FMCSA Seeks to Partner with Industry to Field Test Electronically Controlled Braking Systems
IVsource.net
23 July 2002

As part of the USDOT Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) program, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is moving forward with plans to award cooperative agreements to teams for testing of Electronically Controlled Braking Systems (ECBS).  Request for Applications is expected in mid-August.

As part of the US Department of Transportation's Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) program, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is moving forward with plans to award cooperative agreements to teams for testing of Electronically Controlled Braking Systems (ECBS). 

Based on a published synopsis of the project, the government seeks “Conductor Teams” who can develop and implement Field Operational Tests (FOTs) for ECBS.  The primary goals of the FOTs are (1) to achieve an improved understanding of the overall safety of ECBS in terms of performance, reliability, durability, and maintainability; and (2) to determine the safety benefits of ECBS in an over-the-road, revenue-generating environment.  All systems field tested as part of this program will be evaluated in terms of performance, reliability, durability, and maintainability.  In addition, a safety benefits evaluation will be performed on those systems with advanced brake safety system components (e.g. high speed communications, “balanced braking” components, etc.).

The announcement implies that a Conductor Team may include a variety of organizations such as a vehicle manufacturer, brake manufacturer, fleet operator, etc.

According to the announcement, a pre-proposal conference to provide more information on this program is planned for on or about August 22, 2002 at the US Department of Transportation Headquarters Building at 400 7th Street SW in Washington DC.

The Request for Applications is expected to be released on August 15, with proposals due September 30.

This effort is being led by Tim Johnson of FMCSA, Heavy Vehicle Platform Director within the IVI program.  It appears that the contracting will be handled by the Federal Highway Administration.

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For More Information ...

... a synopsis of the ECBS Field Operational Test has been posted electronically on  the "FedBizOps" website (Federal Business Opportunities).  Follow the link below to go directly to the synopsis, or access the main webpage (www.eps.gov) and then do a search on --ECBS-- to find it.

www.eps.gov/spg/DOT/FHWA/OAM/DTFH61-02-X-00096/listing.html

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