Research Program: Automated Transit Buses, 2321-2323 [2018-00615]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Notices
the last five years. His endocrinologist
certifies that Mr. West understands
diabetes management and monitoring,
has stable control of his diabetes using
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV
safely. Mr. West meets the requirements
of the vision standard at 49 CFR
391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined
him in 2017 and certified that he does
not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds
a Class A CDL from Ohio.
Rodney J. Woods
Mr. Woods, 52, has had ITDM since
1994. His endocrinologist examined him
in 2017 and certified that he has had no
severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting
in loss of consciousness, requiring the
assistance of another person, or
resulting in impaired cognitive function
that occurred without warning in the
past 12 months and no recurrent (two or
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in
the last five years. His endocrinologist
certifies that Mr. Woods understands
diabetes management and monitoring,
has stable control of his diabetes using
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV
safely. Mr. Woods meets the
requirements of the vision standard at
49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His
ophthalmologist examined him in 2017
and certified that he has stable
proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He
holds a Class A CDL from Alabama.
Timothy A. Zimmerman
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Mr. Zimmerman, 53, has had ITDM
since 2013. His endocrinologist
examined him in 2017 and certified that
he has had no severe hypoglycemic
reactions resulting in loss of
consciousness, requiring the assistance
of another person, or resulting in
impaired cognitive function that
occurred without warning in the past 12
months and no recurrent (two or more)
severe hypoglycemic episodes in the
last five years. His endocrinologist
certifies that Mr. Zimmerman
understands diabetes management and
monitoring, has stable control of his
diabetes using insulin, and is able to
drive a CMV safely. Mr. Zimmerman
meets the requirements of the vision
standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His
optometrist examined him in 2017 and
certified that he does not have diabetic
retinopathy. He holds an operator’s
license from Indiana.
business on the closing date indicated
in the DATES section of the notice.
IV. Submitting Comments
You may submit your comments and
material online or by fax, mail, or hand
delivery, but please use only one of
these means. FMCSA recommends that
you include your name and a mailing
address, an email address, or a phone
number in the body of your document
so that FMCSA can contact you if there
are questions regarding your
submission.
To submit your comment online, go to
https://www.regulations.gov and in the
search box insert the docket number
FMCSA–2017–0288 and click the search
button. When the new screen appears,
click on the blue ‘‘Comment Now!’’
button on the right hand side of the
page. On the new page, enter
information required including the
specific section of this document to
which each comment applies, and
provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation. If you submit your
comments by mail or hand delivery,
submit them in an unbound format, no
larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you
submit comments by mail and would
like to know that they reached the
facility, please enclose a stamped, selfaddressed postcard or envelope.
We will consider all comments and
materials received during the comment
period. FMCSA may issue a final
determination at any time after the close
of the comment period.
V. Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as any
documents mentioned in this preamble,
go to https://www.regulations.gov and in
the search box insert the docket number
FMCSA–2017–0288 and click ‘‘Search.’’
Next, click ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ and
you will find all documents and
comments related to this notice.
Issued on: January 5, 2018.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018–00579 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
III. Request for Comments
[Docket No. FTA–2017–0024]
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)
and 31315, FMCSA requests public
comment from all interested persons on
the exemption petitions described in
this notice. We will consider all
comments received before the close of
Research Program: Automated Transit
Buses
VerDate Sep<11>2014
22:48 Jan 12, 2018
Jkt 244001
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00191
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
2321
The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) seeks public
comment regarding the current and
near-future status of automated transit
buses and related technologies. FTA
seeks comments in particular from
parties involved in the development,
demonstration, deployment, and
evaluation of currently available or
near-market ready automated buses;
systems and components that support
bus automation; and ancillary systems
that support non-driving bus operator
functions (e.g., wheelchair securement,
occupant detection, passenger
information assistance, fare payment,
etc.). For purposes of this notice, ‘‘bus’’
is defined broadly to consider a range of
sizes, vehicle platforms and
configurations, and passenger
capacities, and could include both
traditional and novel vehicle designs
(e.g., full-size city buses, articulated
buses, small shuttles, etc.). ‘‘Bus’’
includes bus rapid transit.
DATES: Comments must be submitted by
March 2, 2018. FTA will consider latefiled comments to the extent
practicable.
SUMMARY:
Please submit your
comments by only one of the following
methods, identifying your submission
by docket number FTA–2017–0024. All
electronic submissions must be made to
the U.S. Government electronic site at
https://www.regulations.gov.
