Pilot Program on NAFTA Trucking Provisions, 47693-47697 [2012-19564]
Download as PDF
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
Comment: Commenters inquired
whether the TRANServe debit card is
compliant with IRS Revenue Ruling
2006–57, as modified, which requires
the cards to be restricted to sales
terminals selling fare media only?
Response: The TRANServe debit card
continues to be compliant with Internal
Revenue Code Section 132(f) and the
applicable regulations, and is consistent
with how those requirements are
applied in IRS Revenue Ruling 2006–57
to certain factual situations.
Comment: Commenters asked about
transaction monitoring, the restriction
process developed for monitoring
compliance, and how the TRANServe
card would be protected to reduce
fraudulent use.
Response: The restriction process was
developed through comprehensive
analysis of IRS Revenue Ruling 2006–
57, which provides guidance on the use
of smartcards, debit or credit cards, or
other electronic media under various
situations to provide qualified
transportation fringes, as well as
analysis of other governing statutes,
regulations, and policies. Consistent
with the Office of Management and
Budget Circular A–123, Management’s
Responsibility for Internal Control,
TRANServe and participating agencies
have the responsibility for monitoring
compliance. Additionally, transaction
monitoring takes place through various
means, to include but not limited to,
system activity monitoring, data mining,
anomaly reporting, etc. In order to
reduce or mitigate fraudulent activity,
the TRANServe debit card is issued
with the participant’s name, is restricted
to use with transit providers, returns
unused funds to the Federal government
at the end of each period, and provides
detailed reporting of anomalies to
permit follow-up action and system
adjustments.
Comment: Will nationwide rollout of
this card, and corresponding monthly
sweeping, create additional
administrative issues at a time when
DOT is seeking to reduce admin costs?
Response: No. There are different
administrative tasks with the
introduction and use of the TRANServe
debit card; however, TRANServe
anticipates a decrease in administrative
costs and better efficiencies in the long
run.
Comment: How will TRANServe
administer its bicycle benefit program
using ‘‘Electronic Fare Media?
Response: TRANServe does not
administer its bicycle benefit program
using electronic fare media.
Comment: Please indicate how 49
U.S.C. 327, Administrative Working
Capital Fund; 26 U.S.C. 132(f), Qualified
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:38 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
Transportation Fringe; 31 U.S.C. 3302,
Custodians of Money; Federal
Employees Clean Air Incentives Act
(Pub. L. 103–172); and Executive Order
13150, Federal Workforce
Transportation require DOT to switch to
‘‘Electronic Fare Media’’?
Response: The statutes and
regulations mentioned do not require
DOT to switch to Electronic Fare Media.
In order to better serve its customers,
TRANServe is responding to transit
authority changes and technological
advances, which are expected to reduce
administrative costs and aid in the
monitoring of the appropriate use of
transit benefits.
Comment: How will employees using
vanpools, buses, etc. be able to access
their transit benefits?
Response: A growing number of State
and local transit authorities are
transitioning to electronic methods of
payment. As explained above, the
TRANServe Debit Card is now being
used to distribute the transit benefit to
federal employees in several geographic
service areas. TRANServe recognizes
that some transit providers have not yet
implemented technologies that permit
electronic payments. In each instance,
TRANServe will continue to provide a
limited paper voucher process while
working with the transit provider
towards acceptance of electronic
payments, when appropriate.
Comment: Commenters asked about
the cost to administer the TRANServe
program; how it compares with, or
whether it is duplicate of, similar
programs in the private sector; and
whether TRANServe has investigated
contracting its transit benefit program to
a third party vendor to reduce its
administrative costs and overhead.
Response: The TRANServe Program is
a fee-for service organization, which
operates on a breakeven basis.
TRANServe along with other Federal
government agencies operate under
specific statutory restrictions and
authorities that only reside with and
apply to the Federal government. Thus,
TRANServe does not duplicate private
sector services. When it is cost effective
and programmatically feasible,
TRANServe contracts out services that
are not inherently governmental. In
terms of the transition to electronic fare
media, TRANServe is taking advantage
of technological advances in the
industry that are expected to reduce
administrative costs, while assisting in
the monitoring of the appropriate use of
transit benefits.
PO 00000
Frm 00105
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
47693
Issue date August 6, 2012.
Marie Petrosino-Woolverton,
Director, Office of Financial Management &
Transit Benefit Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012–19584 Filed 8–8–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[Docket No FMCSA–2011–0097]
Pilot Program on NAFTA Trucking
Provisions
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for public
comment.
AGENCY:
FMCSA announces and
requests public comment on data and
information concerning the PreAuthorization Safety Audit (PASA) for
GCC Transportes SA de CV (GCC) which
applied to participate in the Agency’s
long-haul pilot program to test and
demonstrate the ability of Mexicodomiciled motor carriers to operate
safely in the United States beyond the
municipalities on the international
border or the commercial zones of such
municipalities. This action is required
by the ‘‘U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’
Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq
Accountability Appropriations Act,
2007’’ and all subsequent
appropriations.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before August 20, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by Federal Docket
Management System Number FMCSA–
2011–0097 by any one of the following
methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal:
Go to https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for
submitting comments.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
(M–30), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., West Building, Ground
Floor, Room 12–140, Washington, DC
20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery: Same as mail
address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., ET, Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202–366–9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only
one of these four methods. All
submissions must include the Agency
name and docket number for this notice.
