Building Professional Capacity in ITS

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs: 

The CVO Perspective 

 

US Department of Transportation 

Federal Highway Administration 

ITS Joint Program Office 

ITS PCB Program 

 

August 1999
i

PREFACE

This report is the second in a series of needs assessment efforts conducted by the U.S.

Department of Transportation's (U.S. DOT) Office of Motor Carriers & Highway Safety

(OMCHS) to better understand the training and education needs of transportation professionals

engaged in Intelligent Transportation Systems/Commercial Vehicle Operations (ITS/CVO). The

intent of ITS is to achieve greater operational safety and management efficiency by streamlining

existing processes and enhancing surface transportation systems with electronic, communication,

computer, and sensing technologies. As ITS is transforming general surface transportation, it is

also significantly influencing public and private sector motor carrier operations through the

application of advanced information technologies, systems, and networks — commonly referred

to as Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN).

The application of these new technologies and systems has required a focus on the professional

capacity development needs of motor carrier transportation professionals. In 1997, OMCHS

launched its first needs assessment effort in this area to capture and address immediate training

needs. The effort resulted in a foundational report titled, ITS/CVO Technical Training Program:

Training Survey Report. This report generated a series of training seminars that increase

awareness of ITS/CVO and CVISN applications, develop top-level system designs for state

commercial vehicle agencies, and foster skills in ITS/CVO project planning and management.

However, as states progress beyond planning and management into actual ITS/CVO deployment,

operations, and systems management, motor carrier professionals require more depth and

specialized skills development. This report, Building Professional Capacity in ITS: An

Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs—The Commercial Vehicle Operations

Perspective, intends to do this.

The report builds from a thorough investigation of prior general ITS needs assessments most

notably the U.S. DOT's Professional Capacity Building (PCB) Program's Building Professional

Capacity in ITS: Documentation and Analysis of Training and Education Needs in Support of

ITS Deployment. That report, hence referred to as the ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis,

is the result of over 200 interviews conducted nationwide by the Volpe National Transportation

Systems Center to systematically investigate the ITS training and education needs of

transportation professionals. In that comprehensive report, twenty-seven knowledge and skill

competencies were identified that are required by twenty "ideal" roles within an ITS project team

for seven different types of transportation agencies (though none were motor carrier agencies).

The review of that report by OMCHS staff revealed common roles and knowledge/skill

competency areas that could be applied to motor carrier ITS project deployment and operations.

For example, like other ITS deployments, ITS/CVO projects require conformity with the

National ITS Architecture. However, ITS/CVO have additional and unique requirements that

have resulted in an ITS/CVO component of the National ITS Architecture, thus requiring the

need for further and more specialized training for professionals engaged in ITS commercial

vehicle activities.
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Building Professional Capacity in ITS: An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs—

The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective presents a preliminary assessment of ITS/CVO

competencies and roles using the ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis as a general working

framework. It is substantiated with information from site interviews conducted for other

ITS/CVO studies including:

• Electronic Credentialing for Commercial Vehicle Operations: A Cross-Cutting Study.

August 1999.

• Early Institutional Lessons from the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems Networks

(CVISN) Model Deployments: Checklists for Success. October 1998.

• ITS/CVO Technical Training Program: Training Survey Report. November 1997.

• ITS/CVO Technical Training Program Work Plan. January 1997.

Additional resources supplied by OMCHS included job descriptions for CVISN project team

members and ITS/CVO course materials. A more in-depth review also revealed unique

differences inherent in ITS/CVO as compared to general surface transportation which are

documented in this report.

Building Professional Capacity in ITS: An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs—

The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective presents these commonalities and differences

for two primary purposes:

• First, to provide a guide for decision makers within commercial vehicle regulatory agencies

who have the responsibility for staffing, hiring, and training professionals for ITS/CVO

projects. It proposes "ideal" project teams and their required competencies for four ITS/CVO

functional areas:

• Safety Information Exchange,

• Electronic Credentialing,

• Electronic Screening, and

• Motor Carrier Operations.

• Second, it will benefit the OMCHS' ITS/CVO Program and the U.S. DOT's ITS/PCB

Program in further developing education and training offerings to assist transportation

professionals addressing ITS/CVO training needs.

• Third, it lays a framework so that OMCHS can proceed with a more in-depth analysis that

captures not only the specifics of current needs, but identifies the emerging needs of this

rapidly evolving field.

Reports conducted as part of the U.S. DOT's PCB Program and available on its web page at

www.its.dot.gov/pcb/pcb.htm include:

• Building Professional Capacity in ITS: An Assessment of ITS Training and Education

Needs—The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective. In partnership with OMCHS.

(EDL #10824).
iii

• Building Professional Capacity in ITS: Guidelines for Staffing, Hiring, and Designing Ideal

Project Teams (EDL #8966).

• Building Professional Capacity in ITS: Guidelines for Designing an Individualized Training

and Education Plan (EDL #8965).

• Building Professional Capacity in ITS: Guidelines for Developing the Future Professional

(EDL #8967).

• Building Professional Capacity in ITS: An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs

— The Transit Perspective (EDL#8968).
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE .................................................................................................................................................................... I

1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................1

2.0 OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND ..........................................................................................................................3

2.1 DEFINITION OF ITS PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING (PCB) & COMMERCIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS (CVO)

..................................................................................................................................................................................3

2.2 BUILDING BLOCK #1: RANGE OF ITS/CVO ROLES............................................................................................4

2.3 BUILDING BLOCK #2: ITS/CVO COMPETENCIES...............................................................................................6

2.4 BUILDING BLOCK #3: RANGE OF DELIVERY METHODS FOR LEARNING ITS AND ITS/CVO...............................8

3.0 IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS ......................................................10

3.1 GENERIC STAFFING CHART...............................................................................................................................11

3.2 SAFETY INFORMATION EXCHANGE ...................................................................................................................22

3.3 ELECTRONIC CREDENTIALING...........................................................................................................................24

3.4 ELECTRONIC SCREENING ..................................................................................................................................27

3.5 MOTOR CARRIER OPERATIONS .........................................................................................................................29

4.0 SUMMARY.........................................................................................................................................................32

5.0 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS ..........................................................................................................................33

APPENDIX A: OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES UNIQUE TO ITS/CVO ............................................................35

APPENDIX B: OVERVIEW OF COMPETENCIES UNIQUE TO ITS/CVO....................................................37

TABLES

TABLE 1: IDEAL ITS/CVO ROLES ..................................................................................................................................5

TABLE 2: RANGE OF ITS/CVO COMPETENCIES..............................................................................................................7

TABLE 3: RANGE OF ITS/CVO DELIVERY METHODS.....................................................................................................9

TABLE 4: CORE AND SUPPORT STAFF ...........................................................................................................................11

TABLE 5A: GENERIC STAFFING CHART FOR DEPLOYING & OPERATING SAFETY INFORMATION EXCHANGE,

ELECTRONIC CREDENTIALING, AND ELECTRONIC SCREENING SYSTEMS (CORE STAFF) ...............................12

TABLE 5B: GENERIC STAFFING CHART FOR DEPLOYING & OPERATING SAFETY INFORMATION EXCHANGE,

ELECTRONIC CREDENTIALING, AND ELECTRONIC SCREENING SYSTEMS (SUPPORT STAFF)..........................17

TABLE 6: PROJECT — DEPLOYING & OPERATING SAFETY INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEMS..................................23

TABLE 7: PROJECT — DEPLOYING & OPERATING ELECTRONIC CREDENTIALING SYSTEMS .........................................25

TABLE 8: PROJECT — DEPLOYING & OPERATING ELECTRONIC SCREENING SYSTEMS.................................................28

TABLE 9: PROJECT — MOTOR CARRIER OPERATIONS (CORE STAFF)...........................................................................30
INTRODUCTION

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The focus of the ITS/CVO program—to create a way for existing and newly designed systems to

exchange information using standards and available communications infrastructure—poses new

institutional and technical requirements that decision makers must address when developing

organizational professional capacity. For example, ITS/CVO deployments require unprecedented

cooperation among public sector agencies, necessitating new skills in partnering and building

coalitions. Public sector officials also need to understand how to make technology choices

among information, communication, and computer applications, as well as understand their

integration with existing legacy systems. This report is designed to assist motor carrier

transportation officials in acquiring these knowledge and skills.