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions for submitting
comments.
(2) Mail: Docket Management Facility:
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building,
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
(3) 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.
(4) Fax: 202–493–2251.
Instructions: You must include the
agency name (Federal Transit
Administration) and Docket number
(FTA–2017–0024) for this notice at the
beginning of your comments. Submit
two copies of your comments if you
submit them by mail. For confirmation
that FTA received your comments,
include a self-addressed stamped
postcard. Note that all comments
received will be posted without change
to www.regulations.gov including any
personal information provided and will
be available to internet users. You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement published in the Federal
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
2322
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Notices
Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477).
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents and
comments received, go to
www.regulations.gov at any time or to
the U.S. Department of Transportation,
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590 between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions, contact Steve Mortensen,
Office of Research, Demonstration and
Innovation, Federal Transit
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
SE, Room E43–422, Washington, DC
20590, phone: (202) 493–0459, fax: (202)
366–3765, or email, Steven.Mortensen@
dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
I. Overview
Transportation currently is
undergoing a transformation. As traveler
preferences and needs recently have
evolved and continue to change, so have
the capabilities of emerging
transportation technologies and, more
importantly, the operational concepts
defining how those technologies will be
deployed in our communities.
Motor vehicle automation (both as a
technology platform and service model)
has become the most talked about
development for surface transportation
in recent times. Many industry
stakeholders and observers anticipate
and expect that public transportation
will have a significant role in this new
space, as garnered from transit
stakeholders during FTA preliminary
research on the subject. Certain
operational applications such as
circulator or first mile/last mile service
are clear instances where the use of
automated motor vehicles could play a
very effective role, based on transit
stakeholder input and preliminary
benefit-cost information on these service
types. Circulator service is regular
service within a closed loop, typically
on a fixed route, and may be found in
business parks, retirement communities,
college campuses, downtowns, etc. First
mile/last mile service provides service
between high-capacity fixed-route
service, such as rail transit and bus
rapid transit, and a traveler’s origin and/
or destination, usually within a radius
of three miles and often in an area of
low-density development.
FTA is seeking comments and
information for the purpose of
determining the current state of the
industry as related to automated vehicle
VerDate Sep<11>2014
22:48 Jan 12, 2018
Jkt 244001
technology in order to make more
informed decisions regarding future
areas of research. The intent of this
request for comments is to gauge the
transit industry and other sectors’
ability and interest in responding to one
or more near-future Notices of Funding
Opportunity (NOFOs) for
demonstration(s) and evaluation(s) of
use cases where commercially ready
technology and products could be
applied to transit to provide early
demonstrable results. FTA has
identified transit bus automation use
cases, organized into five general
categories, as outlined below:
1. Transit Bus Advanced Driver
Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Smooth Acceleration and
Deceleration
• Automatic Emergency Braking and
Pedestrian Collision Avoidance
• Curb Avoidance
• Object Avoidance
• Precision Docking
• Narrow Lane/Shoulder Operations
• Platooning
2. Automated Shuttles
• Circulator Bus Service
• Feeder Bus Service
3. Maintenance, Yard, and Parking
Operations
• Precision Movement for Fueling,
Service Bays, and Bus Wash
• Automated Parking and Recall
4. Mobility-on-Demand Service
• Automated First/Last Mile
• Automated Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit
• On-Demand Shared Ride
5. Automated Bus Rapid Transit
This notice is a request for comments
and information only. It is not a
solicitation for project proposals.
Submission of any information in
response to this notice is voluntary. The
Government will not pay for any effort
expended in responding to this notice.
II. Scope and Submission of Comments
The goal of this notice is to better
inform FTA of existing transit bus
automation technology, and to assist
FTA in identifying potential areas of
future research. For purposes of this
notice, ‘‘bus’’ is defined broadly to
consider a range of sizes, vehicle
platforms and configurations, and
passenger capacities, and could include
both traditional and novel vehicle
designs (e.g., full-size city buses,
articulated buses, small shuttles, etc.).
‘‘Bus’’ includes bus rapid transit.
FTA requests comments for a broad
range of automation technologies
spanning automation levels 1–5 as
defined in the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) standard J3016_201609
PO 00000
Frm 00192
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(see https://standards.sae.org/j3016_
201609/). Responses to this notice will
help inform FTA on the technological
readiness of the transit industry to
participate in demonstrations of use
cases as identified above.