See the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading
below for instructions on submitting
comments and additional information.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
47694
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Note that all comments received,
including any personal information
provided, will be posted without change
to https://www.regulations.gov. Please
see the ‘‘Privacy Act’’ heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov at any time or to
Room W12–140 on the ground floor of
the DOT Headquarters Building at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC, 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
ET, Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s Privacy Act System of
Records Notice for the DOT Federal
Docket Management System published
in the Federal Register on January 17,
2008 (73 FR 3316), or you may visit
https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/
E8–785.pdf.
Public Participation: The https://
www.regulations.gov Web site is
generally available 24 hours each day,
365 days each year. You can get
electronic submission and retrieval help
and guidelines under the ‘‘help’’ section
of the https://www.regulations.gov Web
site. Comments received after the
comment closing date will be included
in the docket, and will be considered to
the extent practicable.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marcelo Perez, FMCSA, North American
Borders Division, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–
0001. Telephone (512) 916–5440 Ext.
228; email marcelo.perez@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On May 25, 2007, the President
signed into law the U.S. Troop
Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina
Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007 (the Act),
(Pub. L. 110–28, 121 Stat. 112, 183, May
25, 2007). Section 6901 of the Act
requires that certain actions be taken by
the Department of Transportation (the
Department) as a condition of obligating
or expending appropriated funds to
grant authority to Mexico-domiciled
motor carriers to operate beyond the
municipalities in the United States on
the United States-Mexico international
border or the commercial zones of such
municipalities (border commercial
zones).
On July 8, 2011, FMCSA announced
in the Federal Register [76 FR 40420] its
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:38 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
intent to proceed with the initiation of
a U.S.-Mexico cross-border long-haul
trucking pilot program to test and
demonstrate the ability of Mexicodomiciled motor carriers to operate
safely in the United States beyond the
border commercial zones as detailed in
the Agency’s April 13, 2011, Federal
Register notice [76 FR 20807]. The pilot
program is a part of FMCSA’s
implementation of the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) crossborder long-haul trucking provisions in
compliance with section 6901(b)(2)(B)
of the Act. FMCSA reviewed, assessed,
and evaluated the required safety
measures as noted in the July 8, 2011,
notice and considered all comments
received on or before May 13, 2011, in
response to the April 13, 2011, notice.
Additionally, to the extent practicable,
FMCSA considered comments received
after May 13, 2011.
In accordance with section
6901(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Act, FMCSA is
required to publish in the Federal
Register, and provide sufficient
opportunity for public notice and
comment comprehensive data and
information on the PASAs conducted of
motor carriers domiciled in Mexico that
are granted authority to operate beyond
the border commercial zones. This
notice serves to fulfill this requirement.
FMCSA is publishing for public
comment the data and information
relating to one PASA that was
completed on February 10, 2012.
FMCSA announces that the Mexicodomiciled motor carrier in Table 1
successfully completed the PASA.
Notice of this completion was also
published in the FMCSA Register.
Tables 2, 3 and 4 all titled
(‘‘Successful Pre-Authorization Safety
Audit (PASA) Information’’) set out
additional information on the carrier(s)
noted in Table 1. A narrative
description of each column in the tables
is provided as follows:
A. Row Number in the Appendix for
the Specific Carrier: The row number for
each line in the tables.
B. Name of Carrier: The legal name of
the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier that
applied for authority to operate in the
United States (U.S.) beyond the border
commercial zones and was considered
for participation in the long-haul pilot
program.
C. U.S. DOT Number: The
identification number assigned to the
Mexico-domiciled motor carrier and
required to be displayed on each side of
the motor carrier’s power units. If
granted provisional operating authority,
the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier will
be required to add the suffix ‘‘X’’ to the
ending of its assigned U.S. DOT Number
PO 00000
Frm 00106
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
for those vehicles approved to
participate in the pilot program.
D. FMCSA Register Number: The
number assigned to the Mexicodomiciled motor carrier’s operating
authority as found in the FMCSA
Register.
E. PASA Initiated: The date the PASA
was initiated.
F. PASA Completed: The date the
PASA was completed.
G. PASA Results: The results upon
completion of the PASA. The PASA
receives a quality assurance review
before approval. The quality assurance
process involves a dual review by the
FMCSA Division Office supervisor of
the auditor assigned to conduct the
PASA and by the FMCSA Service
Center New Entrant Specialist
designated for the specific FMCSA
Division Office. This dual review
ensures the successfully completed
PASA was conducted in accordance
with FMCSA policy, procedures and
guidance. Upon approval, the PASA
results are uploaded into the FMCSA’s
Motor Carrier Management Information
System (MCMIS). The PASA
information and results are then
recorded in the Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier’s safety performance record in
MCMIS.
H. FMCSA Register: The date FMCSA
published notice of a successfully
completed PASA in the FMCSA
Register. The FMCSA Register notice
advises interested parties that the
application has been preliminarily
granted and that protests to the
application must be filed within 10 days
of the publication date. Protests are filed
with FMCSA Headquarters in
Washington, DC. The notice in the
FMCSA Register lists the following
information:
a. Current registration number (e.g.,
MX–123456);
b. Date the notice was published in
the FMCSA Register;
c. The applicant’s name and address;
and
d. Representative or contact
information for the applicant.
The FMCSA Register may be accessed
through FMCSA’s Licensing and
Insurance public Web site at https://lipublic.fmcsa.dot.gov/, and selecting
FMCSA Register in the drop down
menu.
I. U.S. Drivers: The total number of
the motor carrier’s drivers approved for
long-haul transportation in the United
States beyond the border commercial
zones.
J. U.S. Vehicles: The total number of
the motor carrier’s power units
approved for long-haul transportation in
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
the United States beyond the border
commercial zones.
