Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Glazing Materials, 13222-13223 [2019-06518]

Download as PDF 13222 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 65 / Thursday, April 4, 2019 / Proposed Rules First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Public Law 111–260, 47 U.S.C. 615c, that this Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, is hereby adopted. 69. It is further ordered that the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a copy of this Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 20 Communications common carriers, Communications equipment, Radio. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 20 as follows: PART 20—COMMERCIAL MOBILE SERVICES 1. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152(a) 154(i), 157, 160, 201, 214, 222, 251(e), 301, 302, 303, 303(b), 303(r), 307, 307(a), 309, 309(j)(3), 316, 316(a), 332, 610, 615, 615a, 615b, 615c, unless otherwise noted. 2. Section 20.18 is amended by revising paragraph (i)(2)(ii)(C) introductory text and paragraph (i)(2)(ii)(D) to read as follows: ■ 911 Service. jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with PROPOSALS * * * * * (i) * * * (2) * * * (ii) * * * (C) By April 3, 2021: In each of the top 25 CMAs, nationwide CMRS providers shall deploy either dispatchable location, or z-axis technology in compliance with the following z-axis accuracy metric: Within 3 meters above or below (plus or minus 3 meters) the handset for 80% of wireless E911 calls. * * * * * (D) By April 3, 2023: In each of the top 50 CMAs, nationwide CMRS providers shall deploy either dispatchable location, or z-axis technology in compliance with the following z-axis accuracy metric: Within 3 meters above or below (plus or minus 3 meters) the handset for 80% of wireless E911 calls. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2019–06012 Filed 4–3–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:38 Apr 03, 2019 Jkt 247001 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 571 [Docket No. NHTSA–2019–0024] RIN 2127–AL03 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Glazing Materials National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. AGENCY: NHTSA withdraws its June 21, 2012 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed revising Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) No. 205, ‘‘Glazing materials,’’ to harmonize it with Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 6, ‘‘Safety Glazing Materials for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment.’’ Based on the results of the agency’s review of available information and analysis of the technically substantive comments on the proposal, NHTSA is unable to conclude at this time that harmonizing FMVSS No. 205 with GTR No. 6 would increase safety. DATES: As of April 4, 2019, the proposed amendments to 49 CFR part 571 that were contained in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published June 21, 2012 (77 FR 37477) are withdrawn. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Myers, Office of Crashworthiness Standards (Phone 202–366–1810; FAX: 202–366–2739) or Callie Roach, Office of the Chief Counsel (Phone: 202–366– 2992; FAX: 202–366–3820). You may send mail to these officials at: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Federal Communications Commission. Katura Jackon, Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary. § 20.18 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION I. Background Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, ‘‘Glazing materials,’’ (49 CFR 571.205), specifies performance requirements for the types of glazing that may be installed in motor vehicles. It also specifies the vehicle locations in which the various types of glazing may be installed. The purpose of FMVSS No. 205 is to reduce injuries (e.g., lacerations) resulting from impact to glazing surfaces, to ensure a necessary degree of transparency in motor vehicle windows for driver visibility, and to minimize the possibility of occupants being thrown through the vehicle windows in PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 collisions. FMVSS No. 205 applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, slide-in campers, pickup covers designed to carry persons while in motion and low speed vehicles, and to glazing materials for use in those vehicles. GTR No. 6, ‘‘Safety Glazing Materials for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment,’’ was adopted under the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) 1998 Agreement, which is administered by World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulation (WP.29). At the one-hundred-and-thirtysecond session of the WP.29 in March 2004, the formal proposal to develop a GTR on safety glazing was adopted, and at that time restricted the scope of the glazing GTR to glass safety glazing, thereby excluding other materials, such as plastics. The objective of GTR No. 6 is to develop an internationally harmonized standard regarding the safety of glass automotive glazing materials. GTR No. 6 includes requirements and tests to ensure that the mechanical properties, optical qualities and environmental resistance of glazing are satisfactory; it does not include type approval, plastic glazing and installation requirements. II. NPRM On June 21, 2012, NHTSA published a NPRM 1 as part of the agency’s ongoing effort to harmonize vehicle safety standards under the UN/ECE 1998 agreement when, and to the extent, appropriate to do so. The agency stated in the NPRM that harmonization with GTR No. 6 would modernize the test procedures for tempered glass, laminated glass, and glass-plastic glazing used in front windshields and rear and side windows. The GTR proposed an upgraded fragmentation test for testing the tempering of curved tempered glass, and a new procedure for testing an optical property of the windshield at the angle of installation, to more accurately reflect real world driving conditions than the current procedure used in Standard No. 205. The agency said further that most of the proposals were minor amendments that would harmonize differing measurements and performance requirements for similar test procedures. Many of the tests in the GTR were said to be substantially similar to tests currently included in FMVSS No. 205. III. Comments Received In the NPRM, the agency requested public comment on whether the 1 77 E:\FR\FM\04APP1.SGM FR 37478. 