Notice of Request for Comments: Scope of the Study on the Impact of Automated Vehicle Technologies on Workforce, 50747-50749 [2018-21842]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2018 / Notices permitted by law) and the date of submission. and innovation, and will address significant comments received in the next revision of this document. Public Participation How do I prepare and submit comments? Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your comments are filed correctly in the docket, please include the docket number of this document in your comments. Please submit one copy (two copies if submitting by mail or hand delivery) of your comments, including the attachments, to the docket following the instructions given above under ADDRESSES. Please note, if you are submitting comments electronically as a PDF (Adobe) file, we ask that the documents submitted be scanned using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process, thus allowing the agency to search and copy certain portions of your submissions. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 How do I submit confidential business information? Any submissions containing Confidential Information must be delivered to OST in the following manner: • Submitted in a sealed envelope marked ‘‘confidential treatment requested’’; • Accompanied by an index listing the document(s) or information that the submitter would like the Department to withhold. The index should include information such as numbers used to identify the relevant document(s) or information, document title and description, and relevant page numbers and/or section numbers within a document; and • Submitted with a statement explaining the submitter’s grounds for objecting to disclosure of the information to the public. OST also requests that submitters of Confidential Information include a nonconfidential version (either redacted or summarized) of those confidential submissions in the public docket. In the event that the submitter cannot provide a non-confidential version of its submission, OST requests that the submitter post a notice in the docket stating that it has provided OST with Confidential Information. Should a submitter fail to docket either a nonconfidential version of its submission or to post a notice that Confidential Information has been provided, we will note the receipt of the submission on the docket, with the submitter’s organization or name (to the degree VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Oct 05, 2018 Jkt 247001 Will the agency consider late comments? The U.S. DOT will consider all comments received before the close of business on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To the extent possible, the agency will also consider comments received after that date. Given that we intend for the policy document to be a living document and to be developed in an iterative fashion, subsequent opportunities to comment will also be provided periodically. How can I read the comments submitted by other people? You may read the comments received at the address given above under COMMENTS. The hours of the docket are indicated above in the same location. You may also see the comments on the internet, identified by the docket number at the heading of this notice, at https://www.regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 3, 2018, under authority delegated at 49 U.S.C. 1.25a. Finch Fulton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy. [FR Doc. 2018–21840 Filed 10–5–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary [Docket No. DOT–OST–2018–0150] Notice of Request for Comments: Scope of the Study on the Impact of Automated Vehicle Technologies on Workforce Office of the Secretary (OST), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of request for comments. AGENCY: OST is announcing a request for information to solicit comment and feedback on the scope of the congressionally-required comprehensive analysis of the impact of automated vehicle technologies on workforce. This study will be conducted by DOT in consultation with the Department of Labor to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of [Advanced Driver Assist Systems] ADAS and [Highly Automated Vehicles] HAV technologies on drivers and operators of commercial motor vehicle, including the potential for any labor displacement. DOT will also coordinate this initiative with the U.S. Departments of Commerce SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50747 and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Each component of the study will engage the relevant interested and affected stakeholders such as industry representatives, driver and operator groups, and workforce training providers to ensure input from across the diverse commercial and noncommercial driver industry. While it may not be feasible to precisely predict the exact capabilities or timing of new automated vehicles technologies entering the marketplace, this study may construct statistical models, usecases, and scenarios based projections based on the best available data on market forecasts, industry trends, and relevant labor markets to evaluate different technology penetration scenarios and their potential effects on the workforce and related factors. The objectives of the request for comments on the comprehensive analysis of the impact of automated vehicle technologies on workforce are to obtain feedback into the scope of the study regarding the magnitude of the potential pace of transition in the transportation workforce and how other sectors of the workforce will adapt to the quality of life effects due to automation. The study will also