U'S' Mexico Border Demonstration Project

1
U.S. Mexico Border Demonstration Project

• Manuel Espinosa, Special Projects Manager
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• 903 San Jacinto Blvd.
• Austin, Texas 78701
• 512-566-0021
• manuel.espinosa_at_dot.gov

2
Background

• NAFTA
• 2002 Appropriations Bill
• Section 350 requirements
• Legal Challenges
• OIG Annual Reports
• Verification of 8 Section 350 requirements
• Secretarys certification
• February 23 announcement

3
Background

• Congressional hearing
• Iraq supplemental funding bill
• Pilot program
• Federal Register Notice
• OIG Review
• Federal Register Notices
• May 1, 2007
• June 8, 2007
• August 17, 2007

4
Demonstration Project

• Up to 100 US Carriers
• Up to 100 Mexico Domiciled Motor Carriers
• One Year
• Evaluation Panel

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Participation Requirements

• Complete Application
• Vetting
• HM and Passengers
• EPIC
• CBP
• FMCSA-Pending Actions

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Regulatory Requirements

• All US Safety Regulations
• FMCSR
• FMVSS
• All US Environmental Standards
• All Registration and Fuel Tax Regulations
• IFTA
• IRP
• All Immigration Requirements

7
Approval Process

• Pre Authority Safety Audit
• Verification Phase
• Performance and Date Review
• Vehicle Inspections
• Pass/Fail
• Upload Results to MCMIS
• Publish in Federal Register
• Issue Operating Authority
• Provisional
• Conditions

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Key Issues

• Identification
• Suffix X following USDOT Number
• Every Vehicle Every Time
• CVSA Decal check
• Driver license check
• Verify English language proficiency
• Point-to-point domestic transportation (cabotage)
• Applies only to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers
• Prohibited (365.501(b))
• Cite 392.9a(a)(2)/365.501(b)
• Out-of-Service

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Key Issues

• 52nd State
• Database of Mexican driver convictions
• Used to Check Licencia Federal
• Recording of disqualifying violations
• Notification to driver of disqualification
• IMPORTANT Uploading of convictions

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Monitoring and Evaluation

• Demonstration Project
• US-Mexico Monitoring Team
• Independent Evaluation Team
• Office of Inspector General
• Motor Carriers
• 49 CFR 385 Subpart B
• Expedited action
• Safety Audit/Compliance Review
• Roadside monitoring
• Applicable to all Mexico-domiciled motor carriers

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State and Local Support

• State and local support is key to success
• Uniform and consistent application of policies
  and procedures
• Grant funding available to Border States

12
Where are we today?

• Office of Inspector General issued a final report
  (required by 6901 Bill) to Congress on 09/06/07.
• FMCSA issued report to Congress on OIG report on
  09/06/07.
• Operating Authority issued to first MX carrier on
  09/06/07.