Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Abstract: This rulemaking would upgrade the rearward visibility of commercial straight trucks. The agency believes that requiring a rear detection system will reduce fatalities, injuries, and property damage by giving truck operators the ability to detect objects behind the truck. Various possible counter-measures are being examined now in follow-up testing, including visual and non-visual object detection systems. A Final Rule was scheduled to be published on 11/30/2006.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 06/28/1996

Dates for Undetermined:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST
To OMB
OMB Clearance
Publication Date
End of Comment Period

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Undetermined: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

63.

Roof Crush Resistance

Green

Popular Title: Roof Crush Resistance

RIN 2127-AG51

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: Request for Comments: Publication Date 10/22/01; End of Comment Period 12/06/01. NPRM: Publication Date 8/23/05; End of Comment Period 11/21/05.

Abstract: Mitigation of rollover fatal and serious injuries is one of the agency's highest priorities. Rollover crashes constitute about 3% of passenger vehicle crashes, but about 1/3 of the fatalities. Since light trucks are more prone to rollover, and as their percentage of the U.S. fleet continues to increase, this crash mode continues to constitute a disproportionate segment of the Nation's highway safety problem. As part of the agency's comprehensive approach to rollover, the agency is considering whether an upgrade to the roof crush requirements is warranted. This rulemaking is significant because of public interest in vehicle safety.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

FR by : 07/01/2008

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 07/13/1996

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	03/30/2007
To OMB	05/18/2007
OMB Clearance	08/20/2007
Publication Date	08/31/2007

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

64.

Upgrade Door Retention Performance

Red

Popular Title: Retention Performance

RIN 2127-AH34

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 12/15/2004; End of Comment Period 02/14/2005.

Abstract: As part of the agency's comprehensive approach to rollover, and to harmonize with the first global technical regulation, this rulemaking would upgrade the door retention requirements, add test requirements for sliding doors, add secondary latch requirements for doors other than hinged side doors and back doors, and provide a new test procedure for assessing inertial forces. This rulemaking would also respond to the requirements mandated in Title X, Subtitle C, Sec. 10301, section 30128 (c) (2) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005: Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

Effects:

None

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

Publish by : 02/01/2008

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 07/07/1998

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	08/31/2005	02/10/2006	02/10/2006
To OMB	10/14/2005	03/31/2006
OMB Clearance	01/13/2006	06/30/2006
Publication Date	01/16/2006	07/03/2006

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

65.

Event Data Recorders

Red

Popular Title: Event Data Recorders

RIN 2127-AI72

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: Request for Comments: Publication Date 10/11/2002; End of Comment Period 01/09/2003. NPRM: Publication Date 06/14/04; End of Comment Period 08/13/04. NPRM: Publication Date 06/14/2004; End of Comment Period 08/13/2004.

Abstract: In the past several years, there has been considerable interest from the safety community in establishing requirements for event data recorders (EDRs). The agency is considering what role NHTSA should take in implementing EDRs in motor vehicles. This rulemaking would establish requirements for EDRs in new vehicles if an EDR is in the vehicle. The requirement would include a minimum set of data to be collected and enhanced survivability in crashes. This rule is significant because of public interest.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 01/17/2002

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	03/22/2005	06/06/2005	06/03/2005
To OMB	04/21/2005	03/02/2006	04/07/2006
OMB Clearance	07/21/2005	06/04/2006
Publication Date	07/28/2005	06/10/2006

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

66.

5th Percentile Dummy Belted Barrier Crash Test Requirements -- Standard 208

Red

Popular Title: 5th Percentile Dummy Belted Barrier

RIN 2127-AI98

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 08/06/03; End of Comment Period 10/05/03.

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend NHTSA's occupant protection standard, FMVSS No. 208, to improve high speed crash protection to belted occupants of small stature who may sit in the full forward seat position. Current crash test requirements for the 5th percentile adult female dummy include a 0-48 km/h belted rigid barrier crash test. The agency is considering increasing the maximum crash test speed from 48 km/h to 56 km/h to be consistent with the 50th percentile adult male requirements that will take effect according to the second phase of the FMVSS No. 208 Advanced Air Bag Final Rule (65 FR 30680).

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 12/16/2002

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	08/05/2005	08/31/2005	08/31/2005
To OMB	09/06/2005	02/12/2006
OMB Clearance	12/06/2005	05/15/2006
Publication Date	12/13/2005	05/25/2006

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

67.

Side Impact Protection Upgrade - FMVSS No. 214

Red

Popular Title: Side Impact Protection Upgrade

RIN 2127-AJ10

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 5/17/2004; End of Comment Period 10/14/2004; Reopening of Comment Period 1/2005; End of Reopened Comment Period 4/12/2005.

Abstract: Two Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) -- No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact" and No. 214, "Side Impact Protection" -- specify requirements for side impact protection. At present, FMVSS No. 214 specifies a moving deformable barrier (MDB) test addressing mainly the chest injury problem. The head injury reduction is partially addressed in FMVSS No. 201. This rulemaking would require in FMVSS No. 214 a vehicle-to-pole oblique impact test to reduce the number of fatal and serious head injuries, which are not addressed in FMVSS No. 201.