examine training availability and what will be required to transition the traditional commercial driver into the new environment including transit bus automation. Finally, the study will analyze the issues of driver situational awareness in vehicles which may require operator re-engagement, the safety of truck platooning, and related traffic management. Background: The pace of development and deployment of automated vehicle-related technology is expected to accelerate over the next decade. Likewise, the effects of this new technology on the current workforce is a concern to operators and industry. In August 2017, a Department of Commerce’s Office of the Chief Economist study focused on ‘‘workers impacted by the adoption of autonomous vehicles used on roadways, such as automobiles, buses, and trucks (The Employment Impact of Autonomous Vehicles,1 Economics and Statistics Administration Issue Brief #05–17). The study found that ‘‘. . . the adoption of AVs has the potential to impact a sizable share of jobs in the economy.’’ This could include job creation as well as displacement. Also, the America’s Workforce and the Self1 https://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/ Employment%20Impact%20Autonomous%20 Vehicles_0.pdf. E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1 50748 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2018 / Notices Driving Future 2 report, published by Securing America’s Future Energy in June 2018, outlines the potential impact of autonomous vehicles use on the labor force, noting some of the complexities in assessing job gain/loss and displacement, as well as potential longterm employment and societal benefits. In addition to the introduction of automated vehicles, the Nation’s commercial driver 3 pool is impacted by other dynamics such as operator pay, route preferences, and demographics. Advanced transportation technologies present enormous potential for improving the mobility of travelers with disabilities vastly enhancing quality of life, workplace access, and opportunities for full participation in the workforce and in society. Through the Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative (ATTRI), DOT is leading efforts to develop and implement transformative applications to improve mobility options for all travelers, particularly those with disabilities. DOT is seeking to explore innovative travel options focusing its efforts on removing barriers to transportation for people with visual, hearing, cognitive, and mobility disabilities through all steps of the tripmaking process. DOT seeks to remove Area of inquiry barriers to transportation across the ‘‘complete trip’’ chain leveraging advanced technology to enable people to travel independently any time, to any place, regardless of their individual abilities. The 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act provided up to $1.5 million to the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact of ADAS and HAV technologies on drivers and operators of commercial motor vehicles, including labor displacement. For purposes of this analysis, drivers and operators, who earn an income by driving, of commercial motor vehicles includes drivers which require a commercial driver’s license and those that do not; and package delivery drivers, taxi, mobility as a service, and Transportation Network Companies (TNC). Statement of Work (SOW): The general areas of inquiry are summarized and listed below. Specific research questions could be further adopted during the study examination after assumptions and study parameters are validated based on input and feedback obtained through the request for comments period. Comments obtained from this notice period will be used to calibrate the study strategy to enable the maximum value proposition. 1. Labor force transformation studies including potential statistical models to generate estimates of labor force effects given various HAV and ADAS adoption/ timeline scenarios and segments of freight and passenger transportation that could be affected. 2. Labor force training needs including minimum and recommended training requirements, labor market programs that link workers to employment and public or private training programs to address skill gaps. 3. Technology operational safety issues impact to situational awareness caused by HAV and ADAS including options for reducing safety risks of reduced situational awareness and visibility, mobility, and safety issues related to platooning. 4. Quality of life improvements due to automation including mental fatigue related to traffic and queueing; enhanced travel choices, new job opportunities, and accessibility leading to independent travel and workplace access for people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with functional impairments across the lifespan. Research questions General study tasks 1. Labor Force Transformation/Displacement Pace of potential job displacement from ADAS and HAV adoption. Segments of freight and passenger transportation that could be affected. When should stakeholders anticipate widespread introduction of AV technology which would directly impact the driver workforce? What are the potential effects from the different scenarios regarding adoption timelines and technology developments on the professional driver labor force? What are the defined segments of commercial drivers in the United States? Which of these segments are most likely to be impacted, negatively or positively, and to what extent? Conduct a comprehensive literature review of related studies and methodologies. Create a predictive statistical model to generate estimates of labor force effects given various adoption/timeline scenarios. The model should be well-documented and replicable by outside parties. Create a typology of the specific segments of commercial and noncommercial drivers as it relates to trucks, buses, mail/package delivery drivers, and taxis/transportation network companies. Identify each segment most likely to be effected, and the extent of that effect. The effect could be job displacement or increased demand for that driver segment. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 2. Labor Force Training Needs Minimum and recommended training requirements. As commercial and non-commercial drivers transition into other transportation, or even unrelated, positions, what are new likely opportunities and what are the minimum levels of training and skills necessary to occupy those positions? What are the training/skills requirements for those jobs most in demand? Existing labor market programs that link workers to employment. Identification of how existing public or private training programs can be modified to address skill gaps. What federal and state government-sponsored programs are used to match individuals with employment opportunities? What is the capacity of each program to meet the needs of displaced commercial and non-commercial drivers? What gap(s) exist between existing programs and the needs of commercial and non-commercial drivers, including transitioning to new jobs? If gaps exist, what recommended modifications to existing programs are needed to meet these needs? 2 https://avworkforce.secureenergy.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/06/Groshen-et-al-ReportJune-2018-1.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Oct 05, 2018 Jkt 247001 Catalog and annotate comparative studies from other transitioning labor markets e.g. manufacturing, agriculture, banking, etc. Identify the possible training needs for the variety of commercial and non-commercial drivers potentially impacted by AVs—both newly created transportation jobs or jobs in related or non-related sectors. Produce recommendations of training requirements to meet the needs identified and evaluate the available federal and state programs to meet these needs. Prepare and annotate a comprehensive inventory of current federal and state labor market programs that link workers to job opportunities. Evaluate the capacity of these programs to meet the needs of commercial and non-commercial drivers displaced by autonomous vehicles. Identify modifications to existing public or private training programs to include the teaching of new skills to safely operate ADS equipped vehicles as well as new skills needed to transition to other jobs. 3 Commercial drivers for the scope of this study is defined as professional drivers who earn a living PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 driving tow trucks, tractor trailers, motor coaches, and buses. E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2018 / Notices Area of inquiry Research questions 50749 General study tasks 3. Technology Operational Safety Issues Impact to situaWhat are the risks of reduced situational awareness for a driver using tional awareADAS technology, such as the potential for increased drowsiness? ness caused by ADS and ADAS. Options for reduc- Quantify the likelihood of reduced driver situational awareness and ing safety risks identify methods and options to mitigate these risks. of reduced situational awareness. Visibility, mobility, What are the principle safety issues associated with the use of and safety platooning such as the reduced visibility of drivers in the following issues related vehicles, and the interaction of passenger cars with truck platoons at to platooning. highway speeds? What are the potential positive benefits of platooning technologies? Complete a literature review on the risks of the lack of driver vigilance and reduced situational awareness when operating a vehicle equipped with ADS or ADAS technologies. Produce a typology on the kinds of risks that are generated by this technology. Review existing human subject research and engage relevant stakeholders to identify existing and potential technological applications to address human factors risk. Identify and catalog existing studies on visibility, mobility, and safety issues related to truck platooning. Provide an annotated inventory of current or developing technologies which can address these issues and their likelihood of adoption. Catalog state laws addressing truck platoon operations. 4. Quality of Life Effects Due to Automation Potential effects to health and quality of life due to ADS and ADAS. Given that higher level of automation allows drivers, study, to conduct other tasks other than driving, how the health and quality of life of the driving labor force. What are the potential economic benefits to increased and the community for transportation-disadvantaged people with disabilities and seniors. subject to this will this impact access to jobs riders such as Conduct a comprehensive literature review of health issues associated with commercial and non-commercial drivers, including mental fatigue related to traffic and queueing. Explore insights into how HAV and ADAS can mitigate health issues, state of the industry pertaining to ADAS and HAV mobility as a service including research studies relating to technology readiness, enabling new job opportunities, and gaps in achieving the complete trip vision for older Americans and people with disabilities. Note: Each of the four study components may include stakeholder outreach, as appropriate, to inform the analysis and identify relevant data sources. Comments are requested on the following questions regarding the Statement of Work: 1. Is the SOW in line with public interest? 