K. Passed Verification of 5 Elements
(Yes/No): A Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier will not be granted provisional
operating authority if FMCSA cannot
verify all of the following five
mandatory elements. FMCSA must:
a. Verify a controlled substances and
alcohol testing program consistent with
49 CFR part 40.
b. Verify a system of compliance with
hours-of-service rules of 49 CFR part
395, including recordkeeping and
retention;
c. Verify the ability to obtain financial
responsibility as required by 49 CFR
part 387, including the ability to obtain
insurance in the United States;
d. Verify records of periodic vehicle
inspections; and
e. Verify the qualifications of each
driver the carrier intends to use under
such authority, as required by 49 CFR
parts 383 and 391, including confirming
the validity of each driver’s Licencia
Federal de Conductor and English
language proficiency.
L. If No, Which Element Failed: If
FMCSA cannot verify one or more of the
five mandatory elements outlined in 49
CFR part 365, Appendix A, Section III,
this column will specify which
mandatory element(s) cannot be
verified.
Please note that for items L through P
below, during the PASA, after verifying
the five mandatory elements discussed
in item K above, FMCSA will gather
information by reviewing a motor
carrier’s compliance with ‘‘acute and
critical’’ regulations of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
(FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMRs). Acute regulations
are those where noncompliance is so
severe as to require immediate
corrective actions by a motor carrier
regardless of the overall basic safety
management controls of the motor
carrier. Critical regulations are those
where noncompliance relates to
management and/or operational
controls. These regulations are
indicative of breakdowns in a carrier’s
management controls. A list of acute
and critical regulations is included in 49
CFR part 385, Appendix B, Section VII.
Parts of the FMCSRs and HMRs
having similar characteristics are
combined together into six regulatory
areas called ‘‘factors.’’ The regulatory
factors are intended to evaluate the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:38 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
adequacy of a carrier’s management
controls.
M. Passed Phase 1, Factor 1: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 1 (listed in part
365, Subpart E, Appendix A, Section
IV(f)). Factor 1 includes the General
Requirements outlined in parts 387
(Minimum Levels of Financial
Responsibility for Motor Carriers) and
390 (Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations—General).
N. Passed Phase 1, Factor 2: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 2, which
includes the Driver Requirements
outlined in parts 382 (Controlled
Substances and Alcohol Use and
Testing), 383 (Commercial Driver’s
License Standards; Requirements and
Penalties) and 391 (Qualifications of
Drivers and Longer Combination
Vehicle (LCV) Driver Instructors).
O. Passed Phase 1, Factor 3: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 3, which
includes the Operational Requirements
outlined in parts 392 (Driving of
Commercial Motor Vehicles) and 395
(Hours of Service of Drivers).
P. Passed Phase 1, Factor 4: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 4, which
includes the Vehicle Requirements
outlined in parts 393 (Parts and
Accessories Necessary for Safe
Operation) and 396 (Inspection, Repair
and Maintenance) and vehicle
inspection and out-of-service data for
the last 12 months.
Q. Passed Phase 1, Factor 5: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 5, which
includes the hazardous material
requirements outlined in parts 171
(General Information, Regulations, and
Definitions), 177 (Carriage by Public
Highway), 180 (Continuing
Qualification and Maintenance of
Packagings) and 397 (Transportation of
Hazardous Materials; Driving and
Parking Rules).
R. Passed Phase 1, Factor 6: A ‘‘yes’’
in this column indicates the carrier has
successfully met Factor 6, which
includes Accident History. This factor is
the recordable accident rate during the
past 12 months. A recordable
‘‘accident’’ is defined in 49 CFR 390.5,
and means an accident involving a
commercial motor vehicle operating on
a public road in interstate or intrastate
commerce which results in a fatality; a
bodily injury to a person who, as a
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
47695
result of the injury, immediately
received medical treatment away from
the scene of the accident; or one or more
motor vehicles incurring disabling
damage as a result of the accident
requiring the motor vehicle to be
transported away from the scene by a
tow truck or other motor vehicle.
S. Number U.S. Vehicles Inspected:
The total number of vehicles (power
units) the motor carrier is approved to
operate in the United States beyond the
border commercial zones that received a
vehicle inspection during the PASA.
During a PASA, FMCSA inspected all
power units to be used by the motor
carrier in the pilot program and applied
a current Commercial Vehicle Safety
Alliance (CVSA) inspection decal, if the
inspection is passed successfully. This
number reflects the vehicles that were
inspected, irrespective of whether the
vehicle received a CVSA inspection at
the time of the PASA decal as a result
of a passed inspection.
T. Number U.S. Vehicles Issued CVSA
Decal: The total number of inspected
vehicles (power units) the motor carrier
is approved to operate in the United
States beyond the border commercial
zones that received a CVSA inspection
decal as a result of an inspection during
the PASA.
U. Controlled Substances Collection:
Refers to the applicability and/or
country of origin of the controlled
substance and alcohol collection facility
that will be used by a motor carrier that
has successfully completed the PASA.
a. ‘‘US’’ means the controlled
substance and alcohol collection facility
is based in the United States.
b. ‘‘MX’’ means the controlled
substance and alcohol collection facility
is based in Mexico.
c. ‘‘Non-CDL’’ means that during the
PASA, FMCSA verified that the motor
carrier is not utilizing commercial motor
vehicles subject to the commercial
driver’s license requirements as defined
in 49 CFR 383.5 (Definition of
Commercial Motor Vehicle). Any motor
carrier that does not operate commercial
motor vehicles as defined in § 383.5 is
not subject to DOT controlled substance
and alcohol testing requirements.