The report is organized into five sections:

Section 1 is this Introduction.

Section 2 provides a definition of professional capacity building and presents its three "building

blocks"— ITS roles, ITS competencies, and delivery methods — which are essential for

determining the right mix and level of learning that is needed by individuals or staffs in the

implementation of ITS projects. It discusses each building block in length and places them

within the context of the ITS/CVO program. Additional ITS/CVO roles, competencies, and

delivery methods that are not included in the ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis are

introduced and defined.

Section 3 presents staffing charts for four ITS/CVO functional areas:

• Safety Information Exchange,

• Electronic Credentialing,

• Electronic Screening, and

• Motor Carrier Operations.

The charts identify the combination of staff by position title. They also include, by position, a

summary of functions and responsibilities and a recommendation for supporting ITS

competencies. The section also looks at the range of delivery methods that are most effective for

learning ITS motor carrier operations.

Section 4 summarizes this report's findings and discusses how well the current ITS/CVO

Program and the ITS/PCB Program meet the education and training needs of ITS/CVO

professionals. This discussion preliminarily identifies gaps in the education and training

offerings in what is currently available.

Section 5 focuses on recommendations to strengthen the ITS/CVO and ITS/PCB Program

training offerings to address the identified gaps in Section 4. These recommendations include
INTRODUCTION

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

2

amending courses to include ITS/CVO information and case studies, adding case studies and

lessons learned to existing ITS/CVO courses, and developing new ITS/CVO courses to meet

emerging areas needs. Non-traditional delivery methods such as technical assistance and virtual

learning are discussed as a means of broadening and deepening the current ITS/CVO Program

and ITS/PCB Program offerings.

In conclusion, this report recognizes that synthesizing information from previous assessments

and studies provides a starting point for understanding the more unique ITS/CVO needs.

However, to validate and substantiate the ITS/CVO competencies and roles introduced in this

report, further needs assessment that includes interviews with ITS/CVO practitioners is

recommended. Therefore, this report concludes with a recommendation for OMCHS to conduct

a more in-depth needs assessment to refine the roles, competencies, and preferred delivery

methods introduced in this report to be specific to ITS/CVO.
OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

3

2.0 OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

2.1 Definition of ITS Professional Capacity Building (PCB) & Commercial Vehicle

Operations (CVO)

Professional capacity building is the process of developing new or enhancing existing knowledge

and skills that are required for successful performance in a job. ITS is the enhancement of

surface transportation systems and operations using electronic, communication, computer, and

sensing technologies. ITS/CVO is the application of these advanced technologies to motor

carrier operations. For example, safety information gathered at roadside inspection sites can be

electronically transmitted to state administrative offices for safety enforcement activities.

Clearly, the application of ITS to surface transportation requires transportation professionals at

all levels to incorporate and apply new competencies in their daily work activities. Rapid

technological advances also necessitate that transportation professionals search for, and access,

education and training that will enable them to remain professionally current. Both the ITS/PCB

Program and ITS/CVO Program are designed to assist transportation professionals in achieving

these goals.

Building professional capacity in ITS relies upon the use of three "building blocks" that help

professionals determine the right mix and level of learning that they need. The three PCB

building blocks are:

• ITS Roles - the ideal ITS functions and job positions within a transportation agency and/or

on an ITS project team.

• ITS Competencies - bundled sets of applied knowledge and skills that support successful job

performance.

• Delivery Methods - the most accessible ways for professionals to learn about ITS. The

ITS/PCB Program relies on methods in four categories - training, education, technical

assistance, and information outreach.

The PCB building blocks presented in this report are comparable to those that were identified in

the ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis. However, they have been modified to reflect how

they apply to the ITS/CVO program. Additional ITS/CVO roles and competencies are also

introduced. Two building blocks — roles and competencies — serve as the backbone to the

staffing charts presented in Section 3. The range of delivery methods appropriate for the

ITS/CVO program is also discussed in this section, as the 21st century workforce demands that

knowledge and skill development be accessible where and when needed.
OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

4

2.2 Building Block #1: Range of ITS/CVO Roles

The ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis defines a set of "ideal" ITS team roles that

professionals play individually and as members of agency and project teams in ITS deployment

and operations. The range of ideal ITS team roles which are needed for ITS/CVO program

implementation is listed in Table 1. Definitions for the roles listed in Table 1 that are similar to

those in the Building Professional Capacity in ITS: Documentation and Analysis of Training and

Education Needs in Support of ITS Deployment can be found in that document. Some of these

definitions need to be refined to include ITS/CVO activities which can be done in a further needs

assessment based on interviews with ITS/CVO professionals. A table of fourteen unique

ITS/CVO roles with definitions is included in this report in Appendix A. The roles focus on

public sector and contractor positions that are active in ITS/CVO deployment. Private sector

roles such as motor carrier drivers, dispatchers, and lobbyists have not been included in this

report since its focus is predominantly on public sector transportation officials who staff and train

project teams. The exception is the Motor Carrier Industry Representative that is involved in

project planning and acceptance of ITS/CVO technologies.

Many of the additional roles emerged due to functional areas of the ITS/CVO Program. These

areas are Safety Information Exchange, Electronic Credentialing, Electronic Screening, and

Motor Carrier Operations. Commercial Vehicle Information Systems & Networks (CVISN)

program's Level 1 Capabilities represent basic ITS deployments and functionality in the first

three areas. As well, the public sector or State and Federal governments, have the lead

responsibility for implementation in these areas. The fourth area, Motor Carrier Operations,

consists of motor carriers using ITS technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of their

business operations. An example is a motor carrier's use of Global Positioning Systems with onboard computers for fleet management and package tracking functions. Both the public and

private sectors need to be aware of ITS developments in all four areas so that their systems can

be cost-effectively and voluntarily integrated to improve highway safety and motor carrier

productivity.