2. Should the SOW be expanded or reduced to include or exclude any topic(s)? 3. Are there specific literature or studies that have been conducted on this subject that DOT and DOL should review before initiating this comprehensive analysis? All comments and presentations should be submitted to the docket for consideration. If you have questions about this notice, please contact us at automation@dot.gov or Kareem Habib (202–366–1601) or Sujeesh Kurup (202–366–9953). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written Comments: Please submit all written comments no later than November 5, 2018, by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility: DOT, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery or Courier: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 202–366–1767. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:13 Oct 05, 2018 Jkt 247001 Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act discussion below. Docket: For access to the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov to find Docket No. DOT–OST–2018–0150 at any time or to 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Telephone: 202–366–9826. 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 complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000, (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78), or you may visit https://www.regulations.gov/ privacy.html. Confidential Information: Any submissions containing Confidential Information must be delivered to OST in the following manner: Æ Submitted in a sealed envelope marked ‘‘confidential treatment requested’’; Æ Accompanied by an index listing the document(s) or information that the submitter would like the Departments to withhold. The index should include information such as numbers used to PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 identify the relevant document(s) or information, document title and description, and relevant pages numbers and/or section numbers within a document; and Æ Submitted with a statement explaining the submitter’s grounds for objecting to disclosure of the information to the public. OST also requests that submitters of Confidential Information include a nonconfidential version (either redacted or summarized) of those confidential submissions in the public docket. In the event that the submitter cannot provide a non-confidential version of its submission, OST requests that the submitter post a notice in the docket stating that it has provided OST with Confidential Information. Should a submitter fail to docket either a nonconfidential version of its submission or to post a notice that Confidential Information has been provided, we will note the receipt of the submission on the docket, with the submitter’s organization or name (to the degree permitted by law) and the date of submission. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 3, 2018, under authority delegated at 49 U.S.C. 1.25a. Finch Fulton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy. [FR Doc. 2018–21842 Filed 10–5–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50747-50749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21842]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2018-0150]


Notice of Request for Comments: Scope of the Study on the Impact 
of Automated Vehicle Technologies on Workforce

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: OST is announcing a request for information to solicit comment 
and feedback on the scope of the congressionally-required comprehensive 
analysis of the impact of automated vehicle technologies on workforce. 
This study will be conducted by DOT in consultation with the Department 
of Labor to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of [Advanced 
Driver Assist Systems] ADAS and [Highly Automated Vehicles] HAV 
technologies on drivers and operators of commercial motor vehicle, 
including the potential for any labor displacement. DOT will also 
coordinate this initiative with the U.S. Departments of Commerce and 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    Each component of the study will engage the relevant interested and 
affected stakeholders such as industry representatives, driver and 
operator groups, and workforce training providers to ensure input from 
across the diverse commercial and non-commercial driver industry. While 
it may not be feasible to precisely predict the exact capabilities or 
timing of new automated vehicles technologies entering the marketplace, 
this study may construct statistical models, use-cases, and scenarios 
based projections based on the best available data on market forecasts, 
industry trends, and relevant labor markets to evaluate different 
technology penetration scenarios and their potential effects on the 
workforce and related factors.
    The objectives of the request for comments on the comprehensive 
analysis of the impact of automated vehicle technologies on workforce 
are to obtain feedback into the scope of the study regarding the 
magnitude of the potential pace of transition in the transportation 
workforce and how other sectors of the workforce will adapt to the 
quality of life effects due to automation. The study will also examine 
training availability and what will be required to transition the 
traditional commercial driver into the new environment including 
transit bus automation. Finally, the study will analyze the issues of 
driver situational awareness in vehicles which may require operator re-
engagement, the safety of truck platooning, and related traffic 
management.