V. Name of Controlled Substances
and Alcohol Collection Facility: Shows
the name and location of the controlled
substances and alcohol collection
facility that will be used by a Mexicodomiciled motor carrier who has
successfully completed the PASA.
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
47696
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
TABLE 1
Row number in Tables 2, 3 and 4 of the Appendix to today’s
notice
Name of carrier
USDOT No.
1 ................................................................................................
GCC Transportes SA de CV ....................................................
650155
TABLE 2—SUCCESSFUL PRE-AUTHORIZATION SAFETY AUDIT (PASA) INFORMATION
[See also Tables 3 and 4]
Column A—
row No.
Column B—Name of carrier
Column C—
U.S. DOT
No.
Column D—
FMCSA
register No.
Column E—
PASA
initiated
Column F—
PASA
completed
Column G—
PASA
results
Column H—
FMCSA
register
Column I—
U.S. drivers
Column J—
U.S.
vehicles
1 .................
GCC Transportes SA de CV ...
650155
MX–
7001100
12/8/11
3/14/12
Pass ...........
7/27/12
9
13
TABLE 3—SUCCESSFUL PRE-AUTHORIZATION SAFETY AUDIT (PASA) INFORMATION
[See also Tables 2 and 4]
Column A—
row No.
Column B—name of carrier
Column C—
U.S. DOT
No.
1 .................
GCC Transportes SA de CV
650155
Column D—
FMCSA
register No.
Column K—
Passed
verification
of 5
elements
(yes/no)
Column L—
if no, which
element
failed
Column M—
passed
phase 1
factor 1
Column N—
passed
phase 1
factor 2
Column O—
passed
phase 1
factor 3
Column P—
passed
phase 1
factor 4
MX–701100
Yes .............
N
Pass ...........
Pass ...........
Pass ...........
Pass.
TABLE 4—SUCCESSFUL PRE-AUTHORIZATION SAFETY AUDIT (PASA) INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
[See also Tables 2 and 3]
Column B—name of
carrier
Column C—
U.S. DOT
No.
Column D—
FMCSA
register No.
Column Q—
passed
phase I
factor 5
Column R—
passed
phase I
factor 6
Column S—
number
U.S.
vehicles
inspected
Column T—
number
U.S.
vehicles
issued
CVSA decal
Column U—
controlled
substance
collection
Column V—
name of controlled
substances and alcohol collection facility
1 .................
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Column A—
row No.
GCC Transportes SA
de CV.
650155
MX–701100
N/A
Pass ...........
13
13
U.S. ............
RI-Tech Drug Testing.
The Agency acknowledges that
through the PASA process it determined
that GCC has affiliations with additional
companies. An attachment to the PASA
provides information regarding these
affiliations. During the carrier vetting
and PASA process, FMCSA reviewed its
records related to the affiliates, and
confirmed that the companies are in
good standing.
In an effort to provide as much
information as possible for review, the
application and PASA results for this
carrier are posted at the Agency’s Web
site for the pilot program at https://www.
fmcsa.dot.gov/intl-programs/trucking/
Trucking-Program.aspx. For carriers
that participated in the Agency’s
demonstration project that ended in
2009, copies of the previous PASA and
compliance review, if conducted, are
also posted. All documents were
redacted so that personal information
regarding the drivers is not released.
Sensitive business information, such as
the carrier’s tax identification number,
is also redacted. In response to previous
comments received regarding the PASA
notice process, FMCSA also posted
copies of the vehicle inspections
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:38 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
conducted during the PASA in the
PASA document.
A list of the carrier’s vehicles
approved by FMCSA for use in the pilot
program is also available at the above
referenced Web site.
FMCSA notes that the drivers
proposed by the carrier for participation
in the pilot program were tested for
English language proficiency during the
PASA and were found to be proficient.
However, two of the proposed drivers
have been recently cited for violations
of 49 CFR 392.11(b)(2) during
transportation in the border commercial
zone. FMCSA brought this issue to
GCC’s attention, and GCC advised
FMCSA that it sent the drivers to
additional training to improve their
English language proficiency.
The Agency also notes that GCC has
been cited for violations of the FMCSRs
during the last 24 months and the
company is above the Agency’s
intervention threshold in the Driver
Fitness basic within the Agency’s Safety
Measurement System. This Driver
Fitness score generally results from
citations for drivers failing to adequately
communicate in English. As noted
PO 00000
Frm 00108
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
above FMCSA has determined that each
of the drivers designated to participate
in the Pilot Program is able to read and
speak the English language sufficiently
to comply with our regulation. In
addition GCC has advised FMCSA that
it is providing additional training to
their drivers to improve their English
language proficiency. Therefore, while
the SMS score above the intervention
threshold is a concern that will be
monitored, under these circumstances,
we do not believe it constitutes an
indication that the carrier is not willing
or able to comply with our regulations
and the requirements of the Pilot
Program. The majority of the remaining
cited violations relate to vehicle
maintenance issues. Further, FMCSA
reviewed the violations cited, and
determined that the only violation on a
vehicle proposed for the pilot program
was due to low air in a tire and this
defect was remedied.
Lastly, FMCSA is aware that
companies affiliated with GCC have had
SMS alerts. However, the Agency has
confirmed that GCC Transportes was not
established to evade or conceal a
negative safety performance history by
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2012 / Notices
those companies. The Agency monitors
the safety of the affiliated carriers
through SMS and will take action on
those carriers, as appropriate.
