STUDY OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH CAUSATION.

SEC. 224. [49 U.S.C. 31100 note] STUDY OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH CAUSATION. (a) Objectives.—The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study to determine the causes of, and contributing factors to, crashes that involve commercial motor vehicles. The study shall also identify data requirements and collection procedures, reports, and other measures that will improve the Department of Transportation's and States' ability to— (1) evaluate future crashes involving commercial motor vehicles; (2) monitor crash trends and identify causes and contributing factors; and (3) develop effective safety improvement policies and programs. (b) Design.—The study shall be designed to yield information that will help the Department and the States identify activities and other measures likely to lead to significant reductions in the frequency, severity, and rate per mile traveled of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles, including vehicles described in section 31132(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code. As practicable, the study shall rank such activities and measures by the reductions each would likely achieve, if implemented. (c) Consultation.—In designing and conducting the study, the Secretary shall consult with persons with expertise on— (1) crash causation and prevention; (2) commercial motor vehicles, drivers, and carriers, including passenger carriers; (3) highways and noncommercial motor vehicles and drivers; (4) Federal and State highway and motor carrier safety programs; (5) research methods and statistical analysis; and (6) other relevant topics. (d) Public Comment.—The Secretary shall make available for public comment information about the objectives, methodology, implementation, findings, and other aspects of the study. (e) Reports.— (1) In general.—The Secretary shall promptly transmit to Congress the results of the study, together with any legislative recommendations. (2) Review and update.—The Secretary shall review the study at least once every 5 years and update the study and report as necessary. (f) Funding.—Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003 under section 4003(i) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 395–398), as added by section 103(b)(1) of this Act, $5,000,000 per fiscal year shall be available only to carry out this section.