    Background: The pace of development and deployment of automated 
vehicle-related technology is expected to accelerate over the next 
decade. Likewise, the effects of this new technology on the current 
workforce is a concern to operators and industry. In August 2017, a 
Department of Commerce's Office of the Chief Economist study focused on 
``workers impacted by the adoption of autonomous vehicles used on 
roadways, such as automobiles, buses, and trucks (The Employment Impact 
of Autonomous Vehicles,\1\ Economics and Statistics Administration 
Issue Brief #05-17). The study found that ``. . . the adoption of AVs 
has the potential to impact a sizable share of jobs in the economy.'' 
This could include job creation as well as displacement. Also, the 
America's Workforce and the Self-

[[Page 50748]]

Driving Future \2\ report, published by Securing America's Future 
Energy in June 2018, outlines the potential impact of autonomous 
vehicles use on the labor force, noting some of the complexities in 
assessing job gain/loss and displacement, as well as potential long-
term employment and societal benefits. In addition to the introduction 
of automated vehicles, the Nation's commercial driver \3\ pool is 
impacted by other dynamics such as operator pay, route preferences, and 
demographics.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ https://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/Employment%20Impact%20Autonomous%20Vehicles_0.pdf.
    \2\ https://avworkforce.secureenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Groshen-et-al-Report-June-2018-1.pdf.
    \3\ Commercial drivers for the scope of this study is defined as 
professional drivers who earn a living driving tow trucks, tractor 
trailers, motor coaches, and buses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Advanced transportation technologies present enormous potential for 
improving the mobility of travelers with disabilities vastly enhancing 
quality of life, workplace access, and opportunities for full 
participation in the workforce and in society. Through the Accessible 
Transportation Technologies Research Initiative (ATTRI), DOT is leading 
efforts to develop and implement transformative applications to improve 
mobility options for all travelers, particularly those with 
disabilities. DOT is seeking to explore innovative travel options 
focusing its efforts on removing barriers to transportation for people 
with visual, hearing, cognitive, and mobility disabilities through all 
steps of the trip-making process. DOT seeks to remove barriers to 
transportation across the ``complete trip'' chain leveraging advanced 
technology to enable people to travel independently any time, to any 
place, regardless of their individual abilities.
    The 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act provided up to $1.5 
million to the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Labor, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the impact 
of ADAS and HAV technologies on drivers and operators of commercial 
motor vehicles, including labor displacement. For purposes of this 
analysis, drivers and operators, who earn an income by driving, of 
commercial motor vehicles includes drivers which require a commercial 
driver's license and those that do not; and package delivery drivers, 
taxi, mobility as a service, and Transportation Network Companies 
(TNC).
    Statement of Work (SOW): The general areas of inquiry are 
summarized and listed below. Specific research questions could be 
further adopted during the study examination after assumptions and 
study parameters are validated based on input and feedback obtained 
through the request for comments period. Comments obtained from this 
notice period will be used to calibrate the study strategy to enable 
the maximum value proposition.
    1. Labor force transformation studies including potential 
statistical models to generate estimates of labor force effects given 
various HAV and ADAS adoption/timeline scenarios and segments of 
freight and passenger transportation that could be affected.
    2. Labor force training needs including minimum and recommended 
training requirements, labor market programs that link workers to 
employment and public or private training programs to address skill 
gaps.
    3. Technology operational safety issues impact to situational 
awareness caused by HAV and ADAS including options for reducing safety 
risks of reduced situational awareness and visibility, mobility, and 
safety issues related to platooning.