In particular, FTA seeks comments
with respect to the following areas of
interest:
A. What transit bus automation and
supplemental technologies currently
exist, and/or are being developed? Are
there any ADAS, inclusive of automated
actuation (e.g., as in an automated
emergency braking application),
currently available or soon to be
available in the market? If so, please
specify or describe these new systems
and products.
B. What light-duty and commercial
vehicle automation technologies
currently on the market or in
development could be transferred or
applied to transit buses?
C. Are there any new business models
or processes that may arise in response
to or may accommodate transit bus
automation, including, but not limited
to, cross-organizational data
management and exchange? If so, please
specify or describe these new potential
business models or processes.
Please note FTA is not seeking
comments pertaining to systems without
an automated driving aspect (e.g., driver
warnings and alerts), unless the system
is evolving to include automation in the
foreseeable future. Please also note that
this notice is not seeking comments
related to rail fixed guideway systems or
personal rapid transit systems.
Each response should indicate which
level of automation the technology or
process addresses. Inclusion of existing
supplemental information is welcomed
and encouraged. This supplemental
information could include reports,
presentations, specifications, or other
documentation. Interested parties are
requested to respond to this notice in
writing as soon as possible but not later
than March 2, 2018.
This request for comments is for
information and planning purposes
only, and is a market research tool to
determine the availability and adequacy
of potential business sources prior to
determining the method of acquisition
and possible issuance of a Request for
Proposal (RFP) or NOFO, including the
use of any non-profit organization or
small business program. This notice
does not constitute a solicitation for
bids, quotations, and proposals, and is
not to be construed as a commitment by
FTA to issue an RFP or NOFO. FTA is
not obligated to and will not pay for any
information received from potential
sources as a result of response to this
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Notices
notice. FTA will not pay for any
materials provided in response to this
notice and submittals will not be
returned to the sender.
Each response should reference the
docket number (FTA–2017–0024), and
provide the name and contact
information (company, company
representative’s name, phone, email,
etc.) of the submitter, at a minimum.
For information about the Federal
Transit Administration, please refer to
the FTA website at https://
www.transit.dot.gov/.
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 10,
2018 under authority delegated in 49 CFR
Part 1.91.
K. Jane Williams,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018–00615 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
[Docket No. FTA–2017–0025]
Removing Barriers to Transit Bus
Automation
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
AGENCY:
The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) seeks public
comment regarding current or potential
regulatory or other policy barriers to the
development, demonstration,
deployment, and evaluation of
automated transit buses and related
technologies for Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) automation levels 3
through 5. For purposes of this notice,
‘‘bus’’ is defined broadly to consider a
range of sizes, vehicle platforms and
configurations, and passenger
capacities, and could include both
traditional and novel vehicle designs
(e.g., full-size city buses, articulated
buses, small shuttles, etc.). ‘‘Bus’’
includes bus rapid transit.
DATES: Comments must be submitted by
March 2, 2018. FTA will consider latefiled comments to the extent
practicable.
SUMMARY:
Please submit your
comments by only one of the following
methods, identifying your submission
by docket number FTA–2017–0025. All
electronic submissions must be made to
the U.S. Government electronic site at
https://www.regulations.gov.
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
the online instructions for submitting
comments.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
22:48 Jan 12, 2018
Jkt 244001
(2) Mail: Docket Management Facility:
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building,
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
(3) 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.
(4) Fax: 202–493–2251.
Instructions: You must include the
agency name (Federal Transit
Administration) and Docket number
(FTA–2017–0025) for this notice at the
beginning of your comments. Submit
two copies of your comments if you
submit them by mail. For confirmation
that FTA received your comments,
include a self-addressed stamped
postcard. Note that all comments
received will be posted without change
to www.regulations.gov including any
personal information provided and will
be available to internet users. You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement published in the Federal
Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477).
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents and
comments received, go to
www.regulations.gov at any time or to
the U.S. Department of Transportation,
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590 between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions, contact Steve Mortensen,
Office of Research, Demonstration and
Innovation, Federal Transit
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
SE, Room E43–422, Washington, DC
20590, phone: (202) 493–0459, fax: (202)
366–3765, or email, Steven.Mortensen@
dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Overview
Transportation currently is
undergoing a transformation. As traveler
preferences and needs recently have
evolved and continue to change, so have
the capabilities of emerging
transportation technologies and, more
importantly, the operational concepts
defining how those technologies will be
deployed in our communities.
