Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Vision Systems North America, Inc. Application for an Exemption, 50878-50880 [2019-20904]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 50878 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2019 / Notices ‘‘issue or revise regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft’’ without having to undergo the medical certification process prescribed by FAA regulations if the pilot and aircraft meet certain prescribed conditions as outlined in FESSA. This collection enables those eligible airmen to establish their eligibility with the FAA. DATES: Written comments should be submitted by November 25, 2019. ADDRESSES: Please send written comments: By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into search field). By mail: Dwayne C. Morris, AFS–820, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591. By email: chris.morris@faa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradley C. Zeigler by email at: bradley.c.zeigler@faa.gov; phone: 202– 267–9601. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA’s performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. OMB Control Number: 2120–0770. Title: Alternative Pilot Physical Examination and Education Requirements. Form Numbers: FAA forms 8700–2 and 8700–3. Type of Review: Renewal. Background: The FAA will use this information to determine that individual pilots have met the requirements of section 2307 of Public Law 114–190. It is important for the FAA to know this information as the vast majority of pilots conducting operations described in section 2307 of Public Law 114–190 must either hold a valid medical certificate or be conducting operations using the requirements of section 2307 as an alternative to holding a medical certificate. The FAA published a final rule, Alternative Pilot Physical Examination and Education Requirements, to implement the provisions of section 2307, on January 11, 2017. Respondents: Approximately 50,000 individuals. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:48 Sep 25, 2019 Jkt 247001 Frequency: Course: Once every two years; medical exam: once every four years. Estimated Average Burden per Response: 21 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 17,500 hours. Issued in Washington, DC on September 23, 2019. Dwayne C. Morris, Project Manager, Flight Standards Service, General Aviation and Commercial Division. [FR Doc. 2019–20901 Filed 9–25–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0159] Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Vision Systems North America, Inc. Application for an Exemption 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 exemption application from Vision Systems North America, Inc. (VSNA) to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) equipped with the company’s SmartVision high definition camera monitoring system (Smart-Vision) as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). VSNA states that its Smart-Vision system provides the same functionality and view as traditional mirrors but with high-definition cameras and interior displays. VSNA believes the exemption would maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption because the Smart-Vision system meets or exceeds the performance requirements for traditional mirrors under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s standards, which are crossreferenced by the FMCSRs. DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 28, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA– 2019–0159 using any of the following methods: • Website: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 instructions for submitting comments on the Federal electronic docket site. • Fax: (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., MondayFriday, except Federal holidays. • Submissions Containing Confidential Business Information (CBI): Mr. Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Evaluation Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments, including information collection comments for the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jose Cestero, Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division, Office of Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Safety, MC–PSV, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 0001; (202) 366–5541; jose.cestero@ dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation and Request for Comments Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice (Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0159), indicate the specific section of this document to which your comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that FMCSA can contact you if there are questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#! docketDetail;D=FMCSA-2019-0159, click on the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button and type your comment into the text box on the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2019 / Notices 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, self-addressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may make changes based on your comments. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to the NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to the NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission that constitutes CBI as ‘‘PROPIN’’ to indicate it contains proprietary information. FMCSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of the NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Mr. Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Analysis Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington DC 20590. Any comments FMCSA receives which are not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Viewing Comments and Documents To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#! docketDetail;D=FMCSA-2019-0159 and choose the document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Docket Operations in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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 from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:48 Sep 25, 2019 Jkt 247001 www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. Background Under Agency regulations, FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). 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 Agency’s decision 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)). VSNA Application for Exemption VSNA has applied for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.80(a) to allow its Smart-Vision system to be installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required on CMVs. A copy of the application is included in the docket referenced at the beginning of this notice. Section 393.80(a) of the FMCSRs requires that each bus, truck, and trucktractor be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side. The mirrors must be positioned to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear and the area along both sides of the CMV. Section 393.80(a) cross-references NTHSA’s standards for mirrors on motor vehicles (49 CFR 571.111, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard [FMVSS] No. 111). Paragraph S7.1 of FMVSS No. 111 provides requirements for mirrors on multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 4,536 kg and less than 11,340 kg and each bus, other than a school bus, with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kg. Paragraph S8.1 provides requirements for mirrors on PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50879 multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks with a GVWR of 11,340 kg or more. The Smart-Vision system consists of multiple digital cameras firmly mounted high on the exterior of the vehicle, enclosed in an aerodynamic package that provides both environmental protection for the cameras and a mounting location for optimal visibility. Each camera