In addition, there are ITS/CVO activities that include interfaces with ITS functional areas such as

Advanced Traffic Information Systems, Advanced Transportation Management Systems,

Advanced Rural Transportation Systems, and Electronic Toll Collection. Commercial vehicle

interactions in the first three areas include the relaying of roadway weather, and incident and

traffic information to motor carrier truck and bus dispatchers to assist drivers in avoiding

dangerous and congested areas. The first three areas are covered in Building Professional

Capacity in ITS: Documentation and Analysis of Training and Education Needs in Support of

ITS Deployment and so will not be addressed here. Electronic Toll Collection technologies allow

motor carriers to pay highway tolls using in-vehicle transponders. OMCHS is working to

establish national interoperability of transponders so that the number of transponders used by

interstate motor carriers can be minimized.
OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

5

The ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis interviews revealed that during the deployment

and operation of an ITS-related program, individuals' jobs require them to wear multiple hats,

that is, to play more than one role. For example, the project manager of an ITS/CVO project will

frequently have responsibility for planning and/or budgeting as well as project management.

Furthermore, some roles such as project managers and system architects, are actively involved

throughout all the stages of deployment. It is for these reasons that the ITS Training & Education

Needs Analysis categories — "Cross-Cutting Roles" and "Creating Change: Roles for

Mainstreaming ITS" — have been merged into the "Roles in Developing a Regional ITS Concept

of Operations and Planning for ITS" and "Roles in the Design, Procurement, Installation,

Operations & Maintenance, and Evaluation Stages" in this report. As well, some of the roles

appear in different deployment categories from those in the ITS Training & Education Needs

Analysis given their unique participation in ITS/CVO activities.

So far, fourteen roles have been added which are specific to ITS/CVO and different from the ITS

Training & Education Needs Analysis. They are: Project Manager; System Architect; ITS/CVO

Champion; Project Facilitator/Administrator; FHWA Resource Center Specialist; Motor Carrier

Industry Representative; State & Federal Legislators; State Agency Decision Maker; System

Administrator; Budget Officer; Operations Supervisor for Tax & Vehicle Registration Programs;

Operations User for Tax and Vehicle Registration Programs; State & Local Motor Carrier

Inspectors; and Electrical Engineer. The roles have been loosely ordered according to when they

are determined to be critical in project deployment.

Table 1: Ideal ITS/CVO Roles

Roles in Developing a Regional ITS Concept

of Operations and Planning for ITS/CVO

• ITS/CVO Champion

• Project Manager

• System Architect

• Project Administrator/Facilitator

• Planner

• FHWA Division Field Staff

• FHWA Resource Center Specialist

• Motor Carrier Industry Representative

• State & Federal Legislators

• State Agency Decision Maker

Roles in the Design, Procurement, Installation,

Operations & Maintenance, and Evaluation

Stages

• System Administrator

• System Support & Maintenance Technician

• Software Developer

• Human Resources Staff

• Contract Specialist

• Legal Staff

• Budget Officer

• Data(base) Manager/Analyst

• Operations Supervisor for Tax & Vehicle

Registration Programs

• Operations User for Tax & Vehicle Registration

Programs

• State & Local Motor Carrier Inspectors

• Electrical Engineer

• Electronics Inspection & Maintenance

Technician
OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

6

2.3 Building Block #2: ITS/CVO Competencies

ITS competencies encompass the technical and institutional knowledge and skills required across

the stages of project planning, design, and deployment through systems operations and

maintenance. The range of ideal ITS competencies which are needed for ITS/CVO program

implementation is listed in Table 2. In most cases, the ITS competency areas that were identified

for the ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis are applicable to ITS/CVO. Definitions for

these competencies are in Building Professional Capacity in ITS: Documentation and Analysis of

Training and Education Needs in Support of ITS Deployment. However, in a number of

instances, these competencies will need to be modified or redefined to better reflect the

requirements of ITS/CVO practitioners. So far, ten competencies have been added which are

specific to ITS/CVO and are defined in Appendix B. The ten unique ITS/CVO competencies are:

ITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Architecture & CVO Component; Telecommunications

Networking Options; System Integration; Electronics; Budgeting; State & Federal Motor Carrier

Tax & Vehicle Registration Regulations, Procedures, and Processes; State and Federal Inspection

Procedures and Processes; System Testing; and Interoperability Testing for Conformance to the

National ITS Architecture & Standards.

The current suite of ITS/CVO Program courses focus on competencies needed for the four

functional areas. However, emerging areas, such as Interoperability Testing and Conformity to

the National ITS Architecture & Standards, will require development of new courses. This will

be imperative since all Federally-funded ITS projects will have to be in conformance with the

National ITS Architecture and accepted standards. Information on future accepted standards will

also need to be included in courses. Other courses that provide ongoing training in deployment

such as program management and evaluation will also support ITS/CVO practitioners in their

projects.

Many roles require the same competencies, but at varying levels. For example, planners, system

architects, and system support and maintenance technicians must all understand system

integration. However, the depth of knowledge and the skills for application vary across a range

of basic awareness to knowing how to integrate components together through wireline and

wireless media. These differences are covered in the staffing charts in Section 3 with

recommend competencies at either the awareness or specialized levels.
OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

7

Table 2: Range of ITS/CVO Competencies

Competencies for Developing a Regional ITS

Concept of Operations

• ITS/CVO Awareness

• Identifying Stakeholders/Building Coalitions

• National ITS Architecture & CVO Component

• Partnerships

• Financing

• Planning

Cross-Cutting Competencies

• Project Management

• Writing/Communications

• Problem Solving

Competencies for the Design, Procurement,

Installation, Operations & Maintenance, and

Evaluation Stages

• System Analysis & Design

• Technology Options

• ITS Standards

• System Integration

• Software and Hardware Operations

• Software Development

• Telecommunications Networking Options

• Electronics

• Human Factors

• Procurement

• ITS Legal Issues

• Budgeting

• Managing Contractors

• State & Federal Motor Carrier Tax & Vehicle

Registration Regulations, Procedures, and

Processes

• State and Federal Inspection Procedures and

Processes

• System Testing

• Interoperability Testing for Conformance to

the National ITS Architecture & Standards

• Data Analysis & Management

• System Support and Maintenance

• Project Evaluation

Creating Change: Competencies for

Mainstreaming ITS

• Legislative and Policy Changes

• Organizational/Institutional Changes

• Policy/Political Environment

• Marketing/Public Relations
OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

8

2.4 Building Block #3: Range of Delivery Methods for Learning ITS and ITS/CVO

One of the most important areas of ITS professional capacity building is using the delivery

method that most effectively allows learning to be tailored to, targeted for, and accessible to

professionals. In today's fast paced business environment, the more traditional methods of

learning, such as training courses or educational classes, don't always meet the needs of

professionals who need information and instruction on-the-job and just-in-time.

ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis interviewees made it evident that professionals who

were most successful at learning about ITS did so through a wide variety of learning methods.

They attended conferences and were on ITS-related committees (information outreach). They

participated in ITS Scanning Reviews, arranged their own visits to sites with ITS deployments,

and called peers about experiences and problems (technical assistance). Many of the interviewees

attended ITS/PCB Program's courses and seminars (training).

To continue to support ITS practitioners' professional capacity building needs, the ITS/PCB

Program will increase its delivery offerings beginning with making courses and seminars

available on the web in September 1999. It is also preparing to provide the courses via satellite.

For a compendium of ITS/PCB resources available, see Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

Documentation and Analysis of Training and Education Needs in Support of ITS Deployment.

