Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety, 84669-84671 [2024-24432]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 / Notices
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(a)).
The Agency must publish its decision in
the Federal Register (49 CFR
381.315(b)). If granted, the notice will
identify the regulatory provision from
which the applicant will be exempt, the
effective period, and all terms and
conditions of the exemption (49 CFR
381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is
denied, the notice will explain the
reason for the denial (49 CFR
381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be
renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
III. Casey’s Request
Casey seeks an exemption from the
requirement in 49 CFR 393.25(e) that all
exterior lamps (both required lamps and
any additional lamps) be steady
burning, except for turn signal lamps,
hazard warning signal lamps, school bus
warning lamps, amber warning lamps or
flashing warning lamps on tow trucks
and CMVs transporting oversized loads,
and warning lamps on emergency and
service vehicles authorized by State or
local authorities.
Casey asserts that using the Intellistop
module, which pulses the rear
clearance, identification, and brake
lamps from low-level lighting intensity
to high-level lighting intensity 4 times
in 2 seconds when the brakes are
applied rather than providing steady
burning lamps during the first 2
seconds, would enhance rear signal
systems. Casey submits that pulsing the
rear brake lamps of a CMV may
significantly increase visibility and
reduce the frequency of rear-end
crashes, and thus would maintain a
level of safety that is equivalent to, or
greater than, the level that the CMV
would achieve without the requested
exemption.
On October 7, 2022, FMCSA denied
Intellistop’s application for an industrywide exemption (87 FR 61133) to allow
all motor carriers to operate CMVs
equipped with Intellistop’s module.
FMCSA noted that the decision did not
preclude individual motor carriers from
seeking an exemption from 49 CFR
393.25(e) to purchase, install, and use
Intellistop’s device subject to terms and
conditions to allow sufficient
monitoring of the use of the device.
Consistent with the October 7, 2022,
decision, the Agency seeks public
comment on Casey’s carrier-specific
exemption application.
A copy of Casey’s application is
included in the docket referenced at the
beginning of this notice.
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18:48 Oct 22, 2024
Jkt 265001
IV. Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C.
31315(b), FMCSA requests public
comment from all interested persons on
Casey’s application for a five-year
exemption from 49 CFR 393.25(e) to
allow the company to operate CMVs
equipped with Intellistop’s module
which pulses the rear clearance,
identification and brake lamps from
low-level lighting intensity to high-level
lighting intensity 4 times in 2 seconds
when the brakes are applied.
All comments received before the
close of business on the comment
closing date 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 may 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.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024–24574 Filed 10–22–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2024–0069]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Automated Driving Systems
2.0: A Vision for Safety
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for public
comments on an extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
AGENCY:
NHTSA invites public
comments about our intention to request
approval from the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for an extension of
a currently approved information
collection. Before a Federal agency can
collect certain information from the
public, it must receive approval from
OMB. Under procedures established by
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before seeking OMB approval, Federal
agencies must solicit public comment
on proposed collections of information,
including extensions and reinstatement
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
84669
of previously approved collections. This
document describes a collection of
information for which NHTSA intends
to seek OMB extension approval titled
‘‘Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A
Vision for Safety’’ and is identified by
OMB Control Number 2127–0723,
currently approved through February
28, 2025. The burden hour calculations
have been adjusted to reflect a reduction
in annual respondents resulting in a
reduction in burden hours from 12,000
annually to 2,400 annually.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before December 23, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by the Docket No. NHTSA–
2024–0069 through any of the following
methods:
• Electronic submissions: Go to the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket
Management, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12–
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To
be sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 366–9322 before
coming.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
number for this notice. 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 below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78) or you may visit https://
www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. Follow the online
instructions for accessing the dockets
via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information or access to
background documents, contact Debbie
Sweet, Office of Vehicle Safety Research
(NSR–010), (202) 366–7179, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
W46–417, U.S. Department of
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84670
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 / Notices
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Please identify the relevant collection of
information by referring to its OMB
Control Number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency
submits a proposed collection of
information to OMB for approval, it
must first publish a document in the
Federal Register providing a 60-day
comment period and otherwise consult
with members of the public and affected
agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing
what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB’s regulation (at
5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask
for public comment on the following: (a)
whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(c) how to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) how to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses. In compliance with these
requirements, NHTSA asks for public
comments on the following proposed
collection of information for which the
agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Automated Driving Systems 2.0:
A Vision for Safety.
