The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Trucking Industry Mobility & Technology Coalition will sponsor a free webinar on the benefits and consequences of GPS navigation systems used by commercial drivers.

Recent press has highlighted the role that GPS devices, particularly those that are designed for passenger vehicle use, can play in large truck crashes -- most notably bridge strikes. The New York State DOT, for example, has reported that 200 bridge strikes have occurred each year since 2005 and approximately 80 percent of those crashes were the result “misused” navigation devices. While the roads and bridges are often well marked, many GPS units do not note large truck and bus restrictions.

The results of ATRI’s recently released navigation system use survey will be featured in this webinar as well as new efforts to reduce bridge strikes through enforcement, education and mitigation activities. 

FMCSA’s Deputy Administrator will also be on hand to discuss the Administration’s new commercial vehicle GPS selection guide and other navigation system-related initiatives.

Speakers will include:

• Bill Bronrott, Deputy Administrator, FMCSA

• Dan Murray, Vice President of Research, ATRI

• Sgt. Ira Promisel, Chief Technical Sergeant, New York State Police (Invited)

• Kendra Hems, President, New York State Motor Truck Association

WHEN: Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EDT (1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT)

HOW: Participants will need access to the internet and a telephone. 

To register: please visit the TIMTC website at www.freightmobility.com. An email with instructions for joining the webinar will be sent to all registrants.