Sixty-five percent of surveyed carriers are utilizing 3 or more methods to comply with the regulations of CSA 2010, according to Transport Capital Partners’ First Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey.

Not only are more carriers taking steps to comply with CSA regulations, 65 percent are utilizing three or more methods, so finds Transport Capital Partners’ First Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey.

 

While multiple steps require more company resources, carriers are making the changes not only to comply with federal regulations, but also because shippers and brokers are beginning to monitor and select carriers based on CSA scores, the study suggests.

“The agility of the trucking industry to adapt to change has been clearly evident with new safety methods and cooperation from drivers in a true team effort,” said Richard Mikes, TCP Partner and survey founder.

 

Two years ago, TCP found that half of truckload carriers were unprepared for CSA 2010.

 

“CSA is now a major issue in the eyes of shippers and carriers,” said Jim Parham, TCP Partner and veteran industry placement executive. “Schedules are being challenged and it’s putting demands on professional safety and maintenance talent in the market place we have simply not seen before.” 

The most popular methods for complying with CSA regulations are: training for drivers so they understand how CSA can affect their careers (78.1 percent), changing how sub-performing driving is monitored (63.2 percent), and investing in technology to help monitor CSA (55.3 percent).

“Driver screening and training is now at the forefront, and the pool of qualified driver talent is shrinking before our eyes,” said Lana Batts, TCP Partner. “Drivers control their own destiny more than ever and the ‘scores’ of their carrier employers,” said Lana Batts, TCP Partner.

Other current methods that carriers are using to comply with CSA are to have an on-staff CSA manager, to hire retired state police, or to invest in electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) — a practice that is rapidly growing throughout the industry, the TCP report noted.

Larger carriers are taking more steps than smaller carriers, most likely due to more capital being dedicated to new processes and technology.

TCP uses its quarterly survey along with partner conversations with carriers to provide a meaningful insight into future industry expectations. Mikes, Parham and Batts have long term experience in the transportation industry. Carriers desiring to participate in future surveys may apply here.

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