The OMCHS will continue to offer its array of ITS/CVO awareness and specialized training

courses. It will also continue its information outreach activities that include the ITS/CVO

Technology Truck that tours the nation exhibiting advanced technologies for motor carrier

operations. Technical assistance for ITS/CVO deployments is provided by FHWA Division

Field Staff and FHWA Resource Center Specialists. In addition, the Peer-to-Peer Network has

been broadened to include ITS/CVO participants. Table 3 provides a comprehensive list of the

current and potential methods available for delivering ITS/CVO learning. Current delivery

methods are in regular typeface; those in italic are potential methods.
OVERVIEW: BACKGROUND

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

9

Table 3: Range of ITS/CVO Delivery Methods

Training

• Traditional classroom style.

• Cross-agency training.

• Job rotation or exchange program with agencies,

professional associations, or private sector firms.

• Computer-based training (CBT).

• Web-based training (WBT).

• Satellite broadcast of a course presentation.

• Industry internships for public sector officials to

earn technology from vendors.

Technical Assistance

• Assistance from FHWA Division Field

Staff and FHWA Resource Center

Specialists.

• Mentoring.

• Peer-to-Peer Network.

• Consultant/Contractor assistance for

hands-on technical assistance.

• ITS Scanning Reviews.

Information Outreach

• Web sites with reports, information, and access to technical assistance. These include the

FHWA/OMCHS web site, the U.S. DOT's ITS Joint Program Office web site and Electronic

Data Library, and electronic newsletters such as the ITS Cooperative Deployment Network.

• Reports on best practices, lessons learned, and successful approaches.

• Vendor-sponsored programs such as displays, exhibits, and training.

• ITS/CVO Technology Truck.

• National and State Motor Trucking Associations such as the American Trucking Associations

Foundation conferences and meetings.

• Original Equipment Manufacturer conferences such as Society for Automotive Engineers.

• National Private Truck Council meetings.

• Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and American Association of Motor Vehicle

Administrators symposiums and forums.

• State Commissioner meetings to reach high-level decision makers.
IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

10

3.0 IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS

The purpose of the staffing charts is to provide transportation officials with an additional tool for

identifying the composition of "ideal" teams for ITS/CVO projects. They can also be used in

considering whom to employ and for identifying the appropriate contract support. This section

focuses on the "ideal" staffing for the four ITS/CVO functional areas:

• Safety Information Exchange,

• Electronic Credentialing,

• Electronic Screening, and

• Motor Carrier Operations.

The goal in each of these areas is to create electronic linkages using advanced communication

and computing technology that will lead to the free flow of information among carriers, shippers,

government agencies, insurance companies, and other motor carrier stakeholders. This flow of

information will enhance safety, vehicle registration, and tax enforcement while improving

efficiency of commercial vehicle business transactions and operations.

Other ITS functional areas that have interfaces with ITS/CVO activities, such as Advanced

Traffic Information Systems, Advanced Transportation Management Systems, or Advanced

Rural Transportation Systems, are covered in Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

Documentation and Analysis of Training and Education Needs in Support of ITS Deployment. A

further needs assessment will be required to better understand Electronic Toll Collection systems.

Each of the following staffing charts depicts the ideal ITS/CVO deployment and operations team

with core and support participants. Core and support members are listed in Table 4. Core

participants parallel the OMCHS recommended CVISN core project team. These individuals are

expected to participate in the CVISN Deployment Workshops in which the State's CVISN

Project Plan and Top-Level Design for Safety Information Exchange, Electronic Credentialing,

and Electronic Screening are developed. Support participants are expected to assist core staff in

planning, deployment, operations, and maintenance activities. Motor Carrier Operations core

and support staff charts were organized in consultation with OMCHS.

For each core and support role, the competencies that are required to meet performance

objectives are identified. The charts also identify the level of knowledge — either awareness or

specialized — that an individual would be expected to have to contribute satisfactorily to the

ITS/CVO project. Since each ITS/CVO State has engaged different agencies with different

organizational structures to implement the program, the charts should be viewed as a composite

model, providing a baseline to guide staffing and professional capacity building at an

organizational level. Depending on the State's organizational structure, core and support staff

can come from numerous agencies including, but not limited to, State departments of

transportation, revenue or taxation and public safety agencies, and the public utility commission.
IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

11

Table 4: Core and Support Staff

Core Staff Support Staff

• Project Manager

• System Architect

• Project Administrator/ Facilitator

• System Administrator

• Operations Supervisor for Tax & Vehicle

Registration Programs

• FHWA Division Field Staff

• Motor Carrier Industry Representative

• Software Developer

• System Support & Maintenance Technician

• Operations User for Tax & Vehicle Registration

Programs

• ITS/CVO Champion

• FHWA Resource Center Specialist

• Planner

• Human Resources Staff

• Contract Specialist

• Legal Staff

• State & Federal Legislators

• State Agency Decision-Makers

• Budget Officer

• Data(base) Manager/Analyst

• State & Local Motor Carrier Inspectors

• Electrical Engineer

• Electronics Inspection & Maintenance Technician

3.1 Generic Staffing Chart

Since many of the same team members are involved in Safety Information Exchange, Electronic

Credentialing, and Electronic Screening to achieve CVISN Level 1 Capabilities, a generic

staffing chart is first presented. The roles and competencies that are unique to these three areas

are then presented under their own subsection. Motor Carrier Operations has its own separate

staffing chart.
Table 5A: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying & Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Core Staff)

Ideal Team Functions Competencie

ProjectManager

• Determine scope of deployment with investment analysis.• Involve all stakeholders and form working groups.• Oversee the development of the CVISN Project Plan.• Assist with testimony to the appropriate legislative

committees regarding the project.

•• Secure Federal and State financing.• Ensure that proper documentation is processed and

appropriately submitted for all Top-Level Design decisions.

• Staff, budget and schedule project activities.• Provide oversight in the procurement of technologies,

Requests for Proposals, and specifications.

• Negotiate with the project partners to ensure that strategic

business requirements of performance goals are met.

• Hire and manage contractors.• Manage project through its lifecycle including testing and

evaluation. Ensure that all is on budget and on time.

• Work with industry in the deployment and testing of

technologies.

• Assist with the development & maintenance of strategic

ITS/CVO business plans to ensure compatibility withadjoining states.

• Understand motor carriers' operations and business models.• Work with industry and other states on technical and

institutional issues for interoperability.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; System Integ& Design; Software & Hardware OAnalysis & Management; Legal IssuTelecommunications Networking OInteroperability Testing for ConformITS Architecture & Standards; SystSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CStandards; Planning; Identifying StaCoalitions; Project Management; TeFinancing; Procurement; Managing Partnerships; Legislative & Policy CPolicy/Political Environment; OrgaIssues; Writing/Communications; MRelations; Problem Solving; Project 

(Cont. on next page)
Table 5A: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying & Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Core Staff) – Cont.

SystemArchitect

• Conduct user needs assessment.• Analyze existing infrastructure.• Develop an "open systems" technical infrastructure that

allows different ITS/CVO systems to communicate easilyand consistently using common principles, data, andstandards.

• Monitor engineering and data gathering deliverables

identified in contracts with vendors.

• Oversee the Independent Validation and Verification process

of the CVISN architecture to ensure nationwidecompatibility.

• Identify, develop, and implement policies having multiagency applications regarding the design, installation,

maintenance, and coordination of CVISN-related datasystems. Map out data flows to users.

