Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for an Exemption From Navistar Inc., 16328-16330 [2019-07782]

Download as PDF 16328 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2019 / Notices jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES range of 4 to 20 years. Although each applicant has one eye that does not meet the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), each has at least 20/40 corrected vision in the other eye, and, in a doctor’s opinion, has sufficient vision to perform all the tasks necessary to operate a CMV. Doctors’ opinions are supported by the applicants’ possession of a valid license to operate a CMV. By meeting State licensing requirements, the applicants demonstrated their ability to operate a CMV with their limited vision in intrastate commerce, even though their vision disqualified them from driving in interstate commerce. We believe that the applicants’ intrastate driving experience and history provide an adequate basis for predicting their ability to drive safely in interstate commerce. Intrastate driving, like interstate operations, involves substantial driving on highways on the interstate system and on other roads built to interstate standards. Moreover, driving in congested urban areas exposes the driver to more pedestrian and vehicular traffic than exists on interstate highways. Faster reaction to traffic and traffic signals is generally required because distances between them are more compact. These conditions tax visual capacity and driver response just as intensely as interstate driving conditions. The applicants in this notice have driven CMVs with their limited vision in careers ranging for 3 to 80 years. In the past three years, no drivers were involved in crashes, and two drivers were convicted of moving violations in CMVs. All the applicants achieved a record of safety while driving with their vision impairment that demonstrates the likelihood that they have adapted their driving skills to accommodate their condition. As the applicants’ ample driving histories with their vision deficiencies are good predictors of future performance, FMCSA concludes their ability to drive safely can be projected into the future. Consequently, FMCSA finds that in each case exempting these applicants from the vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) is likely to achieve a level of safety equal to that existing without the exemption. V. Conditions and Requirements The terms and conditions of the exemption are provided to the applicants in the exemption document and includes the following: (1) Each driver must be physically examined every year (a) by an ophthalmologist or optometrist who attests that the vision in the better eye continues to meet the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Apr 17, 2019 Jkt 247001 standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and (b) by a certified Medical Examiner who attests that the individual is otherwise physically qualified under 49 CFR 391.41; (2) each driver must provide a copy of the ophthalmologist’s or optometrist’s report to the Medical Examiner at the time of the annual medical examination; and (3) each driver must provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver’s qualification file, or keep a copy in his/ her driver’s qualification file if he/she is self-employed. The driver must also have a copy of the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. VI. Preemption During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with respect to a person operating under the exemption. VII. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the 12 exemption applications, FMCSA exempts the following drivers from the vision requirement, 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10), subject to the requirements cited above: Gary W. Brockway (IA) Roger W. Estes (MO) Gilbert J. Graybill (OK) Richard D. Livingston, Jr. (WI) Edgar H. Meraz Gardea (NM) Joshua G. Millican (OH) Daniel C. Reichert (GA) Gregory D. Shirah (AL) Balwant Singh (CA) Tristan A. Twito (TX) Michael L. Watters, Sr. (PA) Dana J. York (PA) In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each exemption will be valid for two years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. Issued on: April 11, 2019. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2019–07791 Filed 4–17–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0091] Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for an Exemption From Navistar Inc. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments. AGENCY: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application for exemption from Navistar Inc. (Navistar) to allow its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to be mounted lower in the windshield on Navistar’s commercial motor vehicles (CMV) than is currently permitted. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 20, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA– 2019–0091 using any of the following methods: • Website: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the Federal electronic docket site. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 0001. • Hand Delivery: Ground Floor, Room W12–140, DOT Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. e.t., Monday– Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number for this notice. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the exemption process, see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading below. 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’’ heading for further information. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov or to Room W12– 140, DOT Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2019 / Notices from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. Public participation: The https:// www.regulations.gov website is generally available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You may find electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines under the ‘‘help’’ section of the https://www.regulations.gov website as well as the DOT’s https:// docketsinfo.dot.gov website. If you would like notification that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgment page that appears after submitting comments online. Mr. Jose R. Cestero, Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division, Office of Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Safety, MC–PSV, (202) 366–5541, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 0001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Background Under 49 CFR 381.315(a), FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register. The Agency must provide the public with an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the request. The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If the Agency denies the request, it must state the reason for doing so. If the decision is to grant the exemption, the notice must specify the person or class of persons receiving the exemption and the regulatory provision or provisions from which an exemption is granted. The notice must specify the effective period of the exemption (up to 5 years) and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.315(c) and 49 CFR 381.300(b)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Apr 17, 2019 Jkt 247001 Navistar’s Application for Exemption The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) require devices meeting the definition of ‘‘vehicle safety technology,’’ including Navistar’s ADAS, to be mounted (1) not more than 4 inches below the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, or (2) not more than 7 inches above the lower edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver’s sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals. Navistar has applied for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.60(e)(1) to allow its ADAS to be mounted lower in the windshield than is currently permitted. A copy of the application is included in the docket referenced at the beginning of this notice. Because the ADAS will be mounted outside of the driver’s normal sight lines to all mirrors, Navistar believes that the exemption will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption. Section 393.60(e)(1)(i) of the FMCSRs prohibits the obstruction of the driver’s field of view by devices mounted at the top of the windshield. Antennas and similar devices must not be mounted more than 152 mm (6 inches) below the upper edge of the windshield, and outside the driver’s sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals. Section 393.60(e)(1)(i) does not apply to vehicle safety technologies, as defined in § 390.5 as including ‘‘a fleet-related incident management system, performance or behavior management system, speed management system, lane departure warning system, forward collision warning or mitigation system, active cruise control system, and transponder.’’ Section 393.60(e)(1)(ii) requires devices with vehicle safety technologies to be mounted (1) not more than 100 mm (4 inches) below the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, or (2) not more than 175 mm (7 inches) above the lower edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver’s sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals. In its application, Navistar states: Navistar is making this request so operators can operate commercial motor vehicles with Navistar’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) . . . These systems, like many other similar systems for which FMCSA has previously granted exemptions, require that a camera be mounted on the interior of the upper center area of the windshield and in an area where the windshield is swept by the windshield wipers to provide a clear view of the roadway ahead and any vehicles or obstacles that may PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16329 be in the path of the vehicle. Navistar’s ADAS system currently includes features such as enhanced rear-end collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control along with following distance alerts, stationary object alerts, lane departure warning, alerts when speeding, and automatic braking on stationary vehicles. The proposed exemption will increase safety by providing these ADAS features on Navistar commercial motor vehicles. The exemption will also allow Navistar to enable additional safety features in the future that will provide further safety benefits such as traffic sign recognition, active lane keeping, and driver fatigue monitoring. This exemption will become a critical enabler for future technology such as Autonomous Vehicles. In the Navistar installation, the camera housing is approximately 120 mm (4.72 inches) wide by 120 mm (4.72 inches) tall. We propose to mount the camera such that it is in the approximate center of the top of the windshield and such that the bottom edge of the camera housing is approximately 8 inches below the upper edge of the windshield, outside of the driver’s and passenger’s normal sight lines to the road ahead, highway signs and signals, and all mirrors. This location will allow for proper installation (including connectors and cables) for optimal functionality of the advanced safety systems supported by the camera. Navistar has created a CAD layout of a typical Navistar conventional type truck to verify that the safety device does not significantly obstruct the FMVSS 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems specified zones A, B, or C . . . The installation will not obstruct the C zone, and only obstructs <1% of B zone, and approximately 1.5% of the A zone. Navistar has virtually evaluated the impact of camera housings using digital human modeling software, and there was no noticeable obstruction to the normal sight lines to the road ahead, highway signs, signals, or any mirrors. Navistar has installed prototype camera housings in several Navistar commercial motor vehicles & operated them in typical over-the-road conditions during the past 6 months. All drivers and passengers agreed that there was no noticeable obstruction to the normal sight lines to the road ahead, highway signs, signals or any mirrors. The exemption would apply to all CMV operators driving Navistar vehicles equipped with its ADAS mounted on the windshield. Navistar believes that mounting the system as described will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption. Request for Comments In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), FMCSA requests public comment from all interested persons on Navistar’s application for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.60. All comments received before the close of business on E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1 16330 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2019 / Notices the comment closing date indicated at the beginning of this notice will be considered and will be available for examination in the docket at the location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Comments received after the comment closing date will be filed in the public docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the public docket, relevant information that becomes available after the comment closing date. Interested persons should continue to examine the public docket for new material. Issued on: April 11, 2019. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2019–07782 Filed 4–17–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0044] Commercial Driver’s License: Ohio Department of Public Safety; Application for Exemption Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces that it has received an application from the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a limited exemption from the Agency’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations. The Ohio DPS requests an exemption to modify the mandatory skills test requirements for qualified veterans who served in the military. The Ohio DPS states that its goal is to promote the opportunities for experienced commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators who have served in the military by reducing the regulatory burden for obtaining a CDL. FMCSA requests public comment on the Ohio DPS’s application for exemption. In addition, because the issue concerning the Ohio DPS request could be applicable in each of the States, FMCSA requests public comment on whether the exemption should cover all State driver licensing agencies (SDLAs), if granted. jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before May 20, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket Management System Number FMCSA– DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Apr 17, 2019 Jkt 247001 2019–0044 by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. See the Public Participation and Request for Comments section below for further information. • 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. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments received without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading below. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The on-line FDMS is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Clemente, FMCSA Driver and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety Standards; Telephone: 202–366–2722. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Participation and Request for Comments FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and related materials. Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice (FMCSA–2019–0044), indicate the specific section of this document to which the comment applies, and PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 provide a reason for suggestions or recommendations. 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 the Agency can contact you if it has questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to www.regulations.gov and put the docket number, ‘‘FMCSA–2019–0044’’ in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ When the new screen appears, click on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button and type your comment into the text box in the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. 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. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may grant or not grant this application based on your comments. II. Legal Basis FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant exemptions from certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the request. The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted, and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)) with the reasons for denying or granting the application and, if granted, the name of the person or class of persons receiving the exemption, and the regulatory provision from which the exemption is granted. The notice must also specify the effective period and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)). E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16328-16330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07782]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0091]


Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application 
for an Exemption From Navistar Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of application for exemption; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 
requests public comment on an application for exemption from Navistar 
Inc. (Navistar) to allow its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) 
to be mounted lower in the windshield on Navistar's commercial motor 
vehicles (CMV) than is currently permitted.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 20, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-2019-0091 using any of the 
following methods:
     Website: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments on the Federal electronic docket 
site.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Ground Floor, Room W12-140, DOT Building, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
e.t., Monday-Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and 
docket number for this notice. For detailed instructions on submitting 
comments and additional information on the exemption process, see the 
``Public Participation'' heading below. 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'' 
heading for further information.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or to Room W12-140, 
DOT Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments

[[Page 16329]]

from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Public participation: The https://www.regulations.gov website is 
generally available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You may find 
electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines under the 
``help'' section of the https://www.regulations.gov website as well as 
the DOT's https://docketsinfo.dot.gov website. If you would like 
notification that we received your comments, please include a self-
addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgment 
page that appears after submitting comments online.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jose R. Cestero, Vehicle and 
Roadside Operations Division, Office of Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle 
Safety, MC-PSV, (202) 366-5541, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under 49 CFR 381.315(a), FMCSA must publish a notice of each 
exemption request in the Federal Register. The Agency must provide the 
public with an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the 
application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. 
The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the 
request.
    The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments and 
determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level 
of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be 
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of 
the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 
381.315(b)). If the Agency denies the request, it must state the reason 
for doing so. If the decision is to grant the exemption, the notice 
must specify the person or class of persons receiving the exemption and 
the regulatory provision or provisions from which an exemption is 
granted. The notice must specify the effective period of the exemption 
(up to 5 years) and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. 
The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.315(c) and 49 CFR 381.300(b)).

