National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document responds to a petition for reconsideration of a final rule issued by this agency on May 13, 2011. The final rule amended the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for motorcycle helmets. Specifically, the final rule amended the helmet labeling requirements and compliance test procedures in order to make it more difficult to misleadingly label novelty helmets and to aid the agency in enforcing the standard. This document addresses issues raised in a petition for reconsideration relating to early compliance with the amended requirements.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on May 30, 2012 [77 FR 31910]. No comments were received. This document describes the collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval. The collection of information described is the ``Roof Crush Resistance Phase in Reporting RequirementsPart 585.'' (OMB Control Number: 2127-XXXX)

On August 5, 2011, the agency published a final rule amending the requirements for voluntarily installed event data recorders (EDRs) established in August 2006. In response to the August 2011 final rule, the agency received three petitions for reconsideration from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Automotive Safety Council, and Honda Motor Co., LTD. The Association of Global Automakers, Inc. Technical Affairs Committee, and Nissan North America, Inc. both submitted comments in support of the petitioners' requests. After careful consideration, the agency is granting some aspects of the petitions, and denying others. This document amends the final rule accordingly.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on May 22, 2012 [Volume 77, No. 99, Page 30352].

The NHTSA announces a meeting of NEMSAC to be held in the Metropolitan Washington, DC, area. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meeting, which will be open to the public. The purpose of NEMSAC is to provide a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services representatives and consumers to provide advice and recommendations regarding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to DOT's NHTSA and to the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS).

This notice announces the Twentieth Public Meeting of members of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network. CIREN is a collaborative effort to conduct research on crashes and injuries at six Level I Trauma Centers across the United States linked by a computer network. The current CIREN model utilizes two types of centers, medical and engineering. Medical centers are based at Level I Trauma Centers that admit large numbers of people injured in motor vehicle crashes. These teams are led by trauma surgeons and emergency physicians and also include a crash investigator and project coordinator. Engineering centers are based at academic engineering laboratories that have experience in motor vehicle crash and human injury research. Engineering teams partner with trauma centers to enroll crash victims into the CIREN program. Engineering teams are led by mechanical engineers, typically trained in the area of impact biomechanics. Engineering teams also include trauma/emergency physicians, a crash investigator, and a project coordinator. Either type of team typically includes additional physicians and/or engineers, epidemiologists, nurses, and other researchers. The CIREN process combines prospective data collection with professional multidisciplinary analysis of medical and engineering evidence to determine injury causation in every crash investigation conducted. Researchers can review data and share expertise, which may lead to a better understanding of crash injury mechanisms and the design of safer vehicles. The six centers will give presentations on current research based on CIREN data. Topics include thoraco-lumbar fractures in frontal crashes, risk of pelvic fractures in motor vehicle collisions, trauma system adoption of Advanced Automatic Collision Notification (AACN) Systems, lower extremity injury patterns sustained in frontal crashes, evaluation of brain lesion location sustained in motor vehicle crashes, and major vascular injuries. The final agenda will be posted to the CIREN Web site that can be accessed by going to the NHTSA homepage https://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/, click on Vehicle Safety Research on the right side of the top toolbar, and then click on Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) in the box on the left. The agenda will be posted one week prior to the meeting.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda), has determined that certain 2008 and 2009 model year Honda Civic Si model passenger cars when equipped with dealer accessory 18-inch diameter wheels do not fully comply with paragraph S4.2(a) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. Honda filed an appropriate report dated December 3, 2008, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573 Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and the rule implementing those provisions at 49 CFR Part 556, Honda has petitioned for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Notice of receipt of the petition was published, with a 30-day public comment period, on May 12, 2009 in the Federal Register (74 FR 22202). No comments were received. To view the petition, and supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web site at: https:// www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search instructions to locate docket number ``NHTSA-2009-0084.'' For further information on this decision contact Mr. John Finneran, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202)366-0645, facsimile (202) 366-5930. Vehicles involved: The exact number of vehicles involved is not known. However, a total of approximately 952 wheels, or 238 complete wheel sets, were sold to Honda dealerships by Honda between July, 2006 and September, 2008. These wheel sets were sold with a replacement tire pressure placard in accordance with FMVSS No. 110, indicating a tire inflation pressure of 250 kPa (36 PSI) for 215/40RZ18 tires having a load capacity rating of 85Y. Noncompliance: Honda explains that the noncompliance occurred because the recommended electronic method of updating the TPMS inflation pressure settings to accommodate proper installation of the subject optional wheel sets incorrectly informed technicians that the adjustments had been completed successfully. The result is that the TPMS inflation pressure warning threshold remains at the standard setting for the original equipment 17-inch wheels of not less than 175 kPa (25 PSI) for the standard recommended tire pressure of 230 kPa (33 PSI). The minimum allowable TPMS threshold for the 18-inch accessory wheels should be 190 kPa (27 PSI), based on the recommended pressure of 250 kPa (36 PSI) as indicated on the replacement tire pressure placard. As a result, the low tire pressure warning telltale required by S4.2(a) will not illuminate at the 27 PSI minimum allowable TPMS threshold necessitated by installation of the dealer accessory wheels and tires.

In accordance with the procedures in 49 CFR part 555, Group Lotus Plc has petitioned the agency for a temporary exemption from one advanced air bag requirement of FMVSS No. 208, the higher maximum speed (56 km/h (35 mph)) belted test requirement using 5th percentile adult female dummies for its Evora model. The basis for the application is that the petitioner avers compliance would cause it substantial economic hardship and that it has tried in good faith to comply with the standard.\1\ This notice of receipt of an application for a temporary exemption is published in accordance with statutory and administrative provisions. NHTSA has made no judgment on the merits of the application.