• Design and manage the development of multiple data

communication systems.

• Identify, assess, and communicate to CVISN partners the

impacts of current and developing technologies. Recommendtechnology choices.

• Develop Requests for Proposals for technical projects.• Install or oversee the installment of ITS technologies,

ensuring functionality and quality control.

• Integrate technologies into existing system.• Work with other State and Federal personnel to ensure

interoperability between CVISN deployment activities.

• Train operators, maintenance, and support staff on system.• Participate in the development of national and international

CVISN-related data communication standards.

Awareness Level

ITS/CVO Awareness; Human FactoTelecommunications Networking OOrganizational/Institutional Issues; Changes; Software Development.Specialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CIntegration; System Analysis & DesHardware Operations; Data AnalysiTechnology Options; ITS StandardsTesting for Conformance to the Nat& Standards; System Testing; ProblEvaluation.

(Cont. on next page)
Table 5A: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying & Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Core Staff) – Cont.

ProjectAdministrator/Facilitator

• Develop and maintain a State CVISN Project Plan to keep

important project factors current and focused. The Planincludes: project purpose, scope, objective; high-level systemdesign baseline; organization; work breakdown structure,responsibilities and assignments; project managementprocesses; deliverables and schedule; resources required;issues to be resolved.

• Define and develop project status reports, prepare milestones

and status summaries.

• Schedule and lead project status meetings; prepare agenda.• Facilitate discussion at technical group meetings.• Assist the Project Manager and System Architect in

providing administrative and technical oversight to projects,identifying problems and proposing actions to minimize risk.

• Monitor project status, milestones, and deliverables.• Monitor engineering and data gathering deliverables required

from vendors and other agencies. Suggest solutions totechnical, budget, scheduling, and personnel issues.

• Track project cost against budget. Coordinate fiscal status

with Project Manager.

• Communicate to CVISN partners the status of CVISN

deployment, issues addressed, and lessons learned.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Technology OAnalysis/Management; System InteDesign; Software Development; TeNetworking Options; Electronics; InConformance to the National ITS ASystem Testing; Software & HardwSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO COrganizational/Institutional Issues; Stakeholders/Building Coalitions; PMarketing/Public Relations; WritinLegislative & Policy Changes; PolicLegal Issues; Project Management; Evaluation.

(Cont. on next page)
Table 5A: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying & Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Core Staff) – Cont.

SystemAdministrator

• Work with System Architect to ensure technical feasibility of

design.

• Assist in installation and testing of new hardware and

software components.

• Maintain network and server, including data archiving and

backup.

• Maintain and troubleshoot system problems.• Evaluate ITS project operations.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; ITS Legal IssOrganizational/Institutional Issues; Project Evaluation.Specialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO C& Management; ITS Standards; SysAnalysis & Design; Software & HaDevelopment; System Support & MTesting for Conformance to the NatStandards; Testing & Inspection; PrEvaluation.

FHWADivision FieldStaff

• Provide information about funding, Federal grant process to

regional, state and local customers.

• Assist the Project Manager to identify stakeholders and form

coalitions and partnerships.

• Provide technical guidance to customers.• Participate in Project Evaluation.• Ensure conformance with the National ITS Architecture and

applicable standards.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Planning; TeAnalysis & Design; Software & HaInteroperability Testing for ConformArchitecture & Standards; System TProcurement; Project Evaluation.Specialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CLegislative & Policy Changes; Data Identifying Stakeholders/Building CPolicy/Political Environment.
Table 5A: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying & Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Core Staff) – Cont.

Motor CarrierIndustryRepresentative

• Participate in CVISN working committees to supply private

sector input.

• Work with technology installers to test prototype products.• Provide input in project evaluation.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; ITS Standards; PartnerSystem Testing; Legislative & PolicIssues; Project Evaluation.Specialized LevelNone.
Table 5B: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying & Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Support Staff)

Ideal Team Functions Compete

SoftwareDeveloper

• Conduct needs assessment with on functional requirements.

• Write new software to meet system needs or adapt off-theshelf/existing software.• Work closely with the System Architect to ensure

compatibility with CVISN Architecture and standards.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; System AnaIntegration; System Support & MaTechnology Options; ITS Legal IssChanges.Specialized LevelSoftware Development; Software & National ITS Architecture & CVO Analysis/Management; ITS Standafor Conformance to the National ITSystem Testing; Problem Solving.

SystemSupport &MaintenanceTechnician

• Work with System Architect and System Administrator to

ensure technical feasibility of software and hardware design.

• Maintain network and server.• Maintain software including data archiving and backup.• Assist System Architect and System Administrator with

installation and testing.

• Maintain and troubleshoot system problems.• Evaluate project operations.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; System Integration; STelecommunications Networking OLegal Issues; Technology OptionsSpecialized LevelSoftware and Hardware OperationMaintenance; Data Analysis/ManaSoftware Development; System TeTesting for Conformance to the NaStandards; Problem Solving.
Table 5B: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying and Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Support Staff) – Cont.

Budget Officer • Develop and monitor a large program budget.

• Ensure that Federal and State contributions cover project

expenditures when needed.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Project EvalSpecialized LevelBudgeting; Problem Solving.

Data(base)Manager/Analyst

• Ensure that safety and credentials administration databases

are maintained. These include data on vehicle registration,tax payments, special permits, and safety status informationon carriers and vehicles.

• Generate reports when needed.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; ITS Standards.Specialized LevelData Analysis/Management; SoftwSoftware Development; System TeTesting for Conformance to the NaStandards.

ElectricalEngineer

• Work with System Architect and System Administrator to

choose appropriate electrical hardware and softwarecomponents that are compatible with legacy systems.

• Install electrical hardware and software components.• Instruct Electronics Inspection and Maintenance Technicians

on maintenance of electrical hardware and softwarecomponents.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; System Integration; ITHardware Operations; Technology Specialized LevelTelecommunications Networking OTesting; Interoperability Testing foNational ITS Architecture & Stand

ElectronicsInspection &MaintenanceTechnician

• Maintain electrical hardware and software components. Awareness Level

ITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; ITS Standards; TechnIntegration; Project Evaluation.Specialized LevelTelecommunications Networking OSupport & Maintenance; System TTesting for Conformance to the NaStandards; Problem Solving.
Table 5B: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying and Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Support Staff) – Cont.

ITS/CVOChampion

• Build awareness of CVISN program to State transportation

stakeholders.

• Build awareness of CVISN to other states considering

CVISN deployment.

• Give advice in writing State ITS/CVO Business Plans to

other states.

• Facilitate in building regional CVISN and other ITS/CVO

programs.

• Help identify roles that agencies and professionals play in

deployment.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; System InteDesign; Data Analysis/Managemenfor Conformance to the National ITSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO Identifying Stakeholders/Building Options; Financing; Partnerships; WLegislative & Policy Changes; Pol

FHWAResourceCenterSpecialist

• Provide information to officials of state, local and regional

agencies on ITS/CVO initiatives.

• Provide technical assistance on ITS/CVO infrastructure,

interoperability, and deployment initiatives.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; System InteDesign; Data Analysis/ManagemenSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO Interoperability Testing for ConforArchitecture & Standards; IdentifyCoalitions; Technology Options; FWriting/Communications; LegislatPolicy/Political Environment.

