Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Abstract: This rulemaking would define the rights and responsibilities of manufacturers under the agency's corporate average fuel economy program in the context of changes in corporate relationships. It addresses the rights and responsibilities of predecessors and successors, as well as the rights and responsibilities of manufacturers in other situations where there have been changes in corporate relationships, e.g., changes in control. Among other things, it would address how fuel economy credits are allocated in these types of situations.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 04/27/1998

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	02/15/2003		09/30/2003
To OMB	03/17/2003	11/12/2003
OMB Clearance	06/17/2003	02/12/2004
Publication Date	07/01/2003	02/19/2004

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

61.

FMVSS: Head Restraints (Height and Distance Requirements)

Red

Popular Title: Head Restraints (Height and Distance Req)

RIN 2127-AH09

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 01/04/2001; End of Comment Period 03/05/2001.

Abstract: This rulemaking would upgrade the standard for head restraints for passenger cars and for light multipurpose vehicles, trucks and buses. The rule would establish higher minimum height requirements for head restraints and add a requirement limiting backset, i.e., the distance between a person's head and his or her head restraint. It would also extend the requirement for head restraints to rear outboard designated seating positions; establish new strength requirements for head restraints; and place limits on the size of gaps and openings in head restraints. In addition, it would modify the dynamic compliance test and amend test procedures. The rulemaking would harmonize the standard with some aspects of the counterpart regulation of the Economic Commission for Europe.

Effects:

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate
Regulatory Flexibility Act

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 03/01/2001

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	02/01/2003	12/19/2003
To OMB	03/03/2003	01/23/2004
OMB Clearance	06/03/2003	03/23/2004
Publication Date	06/08/2003	03/29/2004

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

62.

Frontal Offset Protection

Red

Popular Title: Frontal Offset

RIN 2127-AH73

Stage: NPRM

Previous Stage:None

Abstract: This rulemaking would establish a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for high speed frontal offset crash testing. The frontal offset test is a crash test for automobiles and light trucks in which the subject vehicles are run into a deformable honeycomb barrier. The barrier contacts only 40 percent of the front of the vehicle stimulating an off-center frontal collision. The agency is considering adding the offset test to the frontal occupant protection standard to measure vehicle structural integrity and reduce the number and severity of lower-body injuries. Prior to publishing this NPRM, we will be publishing a Request for Comments pertaining to this rulemaking. The Request for Comments is intended to inform the public and solicit comments on the recent testing conducted by the agency.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/22/1999

Dates for NPRM:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	04/01/2003	08/22/2004
To OMB	05/01/2003	09/22/2004
OMB Clearance	08/01/2003	12/22/2004
Publication Date	08/08/2003	12/27/2004
End of Comment Period	10/08/2003	02/27/2005

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated impacts requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

63.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems; Controls and Displays

Green

Popular Title: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)

RIN 2127-AI33

Stage: Final Rule/2

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication date 7/26/01; End of Comment Period 9/6/01. Final Rule/1: Publication Date 05/29/2002.

Abstract: In response to TREAD, NHTSA has added a new requirement that tire pressure monitoring systems be installed in passenger cars, and in light trucks, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and buses. The rule is in two parts. During the period between November 1, 2003, and October 31, 2006, manufacturers may choose between two methods of compliance. The second part of this final rule will be issued by March 1, 2005, and will establish performance requirements for the period beginning on November 1, 2006. In the meantime, NHTSA will leave the rulemaking docket open for the submission of new data and analyses concerning the performance of TPMSs. NHTSA also will conduct a study comparing the tire pressures of vehicles without any TPMS to the pressures of vehicles with TPMSs, also, see RIN 2127-AI90.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

Issue final rule : 11/30/2001

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/01/2000

Dates for Final Rule/2:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	10/18/2004
To OMB	11/22/2004
OMB Clearance	02/22/2005
Publication Date	03/01/2005

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule/2: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

64.

Automotive Fuel Economy Manufacturing Incentives for Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Red

Popular Title: Alternative Fuel Vehicles

RIN 2127-AI41

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 03/11/2002; End of Comment Period 04/10/2002.

Abstract: To provide an incentive for the production of vehicles that can operate on certain alternative fuels as well as on regular petroleum fuels, Congress established a special procedure for calculating the fuel economy of those vehicles for the purpose of determining compliance with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. This rulemaking would increase the fuel economy attributed to such dual-fuel vehicles. By statute, the incentive is available through the 2004 model year and may be extended by up to four additional years through rulemaking. This rulemaking would extend the availability of the incentive by four years, i.e., though the 2008 model year. Prior to publishing this NPRM, we will be publishing a Request for Comments pertaining to this rulemaking. The Request for Comments is intended to inform the public and solicit comments on the recent testing conducted by the agency.

Effects:

Economically Significant
Major
Regulatory Flexibility Act

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/03/2001

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	12/31/2002	10/17/2003	10/06/2003
To OMB	01/18/2003	11/14/2003
OMB Clearance	04/19/2003	02/13/2004
Publication Date	05/19/2003	02/20/2004

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

65.

Event Data Recorders

Green

Popular Title: Event Data Recorders

RIN 2127-AI72

Stage: NPRM

Previous Stage: Request for Comments: Publication Approved 10/04/2002; Publication Date 10/11/2002; End of Comment Period 01/09/2003.

Abstract: Over the past several years, NHTSA has been actively involved with Event Data Recorders (EDRs) in motor vehicles. EDRs collect vehicle and occupant-based crash information. The agency's involvement has included sponsoring two working groups, using data from EDRs in crash investigations, and conducting research and development. NHTSA is considering what, if any, future role the agency should take related to the continued development and installation of EDRs in motor vehicles.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 07/12/2002

Dates for NPRM:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	09/08/2004	10/08/2004