OMB Control Number: 2127–0723.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of
Approval: 3 years from date of approval.
Summary of the Collection of
Information:
In September 2017, NHTSA published
a policy document titled, Automated
Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety
(ADS 2.0). Recognizing the potential
that Automated Driving Systems (ADSs)
have to enhance safety and mobility,
this policy document set out an
approach to enable the safe deployment
of ADS-equipped vehicles. ADS 2.0
contains 12 priority safety design
elements, each of which contains safety
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:48 Oct 22, 2024
Jkt 265001
goals and approaches that could be used
to achieve those safety goals. Entities
engaged in ADS testing and deployment
may demonstrate how they address—via
industry best practices, their own best
practices, or other appropriate
methods—the safety elements by
publishing a Voluntary Safety SelfAssessment (VSSA). The VSSA is the
medium of collection of information for
ADS 2.0. NHTSA provides the VSSA
Index on the agency’s website as a
pointer system for entities’ VSSAs.
Description of the Need for the
Information and Proposed Use of the
Information:
The VSSA is intended to demonstrate
to the public (particularly States and
consumers) that entities are: (1)
considering the safety aspects of ADSs;
(2) communicating and collaborating
with DOT; (3) encouraging the selfestablishment of industry safety norms
for ADSs; and (4) building public trust,
acceptance, and confidence through
transparent testing and deployment of
ADSs. It also allows companies an
opportunity to showcase their approach
to safety, without needing to reveal
proprietary intellectual property.
Entities collecting information and
disclosing that information via a
Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment have
been given the flexibility to disclose the
information in a format deemed
appropriate for that particular entity.
Each entity has selected the layout,
presentation, and verbiage structure that
best fits its needs and goals.
Members of the public can retrieve
the VSSA in order to understand the
technology, learn about how the testing
and safety elements are incorporated in
the design and function of a system or
vehicle, and become aware of the testing
and deployments in locations around
the country.
State stakeholders have expressed
they would use the information in the
VSSA to assess the safety of ADSs on
their roadways. Those States looking to
require application and permission to
test and deploy ADSs review the VSSA
prior to issuing the permit. The States
also use information in the VSSA to
communicate with law enforcement and
first responders as well as to educate the
public.
Other consumer-based stakeholders
access the information in the VSSA to
gather information to identify risk,
inform decisions, and educate, among
other uses.
Affected Public: Entities involved in
the testing and deployment of ADS.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 4.
Frequency: Once.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 2,400 hours.
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Sfmt 4703
Estimating Respondents for this
Information Collection: This extension
of a currently approved collection
includes changes in the annual
respondents and thus a decrease in the
annual burden hours to the public. The
changes are based on observations of the
current and past information
collections.
NHTSA has combined multiple
public lists of ADS entities to determine
the potential universe of potential
entities that may (past or future)
develop a VSSA. Accessed on October
3, 2024, NHTSA combined entities that
were listed on the current VSSA Index,
the California Department of Motor
Vehicle Autonomous Vehicles list of
permit holders (testing with a driver,
driverless testing, and deployment), and
the entities that have submitted ADS
incident reports through the Standing
General Order. Staff then reviewed the
list to determine which entities were no
longer operational in the United States.
This provided a universe as well as a
grounding in the size of the industry,
which entities have developed a VSSA
in years past, and whether newer
entrants are present in the universe such
that they may develop a VSSA. The
result of these steps was 59 ADS
entities.
Of the 59 entities, 27 have developed
and made public a VSSA since the
collections began according to the VSSA
Index. NHTSA is not aware that any of
the 27 have updated the full VSSA
during that time period. Two of those
entities have released an appendix with
separate information not included in
ADS 2.0. NHTSA assumes these entities
will not update their VSSA in the next
three years. Table 1 provides a list of
VSSA publication date since 2017. The
average over the lifetime of ADS 2.0 is
three VSSAs per year. Perhaps more
reflective of the recent industry, the
average over the current collection
(three years) is 4 VSSAs per year.
TABLE 1—VSSA DISSEMINATION TO
DATE
Release
Webpage Only (no structured VSSA) ......................
Inactive pointer location ........
2018 ......................................
2019 ......................................
2020 ......................................
2021 ......................................
2022 ......................................
2023 ......................................
2024 ......................................
Seven-year average .............
Three-year Average (period
of current ICR) ..................