04APP1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 65 / Thursday, April 4, 2019 / Proposed Rules proposed amendments reflecting provisions of the GTR are suitable for being adopted into the Federal glazing standard. NHTSA received comments from 14 entities in response to the NPRM to adopt GTR provisions in FMVSS No. 205.2 These comments came from trade associations, glazing manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, a glazing industry expert, and a safety technology company. Overall, most of the comments supported the harmonization efforts, though several suggested revisions or requested clarification. A few commenters were opposed to certain aspects of the proposed harmonization of glazing standards, with one respondent completely opposing the NPRM. NHTSA also received comments for definitions, markings, and cost. IV. Decision to Withdraw Rulemaking Crash data indicates that current glazing materials are performing acceptably. Since the 1960s, the magnitude of the safety problem for glazing has been substantially reduced.3 The increased availability of automatic occupant protection systems has resulted in a substantial reduction in the numbers of occupants impacting the windshield and thus being exposed to lacerative injuries from broken glass. The current glazing standard ensures that emerging and evolving glazing technologies produce commensurate benefits and that glazing remains a safety concern rather than becoming a safety problem. According to agency crash data, occupant ejection, particularly during rollover events, is a much larger safety problem than lacerations from broken glass. NHTSA addressed this safety problem by issuing FMVSS No. 226, ‘‘Ejection mitigation,’’ in 2011. The standard became fully phased-in in 2017. While glazing materials may be one component of an ejection mitigation countermeasure system, the scope of FMVSS No. 205 is focused on material performance in terms of the glazing mechanical strength, optical properties, and environmental durability. The tests described in FMVSS No. 205 assure conformance with minimum required glazing equipment performance levels. Based on the results of our review and of available data and analysis of the technically substantive comments, the agency is unable to conclude at this time that harmonizing FMVSS No. 205 with GTR No. 6 would, on balance, increase or decrease safety. While some of the proposed changes would be expected to improve safety as they more accurately reflect real world driving conditions, others may result in a decrease in safety. NHTSA has determined that it does not have sufficient data to evaluate the safety implications of harmonizing FMVSS No. 205 with GTR No. 6. Therefore, NHTSA has determined that the most appropriate path forward at this time is to withdraw the 2012 NPRM. In order to better inform future agency decisions, NHTSA is planning a glazing research study. NHTSA is also monitoring SAE International’s efforts to publish a new Glazing Standard, SAE Standard J3097 ‘‘Standard for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Operating on Land Highways.’’ If this study is undertaken as planned, it may enable the agency to reach clearer conclusions about the impact of harmonizing FMVSS No. 205 with GTR No. 6. Depending on the outcome of that study and SAE’s progress, NHTSA would consider those data in potential next steps. The agency notes that this document does not represent a decision whether or not to adopt GTR No. 6. NHTSA voted in favor of establishing a global technical regulation (GTR) on automotive glazing and considered adopting the regulations by issuing an NPRM in 2012. However, after considering public comments received in response to the proposal, the agency is withdrawing the NPRM to reconsider its next steps. Accordingly, NHTSA withdraws the 2012 proposed glazing GTR harmonization rulemaking. Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR part 1.95 and 501.5. Heidi Renate King, Deputy Administrator. [FR Doc. 2019–06518 Filed 4–3–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with PROPOSALS 2 Docket No. NHTSA–2012–0083. 3 Kahane, C.J. (2015, January). Lives saved by vehicle safety technologies and associated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 1960 to 2012— Passenger cars and LTVs—With reviews of 26 FMVSS and the effectiveness of their associated safety technologies in reducing fatalities, injuries and crashes. (Report No. DOT HS 812 069). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:38 Apr 03, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 13223 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R3–ES–2018–0056; 4500030113] RIN 1018–BD26 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Petition Finding and Endangered Species Status for the Missouri Distinct Population Segment of Eastern Hellbender Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), a salamander species, as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. Because the Service published a final rule to list the Ozark hellbender subspecies (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) as endangered on October 6, 2011, this 12-month petition finding addresses the eastern hellbender subspecies (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing of the eastern hellbender is not warranted. However, we determined that listing is warranted for a distinct population segment (DPS) of the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) in Missouri. Accordingly, we propose to list the Missouri DPS of the eastern hellbender (C. a. alleganiensis) as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act’s protections to this DPS. DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 3, 2019. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by May 20, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–R3–ES–2018–0056, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the Search button. On the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\04APP1.SGM 04APP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 65 (Thursday, April 4, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13222-13223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06518]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2019-0024]
RIN 2127-AL03


Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Glazing Materials

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: NHTSA withdraws its June 21, 2012 Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed revising Federal motor vehicle safety 
standard (FMVSS) No. 205, ``Glazing materials,'' to harmonize it with 
Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 6, ``Safety Glazing Materials for 
Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment.'' Based on the results of 
the agency's review of available information and analysis of the 
technically substantive comments on the proposal, NHTSA is unable to 
conclude at this time that harmonizing FMVSS No. 205 with GTR No. 6 
would increase safety.

DATES: As of April 4, 2019, the proposed amendments to 49 CFR part 571 
that were contained in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
published June 21, 2012 (77 FR 37477) are withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Myers, Office of Crashworthiness 
Standards (Phone 202-366-1810; FAX: 202-366-2739) or Callie Roach, 
Office of the Chief Counsel (Phone: 202-366-2992; FAX: 202-366-3820).
    You may send mail to these officials at: National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, ``Glazing 
materials,'' (49 CFR 571.205), specifies performance requirements for 
the types of glazing that may be installed in motor vehicles. It also 
specifies the vehicle locations in which the various types of glazing 
may be installed. The purpose of FMVSS No. 205 is to reduce injuries 
(e.g., lacerations) resulting from impact to glazing surfaces, to 
ensure a necessary degree of transparency in motor vehicle windows for 
driver visibility, and to minimize the possibility of occupants being 
thrown through the vehicle windows in collisions. FMVSS No. 205 applies 
to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, 
motorcycles, slide-in campers, pickup covers designed to carry persons 
while in motion and low speed vehicles, and to glazing materials for 
use in those vehicles.
    GTR No. 6, ``Safety Glazing Materials for Motor Vehicles and Motor 
Vehicle Equipment,'' was adopted under the United Nations/Economic 
Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) 1998 Agreement, which is administered by 
World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulation (WP.29). At the 
one-hundred-and-thirty-second session of the WP.29 in March 2004, the 
formal proposal to develop a GTR on safety glazing was adopted, and at 
that time restricted the scope of the glazing GTR to glass safety 
glazing, thereby excluding other materials, such as plastics. The 
objective of GTR No. 6 is to develop an internationally harmonized 
standard regarding the safety of glass automotive glazing materials. 
GTR No. 6 includes requirements and tests to ensure that the mechanical 
properties, optical qualities and environmental resistance of glazing 
are satisfactory; it does not include type approval, plastic glazing 
and installation requirements.