Motor vehicle automation (both as a
technology platform and service model)
has become the most talked about
development for surface transportation
in recent times. Many industry
stakeholders and observers anticipate
and expect that public transportation
PO 00000
Frm 00193
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
2323
will have a significant role in this new
space, as garnered from transit
stakeholders during FTA preliminary
research on the subject. Certain
operational applications such as
circulator or first mile/last mile service
are clear instances where the use of
automated motor vehicles could play a
very effective role, based on transit
stakeholder input and preliminary
benefit-cost information on these service
types. Circulator service is regular
service within a closed loop, typically
on a fixed route, and may be found in
business parks, retirement communities,
college campuses, downtowns, etc. First
mile/last mile service provides service
between high-capacity fixed-route
service, such as rail transit and bus
rapid transit, and a traveler’s origin and/
or destination, usually within a radius
of three miles and often in an area of
low-density development.
Preliminary findings from FTA
research are supported by a National
Highway Cooperative Research Program
study on automated transit (Gettman,
Douglas, et al. 2017. NCHRP Project 20–
102 (02), Project Report Document 239,
Impacts of Laws and Regulations on CV
and AV Technology Introduction in
Transit Operations.) (see also https://
www.nap.edu/download/24922#) which
suggest that non-technical issues may
present challenges or barriers to the
development, demonstration,
deployment, and evaluation of
automation technologies in transit bus
applications. For example, existing
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Federal safety
requirements and vehicle test
procedures generally do not anticipate a
fully driverless vehicle, and FTA
procurement and other requirements
could limit product availability for
automated transit buses, particularly for
automation levels 3 through 5.
FTA seeks comments from
stakeholders, including the disability
community, to better understand
regulatory and policy barriers and
challenges to development,
demonstration, deployment, and
evaluation of automation systems in the
transit industry. Information from this
RFC will help inform FTA’s approach to
automated transit buses, including
determining whether to pursue potential
modifications of FTA regulations,
guidance, and internal practices, and
may also help inform any future
legislation.
This notice is a request for comments
and information only. It is not a
solicitation for project proposals.
Submission of any information in
response to this notice is voluntary. The
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2321-2323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00615]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
[Docket No. FTA-2017-0024]
Research Program: Automated Transit Buses
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) seeks public comment
regarding the current and near-future status of automated transit buses
and related technologies. FTA seeks comments in particular from parties
involved in the development, demonstration, deployment, and evaluation
of currently available or near-market ready automated buses; systems
and components that support bus automation; and ancillary systems that
support non-driving bus operator functions (e.g., wheelchair
securement, occupant detection, passenger information assistance, fare
payment, etc.). For purposes of this notice, ``bus'' is defined broadly
to consider a range of sizes, vehicle platforms and configurations, and
passenger capacities, and could include both traditional and novel
vehicle designs (e.g., full-size city buses, articulated buses, small
shuttles, etc.). ``Bus'' includes bus rapid transit.
DATES: Comments must be submitted by March 2, 2018. FTA will consider
late-filed comments to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Please submit your comments by only one of the following
methods, identifying your submission by docket number FTA-2017-0024.
All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government
electronic site at https://www.regulations.gov.
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
(2) Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
(3) 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.
(4) Fax: 202-493-2251.
Instructions: You must include the agency name (Federal Transit
Administration) and Docket number (FTA-2017-0024) for this notice at
the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if
you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA received your
comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note that all
comments received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov
including any personal information provided and will be available to
internet users. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement
published in the Federal
[[Page 2322]]
Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and
comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington,
DC 20590 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions, contact Steve
Mortensen, Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Federal
Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room E43-422,
Washington, DC 20590, phone: (202) 493-0459, fax: (202) 366-3765, or
email, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Overview
Transportation currently is undergoing a transformation. As
traveler preferences and needs recently have evolved and continue to
change, so have the capabilities of emerging transportation
technologies and, more importantly, the operational concepts defining
how those technologies will be deployed in our communities.
Motor vehicle automation (both as a technology platform and service
model) has become the most talked about development for surface
transportation in recent times. Many industry stakeholders and
observers anticipate and expect that public transportation will have a
significant role in this new space, as garnered from transit
stakeholders during FTA preliminary research on the subject. Certain
operational applications such as circulator or first mile/last mile
service are clear instances where the use of automated motor vehicles
could play a very effective role, based on transit stakeholder input
and preliminary benefit-cost information on these service types.
