National Highway Traffic Safety Administration August 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Chrysler
Document Number: 2013-21130
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-29
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
This document grants in full the Chrysler LLC, (Chrysler) petition for exemption of the Chrysler [confidential] vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard 49 CFR Part 541, Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard. Chrysler requested confidential treatment for specific information in its petition. The agency will address Chrysler's request for confidential treatment by separate letter.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection
Document Number: 2013-21128
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-08-29
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
This document denies a rulemaking petition submitted by BMW Group, BMW of North America, LLC, to amend the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on occupant crash protection to permit optional certification using a seat belt interlock for front seat occupants as an alternative to the unbelted crash test requirements. The agency is denying the petition because the supporting material provided by the petitioner is not sufficient for the agency to fully evaluate the safety need, benefits, effectiveness, and acceptability of seat belt interlock systems. Furthermore, in 2012, the agency initiated the development of a research program on seat belt interlocks in light of its newly-acquired statutory authority to allow consideration of seat belt interlocks as a compliance option. The agency believes that making a determination to amend its performance standards prior to the completion of its research is premature.
Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Fuji Heavy Industries U.S.A., Inc.
Document Number: 2013-21125
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-29
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
This document grants in full Fuji Heavy Industries U.S.A., Inc.'s (FUSA) petition for exemption of the Subaru [confidential] vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard 49 CFR part 541, Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard. FUSA requested confidential treatment for specific information in its petition. The agency has addressed FUSA's request for confidential treatment by letter dated June 28, 2013. However, FUSA has stated that it will provide the agency with the nameplate of the vehicle prior to its introduction for sale into commerce in order to allow the agency to notify law enforcement agencies and the public of a new vehicle line exempted from the parts- marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard.
Uniform Procedures for State Highway Safety Grant Programs
Document Number: 2013-21037
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-29
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), on January 23, 2013 (78 FR 4986), the agency published a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comment on the proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below. In further compliance, the agency now publishes this additional notice announcing that the information collection request has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment.
Dorel Juvenile Group, Denial of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Document Number: 2013-20960
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-28
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc. (DJG) has determined that certain child restraint systems manufactured between July 20, 2010 and May 18, 2011 do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5.2(l) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213, Child Restraint Systems (49 CFR 571.213). DJG has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports, dated July 19, 2011. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) (see implementing rule at 49 CFR part 556), DJG 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 comment period, on January 19, 2012 in the Federal Register (77 FR 2776). NHTSA received one comment from Consumers Union (CU). To view the petition, the comment, and all 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-2012-0002.'' Contact Information: For further information on this decision, contact Mr. Zachary R. Fraser, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366-5754, facsimile (202) 366-7002. Equipment Involved: Affected are approximately 89,527 of the following models of DJG child restraint systems that were manufactured between July 20, 2010 and May 18, 2011:
Agency Information Collection Request
Document Number: 2013-20858
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-27
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
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 is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on January 16, 2013.
Announcing the Twenty First Public Meeting of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN)
Document Number: 2013-20394
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-23
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
This notice announces the Twenty First 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: Understanding Brain Injury Mechanisms: Integrating Real World Lesions, Anthropomorphic Test Device Response, and Finite Element Modeling; Evaluating the Benefits for Advanced Automatic Crash Notification; Vehicle Seat Bottom Influence on Spine Loads in Frontal Impacts; Rib Fractures in Older Occupants; Changes Over Time in Injury and Crash Characteristics; and Determination of Seat Belt Use and Positioning with Three-Dimensional CT Scans. The final agenda will be posted to the CIREN Web site that can be accessed by going to https://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ciren. The agenda will be posted one week prior to the meeting. Date and Time: The meeting is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2013.
Early Warning Reporting, Foreign Defect Reporting, and Motor Vehicle and Equipment Recall Regulations
Document Number: 2013-19785
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-20
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
NHTSA is adopting amendments to certain provisions of the early warning reporting (EWR) rule and the regulations governing motor vehicle and equipment safety recalls. The amendments to the EWR rule require light vehicle manufacturers to specify the vehicle type and the fuel and/or propulsion system type in their reports and add new component categories of stability control systems for light vehicles, buses, emergency vehicles, and medium-heavy vehicle manufacturers, and forward collision avoidance, lane departure prevention, and backover prevention for light vehicle manufacturers. These amendments will also require light vehicle manufacturers to segregate their Service Brake EWR data into two new discrete component categories. In addition, NHTSA will require motor vehicle manufacturers to report their annual list of substantially similar vehicles via the Internet. As to safety recalls, we will now require certain manufacturers to provide a VIN-based recalls lookup tool on their Web site or the Web site of a third party; require the submission of recalls reports and information via the Internet; and require adjustments to the required content of the owner notification letters and envelopes required to be issued to owners and purchasers of recalled vehicles and equipment.
Petition for Exemption From the Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Document Number: 2013-19987
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-19
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
This document grants in full the Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.'s (Volkswagen) petition for exemption of the Audi confidential vehicle line in accordance with 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard, 49 CFR part 541, Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard. Volkswagen requested confidential treatment for specific information in its petition. The agency will address Volkswagen's request for confidential treatment by separate letter.
