Case study · DataQ Challenges
A regional tanker carrier cleared CSA violations it never deserved.
A Nevada regional tanker carrier was rapidly approaching intervention thresholds in two BASICs that did not reflect its actual operating record. We pulled every roadside inspection from the prior 12 months, identified 11 DataQ-eligible line items, and ran the campaign end-to-end.
Nevada regional carrier · 38 power units
DataQ challenges
9 / 11
granted
- 11 DataQ challenges filed end-to-end
- 9 of 11 granted through the states' DataQs review
- 2 initially denied, then granted on reconsideration with additional evidence
- Inaccurate violations removed from the Vehicle Maintenance and Unsafe Driving BASIC measures
The problem
The problem.
The carrier's Vehicle Maintenance BASIC measure had risen sharply in a single quarter. On review, 6 of 11 violations were equipment misclassifications — a citing officer had recorded a brake-system out-of-service when the cited component was actually a non-OOS adjustment item. Two more were citations that had been dismissed in state court but never reflected in MCMIS. None of these had been challenged.
Diagnostic
What we found in the diagnostic.
6 violations classified as out-of-service that the cited component does not support.
2 citations dismissed in state court with no DataQ filed.
1 inspection attributed to the wrong USDOT (mistaken paperwork at the scale).
2 violations where the underlying equipment had been pre-trip inspected and signed off the same day, with the DVIR record on file.
What we did
What we did.
- 01
Evidence packet per challenge
Every DataQ shipped with the inspection report, photographs of the equipment where applicable, the manufacturer's spec sheet for the cited component, and (for the dismissed citations) certified court dispositions.
- 02
State-by-state submission
DataQs are processed at the state level by the citing agency. We routed each challenge to the right state office with cover memos, then tracked the docket through to disposition.
- 03
Reconsideration on the two denials
The two initially denied challenges went back to the state for reconsideration with supplemental evidence, and both were granted. The state agency that reported the record decides a DataQ; FMCSA does not resolve the dispute.
Results
Results.
- DataQ challenges filed
- 11
- Granted (initial)
- 9
- Granted (after reconsideration)
- 11 of 11
- Vehicle Maintenance BASIC
- Measure reduced
- Unsafe Driving BASIC
- Measure reduced
- Avg. resolution time
- 74 days
We did not know our records were even challengeable. They got back 28 points we should never have lost.
Lead consultant
INFOMAX CONSULTING team — Naperville, IL
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