To date, no carriers have failed the
PASA. The Act only requires
publication of data for carriers receiving
operating authority, as failure to
successfully complete the PASA
precludes the carrier from being granted
authority to participate in the long-haul
pilot program. FMCSA will publish this
information to show motor carriers that
failed to meet U.S. safety standards.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Act, FMCSA
requests public comment from all
interested persons on the PASA
information presented in this notice. All
comments received before the close of
business on the comment closing date
indicated at the beginning of this notice
will be considered and will be available
for examination in the docket at the
location listed under the ADDRESSES
section of this notice. Comments
received after the comment closing date
will be filed in the public docket and
will be considered to the extent
practicable. In addition to late
comments, the FMCSA will also
continue to file, in the public docket,
relevant information that becomes
available after the comment closing
date. Interested persons should continue
to examine the public docket for new
material.
FMCSA notes that under its
regulations, preliminary grants of
authority, pending the carrier’s showing
of compliance with insurance and
process agent requirements and the
resolution of any protests, are publically
noticed through publication in the
FMCSA Register. Any protests of such
grants must be filed within 10 days of
publication of notice in the FMCSA
Register.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy,
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012–19564 Filed 8–8–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2012–0006; Notice 1]
General Motors, LLC, Receipt of
Petition for Decision of
Inconsequential Noncompliance
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, DOT.
AGENCY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:38 Aug 08, 2012
Jkt 226001
ACTION:
Receipt of Petition.
General Motors, LLC (GM) 1
has determined that certain model year
2012; Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox,
GMC Terrain and Saab 9–4x
multipurpose passenger vehicles, and
Chevrolet Cruze passenger cars, do not
fully comply with paragraph S19.2.2 of
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
(FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash
Protection. GM has filed an appropriate
report dated September 6, 2011,
pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and
Noncompliance Responsibility and
Reports.
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and
30120(h) (see implementing rule at 49
CFR part 556), GM submitted a petition
for an exemption from the notification
and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C.
Chapter 301 on the basis that this
noncompliance is inconsequential to
motor vehicle safety.
This notice of receipt of GM’s petition
is published under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and
30120 and does not represent any
agency decision or other exercise of
judgment concerning the merits of the
petition.
Vehicles involved: approximately
3,599 Cadillac SRX, 11,459 Chevrolet
Equinox, 5,080 GMC Terrain and 24
Saab 9–4x multipurpose passenger
vehicles; and 27,392 Chevrolet Cruze
passenger cars. All of the vehicles are
model year 2012 and were
manufactured within the period from
April 6, 2011 through August 20, 2011.
NHTSA notes that the statutory
provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and
30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to
file petitions for a determination of
inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to
exempt manufacturers only from the
duties found in sections 30118 and
30120, respectively, to notify owners,
purchasers, and dealers of a defect or
noncompliance and to remedy the
defect or noncompliance. Therefore,
these provisions only apply to the
subject 47,554 2 model year vehicles that
GM no longer controlled at the time it
determined that the noncompliance
existed.
SUMMARY:
1 General Motors, LLC, is a manufacturer of motor
vehicles and is registered under the laws of the state
of Michigan.
2 GM’s petition, which was filed under 49 CFR
part 556, requests an agency decision to exempt GM
as a motor vehicles manufacturer from the
notification and recall responsibilities of 49 CFR
part 573 for the 47,554 affected vehicles. However,
a decision on this petition cannot relieve vehicle
distributors and dealers of the prohibitions on the
sale, offer for sale, introduction or delivery for
introduction into interstate commerce of the
noncompliant vehicles under their control after GM
notified them that the subject noncompliance
existed.
PO 00000
Frm 00109
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
47697
Noncompliance: GM explains that the
noncompliance is that on rare
occasions, the air bag suppression
telltale on the subject vehicles may
remain illuminated during a particular
ignition cycle and indicate that the
passenger air bag is OFF regardless of
whether the air bag is or is not
suppressed.
GM further explains that for this
noncompliance condition to exist, the
following must occur:
(1) The engine must be restarted
within approximately 24 seconds of
having been turned OFF;
(2) The key 3 must be turned rapidly,
spending less than 10 milliseconds (0.01
seconds) in the RUN position before it
reaches the START position; and
(3) The crank power mode
(approximately how long the starter
motor runs) must be less than 1.2
seconds. GM’s data predicts that the
conditions for a noncompliance to occur
will happen, on average, approximately
once every 18 months, independent of
whether the front seat is occupied or
not.
Rule text: Paragraph S19 of FMVSS
No. 208 requires in pertinent part:
S19 Requirements to provide protection for
infants in rear facing and convertible child
restraints and car beds.
S19.1 Each vehicle certified as complying
with S14 shall, at the option of the
manufacturer, meet the requirements
specified in S19.2 or S19.3, under the test
procedures specified in S20.
S19.2 Option 1—Automatic suppression
feature. Each vehicle shall meet the
requirements specified in S19.2.1 through
S19.2.3. * * *
S19.2.2 The vehicle shall be equipped with
at least one telltale which emits light
whenever the passenger air bag system is
deactivated and does not emit light whenever
the passenger air bag system is activated,
except that the telltale(s) need not illuminate
when the passenger seat is unoccupied. Each
telltale: * * *
(h) The telltale must not emit light except
when the passenger air bag is turned off or
during a bulb check upon vehicle starting.