Navistar's Application for Exemption

    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) require 
devices meeting the definition of ``vehicle safety technology,'' 
including Navistar's ADAS, to be mounted (1) not more than 4 inches 
below the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, or (2) 
not more than 7 inches above the lower edge of the area swept by the 
windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines to the road and 
highway signs and signals. Navistar has applied for an exemption from 
49 CFR 393.60(e)(1) to allow its ADAS to be mounted lower in the 
windshield than is currently permitted. A copy of the application is 
included in the docket referenced at the beginning of this notice. 
Because the ADAS will be mounted outside of the driver's normal sight 
lines to all mirrors, Navistar believes that the exemption will 
maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the 
level of safety achieved without the exemption.
    Section 393.60(e)(1)(i) of the FMCSRs prohibits the obstruction of 
the driver's field of view by devices mounted at the top of the 
windshield. Antennas and similar devices must not be mounted more than 
152 mm (6 inches) below the upper edge of the windshield, and outside 
the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals. 
Section 393.60(e)(1)(i) does not apply to vehicle safety technologies, 
as defined in Sec.  390.5 as including ``a fleet-related incident 
management system, performance or behavior management system, speed 
management system, lane departure warning system, forward collision 
warning or mitigation system, active cruise control system, and 
transponder.'' Section 393.60(e)(1)(ii) requires devices with vehicle 
safety technologies to be mounted (1) not more than 100 mm (4 inches) 
below the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, or (2) 
not more than 175 mm (7 inches) above the lower edge of the area swept 
by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines to the 
road and highway signs and signals.
    In its application, Navistar states:

    Navistar is making this request so operators can operate 
commercial motor vehicles with Navistar's advanced driver-assistance 
systems (ADAS) . . . These systems, like many other similar systems 
for which FMCSA has previously granted exemptions, require that a 
camera be mounted on the interior of the upper center area of the 
windshield and in an area where the windshield is swept by the 
windshield wipers to provide a clear view of the roadway ahead and 
any vehicles or obstacles that may be in the path of the vehicle. 
Navistar's ADAS system currently includes features such as enhanced 
rear-end collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control along with 
following distance alerts, stationary object alerts, lane departure 
warning, alerts when speeding, and automatic braking on stationary 
vehicles.
    The proposed exemption will increase safety by providing these 
ADAS features on Navistar commercial motor vehicles. The exemption 
will also allow Navistar to enable additional safety features in the 
future that will provide further safety benefits such as traffic 
sign recognition, active lane keeping, and driver fatigue 
monitoring. This exemption will become a critical enabler for future 
technology such as Autonomous Vehicles.
    In the Navistar installation, the camera housing is 
approximately 120 mm (4.72 inches) wide by 120 mm (4.72 inches) 
tall. We propose to mount the camera such that it is in the 
approximate center of the top of the windshield and such that the 
bottom edge of the camera housing is approximately 8 inches below 
the upper edge of the windshield, outside of the driver's and 
passenger's normal sight lines to the road ahead, highway signs and 
signals, and all mirrors. This location will allow for proper 
installation (including connectors and cables) for optimal 
functionality of the advanced safety systems supported by the 
camera.
    Navistar has created a CAD layout of a typical Navistar 
conventional type truck to verify that the safety device does not 
significantly obstruct the FMVSS 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing 
Systems specified zones A, B, or C . . . The installation will not 
obstruct the C zone, and only obstructs <1% of B zone, and 
approximately 1.5% of the A zone.
    Navistar has virtually evaluated the impact of camera housings 
using digital human modeling software, and there was no noticeable 
obstruction to the normal sight lines to the road ahead, highway 
signs, signals, or any mirrors. Navistar has installed prototype 
camera housings in several Navistar commercial motor vehicles & 
operated them in typical over-the-road conditions during the past 6 
months. All drivers and passengers agreed that there was no 
noticeable obstruction to the normal sight lines to the road ahead, 
highway signs, signals or any mirrors.

    The exemption would apply to all CMV operators driving Navistar 
vehicles equipped with its ADAS mounted on the windshield. Navistar 
believes that mounting the system as described will maintain a level of 
safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety 
achieved without the exemption.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), FMCSA requests 
public comment from all interested persons on Navistar's application 
for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.60. All comments received before the 
close of business on

[[Page 16330]]

the comment closing date indicated at the beginning of this notice will 
be considered and will be available for examination in the docket at 
the location listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. 
Comments received after the comment closing date will be filed in the 
public docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. In 
addition to late comments, FMCSA will also continue to file, in the 
public docket, relevant information that becomes available after the 
comment closing date. Interested persons should continue to examine the 
public docket for new material.

    Issued on: April 11, 2019.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-07782 Filed 4-17-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P

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