State &FederalLegislators

• Make funding decisions regarding ITS/CVO programs. Awareness Level

ITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; ITS Standards; TechnSpecialized LevelLegislative & Policy Changes; FinPolicy/Political Environment.
Table 5B: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying and Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Support Staff) – Cont.

State AgencyDecisionMakers

• Make planning and operations decisions regarding ITS/CVO

programs.

• Participate in inter-agency ITS/CVO program teams.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; System InteDesign; Data Analysis/ManagemenLegal Issues; Procurement.Specialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO Interoperability Testing for ConforArchitecture & Standards; IdentifyCoalitions; Technology Options; PPolicy Changes; Policy/Political E

Planner • Research technology options.

• Track/count ITS infrastructure already deployed.• Compile ITS benefits.• Identify ITS priorities for the jurisdiction.• Assist in writing project/business plans.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; System AnaIntegration; Software DevelopmenSpecialized LevelPlanning; National ITS ArchitecturIdentifying Stakeholders/Building Financing; Technology Options; WPolicy/Political Environment; ITS Policy Changes.

HumanResourcesStaff

• Work with Project Manager to hire or develop ideal teams.• Facilitate new job descriptions.• Provide training.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Legislative Policy/Political Skills.Specialized LevelOrganizational/Institutional ChangStakeholders/Building Coalitions.
Table 5B: Generic Staffing Chart for Deploying and Operating Safety Information Exchange, Electronic 

Electronic Screening Systems (Support Staff) – Cont.

ContractSpecialist

• Incorporate clauses in contracts to address ITS issues

including software ownership and Intellectual PropertyRights.

• Ensure use of most appropriate contract type for deployment.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; Data Analysis/ManagSoftware Development; TechnologSpecialized LevelProcurement; ITS Legal Issues; WLegislative & Policy Changes.

Legal Staff • Review contracts for clauses and language supportive of ITS.

• Review contracts for liability issues in design.• May participate in contract negotiations.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; Data Analysis/ManagSoftware Development; TechnologPolicy Changes.Specialized LevelITS Legal Issues; Procurement; WPartnerships.
IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

22

3.2 Safety Information Exchange

Safety information exchange allows public agencies and jurisdictions to exchange timely,

current, accurate, and verifiable electronic safety information. Roadside operations can then

focus on eliminating unsafe and illegal motor carrier operations without hindering the

productivity and efficiency of safe and legal motor carriers and drivers. When inspections occur,

they are conducted quickly with the aid of automated safety inspection equipment. The unique

competencies and levels of knowledge associated with each of the roles, beyond those described

in the generic staffing chart, are presented in Table 6.
Table 6: Project — Deploying & Operating Safety Information Exchange Systems

Unique Support Roles

Ideal Team Functions Competen

State & LocalMotor CarrierInspectors

• Inspect motor carriers for safety and credentialing

information.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITComponent; ITS Standards.Specialized LevelState & Federal Motor Carrier InsProcesses; Partnerships; Legislati

Unique Competencies

Ideal Competencies Knowledge Level & Who Should Know

State & Federal Motor CarrierInspection Procedures andProcesses

Awareness Level• System Architect; System Administrator; System Support & Maintenance Te

Contract Specialist; Planner.

Specialized Level• Project Manager; Project Administrator/Facilitator; FHWA Division Field St

Representative; Software Developer; ITS/CVO Champion; FHWA Resource Federal Legislators; State Agency Decision Makers.
IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS: 24

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

3.3 Electronic Credentialing

Electronic credentialing allows motor carriers to apply and pay for credentials electronically.

This may include such transactions as:

• Base state agreements registration and taxes.

• Hazardous materials permits

• Oversize/overweight permits

With the free flow of information from one business process to another, it is expected that

redundant data entry would be avoided, and improved data accuracy would be achieved.

The unique competencies and levels of knowledge associated with each of the roles, beyond

Those noted in the generic staffing charts, are presented in Table 7.
Table 7: Project — Deploying & Operating Electronic Credentialing Systems

Unique Core Role

OperationsSupervisor forTax & VehicleRegistrationPrograms

• Responsible for operations of tax and/or registration programs.

• Ensure that State and Federal regulations pertaining to motor

carrier programs are being followed.

• Work with other programs to ensure consistency and to

facilitate closer program cooperation for "one-stop" shoppinginitiatives.

• Provide functional requirements input for technology

procurement and software development modifications.

• Manage operations user staff.• Provide on-the-job staff training on new procedures, processes,

and technologies.

• Resolve day-to-day staff and equipment problems.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Planning; Software Development; System AAnalysis & Management; ITS StTesting for Conformance to the N& Standards; System Testing.Specialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVFederal Motor Carrier Tax & VeRegulations, Procedures & ProceChanges; Managing ContractorsOperations; Problem Solving.

Unique Support Role

Ideal Team Functions Competen

Operations Userfor Tax &VehicleRegistrationPrograms

• Input tax and registration data into a computer for forms

submitted manually.

• Coach customers on new automated processes.• Identify software and hardware problems to information

technology support staff.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Software DITS Architecture & CVO CompoOptions; Legislative & Policy ChSpecialized LevelState & Federal Motor Carrier TRegulations, Procedures and ProHardware Operations; Marketing Problem Solving.
Table 7: Project – Deploying & Operating Electronic Credentialing Systems (cont.)

Unique Competencies

Ideal Competencies Knowledge Level & Who Should Know

State & Federal MotorCarrier Tax & VehicleRegistration Regulations,Procedures & Processes

Awareness Level• System Architect; System Administrator; System Support & Maintenance Technic

Specialist; Planner.

Specialized Level• Project Manager; Project Administrator/Facilitator; FHWA Division Field Staff; M

Representative; Software Developer; ITS/CVO Champion; FHWA Resource CentFederal Legislators; State Agency Decision Makers.
IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

27

3.4 Electronic Screening

Electronic screening is the use of advanced technologies to check commercial vehicles at

highway speeds for safety status, and credential, tax, and permit information. As a vehicle

equipped with a transponder approaches a weigh station with electronic screening, the

transponder transmits vehicle, carrier, and specially regulated load type identifiers to roadside

readers. The identifiers are used to access status information stored in government information

systems. If a vehicle is in good standing, it is given a message to pass the weigh station. If not, it

is requested to pull over. Carriers that participate in the program can operate without paper

credentials on board and may save driving time. Public agency officials benefit by better safety,

credentials, and tax enforcement.

The unique competencies and levels of knowledge associated with each of the roles for electronic

creening beyond those noted in the generic staffing charts, are presented in Table 8.
Table 8: Project — Deploying & Operating Electronic Screening Systems

Unique Support Role

Ideal Team Functions Competen

State & LocalMotor CarrierInspectors

• Inspect motor carriers for safety and credentialing

information.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; ITS Standards.Specialized LevelState & Federal Motor Carrier InspProcesses; Partnerships; Legislativ

Unique Competencies

Ideal Competencies Knowledge Level & Who Should Know

State & Federal Motor CarrierInspection Procedures andProcesses

Awareness Level• System Architect; System Administrator; System Support & Maintenance Te

Contract Specialist; Planner.