Summary of GM’s Analysis and
Arguments
GM stated its belief that this
noncompliance is inconsequential to
motor vehicle safety for the following
reasons:
A. The noncompliance does not
increase the risk to motor vehicle safety
because it has no effect on occupant
restraint. The noncompliant condition
has absolutely no effect on the proper
operation of the occupant classification
system. If the telltale error occurs when
3 Cadillac SRX and Saab 9–4X vehicles have a
push button start/stop switch.
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47693-47697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19564]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No FMCSA-2011-0097]
Pilot Program on NAFTA Trucking Provisions
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces and requests public comment on data and
information concerning the Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) for
GCC Transportes SA de CV (GCC) which applied to participate in the
Agency's long-haul pilot program to test and demonstrate the ability of
Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States
beyond the municipalities on the international border or the commercial
zones of such municipalities. This action is required by the ``U.S.
Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq
Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007'' and all subsequent
appropriations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 20, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket
Management System Number FMCSA-2011-0097 by any one of the following
methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, (M-30), U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building,
Ground Floor, Room 12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
telephone number is 202-366-9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number for this
notice. See the ``Public Participation'' heading below for instructions
on submitting comments and additional information.
[[Page 47694]]
Note that all comments received, including any personal information
provided, will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov.
Please see the ``Privacy Act'' heading below.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or to
Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT Headquarters Building at
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
Privacy Act System of Records Notice for the DOT Federal Docket
Management System published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2008
(73 FR 3316), or you may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.
Public Participation: The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is
generally available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You can get
electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines under the
``help'' section of the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. Comments
received after the comment closing date will be included in the docket,
and will be considered to the extent practicable.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcelo Perez, FMCSA, North American
Borders Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-
0001. Telephone (512) 916-5440 Ext. 228; email marcelo.perez@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On May 25, 2007, the President signed into law the U.S. Troop
Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007 (the Act), (Pub. L. 110-28, 121 Stat. 112,
183, May 25, 2007). Section 6901 of the Act requires that certain
actions be taken by the Department of Transportation (the Department)
as a condition of obligating or expending appropriated funds to grant
authority to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the
municipalities in the United States on the United States-Mexico
international border or the commercial zones of such municipalities
(border commercial zones).
On July 8, 2011, FMCSA announced in the Federal Register [76 FR
40420] its intent to proceed with the initiation of a U.S.-Mexico
cross-border long-haul trucking pilot program to test and demonstrate
the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the
United States beyond the border commercial zones as detailed in the
Agency's April 13, 2011, Federal Register notice [76 FR 20807]. The
pilot program is a part of FMCSA's implementation of the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cross-border long-haul trucking provisions
in compliance with section 6901(b)(2)(B) of the Act. FMCSA reviewed,
assessed, and evaluated the required safety measures as noted in the
July 8, 2011, notice and considered all comments received on or before
May 13, 2011, in response to the April 13, 2011, notice. Additionally,
to the extent practicable, FMCSA considered comments received after May
13, 2011.
In accordance with section 6901(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Act, FMCSA is
required to publish in the Federal Register, and provide sufficient
opportunity for public notice and comment comprehensive data and
information on the PASAs conducted of motor carriers domiciled in
Mexico that are granted authority to operate beyond the border
commercial zones. This notice serves to fulfill this requirement.
FMCSA is publishing for public comment the data and information
relating to one PASA that was completed on February 10, 2012. FMCSA
announces that the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier in Table 1
successfully completed the PASA. Notice of this completion was also
published in the FMCSA Register.
Tables 2, 3 and 4 all titled (``Successful Pre-Authorization Safety
Audit (PASA) Information'') set out additional information on the
carrier(s) noted in Table 1. A narrative description of each column in
the tables is provided as follows:
A. Row Number in the Appendix for the Specific Carrier: The row
number for each line in the tables.
B. Name of Carrier: The legal name of the Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier that applied for authority to operate in the United States
(U.S.) beyond the border commercial zones and was considered for
participation in the long-haul pilot program.
C. U.S. DOT Number: The identification number assigned to the
Mexico-domiciled motor carrier and required to be displayed on each
side of the motor carrier's power units. If granted provisional
operating authority, the Mexico-domiciled motor carrier will be
required to add the suffix ``X'' to the ending of its assigned U.S. DOT
Number for those vehicles approved to participate in the pilot program.
D. FMCSA Register Number: The number assigned to the Mexico-
domiciled motor carrier's operating authority as found in the FMCSA
Register.
E. PASA Initiated: The date the PASA was initiated.
F. PASA Completed: The date the PASA was completed.
G. PASA Results: The results upon completion of the PASA. The PASA
receives a quality assurance review before approval. The quality
assurance process involves a dual review by the FMCSA Division Office
supervisor of the auditor assigned to conduct the PASA and by the FMCSA
Service Center New Entrant Specialist designated for the specific FMCSA
Division Office. This dual review ensures the successfully completed
PASA was conducted in accordance with FMCSA policy, procedures and
guidance. Upon approval, the PASA results are uploaded into the FMCSA's
Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). The PASA
information and results are then recorded in the Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier's safety performance record in MCMIS.
H. FMCSA Register: The date FMCSA published notice of a
successfully completed PASA in the FMCSA Register. The FMCSA Register
notice advises interested parties that the application has been
preliminarily granted and that protests to the application must be
filed within 10 days of the publication date. Protests are filed with
FMCSA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The notice in the FMCSA Register
lists the following information:
a. Current registration number (e.g., MX-123456);
b. Date the notice was published in the FMCSA Register;
c. The applicant's name and address; and
d. Representative or contact information for the applicant.
The FMCSA Register may be accessed through FMCSA's Licensing and
Insurance public Web site at https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/, and
selecting FMCSA Register in the drop down menu.
