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The Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program was developed to meet the challenge of reducing the number of commercial vehicle crashes for the rapidly expanding interstate carrier population. It has increased the efficiency and effectiveness of federal and state safety efforts, while allowing a more efficient allocation of scarce resources for compliance reviews and roadside inspections.

The PRISM program requires motor carriers to improve their identified safety deficiencies or face progressively more stringent sanctions up to the ultimate sanction of a federal out-of-service order (OOSO) and concurrent state registration suspensions. The PRISM program has proven to be an effective means of getting motor carriers to improve their compliance and performance deficiencies.

PRISM links the commercial vehicle registration process to motor carrier safety to achieve two purposes. The first is to determine the safety fitness of the motor carrier prior to issuing license plates. The second is to influence the carrier to improve its safety performance through an improvement process and, where necessary, the application of registration sanctions.

The PRISM program includes two processes: the commercial vehicle registration process and enforcement. The performance of unsafe carriers is improved through a comprehensive system of identification, education, awareness, data gathering, safety monitoring and treatment. The main benefits of PRISM are improved safety, accurate identification of high-risk carriers, improved efficiency and productivity of federal and state resources, improved data accuracy and better customer service.

The Nlets Transaction
Nlets provides inquiry ability of PRISM through a Carrier Status Request (ACQ) by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Number and a Vehicle Status Request (AVQ) for targeted information by VIN or license plate and state. Nlets uses the SAFER-PRISM database for both inquiries.

With the exception of the data field headings and depending on the MCSIP (Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Process) steps, all Nlets Carrier Status Response messages provide the same data elements: if the carrier is targeted, if the carrier is under federal OOSO and if the carrier registration is suspended or revoked.

Vehicle Status Responses will return the carrier data for the carrier responsible for safety, but only when there has been a carrier designated. It’s important to note that information obtained via Nlets is not updated in real-time. This means persons running the transaction should also confirm if an OOSO is still in effect. Nlets is currently working with PRISM to provide real-time access to data.

There is also a standard response for records not found in the database.

Resources
Requests from local agencies interested in using the PRISM message keys must be reviewed by the Nlets state representative. Please direct all requests and questions to [email protected].

About the Author
Chelsea S. Keefer is a document specialist with Nlets, based in Phoenix.

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