The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently published an NPRM that seeks to track hours of operation for drivers interstate bus and trucks by using Electronic On-Board Recorders. The feds are also pushing on online process that could ease the ability of interested parties to submit public comments.
As noted in our Jan. 31 article, FMCSA and other Department of Transportation agencies are partnering with Cornell University on a relatively new e-Rulemaking Initiative that meets the push out of Washington, D.C., to make government more transparent.
DOT began piloting the online system through Cornell last March when FMCSA published its NPRM on banning text messaging by interstate bus and truck drivers, which since has become a final rule. The Cornell e-Rulemaking Initiative uses Web 2.0 principles to increase online community tools for participating in the process, namely submitting comments to the docket.
The old way is still in effect, which is a good thing since an FMCSA reminder sent today on submitting comments to the EOBR NPRM included a link to that told me the federal government's Regulation Room is "Down momentarily, but we're working on it. Back shortly!"
Ah, the joys of the Internet. Believe me, I commiserate. It's obviously time for the weekend to begin for me as well as our friends at Cornell and FMCSA.
Enjoy!