I. U.S. Drivers: The total number of the motor carrier's drivers
approved for long-haul transportation in the United States beyond the
border commercial zones.
J. U.S. Vehicles: The total number of the motor carrier's power
units approved for long-haul transportation in
[[Page 47695]]
the United States beyond the border commercial zones.
K. Passed Verification of 5 Elements (Yes/No): A Mexico-domiciled
motor carrier will not be granted provisional operating authority if
FMCSA cannot verify all of the following five mandatory elements. FMCSA
must:
a. Verify a controlled substances and alcohol testing program
consistent with 49 CFR part 40.
b. Verify a system of compliance with hours-of-service rules of 49
CFR part 395, including recordkeeping and retention;
c. Verify the ability to obtain financial responsibility as
required by 49 CFR part 387, including the ability to obtain insurance
in the United States;
d. Verify records of periodic vehicle inspections; and
e. Verify the qualifications of each driver the carrier intends to
use under such authority, as required by 49 CFR parts 383 and 391,
including confirming the validity of each driver's Licencia Federal de
Conductor and English language proficiency.
L. If No, Which Element Failed: If FMCSA cannot verify one or more
of the five mandatory elements outlined in 49 CFR part 365, Appendix A,
Section III, this column will specify which mandatory element(s) cannot
be verified.
Please note that for items L through P below, during the PASA,
after verifying the five mandatory elements discussed in item K above,
FMCSA will gather information by reviewing a motor carrier's compliance
with ``acute and critical'' regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs).
Acute regulations are those where noncompliance is so severe as to
require immediate corrective actions by a motor carrier regardless of
the overall basic safety management controls of the motor carrier.
Critical regulations are those where noncompliance relates to
management and/or operational controls. These regulations are
indicative of breakdowns in a carrier's management controls. A list of
acute and critical regulations is included in 49 CFR part 385, Appendix
B, Section VII.
Parts of the FMCSRs and HMRs having similar characteristics are
combined together into six regulatory areas called ``factors.'' The
regulatory factors are intended to evaluate the adequacy of a carrier's
management controls.
M. Passed Phase 1, Factor 1: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 1 (listed in part 365, Subpart E,
Appendix A, Section IV(f)). Factor 1 includes the General Requirements
outlined in parts 387 (Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for
Motor Carriers) and 390 (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations--
General).
N. Passed Phase 1, Factor 2: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 2, which includes the Driver
Requirements outlined in parts 382 (Controlled Substances and Alcohol
Use and Testing), 383 (Commercial Driver's License Standards;
Requirements and Penalties) and 391 (Qualifications of Drivers and
Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) Driver Instructors).
O. Passed Phase 1, Factor 3: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 3, which includes the Operational
Requirements outlined in parts 392 (Driving of Commercial Motor
Vehicles) and 395 (Hours of Service of Drivers).
P. Passed Phase 1, Factor 4: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 4, which includes the Vehicle
Requirements outlined in parts 393 (Parts and Accessories Necessary for
Safe Operation) and 396 (Inspection, Repair and Maintenance) and
vehicle inspection and out-of-service data for the last 12 months.
Q. Passed Phase 1, Factor 5: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 5, which includes the hazardous
material requirements outlined in parts 171 (General Information,
Regulations, and Definitions), 177 (Carriage by Public Highway), 180
(Continuing Qualification and Maintenance of Packagings) and 397
(Transportation of Hazardous Materials; Driving and Parking Rules).
R. Passed Phase 1, Factor 6: A ``yes'' in this column indicates the
carrier has successfully met Factor 6, which includes Accident History.
This factor is the recordable accident rate during the past 12 months.
A recordable ``accident'' is defined in 49 CFR 390.5, and means an
accident involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a public
road in interstate or intrastate commerce which results in a fatality;
a bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately
received medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or one
or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the
accident requiring the motor vehicle to be transported away from the
scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.
S. Number U.S. Vehicles Inspected: The total number of vehicles
(power units) the motor carrier is approved to operate in the United
States beyond the border commercial zones that received a vehicle
inspection during the PASA. During a PASA, FMCSA inspected all power
units to be used by the motor carrier in the pilot program and applied
a current Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection decal,
if the inspection is passed successfully. This number reflects the
vehicles that were inspected, irrespective of whether the vehicle
received a CVSA inspection at the time of the PASA decal as a result of
a passed inspection.
T. Number U.S. Vehicles Issued CVSA Decal: The total number of
inspected vehicles (power units) the motor carrier is approved to
operate in the United States beyond the border commercial zones that
received a CVSA inspection decal as a result of an inspection during
the PASA.
U. Controlled Substances Collection: Refers to the applicability
and/or country of origin of the controlled substance and alcohol
collection facility that will be used by a motor carrier that has
successfully completed the PASA.
a. ``US'' means the controlled substance and alcohol collection
facility is based in the United States.
b. ``MX'' means the controlled substance and alcohol collection
facility is based in Mexico.
c. ``Non-CDL'' means that during the PASA, FMCSA verified that the
motor carrier is not utilizing commercial motor vehicles subject to the
commercial driver's license requirements as defined in 49 CFR 383.5
(Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle). Any motor carrier that does
not operate commercial motor vehicles as defined in Sec. 383.5 is not
subject to DOT controlled substance and alcohol testing requirements.
V. Name of Controlled Substances and Alcohol Collection Facility:
Shows the name and location of the controlled substances and alcohol
collection facility that will be used by a Mexico-domiciled motor
carrier who has successfully completed the PASA.
