Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Vision Systems North America, Inc. Application for an Exemption, 50878-50880 [2019-20904]
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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
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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:
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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VerDate Sep<11>2014
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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
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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
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]]>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
