CV-STAC About Us
UMassSafe
UMassSafe is a multidisciplinary traffic safety research program housed in the University of Massachusetts Transportation Center in the College of Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. At UMassSafe, we seek to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes through the rigorous examination of safety-related data – both traditional and nontraditional – to better understand crashes, driver behavior, and related factors.
A grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enabled UMassSafe to develop a program to promote partnerships between various state agencies and universities that work on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety. The program included the following two phases:
- Hosting a commercial vehicle safety summit; and
- Developing a technical assistance center.
2022 Commercial Vehicle Safety Research Summit: Advancing Technology to Prevent Truck & Bus Crashes
The 2022 Commercial Vehicle Safety Research Summit: Advancing Technology to Prevent Truck & Bus Crashes provided a venue for the exchange of ideas and resources, as well as showcase innovative technologies and programming aimed at improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles and preventing crashes.
The Summit hosted over 170 participants, with at least one representatives from each Eastern Service Center (ESC) region, state, and territory. Also in attendance were four representatives from the California Highway Patrol. Over the two days, 34 presentations were offered, encouraging open discussion and collaboration between presenters and attendees. Furthering the work established by the Summits held in 2016 and 2019, attendees were encouraged to continue developing partnerships between truck and bus associations, motor carriers, law enforcement agencies, state driver's licensing agencies, researchers, and government organizations.
2019 Commercial Vehicle Safety Research Summit: Best Practices for Industry & Law Enforcement Partnerships
The 2019 Commercial Vehicle Safety Research Summit: Best Practices for Industry & Law Enforcement Partnerships (referred to hereafter as CV Summit), featured demonstrations of innovative programming and technologies for reducing roadway crashes, while also providing a venue for the exchange of ideas and resources between safety stakeholders and industry.
The CV Summit brought together 158 attendees from 86 agencies and organizations involved in truck and bus safety. It consisted of 46 presentations over the course of two days, covering the most important issues facing commercial vehicle safety today, including impacts of marijuana decriminalization, preparation for highly automated vehicles, addressing driver distraction, and much more. States shared the crash prevention programming they've implemented in partnerships with their trucking associations as well as lessons learned and ways these programs can be replicated in other states.
2016 Commercial Vehicle Safety Research Summit: Best Practices for Advancing Safety through Partnerships with Universities
The 2016 Commercial Vehicle Safety Research Summit: Best Practices for Advancing Safety through Partnerships with Universities, was the outcome of an idea conceived and implemented to promote partnerships between universities, law enforcement, and driver licensing agencies.
Besides promoting partnerships, a goal of the CV Summit was to share best practices aimed at improving commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and commercial drivers’ license (CDL) enforcement and licensing compliance within the Eastern Service Center (ESC) area.
The CV Summit drew more than 130 attendees representing all 16 ESC states. A variety of other agencies and organizations invested in CMV and CDL safety improvement efforts were also in attendance.
Commercial Vehicle – Safety Technical Assistance Center (CV-STAC)
The second phase of the grant-funded project is the development and implementation of the ESC Region Commercial Vehicle Safety Technical Assistance Center (CV -STAC).
UMassSafe will guide law enforcement, licensing agencies, and universities to:
- Develop, and/or expand partnerships;
- Develop new programs; and
- Replicate existing program promoting CMV safety.
UMassSafe will be a resource and center for information, increasing each stakeholder’s network of support and communication. Building on the momentum of the CV Summit, the CV-STAC will publish shared best practices from the event, as well as others.
The CV-STAC website highlights projects and programs implemented by states, culls best practice information on safety countermeasures and current safety research findings, and provides a blog on relevant topics.
Contact Us
UMass Traffic Safety Research Program
University of Massachusetts Amherst
142 Marston Hall
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel 413.577.1035
UMassSafe@umass.edu
Title VI Program Compliance Plan
The UMTC hereby gives notice that it is the policy of the University to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, £,0. 12898, and related nondiscrimination authorities in all programs and activities. Title VI and related Nondiscrimination authorities require that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, low-income or LEP, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which The UMTC receives Federal financial assistance.
Any person who desires more information regarding the UMTC Title VI Program can contact its Title VI Coordinator Kris Stetson.
Any person who believes they have, individually or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income level or Limited English Proficiency has the right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and submitted within 180 days following the date of the alleged occurrence to:
Kris Stetson
Title VI Coordinator
214 Marston Hall
Amherst, MA 01003
Phone: (413) 577-3199
Fax: (413) 545-9569