[[Page 47696]]
Table 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Row number in Tables 2, 3 and
4 of the Appendix to today's Name of carrier USDOT No.
notice
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................. GCC Transportes SA de 650155
CV.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Successful Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) Information
[See also Tables 3 and 4]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column C-- Column D-- Column E-- Column F-- Column H-- Column I-- Column J--
Column A--row Column B--Name of U.S. DOT No. FMCSA PASA PASA Column G--PASA FMCSA U.S. drivers U.S.
No. carrier register No. initiated completed results register vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............... GCC Transportes SA 650155 MX-7001100 12/8/11 3/14/12 Pass............ 7/27/12 9 13
de CV.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Successful Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) Information
[See also Tables 2 and 4]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column K--
Column C-- Column D-- Passed Column L--if Column M-- Column N-- Column O-- Column P--
Column A--row Column B--name U.S. DOT No. FMCSA verification no, which passed phase 1 passed phase 1 passed phase passed phase
No. of carrier register No. of 5 elements element factor 1 factor 2 1 factor 3 1 factor 4
(yes/no) failed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............. GCC Transportes 650155 MX-701100 Yes........... N Pass.......... Pass.......... Pass......... Pass.
SA de CV.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4--Successful Pre-Authorization Safety Audit (PASA) Information as of September 9, 2011
[See also Tables 2 and 3]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column T-- Column V-- name
Column S-- number U.S. Column U-- of controlled
Column A--row Column B--name Column C-- Column D-- Column Q-- Column R-- number U.S. vehicles controlled substances and
No. of carrier U.S. DOT No. FMCSA passed phase passed phase I vehicles issued CVSA substance alcohol
register No. I factor 5 factor 6 inspected decal collection collection
facility
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............. GCC Transportes 650155 MX-701100 N/A Pass.......... 13 13 U.S........... RI-Tech Drug
SA de CV. Testing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Agency acknowledges that through the PASA process it determined
that GCC has affiliations with additional companies. An attachment to
the PASA provides information regarding these affiliations. During the
carrier vetting and PASA process, FMCSA reviewed its records related to
the affiliates, and confirmed that the companies are in good standing.
In an effort to provide as much information as possible for review,
the application and PASA results for this carrier are posted at the
Agency's Web site for the pilot program at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/intl-programs/trucking/Trucking-Program.aspx. For carriers that
participated in the Agency's demonstration project that ended in 2009,
copies of the previous PASA and compliance review, if conducted, are
also posted. All documents were redacted so that personal information
regarding the drivers is not released. Sensitive business information,
such as the carrier's tax identification number, is also redacted. In
response to previous comments received regarding the PASA notice
process, FMCSA also posted copies of the vehicle inspections conducted
during the PASA in the PASA document.
A list of the carrier's vehicles approved by FMCSA for use in the
pilot program is also available at the above referenced Web site.
FMCSA notes that the drivers proposed by the carrier for
participation in the pilot program were tested for English language
proficiency during the PASA and were found to be proficient. However,
two of the proposed drivers have been recently cited for violations of
49 CFR 392.11(b)(2) during transportation in the border commercial
zone. FMCSA brought this issue to GCC's attention, and GCC advised
FMCSA that it sent the drivers to additional training to improve their
English language proficiency.
The Agency also notes that GCC has been cited for violations of the
FMCSRs during the last 24 months and the company is above the Agency's
intervention threshold in the Driver Fitness basic within the Agency's
Safety Measurement System. This Driver Fitness score generally results
from citations for drivers failing to adequately communicate in
English. As noted above FMCSA has determined that each of the drivers
designated to participate in the Pilot Program is able to read and
speak the English language sufficiently to comply with our regulation.
In addition GCC has advised FMCSA that it is providing additional
training to their drivers to improve their English language
proficiency. Therefore, while the SMS score above the intervention
threshold is a concern that will be monitored, under these
circumstances, we do not believe it constitutes an indication that the
carrier is not willing or able to comply with our regulations and the
requirements of the Pilot Program. The majority of the remaining cited
violations relate to vehicle maintenance issues. Further, FMCSA
reviewed the violations cited, and determined that the only violation
on a vehicle proposed for the pilot program was due to low air in a
tire and this defect was remedied.
Lastly, FMCSA is aware that companies affiliated with GCC have had
SMS alerts. However, the Agency has confirmed that GCC Transportes was
not established to evade or conceal a negative safety performance
history by
[[Page 47697]]
those companies. The Agency monitors the safety of the affiliated
carriers through SMS and will take action on those carriers, as
appropriate.
To date, no carriers have failed the PASA. The Act only requires
publication of data for carriers receiving operating authority, as
failure to successfully complete the PASA precludes the carrier from
being granted authority to participate in the long-haul pilot program.
FMCSA will publish this information to show motor carriers that failed
to meet U.S. safety standards.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the Act, FMCSA requests public comment from all
interested persons on the PASA information presented in this notice.
All comments received before the close of business on the comment
closing date indicated at the beginning of this notice will be
considered and will be available for examination in the docket at the
location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Comments
received after the comment closing date will be filed in the public
docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to
late comments, the FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public
docket, relevant information that becomes available after the comment
closing date. Interested persons should continue to examine the public
docket for new material.
FMCSA notes that under its regulations, preliminary grants of
authority, pending the carrier's showing of compliance with insurance
and process agent requirements and the resolution of any protests, are
publically noticed through publication in the FMCSA Register. Any
protests of such grants must be filed within 10 days of publication of
notice in the FMCSA Register.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy, Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-19564 Filed 8-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P