Draft Environmental Assessment for Rulemaking To Establish Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, 2868-2869 [2013-00361]

Download as PDF 2868 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 9 / Monday, January 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules can be used as a way to determine the annoyance qualities of a sound. The values from a one-third-octave analysis can also be easily presented in tabular form (Table 1), while those from a full-spectrum cannot. TABLE 8—EXAMPLE OF ONE-THIRD-OCTAVE DATA IN TABULAR FORM: SUMMARY OF AMBIENT LEVELS DURING ICE MEASUREMENTS, A-WEIGHTED LEVEL, DB(A) Linear average (1⁄3 octave band) ⁄ octave band center frequency, Hz 13 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with 100 to 20k ............................................................................ 100 ....................................................................................... 125 ....................................................................................... 160 ....................................................................................... 200 ....................................................................................... 250 ....................................................................................... 315 ....................................................................................... 400 ....................................................................................... 500 ....................................................................................... 630 ....................................................................................... 800 ....................................................................................... 1k ......................................................................................... 12.5k .................................................................................... 16k ....................................................................................... 2k ......................................................................................... 2.5k ...................................................................................... 3.15k .................................................................................... 4k ......................................................................................... 5k ......................................................................................... 6.3k ...................................................................................... 8k ......................................................................................... 10k ....................................................................................... 12.5k .................................................................................... 16k ....................................................................................... 20k ....................................................................................... Summary The acoustic science described above was intended to provide novices enough knowledge to understand the data and discussions put forth in the NPRM. Sound is a form of energy that is created when a medium vibrates, creating pressure variations (compressions and rarefactions of molecules) within a medium (such as air) which creates a pattern called a wave. Sound pressure over time creates peaks and valleys which make up the wavelength. The difference in acoustic pressure from the ambient pressure (no contraction of the medium) to the peak or valley of a wavelength is called the amplitude; the higher the amplitude, the louder the sound. The period of a wave is the time it takes for a cycle (a peak and a valley) to complete; a longer period indicates a lower pitch. The frequency of a sound is the number of complete wave cycles that pass by a given point in space every second; the higher the frequency, the higher the pitch. The wavelength, amplitude, period and frequency are physical attributes of a sound wave that affect the human perception of loudness, pitch and timbre. These perceptions can be quantified using psychoacoustics. Psychoacoustics is the study of how humans perceive sound and forms the basis for extracting objective data from the physical characteristics of acoustic pressure (sound). Using the physical characteristics and psychoacoustic analysis, a sound is usually measured in decibels (dBs) within an octave. Octaves can be further broken down into one-third octave bands VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:11 Jan 11, 2013 Jkt 229001 Min (overall A-weighted) 49.6 34.6 35.5 36.1 36.9 36.5 36.5 36.0 36.7 38.2 40.2 41.1 40.0 37.6 34.7 34.5 35.5 34.0 29.0 25.7 20.2 14.4 8.9 3.1 ¥1.9 46.1 30.7 32.4 32.1 32.7 33.9 32.5 31.9 33.6 34.4 36.0 36.4 35.3 32.9 30.3 32.8 36.9 33.0 25.0 22.3 16.6 10.3 5.0 0.7 ¥3.1 which provide more information about the spectral content of sound being analyzed. After reading this primer, the reader should understand what ‘‘sound’’ is, identify its different components, and understand how humans perceive sound and how each of these contributes to measuring sound. References [1] Christopher L. Morfey, Dictionary of Acoustics, Academic Press, 2001. [2] ANSI S1.1–1994, Acoustical Terminology, American National Standards Institute, 1994. [3] CEI IEC 50(801), International Electrotechnical Vocabulary—Chapter 801: Acoustics and Electroacoustics, International Electrotechnical Commission, 2nd Edition, 1994. [4] ANSI S3.20–1973, Psychoacoustical Terminology, American National Standards Institute, 1973. [5] Brian C. J. Moore, An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing, Academic Press, 4th Edition, 1997. [6] Lawrence E. Kinsler, Austin R. Frey, Alan B. Coppens, and James V. Sanders, Fundamentals of Acoustics, John Wiley and Sons, 3rd Edition, 1982. [7] E. Zwicker and H. Fastl, Psychoacoustics: Facts and Models, Springer, 2nd Edition, 1999. [8] Leo L. Beranek, Acoustical Measurements, American Institute of Physics, 1988. [9] Garay-Vega, Lisandra; Hastings, Aaron; Pollard, John K.; Zuschlag, Michael; and Stearns, Mary D., Quieter Cars and the Safety of Blind Pedestrians: Phase 2, PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 Max (overall A-weighted) Min (1⁄3 octave band) 53.4 34.1 36.8 37.9 37.9 38.1 37.6 38.1 39.8 41.7 46.1 46.4 45.1 43.1 37.8 35.4 37.1 34.3 29.8 26.9 22.4 17.3 11.7 5.6 ¥0.4 Max (1⁄3 octave band) 45.3 30.7 32.4 32.0 32.7 33.1 32.1 31.8 33.1 34.0 35.8 36.4 35.3 32.9 30.3 30.8 30.0 28.3 24.3 19.7 14.1 7.6 3.2 ¥0.8 ¥3.5 54.7 38.4 42.1 41.5 41.2 40.7 41.5 39.7 41.1 42.2 46.1 46.4 45.1 43.1 37.8 42.1 39.6 40.2 32.8 31.7 24.2 18.3 13.0 8.7 2.0 John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, DOT HS 811 496 October 2011, available at https:// www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/NVS/ Crash%20Avoidance/ Technical%20Publications/2011/ 811496.pdf. Issued in Washington, DC on January 7, 2013, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95. Christopher J. Bonanti, Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. [FR Doc. 2013–00359 Filed 1–9–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 571 and 585 [Docket No. NHTSA–2011–0100] Draft Environmental Assessment for Rulemaking To Establish Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\14JAP3.SGM 14JAP3 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 9 / Monday, January 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules NHTSA is announcing the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposed rule establishing a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) setting minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles. DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 15, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the EA to the docket number identified in the heading of this document using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, M–30, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. Regardless of how you submit your comments, you should mention the docket number of this document. You may call the Docket at 202–366– 9324. Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:11 Jan 11, 2013 Jkt 229001 information on the rulemaking process, see the Public Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For non-legal issues, Ms. Gayle Dalrymple, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NVS–112, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 202–366–5559; fax: 202–493–2990. For legal issues, Mr. Russell Krupen, Office of the Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NCC–113, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 202–366–1834; fax: 202–366–3820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, NHTSA has prepared a Draft EA analyzing the potential environmental impacts of the agency’s proposed action to establish minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles. The Draft EA is being issued together with the agency’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for FMVSS No.141, Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The proposal would require hybrid and electric passenger cars, light trucks, medium and heavy duty trucks and PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 2869 buses, low speed vehicles, and motorcycles to meet certain minimum sound requirements and would apply to electric vehicles and to those hybrid vehicles that are capable of propulsion in any forward or reverse gear without operation of the vehicle’s internal combustion engine. On July 12, 2011, the agency published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment, which sought comment on the scope of the environmental analysis, the significant issues to be analyzed, and the nature of the analysis to be conducted. NHTSA received comments to the Notice of Intent from 35 individuals and organizations. NHTSA developed the alternatives analyzed in the Draft EA based on the comments received and further research and analysis conducted by the agency. NHTSA invites interested parties to comment on the Draft EA by following the instructions under ADDRESSES above. The Draft EA is available on the agency’s Web site at https:// www.nhtsa.gov or on the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. NHTSA–2011–0100). Issued on: January 7, 2013. Christopher J. Bonanti, Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. [FR Doc. 2013–00361 Filed 1–9–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P E:\FR\FM\14JAP3.SGM 14JAP3

