Commercial Vehicle Research and Policy

This new initiative serves as a focal point for all truck and bus research within UMTRI, and facilitates collaboration with other University units. It provides a forum for communication and multidisciplinary research focusing on the common theme of commercial vehicle research and policy. UMTRI has long been at the center of many important projects in this area, which have significant implications for transportation economics, safety, energy use and emissions output, and policy development.

At the national level, there are broad truck and bus transportation issues emerging that can benefit from the data and expertise of the researchers at UMTRI and the University. The societal value of trucks and busses is greatly influenced by policy, which in many cases represents the culmination of research implementation. There is currently a lack of impartial data and recommendations to support this complex task of commercial-vehicle policy development. To contribute to this vital national concern, UMTRI's Commercial Vehicle Research and Policy initiative is undertaking three main research areas:

• Driver behavior and health (including ergonomics)
• Size and weight policy
• Commercial vehicle sustainability (including motor carrier demographics)