The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has signaled a transformative shift in its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. In a Federal Register notice published Wednesday, the agency provided critical updates on its proposed revamp of the Safety Measurement System (SMS)—a move it first introduced in February 2023. This overhaul marks a pivotal step toward addressing longstanding industry concerns while modernizing the approach to carrier safety assessments.

Revisiting the Framework: Proposed Changes to SMS

The FMCSA’s proposed updates aim to refine how it measures and enforces carrier safety compliance. These changes include:

• Reorganization of Safety Categories: Renamed “Compliance Categories,” these new groupings reflect an emphasis on regulatory compliance rather than an overall safety record.
• Violation Consolidation: Simplifying nearly 1,000 unique violations into 116 consolidated groups, reducing complexity.
• Simplified Violation Severity Weights: A more streamlined approach to assessing infractions.
• Proportionate Percentiles: A shift from safety event groups to proportional rankings for fairer assessments.
• Improved Intervention Thresholds: Tighter thresholds for more focused enforcement.
• Focus on Recent Violations: Greater weight given to recent compliance issues to highlight current performance.
• Updated Utilization Factor: Adjustments to better account for operational variations.

These changes reflect FMCSA’s commitment to refining the CSA program in response to extensive feedback from stakeholders, including industry associations, carriers, and the general public.

Industry Engagement and Feedback

During the 90-day preview and comment period following the February 2023 proposal, the FMCSA actively sought input through public comments and Q&A sessions. While only 176 comments were submitted, the agency took these concerns seriously, making notable adjustments. Of the comments, 111 addressed specific elements of the proposed changes, with the majority expressing support for the overhaul. However, critical feedback led to refinements, particularly in the renaming of categories and reorganization of violation groups.

The renaming of BASICs (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) to “Compliance Categories” was a direct result of industry feedback, including a recommendation from the American Trucking Associations (ATA). This change underscores a shift in focus from an ambiguous notion of safety to a clear emphasis on regulatory compliance.

Similarly, FMCSA heeded feedback on overlap within violation groupings, consolidating categories such as “HOS Requirements” and “HOS Requirements—Nominal” into a single group. These adjustments demonstrate the agency’s willingness to collaborate with industry stakeholders to create a more functional and transparent system.

A Tool of Opportunity and Controversy

CSA scores have long been a critical—but contentious—tool in the trucking industry. While they aim to enhance safety and accountability, critics argue that the system often misrepresents a carrier’s true safety performance. For example, non-preventable accidents, geographic enforcement disparities, and other external factors can unduly influence scores, leading to significant business consequences such as increased insurance rates and damaged client relationships.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has consistently ranked CSA scoring as a top industry concern, highlighting its importance to carriers. In 2024, CSA scores ranked higher in importance than issues such as truck parking and driver distraction. This underscores the urgent need for a revamped system that balances fairness, accuracy, and utility.

The Road Ahead: Implementation and Uncertainty

While the FMCSA’s latest notice outlines substantial progress, the timeline for implementing the updated SMS remains uncertain. With a presidential election on the horizon, potential administrative shifts could influence the pace of reform. Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor the CSA Prioritization Preview website, where updates and webinars on the proposed changes will be posted. The FMCSA also plans to announce the official launch date of the enhanced SMS website in a future Federal Register notice.

Additionally, the agency is considering more frequent updates to SMS results, moving away from the current monthly schedule. This change could provide carriers with more timely insights into their compliance status, fostering proactive adjustments.

Balancing Act: Toward a Better System

The FMCSA’s efforts to overhaul the CSA program signify an important step toward addressing longstanding criticisms while improving safety and compliance oversight. By integrating industry feedback and prioritizing clarity and fairness, the agency is striving to create a more effective system.

However, as stakeholders await the finalized methodology, the industry must continue to advocate for a balanced approach that accurately reflects carrier performance without imposing undue burdens. The trucking industry’s success—and by extension, the nation’s supply chain—depends on a regulatory framework that fosters accountability while enabling growth and innovation.