Circulator service is regular service within a closed loop, typically
on a fixed route, and may be found in business parks, retirement
communities, college campuses, downtowns, etc. First mile/last mile
service provides service between high-capacity fixed-route service,
such as rail transit and bus rapid transit, and a traveler's origin
and/or destination, usually within a radius of three miles and often in
an area of low-density development.
FTA is seeking comments and information for the purpose of
determining the current state of the industry as related to automated
vehicle technology in order to make more informed decisions regarding
future areas of research. The intent of this request for comments is to
gauge the transit industry and other sectors' ability and interest in
responding to one or more near-future Notices of Funding Opportunity
(NOFOs) for demonstration(s) and evaluation(s) of use cases where
commercially ready technology and products could be applied to transit
to provide early demonstrable results. FTA has identified transit bus
automation use cases, organized into five general categories, as
outlined below:
1. Transit Bus Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Smooth Acceleration and Deceleration
Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Collision
Avoidance
Curb Avoidance
Object Avoidance
Precision Docking
Narrow Lane/Shoulder Operations
Platooning
2. Automated Shuttles
Circulator Bus Service
Feeder Bus Service
3. Maintenance, Yard, and Parking Operations
Precision Movement for Fueling, Service Bays, and Bus Wash
Automated Parking and Recall
4. Mobility-on-Demand Service
Automated First/Last Mile
Automated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Paratransit
On-Demand Shared Ride
5. Automated Bus Rapid Transit
This notice is a request for comments and information only. It is
not a solicitation for project proposals. Submission of any information
in response to this notice is voluntary. The Government will not pay
for any effort expended in responding to this notice.
II. Scope and Submission of Comments
The goal of this notice is to better inform FTA of existing transit
bus automation technology, and to assist FTA in identifying potential
areas of future research. For purposes of this notice, ``bus'' is
defined broadly to consider a range of sizes, vehicle platforms and
configurations, and passenger capacities, and could include both
traditional and novel vehicle designs (e.g., full-size city buses,
articulated buses, small shuttles, etc.). ``Bus'' includes bus rapid
transit.
FTA requests comments for a broad range of automation technologies
spanning automation levels 1-5 as defined in the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) standard J3016_201609 (see https://standards.sae.org/j3016_201609/). Responses to this notice will help inform FTA on the
technological readiness of the transit industry to participate in
demonstrations of use cases as identified above.
In particular, FTA seeks comments with respect to the following
areas of interest:
A. What transit bus automation and supplemental technologies
currently exist, and/or are being developed? Are there any ADAS,
inclusive of automated actuation (e.g., as in an automated emergency
braking application), currently available or soon to be available in
the market? If so, please specify or describe these new systems and
products.
B. What light-duty and commercial vehicle automation technologies
currently on the market or in development could be transferred or
applied to transit buses?
C. Are there any new business models or processes that may arise in
response to or may accommodate transit bus automation, including, but
not limited to, cross-organizational data management and exchange? If
so, please specify or describe these new potential business models or
processes.
Please note FTA is not seeking comments pertaining to systems
without an automated driving aspect (e.g., driver warnings and alerts),
unless the system is evolving to include automation in the foreseeable
future. Please also note that this notice is not seeking comments
related to rail fixed guideway systems or personal rapid transit
systems.
Each response should indicate which level of automation the
technology or process addresses. Inclusion of existing supplemental
information is welcomed and encouraged. This supplemental information
could include reports, presentations, specifications, or other
documentation. Interested parties are requested to respond to this
notice in writing as soon as possible but not later than March 2, 2018.
This request for comments is for information and planning purposes
only, and is a market research tool to determine the availability and
adequacy of potential business sources prior to determining the method
of acquisition and possible issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) or
NOFO, including the use of any non-profit organization or small
business program. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for
bids, quotations, and proposals, and is not to be construed as a
commitment by FTA to issue an RFP or NOFO. FTA is not obligated to and
will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a
result of response to this
[[Page 2323]]
notice. FTA will not pay for any materials provided in response to this
notice and submittals will not be returned to the sender.
Each response should reference the docket number (FTA-2017-0024),
and provide the name and contact information (company, company
representative's name, phone, email, etc.) of the submitter, at a
minimum.
For information about the Federal Transit Administration, please
refer to the FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/.
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 10, 2018 under authority
delegated in 49 CFR Part 1.91.
K. Jane Williams,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-00615 Filed 1-12-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P