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Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Table of Contents

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

63. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, Rearview Mirrors

64. Require Installation of Seat Belts on Motorcoaches, FMVSS No. 208

65. Vehicle Labeling - Fuel Economy, Greenhouse Gas and Other Emissions

66. Commercial Medium- and Heavy-Duty On-Highway Vehicles and Work Truck Fuel Efficiency Standards

67. Alternative Fuel Vehicle Badging, Fuel Compartment Labels and Consumer Information on Alternative Fuel Usage

68. Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information - Part 2

69. Passenger Car and Light Truck Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards MYs 2017 and Beyond

70. Mandatory Part 563 Event Data Recorder Requirements

71. Upgrade of Event Data Recorder Requirements

72. Heavy Vehicle Speed Limiters

73. Sound for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

74. Motorcoach Rollover Structural Integrity

75. Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles





National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
63.  Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, Rearview Mirrors Red
Popular Title:Rearview Mirrors
RIN 2127-AK43
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage:ANPRM: Publication Date 03/04/09; End of Comment Period 05/04/09. NPRM: Publication Date 12/07/2010; End of Comment Period 02/07/2011. NPRM Re-opened Comment Period: Publication Date 03/02/2011; End of Re-opened Comment Period 04/18/2011.
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 111; Rearview Mirrors, to reflect requirements contained in the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007. The Act requires that NHTSA expand the required field of view to enable the driver of a motor vehicle to detect areas behind the motor vehicle to reduce death and injury resulting from backing incidents, particularly incidents involving small children and disabled persons. According to the Act, such a standard may be met by the provision of additional mirrors, sensors, cameras, or other technology to expand the driver´s field of view.
Effects:
  EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  Initiate rulemaking : 02/28/2009
Final Rule : 02/28/2011
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/06/2008
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 08/10/2011     
To OMB 09/24/2011     
OMB Clearance 12/23/2011     
Publication Date 12/31/2011     
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
64.  Require Installation of Seat Belts on Motorcoaches, FMVSS No. 208 Yellow
Popular Title:Seat Belts on Motorcoaches
RIN 2127-AK56
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage:NPRM: Publication Date 08/18/2010; End Of Comment Period 10/1/2010.
Abstract: This rulemaking would require the installation of lap/shoulder belts in newly-manufactured motorcoaches. Specifically, this rulemaking would establish a new definition for motorcoaches in 49 CFR Part 571.3. It would also amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant crash protection," to require the installation of lap/shoulder belts at all driver and passenger seating positions. It would also require the installation of lap/shoulder belts at driver seating positions of large school buses in FMVSS No. 208. This rulemaking responds, in part, to recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board for improving bus safety.
Effects:
  EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:None
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/12/2009
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 09/14/2011  01/13/2012   
To OMB 10/26/2011  02/26/2012   
OMB Clearance 01/25/2012  05/25/2012   
Publication Date 01/30/2012  05/30/2012   
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
65.  Vehicle Labeling - Fuel Economy, Greenhouse Gas and Other Emissions Yellow
Popular Title:Fuel Economy Vehicle Labeling
RIN 2127-AK73
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage:NPRM: Publication Date 9/23/2010; End of Comment Period 11/22/2010.
Abstract: This rulemaking would respond to requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Title 1, Subtitle A, Section 105, as it amends 49 USC § 32908, to implement regulations to display new information on the vehicle label that would make it easy for consumers to compare fuel economy, greenhouse gas and other emissions of automobiles at the point of purchase. EISA, signed into Law on December 19, 2007, requires that the Secretary issue a final rule not later than 42 months after the date of the enactment.
Effects:
  EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final rule : 06/19/2011
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 12/19/2007
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 03/30/2011    03/28/2011 
To OMB 04/29/2011  04/18/2011  05/19/2011 
OMB Clearance 07/29/2011  06/20/2011  05/24/2011 
Publication Date 08/05/2011  06/17/2011   
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
66.  Commercial Medium- and Heavy-Duty On-Highway Vehicles and Work Truck Fuel Efficiency Standards Green
Popular Title:Medium- and Heavy-Duty Truck Fuel Efficiency
RIN 2127-AK74
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage:NPRM: Publication Date 11/30/2010; End of Comment Period 1/31/2011.
