The NCHRP’s

TransXML

Better Communication Between Government Agencies and the

Motor Carrier Industry

Better CommunicationBetter Communication

• C.H. Robinson Worldwide and T-Chek Systems• The Problem with online OS/OW systems• NCHRP Report 576• B2B Communication Today• TransXML• Sharing Restriction Data – the key to interstate

movements• FMCSA CVISN Grants• Why this is good for everybody

C.H. RobinsonC.H. Robinson

• $6.6 billion in 2006 gross revenues • 5.2 million shipments delivered for 25,000+

customers globally • 45,000+ carriers worldwide • Approximately 6,800 employees • 214 offices worldwide • Publicly owned and traded on NASDAQ

(symbol: CHRW)

T-Chek SystemsT-Chek Systems"Named one of the 200 Best of the Web Companies by Forbes Magazine, and Web Smart 50 by Business Week Magazine."

Fuel CardsMaster Cards

Fuel Management

•Temporary Permits•Express Cash•Driver Settlement•Driver Lodging

Log Audit Services

Licensing

FleetNet America Breakdown

OS/OW Permits

Managing the movement of freight for T-Chek’s Customers

Interacting with State OS/OW AgenciesInteracting with State OS/OW Agencies

• Telephone• FAX• Online Systems . . .

Online Permitting SystemsOnline Permitting Systems

• Varying levels of automation• Wide variety of business rules• Online Re-keying of data that has been entered

previously• Lack of interstate routing capability

InternetInternet

Information is printed out and

re-entered

Information is printed out and

re-entered

Online Systems . . . Online Systems . . .

Motor Carrier’s ComputerMotor Carrier’s Computer

State AgencyState AgencyComputerComputer

SystemSystem

Re-Keying DataRe-Keying Data

• Errors• Inefficiency• Time consuming• Opportunities for mistakes whenever something is re-

keyed• Costs the state time and money• Costs the Motor Carriers time and money

Routing is a Shot in the DarkRouting is a Shot in the Dark

• Restrictions change every day• Interstate routing is difficult• Multi-state envelope routes are sometimes not valid

There’s a Better There’s a Better WayWay

Transportation Research Board (TRB)Transportation Research Board (TRB)

The TRB is a division of the National Research Council, which serves as an independent adviser to the federal government and others on scientific and technical questions of national importance

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)

Administered by the TRB and sponsored by individual state departments of transportation and AASHTO, in cooperation with the FHWA, the NCHRP was created as a means to conduct research in highway planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance nationwide.

TransXMLTransXMLTransportation Agency

Communication

XMLXML

• Extensible Markup Language

Text, and Information about the text

Allows users to define their own Tags,facilitating communication across platforms

XMLXML• Descended from Standard Generalized Markup

Language (SGML) developed by IBM in the 1960’s• Machine readable documents, that people can read too• Industry standard B2B mechanism for communicating

between computers

NCHRP Report 576NCHRP Report 57620072007

• TransXML: XML Schemas for Exchange of Transportation Data– A subset of XML designed for State Governments and

the organizations that do business with them– Rules and standards to make data exchange easier– A framework for future developments

• Developed by Cambridge Systematics with Bentley Systems, Info Tech, Inc., Michael Baker, Inc., and Charles E. CampBell

TransXML - Designed for Transportation AgenciesTransXML - Designed for Transportation Agencies

• Construction data• Bid letting• Roadway alignment data• Bridge analysis data• Commercial Vehicle Data• Regulatory compliance• Enforcement• Communicating with the motor carrier industry

Why TransXML to Communicate?Why TransXML to Communicate?

• System Security• Transportation Agencies share information easily• Vendor neutral format• Different applications software• Continuous development

Two Way Communication Between Motor Two Way Communication Between Motor Carriers and State AgenciesCarriers and State Agencies

Permit Application

Motor Carrier

State OS/OW Permitting Agency

Submitting permit applications efficiently

TransXML

Temporary Restriction DataTemporary Restriction Data

• The data used everyday in State OS/OW permitting agencies to approve routes

• Data made available in a common vendor neutral TransXML format

• Carriers request routes that will work• Interstate routing at state borders• Third party mapping systems

– (Lineally referenced data can be converted to x,y, T-Chek is working with GIS consultants to facilitate this process)

Motor Carrier

State Government

OS/OW Permitting Agency

Temporary Restriction Data

Submitting Applications with Routes that will work

TransXML

3rd Party Routing Software

Permit Application

Motor Carrier

State OS/OW Permitting Agency

Applications right the first time

TransXML

Application Routed using State Temporary

Restriction Data

3rd Party Routing Software

Motor Motor CarrierCarrier

Computer Computer SystemSystem

State Agency

PermittingSystem

TransXMLTransXML

•Public Domain Schema•No redundant data entry•Complete, compliant applications•Eliminates opportunities for errors•Fewer applications require attention•Permits are issued faster•State maintains control

•Public Domain Schema•No redundant data entry•Complete, compliant applications•Eliminates opportunities for errors•Fewer applications require attention•Permits are issued faster•State maintains control

Computer to Computer to Computer Computer

CommunicationCommunication

Implementing TransXMLImplementing TransXML

• CVISN Grants Currently Available• Understanding your requirements

– Business Rules– Scope – Permit Types, Routes

• Understanding Objectives– Fewer Applications needing attention– Fewer Mistakes– Faster Turn around– More control over the process

Implementing . . .Implementing . . .

• Web Services– Interoperable Machine to Machine Interaction over a

network.– Wide scale deployment in Industry– Secure – Proven

Motor Carrier Motor Carrier IndustryIndustry

State State PermittingPermittingAgenciesAgencies

State PermittingState PermittingSystemSystem

Public Public DomainDomain

TransXMLTransXMLSchemaSchema

RestrictionRestrictionDataData

Public Public DomainDomain

TransXMLTransXMLSchemaSchema

Computer Computer SystemSystem

Routing Routing SystemSystem

All Communication is Public Domain

CVISNCVISN

• FY 08 Grants available for State - Motor Carrier Communication

• 80%-20% Federal – State participation

Good for EverybodyGood for Everybody

• Fewer errors• Easier compliance• Less manual intervention• Interstate routing capabilities• 80% Federal CVISN money to pay for it• Public Domain – the entire industry benefits!

WASHTOWASHTO

• Surveying states – Restriction Data Available– Data Format– WASHTO Multi-State Permit– Entire State

We Can HelpWe Can Help