A BENEFIT/COST ANALYSIS OF THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS (CVISN) PROGRAM

This paper describes a comprehensive benefit/cost analysis that was performed based on the results of model deployments of CVISN (Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks) systems that provide electronic credentialing and electronic screening of heavy trucks to improve their safe and efficient operation. CVISN is intended to make a regulatory system operate at lower cost and increased effectiveness to both its users and to society. Benefit/cost analysis is a public sector evaluation tool that compares all of a project's benefits to society to all of the project's costs to society. The question to be answered in undertaking such an analysis is: Do these benefits exceed the costs In the case of the CVISN programs evaluated in this paper, it is clear that considerable public benefits can be expected, and that the benefits greatly exceed the costs. Based on the results of several representative CVISN deployment scenarios examined, it is prudent to proceed with full deployment of such systems.