Abstract: This rulemaking would respond to requirements of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The statute requires that rulemaking begin with a report by the National Academy of Sciences evaluating medium-duty and heavy-duty truck fuel economy standards. The National Academy provided Congress and NHTSA with this report on March 18, 2010. EISA then requires that NHTSA complete a study that examines the fuel efficiency of commercial medium- and heavy-duty on-highway vehicles and work trucks and determines the appropriate test procedures and methodologies for measuring the fuel efficiency of such vehicles, the appropriate metric for measuring the fuel efficiency of such vehicles, the range of factors that affect the fuel efficiency of these vehicles, and other factors that could impact a program to improve the fuel efficiency of these vehicles. The NHTSA study was issued October 25, 2010. Once that study is completed, NHTSA has 24 months to complete a final rule establishing a fuel efficiency program for these vehicles. The law provides that the new standards must provide at least 4 full model years of regulatory leadtime and 3 full model years of regulatory stability (i.e., the standards must remain in effect for 3 years before they may be amended). On May 21, 2010, President Obama issued a memorandum directing NHTSA and EPA conduct a joint rulemaking (NHTSA regulating fuel efficiency and EPA regulating greenhouse gas emissions), and to issue a final rule by July 30, 2011.
Effects:
  Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate
EIS
EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  NHTSA Study : 09/30/2010
Final rule : 09/28/2012
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 12/19/2007
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 06/02/2011  06/17/2011   
To OMB 06/26/2011  06/26/2011   
OMB Clearance 07/25/2011  07/25/2011   
Publication Date 07/29/2011  07/29/2011   
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
67.  Alternative Fuel Vehicle Badging, Fuel Compartment Labels and Consumer Information on Alternative Fuel Usage Red
Popular Title:Alternative Fuel Badges, Labels and Consumer Info
RIN 2127-AK75
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would respond to requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Title 1, Subtitle A, Section 105, as it amends 49 USC § 32908, to implement Consumer Information and Consumer Education programs related to fuel economy, GHG, other emissions, and alternative fuels. EISA directs the Secretary of Transportation to label vehicles with a permanent and prominent display that an automobile is capable of operating on alternative fuels, and to include in the owner´s manual for vehicles capable of operating on alternative fuels information that describes that capability and the benefits of using alternative fuels, including the renewable nature and environmental benefits of using alternative fuels. Additionally, EISA requires a label to be attached to the fuel compartment of vehicles capable of operating on alternative fuels, with the form of alternative fuel stated on the label. EISA, signed into Law on December 19, 2007, requires that the Secretary issue a final rule not later than 42 months after the date of the enactment.
Effects:
  EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final rule : 06/19/2011
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 12/19/2007
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 07/19/2010  07/01/2011   
To OMB 08/26/2010  07/27/2011   
OMB Clearance 11/25/2010  08/26/2011   
Publication Date 11/30/2010  08/31/2011   
End of Comment Period 01/31/2011  09/30/2011   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
68.  Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information - Part 2 Black
Popular Title:Tire Efficiency Consumer Information Labelling
RIN 2127-AK76
Stage: Undetermined
Previous Stage:NPRM: Publication Date 06/22/2009; Comment Period End 08/21/2009.
Abstract: This rulemaking would respond to requirements of the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 to establish a national tire fuel efficiency consumer information program for replacement tires designed for use on motor vehicles. On March 30, 2010, NHTSA published a final rule specifying the test procedures to be used to rate the performance of replacement passenger car tires for this new program (75 FR 15893). This rulemaking would address how this information would be made available to consumers. A SNPRM was originally scheduled to be published on 12/31/2011.
Effects:
  EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 12/19/2007
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.  Passenger Car and Light Truck Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards MYs 2017 and Beyond Green
Popular Title:CAFE 2017 and Beyond
RIN 2127-AK79
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:Notice of Intent: Published 10/13/2010. Supplemental Notice of Intent: Publication Date 12/08/2010.
Abstract: This rulemaking would establish Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for light trucks and passenger cars for model years 2017 and beyond. This rulemaking would respond to requirements of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The statute requires that CAFE standards be prescribed separately for passenger automobiles and non-passenger automobiles to achieve a combined fleet fuel economy of at least 35 mpg by model year 2020. For model years 2021 and beyond, the statute requires that the average fuel economy required to be attained by each fleet of passenger and non-passenger automobiles be the maximum feasible for each model year. The law requires the standards be set at least 18 months prior to the start of the model year. On May 21, 2010, President Obama issued a memorandum directing NHTSA and EPA to conduct a joint rulemaking (NHTSA regulating fuel economy and EPA regulating greenhouse gas emissions), and to issue a Notice of Intent to Issue a Proposed Rule (NOI) by September 30, 2010.