Specialized Level• Project Manager; Project Administrator/Facilitator; FHWA Division Field St

Representative; Software Developer; ITS/CVO Champion; FHWA Resource Federal Legislators; State Agency Decision Makers.
IDEAL ITS/CVO FUNCTIONAL AREAS AND STAFFING CHARTS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

29

3.5 Motor Carrier Operations

Motor carriers are able to equip their vehicles with a variety of productivity and safety

improvements such as mobile communications systems, navigation and tracking systems, onboard vehicle monitors, collision avoidance devices, crash restraints, and vision enhancement

equipment. Standards are available to support cross carrier queries and tracking so a shipper can

find the location of their shipment via an electronic query. As well, a small number of trucks are

equipped with Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) transponders that transmit

messages to and receive messages from the roadside for safety inspection purposes. All these

technologies are used to optimize schedules, routing, load capacities, and to increase safety.

The OMCHS role in motor carrier operations is to promote the use of products using accepted

ITS standards to ensure national system interoperability. State regulatory agencies should

continue to work with motor carriers so state systems can integrate with existing motor carrier

systems.
Table 9: Project — Motor Carrier Operations (Core Staff)

Ideal Team Functions Ideal Compet

FHWADivision FieldStaff

• Provide information about funding and the Federal grant

process to regional, state and local customers.

• Identify stakeholders and form coalitions and partnerships.• Understand motor carrier use of technology to integrate

with state systems.

• Provide information on new accepted ITS Standards and

National ITS Architecture & CVO Componentdevelopments.

• Ensure conformance with the National ITS Architecture and

applicable standards.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Planning; TeAnalysis/Management; ProcuremenSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CLegislative & Policy Changes; IdenStakeholders/Building Coalitions; PPolicy/Political Environment; InteroConformance to the National ITS A

ITS/CVOChampion

• Build awareness of National ITS Architecture & CVO

Component and ITS Standards to private vendors andoperators.

• Help identify roles that agencies and professionals play in

motor carrier operations.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Data AnalysiSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CInteroperability Testing for ConformArchitecture & Standards; IdentifyiCoalitions; Technology Options; PlPartnerships; Writing/CommunicatiChanges; Policy/Political Environm

FHWAResourceCenterSpecialist

• Provide information on new accepted ITS Standards and

National ITS Architecture & CVO Componentdevelopments.

• Provide technical guidance to customers.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; Planning; TeTesting; ITS Legal Issues; ProcuremSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CTesting for Conformance to the NatStandards; Legislative & Policy ChAnalysis/Management; ITS StandarStakeholders/Building Coalitions; PPolicy/Political Environment.
Table 9: Project — Motor Carrier Operations (Core Staff) – (cont.)

Motor CarrierIndustryRepresentative

• Participate in ITS/CVO discussions on freight and fleet

management technologies.

• Provide input on legislative and policy changes.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO Awareness; National ITS Component; ITS Standards; PartnerInteroperability Testing for ConformArchitecture & Standards; Data AnaLegislative & Policy Changes.Specialized LevelNone

ProjectManager

• Understand motor carriers' operations and business models.

• Build coalitions and partnerships.

Awareness LevelITS/CVO AwarenessSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CIdentifying Stakeholders/Building COptions; Partnerships.

OperationsSupervisorsfor Tax &VehicleRegistrationPrograms

• Understand motor carriers' operations and business models.

• Explain changes in tax and vehicle registration, regulations,

procedures, and processes.

• Work directly with motor carriers on tax and vehicle

registration issues.

Awareness Level

ITS/CVO Awareness; Technology OSpecialized LevelNational ITS Architecture & CVO CFederal Motor Carrier Tax & VehicProcedures & Processes.
SUMMARY

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

32

4.0 SUMMARY

As part of the ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis, interviewees were asked what ITSrelated subjects they needed information on, who needed that information, and what was the best

way to deliver the material. The information that was gathered from the interviews provided

insights on the roles and competencies required in ITS projects and how the ITS/PCB Program

could be expanded to more effectively deliver that information. This data has been combined

with information from other commercial vehicle studies and interviews, OMCHS materials, and

an examination of ITS/PCB and ITS/CVO Program course offerings and delivery methods to

form this report's preliminary analysis of commercial vehicle professional capacity building

needs.

This preliminary analysis concludes the following:

1. The ITS Training & Education Needs Analysis results can be used to establish a framework

to identify ITS/CVO education and training needs. Additional information from ITS/CVO

studies and interviews and OMCHS materials can be used to begin distinguishing ITS/CVO

education and training needs from other ITS project needs.

2. This framework and information can be used to develop basic staffing charts to guide

decision makers in designing, staffing, and hiring ideal ITS/CVO project teams, presented in

Section 3 of this report.

3. A preliminary assessment of the gap between ITS/CVO training and education needs and

available resources has been done using this framework. This assessment revealed that much

relevant information and training resources are available to decision makers to initiate

organizational professional capacity building to provide a solid awareness and overview, with

some more specialized and technical areas. However, areas that can be further developed

include:

• General ITS/PCB Program courses and seminars should include more ITS/CVO

examples and case studies to assist professionals involved in other ITS areas to broaden

their scope to include ITS/CVO. ITS/CVO case studies provide relevant examples of

critical topics such as interstate and inter-agency stakeholder and building coalition

activities.

• ITS/CVO training courses could modify general ITS/PCB courses to target them to

ITS/CVO professionals directly. For example, content covered in the courses "ITS

Telecommunications Analysis" and "ITS Public/Private Partnerships" are relevant to

commercial vehicle operations.

• Current ITS/CVO training courses could include lessons learned from ITS/CVO

deployment sites. There are several CVISN States that are at the final stage of deployment

and have noteworthy lessons learned to share with other states just beginning the CVISN

program.

• The ITS/CVO training program will need to develop and offer additional specialized

courses that meet the needs of emerging areas such as Interoperability Testing for

National ITS Architecture Conformance & ITS Standards.
SUMMARY

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

33

• Delivery methods need to expand. For example, the ITS/PCB Program web page should

include ITS/CVO training courses. In the longer term, ITS/CVO training and education

needs should be addressed through the virtual learning environment being established by

the ITS/PCB Program. As well, the Peer-to-Peer Network should be widely publicized to

ITS/CVO stakeholders as a source for technical assistance.

4. Gaps identified in this report need to be further explored in more detail to establish their

breadth and depth. This can best be done through interviews with ITS/CVO practitioners in

order to:

• Validate ITS/CVO roles and competencies. Interviews with ITS/CVO practitioners will

refine the roles and competencies outlined in this report and make them more specific to

ITS commercial vehicle activities. The same should be done regarding awareness vs.

specialized competency areas in the staffing charts. Further work is especially needed to

refine Motor Carrier Operations and begin the Electronic Toll Collection staffing charts.

• Gather ITS/CVO examples and case studies that can be included in ITS/PCB Program

and ITS/CVO Program courses.

• Collect data that will assist in the development of new courses in Interoperability Testing

for Conformance to the National ITS Architecture & Standards and emerging needs such

as future ITS Standards and ITS/CVO project management and performance monitoring.

• Determine top 10 priority competency needs for ITS/CVO practitioners. This will enable

the ITS/CVO Program and ITS/PCB Program to plan for future developments.

• Determine priorities for ITS/CVO delivery methods. There has been no research in this

area yet.