E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM
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Number
2
4
1
1
3
4
2
6
4
3
4
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 / Notices
Taking into account the universe
established (59 entities) and those that
have disseminated a VSSA or suggested
a web page through the VSSA Index
(27), NHTSA believes there is a
potential for another 32 entities to
publish a VSSA; however, the maturity
of the entity itself, the development of
the ADS, and the partnerships
established within the industry, NHTSA
does not assume all 32 will develop a
VSSA over the coming three years. This
is bolstered by the fact that it has taken
seven years for dissemination of 27
VSSAs.
NHTSA will use the most recent
three-year average of four VSSAs per
year for an estimation of VSSA
dissemination or publication for the
duration of this information collection
extension. Therefore, the number of
respondents annually is four and the
frequency is once per year.
Estimating Burden for Each
Respondent: Components of the
Voluntary Guidance in ADS 2.0 and
public disclosure of the VSSA have not
changed since release in 2017.
Therefore, these estimates of time to
summarize how an entity is addressing
the safety elements remains the same as
the current information collection.
NHTSA has not received comments that
these estimates are erroneous.
Development of a VSSA is expected to
involve burden for format, content, and
summary, varying by safety element.
NHTSA estimates that each entity will
spend approximately 600 hours to
develop and disseminate a VSSA. Table
2 provides a breakdown of burden hours
by safety element.
amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order
1351.29A.
TABLE 3—CALCULATION OF ANNUAL
BURDEN HOURS
Estimated Annual Respondents ...................................
Estimated Burden Hours for
Voluntary Assessment Dissemination .........................
600
Total Estimated Burden
Hours for Industry per
Year ...............................
2,400
4
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25
25
25
25
90
45
85
Total Burden Hours Per
ADS ...............................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:48 Oct 22, 2024
600
Jkt 265001
Cem Hatipoglu,
Associate Administrator, Vehicle Safety
Research.
[FR Doc. 2024–24432 Filed 10–22–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of the Fiscal Service
The change reflected in this extension
is a reduction of 9,600 burden hours
annually.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost:
$282,384.
NHTSA estimates the hourly cost
associated with preparing VSSAs to be
$117.66 1 per hour using the Bureau of
Labor Statistics’ mean hourly wage
estimate for architectural and
engineering managers in the motor
vehicle manufacturing industry
(Standard Occupational Classification #
11–9041). Therefore, the estimated
annual burden to each respondent is
$70,596 (600 hours × $117.66).
Therefore, the annual estimated labor
costs to all respondents to this
collection is $282,384. This reflects a
decrease of $885,936 for labor costs
annually.
Public Comments Invited: You are
asked to comment on any aspects of this
information collection, including (a)
whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Department, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
TABLE 2—BURDEN HOURS ESTIMATES (b) the accuracy of the Department’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
FOR VSSA, PER SAFETY ELEMENT
information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity
Burden
hours
Safety element in voluntary
for VSSA
of the information to be collected; and
guidance
development
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the
A. System Safety ..................
30 collection of information on
respondents, including the use of
B. Operational Design Domain ..................................
25 automated collection techniques or
C. Object and Event Detecother forms of information technology.
tion and Response ............
45
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction
D. Fallback ............................
90
E. Validation Methods ..........
90 Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as
F. Human Machine Interface
G. Vehicle Cybersecurity ......
H. Crashworthiness ..............
I. Post-Crash ADS Behavior
J. Data Recording .................
K. Consumer Education and
Training .............................
L. Federal, State, and Local
Laws ..................................
84671
1 The hourly wage is estimated to be $82.83 per
hour. National Industry-Specific Occupational
Employment and Wage Estimates NAICS 336100–
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, May 2023, https://
www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_336100.htm, last
accessed October 9, 2024. The Bureau of Labor
Statistics estimates that wages represent 70.2
percent of total compensation to private workers, on
average. Therefore, NHTSA estimates the total
hourly compensation cost to be $117.66.
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Sfmt 4703
Proposed Collection of Information:
Request for Payment of Federal
Benefit by Check, EFT Waiver Form
Notice and request for
comments.
ACTION:
The Department of the
Treasury, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, invites the general public and
other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on proposed
and/or continuing information
collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Currently the Bureau of the Fiscal
Service within the Department of the
Treasury is soliciting comments
concerning the Request for Payment of
Federal Benefit by Check, EFT Waiver
Form.
DATES: Written comments should be
received on or before December 23, 2024
to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
and requests for additional information
to Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Bruce A.
Sharp, Room #4006–A, P.O. Box 1328,
Parkersburg, WV 26106–1328, or
bruce.sharp@fiscal.treasury.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Request for Payment of Federal
Benefit by Check, EFT Waiver Form.