    4. Quality of life improvements due to automation including mental 
fatigue related to traffic and queueing; enhanced travel choices, new 
job opportunities, and accessibility leading to independent travel and 
workplace access for people with disabilities, older adults, and 
individuals with functional impairments across the lifespan.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Area of inquiry                     Research questions                     General study tasks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1. Labor Force Transformation/Displacement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pace of potential job              When should stakeholders anticipate     Conduct a comprehensive literature
 displacement from ADAS and HAV     widespread introduction of AV           review of related studies and
 adoption.                          technology which would directly         methodologies.
                                    impact the driver workforce?           Create a predictive statistical model
                                   What are the potential effects from      to generate estimates of labor force
                                    the different scenarios regarding       effects given various adoption/
                                    adoption timelines and technology       timeline scenarios. The model should
                                    developments on the professional        be well-documented and replicable by
                                    driver labor force?                     outside parties.
Segments of freight and passenger  What are the defined segments of        Create a typology of the specific
 transportation that could be       commercial drivers in the United        segments of commercial and non-
 affected.                          States?                                 commercial drivers as it relates to
                                   Which of these segments are most         trucks, buses, mail/package delivery
                                    likely to be impacted, negatively or    drivers, and taxis/transportation
                                    positively, and to what extent?         network companies.
                                                                           Identify each segment most likely to
                                                                            be effected, and the extent of that
                                                                            effect. The effect could be job
                                                                            displacement or increased demand for
                                                                            that driver segment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          2. Labor Force Training Needs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum and recommended training   As commercial and non-commercial        Catalog and annotate comparative
 requirements.                      drivers transition into other           studies from other transitioning
                                    transportation, or even unrelated,      labor markets e.g. manufacturing,
                                    positions, what are new likely          agriculture, banking, etc.
                                    opportunities and what are the         Identify the possible training needs
                                    minimum levels of training and skills   for the variety of commercial and
                                    necessary to occupy those positions?    non-commercial drivers potentially
                                   What are the training/skills             impacted by AVs--both newly created
                                    requirements for those jobs most in     transportation jobs or jobs in
                                    demand?                                 related or non-related sectors.
                                                                           Produce recommendations of training
                                                                            requirements to meet the needs
                                                                            identified and evaluate the
                                                                            available federal and state programs
                                                                            to meet these needs.
Existing labor market programs     What federal and state government-      Prepare and annotate a comprehensive
 that link workers to employment.   sponsored programs are used to match    inventory of current federal and
                                    individuals with employment             state labor market programs that
                                    opportunities?                          link workers to job opportunities.
                                   What is the capacity of each program    Evaluate the capacity of these
                                    to meet the needs of displaced          programs to meet the needs of
                                    commercial and non-commercial           commercial and non-commercial
                                    drivers?                                drivers displaced by autonomous
                                                                            vehicles.
Identification of how existing     What gap(s) exist between existing      Identify modifications to existing
 public or private training         programs and the needs of commercial    public or private training programs
 programs can be modified to        and non-commercial drivers, including   to include the teaching of new
 address skill gaps.                transitioning to new jobs?              skills to safely operate ADS
                                   If gaps exist, what recommended          equipped vehicles as well as new
                                    modifications to existing programs      skills needed to transition to other
                                    are needed to meet these needs?         jobs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 50749]]

 
                                     3. Technology Operational Safety Issues
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact to situational awareness    What are the risks of reduced           Complete a literature review on the
 caused by ADS and ADAS.            situational awareness for a driver      risks of the lack of driver
                                    using ADAS technology, such as the      vigilance and reduced situational
                                    potential for increased drowsiness?     awareness when operating a vehicle
                                                                            equipped with ADS or ADAS
                                                                            technologies. Produce a typology on
                                                                            the kinds of risks that are
                                                                            generated by this technology.
Options for reducing safety risks  Quantify the likelihood of reduced      Review existing human subject
 of reduced situational awareness.  driver situational awareness and        research and engage relevant
                                    identify methods and options to         stakeholders to identify existing
                                    mitigate these risks.                   and potential technological
                                                                            applications to address human
                                                                            factors risk.