Preliminary Theft Data; Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard
Document Number: 2013-20020
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-08-16
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published in the Federal Register of July 9, 2013, a request for comments about thefts of model year (MY) 2011 passenger motor vehicles that occurred in calendar year (CY) 2011. This document corrects errors that were made in that publication. In the July 9, 2013 publication, the vehicle theft rate for CY/MY 2011 vehicles was erroneously reported to be 0.10 thefts per thousand vehicles produced. The actual theft rate for CY/MY 2011 vehicles is 0.99 thefts per thousand vehicles produced. Accordingly, Figure 1: Theft Rate Data Trend (1993-2011) has been amended to reflect the revised theft rate for CY/MY 2011. The publication also erroneously reported that the theft rate for CY/MY 2011 decreased significantly by 91.45 percent from the theft rate for CY/MY 2010 vehicles. The publication should be corrected to reflect that the theft rate for CY/MY 2011 decreased significantly by 15.38 percent from the theft rate for CY/MY 2010 vehicles (1.17 thefts per thousand vehicles). The republishing of this document in its entirety corrects those errors. This document also extends the comment period to allow 60 days from the publication of this notice. Publication of these data fulfills NHTSA's statutory obligation to periodically obtain accurate and timely theft data, and publish the information for review and comment.
Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle and Nonroad Technical Amendments
Document Number: 2013-19880
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-16
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Because EPA and NHTSA, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, received adverse comment on certain elements of the Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle and Nonroad Technical Amendments direct final rule published on June 17, 2013, we are withdrawing those elements of the direct final rule and republishing the affected sections without those elements.
National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC); Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting
Document Number: 2013-19615
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-13
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
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, as well as opportunities for public input to the NEMSAC. The purpose of NEMSAC, a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services representatives and consumers, is to advise and consult with DOT and the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS) on matters relating to emergency medical services (EMS).
Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements
Document Number: 2013-19492
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-13
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
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 the proposed collection of information. This document describes a proposed collection of information under regulations in 49 CFR parts 591, 592, and 593 that pertain to the importation of motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment that are subject to the Federal motor vehicle safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards.
Spartan Motor Chassis, Inc.; Denial of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Document Number: 2013-19489
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-13
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Spartan Motor Chassis, Inc. (Spartan) has determined that model year 2011 and 2012 model MM, K2, K3, and SU incomplete vehicles manufactured between January 28, 2011 and June 28, 2011, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.1.4 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, Air Brake Systems. Spartan has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports (dated July 13, 2011). Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and the rule implementing those provisions at 49 CFR Part 556, Exemption for Inconsequential Defect or Noncompliance, Spartan 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 February 7, 2012 in the Federal Register (77 FR 6190). No comments were received. To view the petition, and all 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-2012-0003.'' Contact Information: For further information on this decision contact Mr. James A. Jones, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366-5294, facsimile (202) 366-7002. Summary of Spartans' Analyses: Spartan explains that the noncompliance is the accuracy of the air gauges used in the air brake systems on the subject vehicles do not meet the accuracy requirements identified in FMVSS No. 121 S5.1.4. Spartan explains that the air brake systems operate as designed and meet all other applicable requirements of FMVSS No. 121. In this case, the operator may not be able to detect, by way of the air gauges, the variation between the physical cut-out pressure of the air compressor versus what is shown on the gauge. Although the air pressure within the air systems is controlled by an air governor that is independent of the gauges, rendering the gauges do not provide an accurate indication of the air pressure to the driver. Spartan additionally states that it has corrected the gauge calibration so that future production will be in compliance. In summation, Spartan believes that the described noncompliance of its vehicles is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, and that its petition, to exempt from providing recall notification of noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the recall noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120 should be granted.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and Daimler AG, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Document Number: 2013-19279
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-09
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) \1\ on behalf of itself and its parent company Daimler AG (DAG),\2\ collectively referred to in the petition as ``Mercedes'', have determined that certain model year (MY) 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (X204 platform) multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs), do not fully comply with paragraph S5.1.1.6 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. Mercedes has filed an appropriate report dated October 9, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.
Combi USA, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Document Number: 2013-19278
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-09
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Combi USA, Inc., (Combi),\1\ has determined that certain model child restraint systems manufactured between 2007 and 2012, do not fully comply with paragraph 5.4.1.2(a) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. Combi has filed an appropriate report dated June 9, 2013, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.
Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements
Document Number: 2013-18870
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-05
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
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 reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes the collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Document Number: 2013-18577
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-02
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Cooper) \1\ has determined that certain Cooper brand replacement tires manufactured between May 20, 2012 and June 16, 2012, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Cooper has filed an appropriate report dated July 5, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Document Number: 2013-18576
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-02
Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (Bridgestone),\1\ has determined that certain Bridgestone brand replacement tires manufactured between June 19, 2011 and March 17, 2012, do not fully comply with paragraph Sec. 5.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Bridgestone has filed an appropriate report dated July 19, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.
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