OMB Number: 1530–0019.
Form Number: FS Form 1201W, FS
Form 1201W–DFAS, FS Form 1201W
(SP).
Abstract: 31 CFR part 208 requires
that all Federal non-tax payments be
made by electronic funds transfer (EFT).
The forms are used to collect
information from individuals requesting
a waiver from the EFT requirement
because of a mental impairment, living
in a remote geographic location that
does not support the use of EFT, or
persons born on or before May 1, 1921.
These individuals may continue to
receive payment by check. However, 31
CFR part 208 requires individuals
requesting one of these waiver
conditions to submit a written
justification that is notarized by a notary
public. In order to assist individuals
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84669-84671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24432]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2024-0069]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for public comments on an extension of a
currently approved information collection.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an
extension of a currently approved information collection. Before a
Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must
receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal
agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of
information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously
approved collections. This document describes a collection of
information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB extension approval
titled ``Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety'' and is
identified by OMB Control Number 2127-0723, currently approved through
February 28, 2025. The burden hour calculations have been adjusted to
reflect a reduction in annual respondents resulting in a reduction in
burden hours from 12,000 annually to 2,400 annually.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 23, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket No. NHTSA-
2024-0069 through any of the following methods:
Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help
you, please call (202) 366-9322 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this notice. 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
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access
to background documents, contact Debbie Sweet, Office of Vehicle Safety
Research (NSR-010), (202) 366-7179, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, W46-417, U.S. Department of
[[Page 84670]]
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Please
identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB
Control Number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency submits a proposed
collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a
document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must
ask for public comment on the following: (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) how to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA
asks for public comments on the following proposed collection of
information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety.
OMB Control Number: 2127-0723.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of Information:
In September 2017, NHTSA published a policy document titled,
Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety (ADS 2.0).
Recognizing the potential that Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) have to
enhance safety and mobility, this policy document set out an approach
to enable the safe deployment of ADS-equipped vehicles. ADS 2.0
contains 12 priority safety design elements, each of which contains
safety goals and approaches that could be used to achieve those safety
goals. Entities engaged in ADS testing and deployment may demonstrate
how they address--via industry best practices, their own best
practices, or other appropriate methods--the safety elements by
publishing a Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment (VSSA). The VSSA is the
medium of collection of information for ADS 2.0. NHTSA provides the
VSSA Index on the agency's website as a pointer system for entities'
VSSAs.
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the
Information:
The VSSA is intended to demonstrate to the public (particularly
States and consumers) that entities are: (1) considering the safety
aspects of ADSs; (2) communicating and collaborating with DOT; (3)
encouraging the self-establishment of industry safety norms for ADSs;
and (4) building public trust, acceptance, and confidence through
transparent testing and deployment of ADSs. It also allows companies an
opportunity to showcase their approach to safety, without needing to
reveal proprietary intellectual property.
Entities collecting information and disclosing that information via
a Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment have been given the flexibility to
disclose the information in a format deemed appropriate for that
particular entity. Each entity has selected the layout, presentation,
and verbiage structure that best fits its needs and goals.
Members of the public can retrieve the VSSA in order to understand
the technology, learn about how the testing and safety elements are
incorporated in the design and function of a system or vehicle, and
become aware of the testing and deployments in locations around the
country.
State stakeholders have expressed they would use the information in
the VSSA to assess the safety of ADSs on their roadways. Those States
looking to require application and permission to test and deploy ADSs
review the VSSA prior to issuing the permit. The States also use
information in the VSSA to communicate with law enforcement and first
responders as well as to educate the public.
Other consumer-based stakeholders access the information in the
VSSA to gather information to identify risk, inform decisions, and
educate, among other uses.
Affected Public: Entities involved in the testing and deployment of
ADS.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 4.
Frequency: Once.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,400 hours.
Estimating Respondents for this Information Collection: This
extension of a currently approved collection includes changes in the
annual respondents and thus a decrease in the annual burden hours to
the public. The changes are based on observations of the current and
past information collections.
NHTSA has combined multiple public lists of ADS entities to
determine the potential universe of potential entities that may (past
or future) develop a VSSA. Accessed on October 3, 2024, NHTSA combined
entities that were listed on the current VSSA Index, the California
Department of Motor Vehicle Autonomous Vehicles list of permit holders
(testing with a driver, driverless testing, and deployment), and the
entities that have submitted ADS incident reports through the Standing
General Order. Staff then reviewed the list to determine which entities
were no longer operational in the United States. This provided a
universe as well as a grounding in the size of the industry, which
entities have developed a VSSA in years past, and whether newer
entrants are present in the universe such that they may develop a VSSA.