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 9 (Monday, January 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2868-2869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00361]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 571 and 585

[Docket No. NHTSA-2011-0100]


Draft Environmental Assessment for Rulemaking To Establish 
Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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[[Page 2869]]

SUMMARY: NHTSA is announcing the availability of a Draft Environmental 
Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a 
proposed rule establishing a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
(FMVSS) setting minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric 
vehicles.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the EA to the docket number 
identified in the heading of this document using any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern 
Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Regardless of how you submit your comments, you should mention the 
docket number of this document.
    You may call the Docket at 202-366-9324.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public 
Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this 
document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change 
to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  For non-legal issues, Ms. Gayle 
Dalrymple, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, NVS-112, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 202-366-5559; fax: 202-493-2990.
    For legal issues, Mr. Russell Krupen, Office of the Chief Counsel, 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NCC-113, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 202-366-1834; fax: 
202-366-3820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act, NHTSA has prepared a Draft EA analyzing the potential 
environmental impacts of the agency's proposed action to establish 
minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles. The Draft 
EA is being issued together with the agency's Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking for FMVSS No.141, Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and 
Electric Vehicles. The proposal would require hybrid and electric 
passenger cars, light trucks, medium and heavy duty trucks and buses, 
low speed vehicles, and motorcycles to meet certain minimum sound 
requirements and would apply to electric vehicles and to those hybrid 
vehicles that are capable of propulsion in any forward or reverse gear 
without operation of the vehicle's internal combustion engine.
    On July 12, 2011, the agency published a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment, which sought comment on the scope 
of the environmental analysis, the significant issues to be analyzed, 
and the nature of the analysis to be conducted. NHTSA received comments 
to the Notice of Intent from 35 individuals and organizations. NHTSA 
developed the alternatives analyzed in the Draft EA based on the 
comments received and further research and analysis conducted by the 
agency.
    NHTSA invites interested parties to comment on the Draft EA by 
following the instructions under ADDRESSES above. The Draft EA is 
available on the agency's Web site at https://www.nhtsa.gov or on the 
public docket at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. NHTSA-2011-
0100).

    Issued on: January 7, 2013.
Christopher J. Bonanti,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2013-00361 Filed 1-9-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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