MEDIDAS DISCIPLINARIAS

The Compliance & Regulatory Services Branch (CRS) with a staff compliment of 57 FTE’s, is responsible and accountable for the development, administration and communication of programs, services and regulations that facilitate the movement of commercial vehicles in a safe and efficient manner, and promote uniform compliance with Provincial, Federal and international standards. The Branch exists to enhance public safety, promote the economy, support sustainable development and protect Manitoba's investment in highway infrastructure. Compliance and Regulatory Services is comprised of (3) units: Management/Administrative Services; Compliance Services and Permit Services.

CRS provides uniform inspection of motor carriers and related permit services to ensure compliance with The Highway Traffic Act, the Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act, The Motive Fuel Tax Act and The Gasoline Tax Act. CRS ensures the safe movement of over-dimensional vehicles and overweight loads in accordance with permit provisions to minimize deterioration of highway infrastructure. Detailed regional inspections of vehicles and cargo are undertaken at selected locations throughout the year. The Branch investigates complaints and interprets policies and statutes for the trucking industry and the general public. Management/Administration Services provides Branch management, financial officer functions, administrative support, policy and procedure services, research and program oversight, long-term planning and general branch services that support the branch in meeting its operating deliverables.

Compliance Services promotes and enhances public safety and protection of highway infrastructure through uniform application of truck safety regulations. These include weights and dimensions, mechanical truck safety, driver and vehicle licensing, driver hours of service, security of vehicle loads, driver training, and placarding and documentation for dangerous goods transportation. These initiatives are delivered by 41 Compliance Inspectors (including 4 supervisors) working at Provincial Weigh Stations, and Highway Patrol Units deployed throughout Manitoba.

Permit Services enhances public safety and protects highway infrastructure through the issuance of oversize and over dimensional permits and heightens awareness of commercial motor carriers regarding legal weight and dimension issues. The unit also assists in the development and implementation of the annual Spring Road Restriction program.

Major initiatives include the following:

• Spring Road Restrictions Policy Handbook - Developed an internal manual which reflects current policy changes and addresses issues raised through stakeholder feedback.

• Participation in the development of a Permit Services Website.

• Continue to test the applicability of the Weigh In Motion (WIM) and Automated Vehicle Classification (AVC) technology to support compliance activities and assist various branches of the Department to make decisions regarding management and protection of infrastructure.

• Developed a performance-based approach, using advanced technologies, to achieve a desired level of compliance with the regulations governing commercial vehicle operations in Manitoba. An implementation plan is being prepared.

• Implement the first-phase of an automated permitting and routing system to provide efficiencies for the Department and industry and better customer service.

• Completed Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) pilot project using TrackForce software to address the requirements for compliance inspector tracking. Submission for approval to proceed with the project is being prepared for Executive consideration.

• Continue the process for Consolidating Permit Services of the Cities of Winnipeg and Brandon with Manitoba’s Permit Services to achieve one-stop shopping for the transportation related permits and eliminate duplication of service.

• Continue to develop Software selection for Automated Roadside Data Collections enabling Compliance Inspectors to access and enter data (on the road) for CVSA forms and automated activity reports resulting in increased staff efficiencies.

Transportation and Government Services Annual Report 38

• A steering committee, chaired by the Director of CRS, developed a policy framework and a new program format for the Trucking Productivity Improvement Fund (TPIF), that allows trucks exceeding the legal limits to operate on MB highways on a cost recovery basis with fees directed to a dedicated infrastructure fund. Regulations and Policy options are under development.

• Continue to participate in the Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (WASHTO) Bi-Annual Conference for regional uniformity on international truck size and weight issues and western transportation efficiencies.

• Continue to participate in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) National and International committee meetings relative to commercial vehicle safety enforcement and training initiatives.

• Representing MB, the Director continues to participate in the National Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Policy in the development of greater national and regional uniformity in truck size and weight laws with representatives from other jurisdictions.

• Chair senior level inter-divisional Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Standing Committee (VWDSC) which is responsible for identifying strategic corporate issues, developing approaches, managing projects, guiding research, reviewing working group findings and developing recommendations.

• Participation in an unannounced Canada-wide semi-annual Operation Brakecheck, a brake inspection blitz, where the goal is to reduce the number of vehicles placed out of service for brake infractions. • Continue to represent the Division on the ITS Steering Committee consisting of senior representatives

from all Transportation divisions. The goal is to provide a consistent and coordinated approach to the development of ITS initiatives and deployment that is compatible with the Canadian ITS Architecture. • Continue to participate on Extended Length Vehicles (ELVs) Steering Committee to research and

analyze the policy and program implications, facilitate a mutually agreeable resolution to mitigating any safety issues, provide options, costs and recommendations for the Minister’s consideration.

• Participated in Roadcheck 2005, a 3-day truck inspection blitz that is a concerted effort in Canada, the US and Mexico.

• The Internal Trade Agreement includes a requirement for every Province and Territory to have consistent truck size and weight limits; the Department is working with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and individual municipalities to harmonize Provincial and municipal truck size and weight rules.

• Revised the Truck Weight Limit Map and Information Guide and distributed free of charge to industry /stakeholders through an enhanced communication strategy.

• Completed implementation of the MB Cargo Securement Regulation 37/2005 on April 1/05 with a 6 month educational enforcement. Hard enforcement went into effect October 1/05 and an Interpretation Guide was developed and is updated as required.

• Continue in ongoing Spring Road Restrictions (SRR) Program Evaluation to ensure that the roads most in need of protection from further deterioration will not be subjected to excessive truck traffic during the spring thaw. This must continue to be balanced with the needs of farmers and industry to pursue economic interests.

• Participated in the Zone Border Containment initiative evaluating the feasibility of West Hawk Lake Weigh Station being used by Agriculture Canada as a checkpoint for BSE. This is part of a national initiative to protect Canada’s food supplies.

• Continue to participate in the on-going development and implementation of a rationalized fee structure that is reflective of the true costs to TGS to provide carrier services. The current Fees for Overweight and Overdimensional Permits have been in place since 1989.

• Health & Safety Issues to Include the Risk Assessment of Compliance Inspector Positions - Draft report under development to cover safety aspects relevant to double shifts, security cameras, body armor, pursuit driver training. Completion is anticipated for Fall 2006.

• MTO Partnering Initiative, West Hawk Lake (WHL) Weigh Station - Continue to explore operational efficiencies that can be achieved through partnering with MTO compliance staff in the Kenora area. Joint use of WHL is considered the most attractive and feasible option.

• Developing a Wide Based Single Tire Standard which will define the allowable axle load exerted by wide- based single tires on flexible pavement roads in Manitoba. Typically, this tire technology is used in the design of specialized equipment such as mobile cranes, drilling rigs and concrete mixer trucks. A review of the impact to existing equipment is being completed.

• Educational Quality Assurance Team (EQUAT) - To enable the provincial CVSA certified training program to be kept current, the CVSA Program/Training Development Officer participates as MB.’s

Transportation and Government Services Annual Report 39

representative on the annual Educational Quality Assurance Team(EQAT) adapting CVSA training standards for international model to fit Provincial regulations in Canada.

• CRS participates in numerous trade shows and seminars as required.