In doing so, the ITS/PCB and ITS/CVO Programs can then expand to include courses that

address emerging needs as well as refine existing courses to ensure that they are tailored,

targeted, and accessible to ITS/CVO practitioners.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

34

5.0 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Based on the report summary, the following action items are recommended:

• Conduct a more in-depth needs assessment of ITS/CVO roles, competencies, and delivery

methods to address gaps noted in points 3 and 4 in the report summary. This will lay the

foundation for future modifications to existing ITS/PCB and ITS/CVO Program offerings.

• Enhance current training by modifying existing ITS/PCB Program courses and

developing ITS/CVO courses that are tailored and targeted to ITS/CVO practitioners'

needs. Such modifications could include case studies from ITS/CVO deployment sites and

other recommendations gathered from a future ITS/CVO needs assessment.

• Provide ITS/CVO course offerings which cater to the awareness and specialized needs of

professionals in emerging areas such as:

8 Interoperability Testing for National ITS Architecture Conformance. Since

conformance with the National ITS Architecture is required of all Federally-funded ITS

projects, such a course will be highly in demand. FHWA Division Field Staff and FHWA

Resource Center Specialists should be the first participants in this course since they are

responsible for providing information and technical assistance on this topic.

8 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and eXtensible Markup Language (XML).

Currently EDI is the standard required to be in conformance with the CVO component of

the National ITS Architecture. However, XML is anticipated to be an alternative to EDI

in the future. ITS/CVO professionals will need to be knowledgeable of this new accepted

standard and its applications.

8 Project Management & Performance Monitoring Course. Such a course would

include segments on how to monitor a project's progress within budget. This is important

for ITS/CVO project managers who currently oversee CVISN deployments.

• Publicize the Peer-to-Peer Network Program to motor carrier stakeholders. A first step

could be to have FHWA Division Field staff and FHWA Resource Center Specialists

regularly communicate the availability of this resource to their customers.

• Expand the ITS/PCB program's creation of virtual learning environments to include

ITS/CVO courses and resources. ITS/PCB courses will be available on the web as

"informational presentations" in September 1999. The web site could also include ITS/CVO

courses and workshops. This would meet the audience's interest in receiving knowledge and

specific information about technologies, applications, and deployments on an on-demand

basis. It would also be a good resource for general awareness outreach.
APPENDIX A: OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES UNIQUE TO ITS/CVO

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

35

Appendix A: Overview of the Roles Unique to ITS/CVO

Roles Expectations/Contributions

Project Manager This individual oversees the development of the CVISN Project Plan

working with multiple state agencies. This person also ensures that the

Project Plan is interoperable with the National ITS Architecture.

He/she staffs, budgets, and schedules project activities and manages

the project through its life.

System Architect This person analyzes the existing state architecture, conducts needs

requirements of different state agencies, and proposes technology

options, and architecture modifications. He/she supervises integration

of system components and ensures that the system architecture is

compatible with the National ITS Architecture.

ITS/CVO Champion This individual promotes awareness of ITS/CVO and its benefits to

decision makers—both elected legislators and appointed agency

heads, agency staff, and the public. Often the project manager plays

this role.

Project

Facilitator/Administrator

A state employee or consultant that assists in developing and

maintaining a State CVISN Project Plan. He/she also defines and

develops project status reports and tracks scheduling and budget costs.

FHWA Resource Center

Specialist

This technical expert on ITS/CVO infrastructure, interoperability, and

deployment initiatives, provides technical assistance and training to

officials of state, local, and regional agencies.

Motor Carrier Industry

Representative

This representative from industry works with the public sector to

ensure the smooth integration of CVISN with motor carriers' existing

information systems.

State & Federal

Legislators

These individuals approve funding for ITS/CVO projects. They thus

need to be informed about ITS/CVO technology choices and benefits.

State Agency Decision

Maker

These individuals approve the design and scope of ITS/CVO projects.

This role includes line officers, middle management, senior chief

administration officers, and agency heads.

System Administrator Often this individual is from the State's transportation department of

information and works closely with the system architect to design and

implement modifications to the state transportation system

architecture. He/she is also in charge of maintaining the state's

architecture.
APPENDIX A: OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES UNIQUE TO ITS/CVO

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

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Appendix A: Overview of the Roles Unique to ITS/CVO – Cont.

Roles (cont'd) Expectations/Contributions (cont'd)

Budget Officer This individual monitors the project's budget which includes paying

vouchers, matching budget requirements with revenue sources,

tracking the flow of money and ensuring that Federal and State

revenue contributions cover the budget cycles when money inflows

are needed.

Operations Supervisor for

Tax & Vehicle

Registration Programs

This person oversees tax and/or vehicle registration program

operations for electronic credentialing.

Operations User for Tax

and Vehicle Registration

Programs

This individual assists motor carriers in doing electronic credentialing

and tax payments.

State & Local Motor

Carrier Inspectors

These are public employees who are responsible for roadside safety

inspection, size, weight, and credentials enforcement. They must be

comfortable users of the integrated systems to be able to meet

performance objectives.

Electrical Engineer This person, often a consultant, designs and installs hardware and

software components. He/she also provides protocols for their

inspection and maintenance.
APPENDIX B: OVERVIEW OF COMPETENCIES UNIQUE TO ITS/CVO

Building Professional Capacity in ITS:

An Assessment of ITS Training and Education Needs-The Commercial Vehicle Operations Perspective

37

Appendix B: Overview of Competencies Unique to ITS/CVO

Competency Definition

ITS/CVO Awareness Awareness of the diverse ITS/CVO technologies, their

usefulness and benefits in solving transportation problems.

National ITS Architecture & CVO

Component

Understanding of the elements of the National ITS

Architecture and its CVO component (also known as

CVISN), since Federally funded projects must be in

conformance with the Architecture.

System Integration Understanding of the linkage of different technologies

involved in different deployments. For example, the

integration of Safety Information Exchange with Electronic

Credentialing technologies.

Electronics Knowledge of basic electronics and their design,

installment, and maintenance procedures.

Budgeting Knowledge of basic budgeting techniques to be able to

develop and monitor a program budget.

State & Federal Motor Carrier Tax &

Vehicle Registration Regulations,

Procedures, and Processes

Knowledge of State's tax structure as well as Federal and

State vehicle registration procedures and processes.

Knowledge of the base state agreements—International

Registration Program and International Fuel Tax

Agreements—their requirements and procedures.

State and Federal Motor Carrier

Inspection Procedures and Processes

Knowledge of State and Federal inspection processes and

procedures.

System Testing This includes unit, component, and end-to-end testing.

System testing must be done before interoperability testing

begins.

Telecommunications Networking

Options

Knowledge of Local Area Networks and Wide Area

Networks. Awareness of security and firewall issues.

Interoperability Testing for

Conformance to the National ITS

Architecture & Standards

This ensures that state system architectures are in

conformance with the National ITS Architecture &

Standards—a requirement for Federally-funded projects.
 

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And other ITS related publications visit the: 

ITS Electronic Document Library (EDL) 

http://www.its.fhwa.dot.gov/cyberdocs/welcome.htm 

EDL Document Number #10824 

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ITS Joint Program Office: http://www.its.dot.gov 

Publication No. FHWA-OP-99-033 

Also, DOT-VNTSC-FHWA-99-7