On May 23, 2012, NHTSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to require the installation of electronic stability control (ESC) systems on truck tractors and large buses. NHTSA is announcing a public hearing to provide an opportunity for the public to present oral testimony regarding the proposal. The oral testimony provided at the public hearing will be transcribed and placed in the docket for this rulemaking.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC \1\ (MBUSA) and its parent company Daimler AG (DAG)(collectively referred to as ``MB'') have determined that certain model year 2011 and 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (221 platform) passenger cars do not fully comply with paragraph S4.4 TPMS Malfunction of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. MB has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports (dated September 30, 2011).

In accordance with the procedures in 49 CFR part 555, Vision Motor Cars, Inc., (VMCI) has petitioned the agency for temporary exemption from certain requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126, Electronic Stability Control Systems, FMVSS No. 201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, and FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. The basis for the application is that the petitioner avers that compliance would cause it substantial economic hardship and that it has tried in good faith to comply with the standards.\1\ This notice of receipt of an application for a temporary exemption is published in accordance with statutory and administrative provisions. NHTSA has made no judgment on the merits of the application.

BMW of North America, LLC,\1\ a subsidiary of BMW AG,\2\ has determined that certain model year 2012 BMW X6M SAV multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPV) manufactured between April 1, 2011 and March 23, 2012, do not fully comply with paragraph S4.3(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less. BMW has filed an appropriate report dated April 4, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), on June 24, 2011 (76 FR 37189) the agency published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comment on the proposed information collection abstracted below. In further compliance with the PRA, the agency now publishes this second notice announcing the submission of its proposed collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and notifying the public about how to submit comments on the proposed collection to OMB during the 30-day comment period.

The State of Florida (``Florida'') has petitioned for approval of alternate odometer requirements. Florida's petition \1\ is granted as to vehicle transfers involving casual or private sales, and Florida's petition is denied as to sales involving licensed dealers and sales of leased vehicles.

This notice updates the Conforming Products List (CPL) published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2009 (74 FR 66398) for instruments that conform to the Model Specifications for Screening Devices to Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids dated, March 31, 2008 (73 FR 16956).

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes an Information Collection Request (ICR) for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (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 one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a renewal of an information collection. The collection involves vehicle manufacturers submitting updated future product plans, as well as production data through the recent past, including data about engines and transmissions for model year (MY) 2012 through MY 2025 passenger cars and light trucks and the assumptions underlying those plans. The information to be collected will be used to assist NHTSA with the setting of future fuel economy standards for light duty vehicles. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., on behalf of Hyundai Motor Company (collectively referred to as ``Hyundai'') \1\ has determined that certain model year 2012 Hyundai Veracruz multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPV) manufactured August 9, 2011, through January 8, 2012, that were equipped with 7J x 18 wheel rims, do not fully comply with paragraph S4.3.3 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less. Hyundai has filed an appropriate report dated February 9, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

This notice solicits public comments on the requirements for the collection of information on a safety standard. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (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 with respect to the phase-in of the upgraded requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216, ``Roof crush resistance,'' for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

This document proposes to establish a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 136 to require electronic stability control (ESC) systems on truck tractors and certain buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds). ESC systems in truck tractors and large buses are designed to reduce untripped rollovers and mitigate severe understeer or oversteer conditions that lead to loss of control by using automatic computer- controlled braking and reducing engine torque output. In 2012, we expect that about 26 percent of new truck tractors and 80 percent of new buses affected by this proposed rule will be equipped with ESC systems. We believe that ESC systems could prevent 40 to 56 percent of untripped rollover crashes and 14 percent of loss-of-control crashes. By requiring that ESC systems be installed on truck tractors and large buses, this proposal would prevent 1,807 to 2,329 crashes, 649 to 858 injuries, and 49 to 60 fatalities at less than $3 million per equivalent life saved, while generating positive net benefits.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (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 one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a renewal of an information collection. The collection involves vehicle manufacturers submitting reports to the Secretary of Transportation on whether a manufacturer will comply with an applicable average fuel economy standard for the model year for which the report is made, the actions a manufacturer has taken or intends to take to comply with the standard and other information the Secretary requires by regulation. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary because of the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 32902. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

This final rule makes technical amendments to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. Specifically, this document updates references to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) (formerly the Research and Special Programs Administration) regulations that are included in the requirements for pressure vessels and explosive devices used in occupant crash protection systems, such as air bags. As a result of various rulemakings that reorganized the relevant regulations, the references contained in FMVSS No. 208 are out of date. This final rule updates the references to the PHMSA regulations. This document also makes a correction to the air bag warning label requirements for vehicle dashboards and steering wheel hubs to make clear that the general warning label requirements for vehicles with air bags are superseded by different, specific requirements if the vehicle is certified to meet certain advanced air bag requirements. As written now, the general warning label requirements contain an explicit exception for the warning label requirements for vehicles certified to meet these advanced air bag requirements before December 1, 2003, but do not reference the warning label requirements for vehicles certified to meet these requirements on or after December 1, 2003. This document does not make any substantive changes to the requirements specified in FMVSS No. 208.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on November 16, 2011 (76 FR 71122-71123).