has proprietary video processing software that presents a clear, high-definition image to the driver by means of a monitor firmly mounted to each A-pillar of the CMV, i.e., the structural member between the windshield and door of the cab. VSNA explains that attaching the monitors to the A-pillars avoids the creation of incremental blind spots while eliminating the blind spots associated with conventional mirrors. VSNA states that its Smart-Vision system meets or exceeds the visibility requirements in FMVSS No. 111 based on the following factors: • Increased field of view (FOV) when compared to conventional mirrors—The Smart-Vision system enables the driver to see (1) vehicles and pedestrians in the ‘‘No-Zone,’’ (2) multiple lanes of traffic and overtaking vehicles that are entering the commercial vehicle ‘‘No-Zone,’’ (3) tire fires, and (4) loose straps, ropes, or chains when transporting open cargo. • Increased Image Quality—The Smart-Vision system provides enhanced vision in inclement weather, higher visibility in low light conditions, and filters out sunlight glare at dawn and dusk, improving driver visibility. • Fail-safe design—The Smart-Vision system has a fail-safe design due to the independent video processing of multiple camera images, additionally supported by software diagnostics to ensure that ‘‘real time images’’ are displayed and that any unlikely partial failure is clearly identified. • Reduced Driver Fatigue—The Smart-Vision system results in less lateral head and eye movement due to the monitor location on the A-pillar, and VSNA believes that this may result in lower levels of driver fatigue after extended driving times. The exemption would apply to all CMV operators driving vehicles equipped with the Smart-Vision system. VSNA believes that mounting the system as described would 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 E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 50880 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 187 / Thursday, September 26, 2019 / Notices VSNA’s application for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.80(a). All comments received before the close of business on 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: September 19, 2019. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2019–20904 Filed 9–25–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. MARAD–2019–0095] Deepwater Port License Application: West Delta LNG LLC Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice of Application. AGENCY: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:48 Sep 25, 2019 Jkt 247001 Mr. Matthew Layman, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone: 202–372–1421, email: Matthew.D.Layman@uscg.mil, or Ms. Yvette Fields, Maritime Administration, telephone: 202–366–0926, email: Yvette.Fields@dot.gov. For questions regarding viewing the Docket, call Docket Operations, telephone: 202–366– 9317 or 202–366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announce they have received an application from West Delta LNG LLC (Applicant) for the licensing of a deepwater port and that the application for the West Delta LNG deepwater port (West Delta LNG) contains information sufficient to commence processing. This notice summarizes the Applicant’s plans and the procedures that will be followed in considering the application. DATES: The Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended, requires at least one public hearing on this application to be held in the designated Adjacent Coastal State(s) not later than 240 days after publication of this notice, and a decision on the application not later than 90 days after the final public hearing(s). ADDRESSES: The public docket for the West Delta LNG deepwater port license application is maintained by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Management Facility, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. The license application is available for viewing at the Regulations.gov website: https:// SUMMARY: www.regulations.gov under docket number MARAD–2019–0095. We encourage you to submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the public docket at the address listed above or faxed to 202–493–2251. Comments that are sent to the docket should include the docket number, which is MARAD– 2019–0095. If you submit your comments electronically, it is not necessary to also submit a hard copy. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted. Anonymous comments will be accepted. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. The Federal Docket Management Facility’s telephone number is 202–366–9317 or 202–366– 9826, the fax number is 202–493–2251. If you cannot submit material using https://www.regulations.gov, please contact either Mr. Matthew Layman, USCG or Ms. Yvette Fields, MARAD, as listed in the following FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. Receipt of Application On August 28, 2019, MARAD and USCG received an application from the Applicant for all Federal authorizations required for a license to own, construct, and operate a deepwater port for the export of natural gas as authorized by the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. (the Act), and implemented under 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 148, 149, and 150. After a coordinated completeness review by MARAD, the USCG, and other cooperating Federal agencies, the application is deemed complete and contains information sufficient to initiate processing. Background The Act defines a deepwater port as any fixed or floating manmade structure other than a vessel, or any group of such PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 structures, that are located beyond State seaward boundaries and used or intended for use as a port or terminal for the transportation, storage, and further handling of oil or natural gas for transportation to, or from, any State. A deepwater port includes all components and equipment, including pipelines, pumping or compressor stations, service platforms, buoys, mooring lines, and similar facilities that are proposed as part of a deepwater port to the extent they are located seaward of the highwater mark. The Secretary of Transportation delegated to the Maritime Administrator authorities related to licensing deepwater ports (49 CFR 1.93(h)). Statutory and regulatory requirements for processing applications and licensing appear in 33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. and 33 CFR part 148. Under delegations from, and agreements between, the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Homeland Security, applications are jointly processed by MARAD and USCG. Each application is considered on its merits. In accordance with 33 U.S.C. 1504(f) for all applications, MARAD and the USCG, working in cooperation with other involved Federal agencies and departments, shall comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), among others, participate in the processing of deepwater port applications and assist in the NEPA process as described in 40 CFR 1501.6. Each agency may participate in scoping and/or other public meeting(s), and may incorporate the MARAD/USCG environmental impact review for purposes of their jurisdictional permitting processes, to the extent applicable. Comments related to this deepwater port application addressed to the EPA, USACE, or other federal agencies should note the federal docket number, MARAD–2019–0095. Each comment will be incorporated into the Department of Transportation (DOT) docket and considered as the environmental impact analysis is developed to ensure consistency with the NEPA process. All connected actions, permits, approvals and authorizations will be considered during the processing of the E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50878-50880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20904]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0159]


Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Vision 
Systems North America, Inc. Application for an Exemption

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 exemption application from Vision Systems 
North America, Inc. (VSNA) to allow motor carriers to operate 
commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) equipped with the company's Smart-
Vision high definition camera monitoring system (Smart-Vision) as an 
alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). VSNA states that its Smart-
Vision system provides the same functionality and view as traditional 
mirrors but with high-definition cameras and interior displays. VSNA 
believes the exemption would maintain a level of safety that is 
equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without 
the exemption because the Smart-Vision system meets or exceeds the 
performance requirements for traditional mirrors under the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s standards, which are 
cross-referenced by the FMCSRs.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 28, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) Docket ID FMCSA-2019-0159 using any of the 
following methods:
     Website: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments on the Federal electronic docket 
site.
     Fax: (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.
     Submissions Containing Confidential Business Information 
(CBI): Mr. Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Evaluation Division, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting 
comments, including information collection comments for the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice (Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0159), indicate the specific section of 
this document to which your comment applies, and provide a reason for 
each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and 
material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only 
one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a 
mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of 
your document so that FMCSA can contact you if there are questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FMCSA-2019-0159, click on the ``Comment Now!'' button 
and type your comment into the text box on the following screen. Choose 
whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf 
of a third party and then submit.

[[Page 50879]]

    If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ 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, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the 
comment period and may make changes based on your comments.
Confidential Business Information
    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to the NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
the NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission that 
constitutes CBI as ``PROPIN'' to indicate it contains proprietary 
information. FMCSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential 
under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of the 
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Mr. Brian Dahlin, 
Chief, Regulatory Analysis Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington DC 20590. Any 
comments FMCSA receives which are not specifically designated as CBI 
will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this 
preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FMCSA-2019-0159 and choose the 
document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may 
view the docket online by visiting Docket Operations in Room W12-140 on 
the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, 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 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.

Background

    Under Agency regulations, FMCSA must publish a notice of each 
exemption request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). 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 Agency's 
decision 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)).

VSNA Application for Exemption

    VSNA has applied for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.80(a) to allow 
its Smart-Vision system to be installed as an alternative to the two 
rear-vision mirrors required on CMVs. A copy of the application is 
included in the docket referenced at the beginning of this notice.
    Section 393.80(a) of the FMCSRs requires that each bus, truck, and 
truck-tractor be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each 
side. The mirrors must be positioned to reflect to the driver a view of 
the highway to the rear and the area along both sides of the CMV. 
Section 393.80(a) cross-references NTHSA's standards for mirrors on 
motor vehicles (49 CFR 571.111, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
[FMVSS] No. 111). Paragraph S7.1 of FMVSS No. 111 provides requirements 
for mirrors on multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks with a gross 
vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 4,536 kg and less than 11,340 
kg and each bus, other than a school bus, with a GVWR of more than 
4,536 kg. Paragraph S8.1 provides requirements for mirrors on 
multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks with a GVWR of 11,340 kg or 
more.
    The Smart-Vision system consists of multiple digital cameras firmly 
mounted high on the exterior of the vehicle, enclosed in an aerodynamic 
package that provides both environmental protection for the cameras and 
a mounting location for optimal visibility. Each camera has proprietary 
video processing software that presents a clear, high-definition image 
to the driver by means of a monitor firmly mounted to each A-pillar of 
the CMV, i.e., the structural member between the windshield and door of 
the cab. VSNA explains that attaching the monitors to the A-pillars 
avoids the creation of incremental blind spots while eliminating the 
blind spots associated with conventional mirrors. VSNA states that its 
Smart-Vision system meets or exceeds the visibility requirements in 
FMVSS No. 111 based on the following factors:
     Increased field of view (FOV) when compared to 
conventional mirrors--The Smart-Vision system enables the driver to see 
(1) vehicles and pedestrians in the ``No-Zone,'' (2) multiple lanes of 
traffic and overtaking vehicles that are entering the commercial 
vehicle ``No-Zone,'' (3) tire fires, and (4) loose straps, ropes, or 
chains when transporting open cargo.
     Increased Image Quality--The Smart-Vision system provides 
enhanced vision in inclement weather, higher visibility in low light 
conditions, and filters out sunlight glare at dawn and dusk, improving 
driver visibility.
     Fail-safe design--The Smart-Vision system has a fail-safe 
design due to the independent video processing of multiple camera 
images, additionally supported by software diagnostics to ensure that 
``real time images'' are displayed and that any unlikely partial 
failure is clearly identified.
     Reduced Driver Fatigue--The Smart-Vision system results in 
less lateral head and eye movement due to the monitor location on the 
A-pillar, and VSNA believes that this may result in lower levels of 
driver fatigue after extended driving times.
    The exemption would apply to all CMV operators driving vehicles 
equipped with the Smart-Vision system. VSNA believes that mounting the 
system as described would 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

[[Page 50880]]

VSNA's application for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.80(a). All comments 
received before the close of business on 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: September 19, 2019.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-20904 Filed 9-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P


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