II. NPRM

    On June 21, 2012, NHTSA published a NPRM \1\ as part of the 
agency's ongoing effort to harmonize vehicle safety standards under the 
UN/ECE 1998 agreement when, and to the extent, appropriate to do so. 
The agency stated in the NPRM that harmonization with GTR No. 6 would 
modernize the test procedures for tempered glass, laminated glass, and 
glass-plastic glazing used in front windshields and rear and side 
windows. The GTR proposed an upgraded fragmentation test for testing 
the tempering of curved tempered glass, and a new procedure for testing 
an optical property of the windshield at the angle of installation, to 
more accurately reflect real world driving conditions than the current 
procedure used in Standard No. 205. The agency said further that most 
of the proposals were minor amendments that would harmonize differing 
measurements and performance requirements for similar test procedures. 
Many of the tests in the GTR were said to be substantially similar to 
tests currently included in FMVSS No. 205.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 77 FR 37478.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Comments Received

    In the NPRM, the agency requested public comment on whether the

[[Page 13223]]

proposed amendments reflecting provisions of the GTR are suitable for 
being adopted into the Federal glazing standard. NHTSA received 
comments from 14 entities in response to the NPRM to adopt GTR 
provisions in FMVSS No. 205.\2\ These comments came from trade 
associations, glazing manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, a 
glazing industry expert, and a safety technology company. Overall, most 
of the comments supported the harmonization efforts, though several 
suggested revisions or requested clarification. A few commenters were 
opposed to certain aspects of the proposed harmonization of glazing 
standards, with one respondent completely opposing the NPRM. NHTSA also 
received comments for definitions, markings, and cost.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0083.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Decision to Withdraw Rulemaking

    Crash data indicates that current glazing materials are performing 
acceptably. Since the 1960s, the magnitude of the safety problem for 
glazing has been substantially reduced.\3\ The increased availability 
of automatic occupant protection systems has resulted in a substantial 
reduction in the numbers of occupants impacting the windshield and thus 
being exposed to lacerative injuries from broken glass. The current 
glazing standard ensures that emerging and evolving glazing 
technologies produce commensurate benefits and that glazing remains a 
safety concern rather than becoming a safety problem.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Kahane, C.J. (2015, January). Lives saved by vehicle safety 
technologies and associated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 
1960 to 2012--Passenger cars and LTVs--With reviews of 26 FMVSS and 
the effectiveness of their associated safety technologies in 
reducing fatalities, injuries and crashes. (Report No. DOT HS 812 
069). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to agency crash data, occupant ejection, particularly 
during rollover events, is a much larger safety problem than 
lacerations from broken glass. NHTSA addressed this safety problem by 
issuing FMVSS No. 226, ``Ejection mitigation,'' in 2011. The standard 
became fully phased-in in 2017. While glazing materials may be one 
component of an ejection mitigation countermeasure system, the scope of 
FMVSS No. 205 is focused on material performance in terms of the 
glazing mechanical strength, optical properties, and environmental 
durability. The tests described in FMVSS No. 205 assure conformance 
with minimum required glazing equipment performance levels.
    Based on the results of our review and of available data and 
analysis of the technically substantive comments, the agency is unable 
to conclude at this time that harmonizing FMVSS No. 205 with GTR No. 6 
would, on balance, increase or decrease safety. While some of the 
proposed changes would be expected to improve safety as they more 
accurately reflect real world driving conditions, others may result in 
a decrease in safety. NHTSA has determined that it does not have 
sufficient data to evaluate the safety implications of harmonizing 
FMVSS No. 205 with GTR No. 6. Therefore, NHTSA has determined that the 
most appropriate path forward at this time is to withdraw the 2012 
NPRM.
    In order to better inform future agency decisions, NHTSA is 
planning a glazing research study. NHTSA is also monitoring SAE 
International's efforts to publish a new Glazing Standard, SAE Standard 
J3097 ``Standard for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor 
Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Operating on Land Highways.'' If 
this study is undertaken as planned, it may enable the agency to reach 
clearer conclusions about the impact of harmonizing FMVSS No. 205 with 
GTR No. 6. Depending on the outcome of that study and SAE's progress, 
NHTSA would consider those data in potential next steps.
    The agency notes that this document does not represent a decision 
whether or not to adopt GTR No. 6. NHTSA voted in favor of establishing 
a global technical regulation (GTR) on automotive glazing and 
considered adopting the regulations by issuing an NPRM in 2012. 
However, after considering public comments received in response to the 
proposal, the agency is withdrawing the NPRM to reconsider its next 
steps. Accordingly, NHTSA withdraws the 2012 proposed glazing GTR 
harmonization rulemaking.

    Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 
part 1.95 and 501.5.
Heidi Renate King,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2019-06518 Filed 4-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

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