The result of these steps was 59 ADS entities.
Of the 59 entities, 27 have developed and made public a VSSA since
the collections began according to the VSSA Index. NHTSA is not aware
that any of the 27 have updated the full VSSA during that time period.
Two of those entities have released an appendix with separate
information not included in ADS 2.0. NHTSA assumes these entities will
not update their VSSA in the next three years. Table 1 provides a list
of VSSA publication date since 2017. The average over the lifetime of
ADS 2.0 is three VSSAs per year. Perhaps more reflective of the recent
industry, the average over the current collection (three years) is 4
VSSAs per year.
Table 1--VSSA Dissemination to Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Release Number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Webpage Only (no structured VSSA)....................... 2
Inactive pointer location............................... 4
2018.................................................... 1
2019.................................................... 1
2020.................................................... 3
2021.................................................... 4
2022.................................................... 2
2023.................................................... 6
2024.................................................... 4
Seven-year average...................................... 3
Three-year Average (period of current ICR).............. 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 84671]]
Taking into account the universe established (59 entities) and
those that have disseminated a VSSA or suggested a web page through the
VSSA Index (27), NHTSA believes there is a potential for another 32
entities to publish a VSSA; however, the maturity of the entity itself,
the development of the ADS, and the partnerships established within the
industry, NHTSA does not assume all 32 will develop a VSSA over the
coming three years. This is bolstered by the fact that it has taken
seven years for dissemination of 27 VSSAs.
NHTSA will use the most recent three-year average of four VSSAs per
year for an estimation of VSSA dissemination or publication for the
duration of this information collection extension. Therefore, the
number of respondents annually is four and the frequency is once per
year.
Estimating Burden for Each Respondent: Components of the Voluntary
Guidance in ADS 2.0 and public disclosure of the VSSA have not changed
since release in 2017. Therefore, these estimates of time to summarize
how an entity is addressing the safety elements remains the same as the
current information collection. NHTSA has not received comments that
these estimates are erroneous.
Development of a VSSA is expected to involve burden for format,
content, and summary, varying by safety element. NHTSA estimates that
each entity will spend approximately 600 hours to develop and
disseminate a VSSA. Table 2 provides a breakdown of burden hours by
safety element.
Table 2--Burden Hours Estimates for VSSA, per Safety Element
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burden hours
Safety element in voluntary guidance for VSSA
development
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. System Safety........................................ 30
B. Operational Design Domain............................ 25
C. Object and Event Detection and Response.............. 45
D. Fallback............................................. 90
E. Validation Methods................................... 90
F. Human Machine Interface.............................. 25
G. Vehicle Cybersecurity................................ 25
H. Crashworthiness...................................... 25
I. Post-Crash ADS Behavior.............................. 25
J. Data Recording....................................... 90
K. Consumer Education and Training...................... 45
L. Federal, State, and Local Laws....................... 85
---------------
Total Burden Hours Per ADS............................ 600
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Calculation of Annual Burden Hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Annual Respondents............................ 4
Estimated Burden Hours for Voluntary Assessment 600
Dissemination..........................................
---------------
Total Estimated Burden Hours for Industry per Year.... 2,400
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The change reflected in this extension is a reduction of 9,600
burden hours annually.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $282,384.
NHTSA estimates the hourly cost associated with preparing VSSAs to
be $117.66 \1\ per hour using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' mean
hourly wage estimate for architectural and engineering managers in the
motor vehicle manufacturing industry (Standard Occupational
Classification # 11-9041). Therefore, the estimated annual burden to
each respondent is $70,596 (600 hours x $117.66). Therefore, the annual
estimated labor costs to all respondents to this collection is
$282,384. This reflects a decrease of $885,936 for labor costs
annually.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The hourly wage is estimated to be $82.83 per hour. National
Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates NAICS
336100-Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, May 2023, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_336100.htm, last accessed October 9, 2024. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that wages represent 70.2
percent of total compensation to private workers, on average.
Therefore, NHTSA estimates the total hourly compensation cost to be
$117.66.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of
this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate
of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A.
Cem Hatipoglu,
Associate Administrator, Vehicle Safety Research.
[FR Doc. 2024-24432 Filed 10-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