Effects:

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate
Regulatory Flexibility Act

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

Publish by : 07/01/2008

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 05/05/2003

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	10/13/2005	12/02/2005	12/02/2005
To OMB	11/25/2005	02/20/2006
OMB Clearance	02/21/2006	05/21/2006
Publication Date	02/28/2006	05/30/2006

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

68.

Reforming the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program

Black

Popular Title: Reforming CAFE

RIN 2127-AJ17

Stage: Undetermined

Previous Stage: ANPRM: Publication Date 12/29/03; End of Comment Period 4/27/04.

Abstract: Through this action, the agency intends to begin a public discussion on potential ways, within current statutory authority, to update the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Program and to make it more consistent with our public policy objectives. The agency will seek comments on a number of possible concepts and measures, and invite the public to present additional concepts not presented here. The discussion is not intended to address the stringency of proposed CAFE standards in the future, but rather the basic structure of the CAFE program. The agency is interested in any suggestions towards revamping the CAFE program in such a way as to enhance overall fuel economy while protecting occupant safety and American jobs. The potential changes range from modest changes to existing definitions separating passenger cars from light trucks (i.e., vans, pickup trucks and SUVs) to more significant structural changes to light truck fuel economy standards. The definitional changes could potentially expand the definition of light truck to include larger SUV's that are not currently subject to fuel economy standards, add criteria to existing definitions of light trucks and ensure that vehicles subject to the lower fuel economy standards applicable to trucks have sufficient functionality to be properly classified as trucks. The advance notice also requests comment on changing the existing approach to setting light truck fuel economy standards from one of setting a fixed standard applicable to all sizes of trucks in the light truck fleet to one of setting a standard that changes in relationship to a selected attribute of trucks in the fleet. Under such an attribute-based standard, the required fuel economy would change in relationship to either the weight of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, or both. This action is being addressed via rulemaking 2127-AJ61 and will be removed from next month’s report.

Effects:

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 09/08/2003

Dates for Undetermined:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST
To OMB
OMB Clearance
Publication Date
End of Comment Period

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Undetermined: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

69.

Reduced Stopping Distance Requirements for Truck Tractors

Red

Popular Title: Reduced Stopping Distance for Truck Tractors

RIN 2127-AJ37

Stage: NPRM

Previous Stage:None

Abstract: This rulemaking would reduce stopping distance requirements for truck tractors equipped with air brake systems. Advances in heavy vehicle braking systems show that improved stopping performance is attainable for these vehicles. Such improvements would reduce the stopping distance disparity with light vehicles, and would result in fewer deaths and injuries and reduce property damage due to fewer crashes between truck tractors and light vehicles.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 04/02/2004

Dates for NPRM:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	04/08/2005	06/07/2005	06/10/2005
To OMB	05/07/2005	08/30/2005	09/06/2005
OMB Clearance	08/08/2005	11/30/2005	12/14/2005
Publication Date	08/15/2005	12/05/2005	12/15/2005
End of Comment Period	10/14/2005	02/06/2006	04/14/2006

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for NPRM: 70 FR 74270

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

70.

Light Truck Average Fuel Economy Standards, Model Year 2008 and possibly beyond

Green

Popular Title: Light Truck Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)

RIN 2127-AJ61

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 08/30/2005; End of Comment Period 11/22/2005.

Abstract: This rulemaking would address Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards for light trucks for model year 2008 and possibly beyond, as appropriate.

Effects:

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

Model Year 2008 Final Rule by : 04/01/2006

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 02/14/2005

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	01/20/2006	03/03/2006	03/22/2006
To OMB	02/15/2006	03/22/2006	03/22/2006
OMB Clearance	03/30/2006	03/31/2006	03/28/2006
Publication Date	04/01/2006	04/01/2006	04/06/2006

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: 71 FR 17566

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

71.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Red

Popular Title: Electronic Stability Control SAFETEA-LU

RIN 2127-AJ77

Stage: NPRM

Previous Stage:None

Abstract: This rulemaking would establish a new Federal motor vehicle safety standard to require electronic stability control (ESC) systems on all newly-manufactured passenger cars and light trucks. The vast majority of rollovers occur in single-vehicle crashes involving loss of control. Crash data studies by NHTSA and other organizations worldwide show that ESC causes a dramatic reduction in single-vehicle crashes by assisting drivers in maintaining control in critical driving situations. NHTSA studies show a reduction in single-vehicle crashes of 35% to 67% and a reduction in single-vehicle crashes with rollover of over 70%. The requirement of ESC on cars and trucks could save thousands of lives annually.

Effects:

Economically Significant
Major

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

NPRM by : 10/01/2006
Final Rule by : 04/01/2009

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/20/2005

Dates for NPRM:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	02/10/2006		01/23/2006
To OMB	03/24/2006	04/21/2006
OMB Clearance	06/23/2006	07/21/2006
Publication Date	06/30/2006	07/28/2006
End of Comment Period	08/31/2006	09/29/2006

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

72.

Motorcyclist Safety Grant Program

Black

Popular Title: Motorcyclist Safety Grant Program

RIN 2127-AJ86

Stage: Undetermined

Previous Stage:None

Abstract: This rulemaking would propose implementing regulations for the Section 2010 program. Section 2010 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Pub. L. 109-59, authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to States that adopt and implement effective programs to reduce the number of single- and multi-vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 01/24/2006

Dates for Undetermined:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST
To OMB
OMB Clearance
Publication Date

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Undetermined: None