TRUCK SAFETY RESEARCH USING THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION LARGE TRUCK CRASH CAUSATION STUDY DATABASE. The U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is seeking innovative ideas for research to be conducted using data collected in the recently completed Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) produced by the U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The Volpe Center invites interested parties to submit a brief research prospectus for consideration in response to this special notice. Depending on the overall response to this notice, one or more prospectuses may be selected for more detailed examination and potential funding. Research projects may be of various sizes and scope but should have a tentative budget target of $20,000 to $75,000 and should require fewer than 10 months to complete from the time of initiation. Information regarding the recommended structure of the prospectus and how to submit a prospectus in response to this notice is presented below. The LTCCS is a multiyear, nationwide study of factors contributing to truck crashes conducted by FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Approximately 5,000 people are killed each year in crashes involving large trucks; the goal of the LTCCS is to help FMCSA and NHTSA identify effective crash countermeasures by determining the critical events that contribute to large truck crashes. The LTCCS is based on a nationally representative sample of large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds) involved in traffic crashes that resulted in fatalities or injuries. Nearly 1,000 incidents were investigated during 33 months of data collection at 24 sites in 17 States. Data were collected on up to 1,000 elements in each crash. Two-person teams, each consisting of a trained researcher and a State truck inspector, conducted on-site investigations as soon as possible after each crash occurred. These data provide a detailed description of the physical events of each crash, along with an unprecedented amount of information about all vehicles and drivers, weather and roadway conditions, and trucking companies that were involved in the crashes. Potential Research Areas - Research topics should use the LTCCS database as the primary data source and can focus on any aspect of large truck crashes. Topics of particular interest to the USDOT Volpe Center include fatigue, use of legal and illegal drugs, driver recognition errors (inattention, distraction, inadequate surveillance, etc.), driver decision errors (traveling too fast for conditions, following too closely, false assumptions about other road users? actions, etc.), unfamiliarity with roadway and/or truck, truck vehicle factors, and motor carrier factors. Studies that combine any of these topics, or those that include a topic not specifically enumerated above but still relevant to large truck crashes and for which information can be drawn from the LTCCS database, will also be considered. Requested Structure of Submissions - Each research prospectus that is submitted should include: (1) a brief discussion of the area(s) of truck safety research that the proposed research will address, (2) a list of the LTCCS database elements that will be utilized, (3) descriptions of any other data sources that will be utilized in the research, (4) a brief statement of qualifications regarding the prior research experience, background, and academic and/or professional credentials of the organization or the individual researcher who will conduct the research, (5) a research project timeline, showing all anticipated activities and culminating in a written report to the USDOT Volpe Center within 10 months of the project?s initiation, (5) a budget within the range of $20,000 to $75,000. Additional Information - Those interested in submitting ideas for research projects can find additional information about the LTCCS on the LTCCS portion of the Analysis and Information (A&I) website at http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/ltccs/default.asp For additional information regarding the LTCCS in general, please contact Ralph Craft of FMCSA at (202) 366-0324. Questions regarding this Special Notice can be directed to Bob Armstrong, USDOT, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Motor Carrier Safety Division, at (617) 494-2946 or
[email protected]. Deadline for Receipt of Submissions - The deadline for the receipt of submissions is December 29, 2006. Submissions should be e-mailed to Bob Armstrong, USDOT, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Motor Carrier Safety Division, at Robert.Armstrong @volpe.dot.gov. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for informational and planning purposes only, and is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a Request for Proposal including the use of any non-profit organization or small business programs. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of response to this Special Notice. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids and proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. Unless otherwise stated herein, no solicitation regarding this announcement is available. Request for the same will be disregarded. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the FEDBIZOPPS. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor this site for release of any solicitation or synopsis. Please be aware that all information submitted in response to this request, whether written, oral, electronic, graphic, or any other medium, is considered public information under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552. FMCSA will not entertain any request for confidentiality, redaction, or limited circulation. Place of Performance - Address: To be determined.