Visibility, mobility, and safety   What are the principle safety issues    Identify and catalog existing studies
 issues related to platooning.      associated with the use of platooning   on visibility, mobility, and safety
                                    such as the reduced visibility of       issues related to truck platooning.
                                    drivers in the following vehicles,      Provide an annotated inventory of
                                    and the interaction of passenger cars   current or developing technologies
                                    with truck platoons at highway          which can address these issues and
                                    speeds? What are the potential          their likelihood of adoption.
                                    positive benefits of platooning         Catalog state laws addressing truck
                                    technologies?                           platoon operations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  4. Quality of Life Effects Due to Automation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential effects to health and    Given that higher level of automation   Conduct a comprehensive literature
 quality of life due to ADS and     allows drivers, subject to this         review of health issues associated
 ADAS.                              study, to conduct other tasks other     with commercial and non-commercial
                                    than driving, how will this impact      drivers, including mental fatigue
                                    the health and quality of life of the   related to traffic and queueing.
                                    driving labor force.                   Explore insights into how HAV and
                                   What are the potential economic          ADAS can mitigate health issues,
                                    benefits to increased access to jobs    state of the industry pertaining to
                                    and the community for transportation-   ADAS and HAV mobility as a service
                                    disadvantaged riders such as people     including research studies relating
                                    with disabilities and seniors.          to technology readiness, enabling
                                                                            new job opportunities, and gaps in
                                                                            achieving the complete trip vision
                                                                            for older Americans and people with
                                                                            disabilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Each of the four study components may include stakeholder outreach, as appropriate, to inform the analysis
  and identify relevant data sources.

    Comments are requested on the following questions regarding the 
Statement of Work:
    1. Is the SOW in line with public interest?
    2. Should the SOW be expanded or reduced to include or exclude any 
topic(s)?
    3. Are there specific literature or studies that have been 
conducted on this subject that DOT and DOL should review before 
initiating this comprehensive analysis?
    All comments and presentations should be submitted to the docket 
for consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
notice, please contact us at [email protected] or Kareem Habib (202-
366-1601) or Sujeesh Kurup (202-366-9953).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Written Comments: Please submit all written comments no later than 
November 5, 2018, by any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility: DOT, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     Fax: 202-366-1767.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and 
docket number. Note that all comments received will be posted without 
change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided. Please see the Privacy Act discussion below.
    Docket: For access to the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov 
to find Docket No. DOT-OST-2018-0150 at any time or to 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
Holidays. Telephone: 202-366-9826.
    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 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000, (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78), or you may 
visit https://www.regulations.gov/privacy.html.
    Confidential Information: Any submissions containing Confidential 
Information must be delivered to OST in the following manner:
    [cir] Submitted in a sealed envelope marked ``confidential 
treatment requested'';
    [cir] Accompanied by an index listing the document(s) or 
information that the submitter would like the Departments to withhold. 
The index should include information such as numbers used to identify 
the relevant document(s) or information, document title and 
description, and relevant pages numbers and/or section numbers within a 
document; and
    [cir] Submitted with a statement explaining the submitter's grounds 
for objecting to disclosure of the information to the public.
    OST also requests that submitters of Confidential Information 
include a non-confidential version (either redacted or summarized) of 
those confidential submissions in the public docket. In the event that 
the submitter cannot provide a non-confidential version of its 
submission, OST requests that the submitter post a notice in the docket 
stating that it has provided OST with Confidential Information. Should 
a submitter fail to docket either a non-confidential version of its 
submission or to post a notice that Confidential Information has been 
provided, we will note the receipt of the submission on the docket, 
with the submitter's organization or name (to the degree permitted by 
law) and the date of submission.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 3, 2018, under authority 
delegated at 49 U.S.C. 1.25a.
Finch Fulton,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-21842 Filed 10-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.