatory funding factors. 2 CFR 200 formerly OMB Circulars 2 CFR 215, A-122, A-133, A-110 and A-21, Regulations, Executive Orders, and related policy are on the public website at: www.fmcsa.dot.gov. A solicitation package (notice of funding availability) containing the appropriate forms and directions are made available through www.grants.gov. Fiscal Year 2016 Within FY 2016 the following national safety elements were reached: • 3,294,578 CMV safety inspections conducted; • 412,487 CMV traffic violations identified; • 35,769 safety audits of new motor carriers conducted; • 6,269 compliance investigations of motor carriers initiated, and • 878,919 out of service safety violations identified. The above accomplishments were achieved by the 55 States and U.S. Territories that were recipients of MCSAP funds within FY 2016. These efforts provided the majority of national CMV and passenger carrier safety enforcement supported through FMCSA.
Fiscal Year 2017 Within the current fiscal (FY 2017), the following national program elements have been supported through the MCSAP grant: • 2,065,980 CMV safety inspections conducted; • 253,782 CMV traffic violations identified; • 21,544 safety audits of new motor carriers conducted; • 4,025 compliance investigations of motor carriers initiated, and • 553,738 out of service safety violations identified. The data obtained from these safety interventions are uploaded and maintained within FMCSA’s safety data information technology systems, which are accessed by Federal, State and local law enforcement organizations responsible for highway safety. This allows both Federal and State entities to direct enforcement resources as necessary. Funded projects will also include safety data improvement, maintenance of deployed innovative technology projects, and participation in the Performance and Registration Information Systems (PRISM) program.
Fiscal Year 2018 Within the current fiscal (FY 2018 - YTD), the following national program elements have been supported through the MCSAP grant: • 2,485,204 CMV safety inspections conducted; • 315,494 CMV traffic violations identified; • 24,763 safety audits of new motor carriers conducted; • 4,404 compliance investigations of motor carriers initiated, and • 474,386 out of service safety violations identified. The data obtained from these safety interventions are uploaded and maintained within FMCSA’s safety data information technology systems, which are accessed by Federal, State and local law enforcement organizations responsible for highway safety. This allows both Federal and State entities to direct enforcement resources as necessary. Funded projects will also include safety data improvement, maintenance of deployed innovative technology projects, and participation in the Performance and Registration Information Systems (PRISM) program.
Fiscal Year 2020 Based upon the FMCSA’s most recently published “Large Truck and Bus Statistics”, the following national program elements have been supported through the MCSAP grant: • 3,385,977 CMV safety inspections conducted; • 435,304 CMV traffic violations identified; • 36,254 safety audits of new motor carriers conducted; • 6,038 compliance investigations of motor carriers initiated, and • 671,133 out of service safety violations identified. The data obtained from these safety interventions are uploaded and maintained within FMCSA’s safety data information technology systems, which are accessed by Federal, State and local law enforcement organizations responsible for highway safety. This allows both Federal and State entities to direct enforcement resources as necessary. Funded projects will also include safety data improvement, maintenance of deployed innovative technology projects, and participation in the Performance and Registration Information Systems (PRISM) program.
Fiscal Year 2021 Fiscal Year 2021: As the current surface transportation authorization (FAST Act) expires on September 30, 2020, the FMCSA anticipates awarding funds as appropriated by Congress and allowed under new authorization legislation. Dollar mounts by State will be determined by the new allocation formula effective July 24, 2020. Information about the changes in the program can be found within the FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Comprehensive Policy located on the FMCSA website https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants/grantee-resources. While the FMCSA expects State pandemic related responses to have an impact on CMV safety activities (inspections, investigations, etc.), public safety is not expected to be impacted as MCSAP agencies will focus on efforts which minimize exposure
Fiscal Year 2023 Fiscal Year 2023: Based upon the FMCSA’s Analysis & Information Online Activity Dashboard, the following national program elements have been supported through the MCSAP grant during the past fiscal year: • 2,863,229 CMV safety inspections conducted; • 4,913,304 CMV driver/vehicle violations identified • 848,632 CMV traffic violations identified; • 59,115 safety audits of new motor carriers conducted; • 10,057 compliance investigations and reviews of motor carriers, and • 914,847 out-of-service safety violations identified. The data obtained from these safety interventions are uploaded and maintained within FMCSA’s safety data information technology systems, which are accessed by Federal, State and local law enforcement organizations responsible for highway safety. This allows both Federal and State entities to direct enforcement resources as necessary. Funded projects will also include safety data improvement, maintenance of deployed innovative technology projects, and participation in the Performance and Registration Information Systems (PRISM) program.
Fiscal Year 2024 Fiscal Year 2024: MCSAP is comprised of ten national program elements established in 49 CFR § 350.203. The MCSAP national program elements are: 1. Driver inspections; 2. Vehicle inspections; 3. Traffic enforcement; 4. Investigations; 5. New entrant safety audits; 6. CMV safety programs focusing on international commerce in border States; 7. Beginning October 1, 2020, full participation in PRISM or an acceptable alternative as determined by the Administrator; 8. Accurate, complete, timely, and corrected data; 9. Public education and awareness; and 10. Other elements that may be prescribed by the Administrator. Please note that States are required to meet all eligibility and program requirements outlined in 49 U.S.C. § 31102 and 49 CFR part 350 to receive MCSAP funds. For the FY 2024 MCSAP grant, FMCSA is strongly encouraging grant recipients to place renewed emphasis on increasing new entrant safety audits, risk-based investigations, traffic enforcement, and public education and outreach. Other national emphasis areas include a focus on combatting human trafficking, prohibited driver detection using the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH), supporting equitable enforcement practices, safety activities conducted in and around road construction zones, implementing strategies that address the high incidence of CMV crashes, safety issues that impact rural communities, and expansion of CMV safety partnerships through subgrants by MCSAP lead agencies.