Effects:
  Economically Significant
Major
EIS
EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final rule: : 04/01/2015
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 12/19/2007
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 06/15/2011  07/25/2011   
To OMB 07/15/2011  08/22/2011   
OMB Clearance 08/29/2011  09/21/2011   
Publication Date 09/01/2011  09/28/2011   
End of Comment Period 11/01/2011  11/27/2011   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
70.  Mandatory Part 563 Event Data Recorder Requirements Green
Popular Title:EDRs Mandate
RIN 2127-AK86
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would establish a new Federal motor vehicle safety standard to mandate the installation of Event Data Recorders (EDR) in light vehicles. The standard would incorporate the current 49 CFR Part 563, which established the current reporting requirement of voluntarily installed EDRs in light vehicles. Part 563 presently requires vehicle manufacturers who are voluntarily installing EDRs to be in compliance with the regulation by September 1, 2012. This rulemaking would not affect the 2012 compliance date for voluntarily-installed EDRs. Furthermore, this rulemaking would not modify any of the Part 563 data elements, data capture and format requirements, data retrieval specifications, or data survivability and crash test requirements. Moreover, this rulemaking to mandate EDRs across the entire light vehicle fleet could contribute to advancements in vehicle designs, and advanced restraint and other safety countermeasures. The estimated total incremental costs associated with this rulemaking would be $24.4 million (2009 dollars), which is measured from a baseline of 91.6 percent EDR installation to 100 percent installation, assuming the sale of 15.5 million light vehicles per year.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action:None
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 02/22/2011
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 06/15/2011  06/21/2011   
To OMB 07/26/2011  07/26/2011   
OMB Clearance 10/25/2011  10/25/2011   
Publication Date 10/31/2011  10/31/2011   
End of Comment Period 12/31/2011  12/31/2011   
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
71.  Upgrade of Event Data Recorder Requirements Green
Popular Title:EDRs Upgrade
RIN 2127-AK87
Stage: ANPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would expand the utility of the amount and type of data Event Data Recorders (EDRs) capture in light vehicles in the event of a crash. The rulemaking would consider requiring some of the optional data elements specified in 49 CFR Part 563. Part 563 established the current reporting requirement of voluntarily installed EDRs in light vehicles. In addition, this rulemaking would make revisions to the optional data elements to account for the latest advances in vehicle safety. Part 563 presently requires vehicle manufacturers who are voluntarily installing EDRs to be in compliance with the regulation by September 1, 2012. In a separate rulemaking (2127-AK86 Mandatory Part 563 Event Data Recorder Requirements), the agency would propose requiring that all light vehicles comply with the requirements specified in current 49 CFR 563. This rulemaking would seek additional information from the public and expand upon that initiative. Moreover, this rulemaking would contribute to advancements in vehicle designs, advanced restraints and other safety countermeasures. The costs are expected to be minimal since some vehicle manufacturers presently capture additional data beyond Part 563 in their EDRs.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action:None
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 02/22/2011
Dates for ANPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 06/15/2011  06/21/2011   
To OMB 07/26/2011  07/26/2011   
OMB Clearance 10/25/2011  10/25/2011   
Publication Date 10/31/2011  10/31/2011   
End of Comment Period 12/31/2011  12/31/2011   
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for ANPRM: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
72.  Heavy Vehicle Speed Limiters Red
Popular Title:Heavy Vehicle Speed Limiters
RIN 2127-AK92
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would respond to petitions from ATA and Roadsafe America to require the installation of speed limiting devices on heavy trucks. In response, NHTSA requested public comment on the subject and received thousands of comments supporting the petitioner’s request. Based on the available safety data and the ancillary benefit of reduced fuel consumption, this rulemaking would consider a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that would require the installation of speed limiting devices on heavy trucks. We believe this rule will have minimal cost, as all heavy trucks already have these devices installed, although some vehicles do not have the limit set. This rule is expected to decrease the estimated 8991 fatalities caused by crashes involving heavy trucks and buses. It will also increase the fleet fuel efficiency of these vehicles.
Effects:
  Economically Significant
Major
Prompting action:None
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 03/18/2011
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 08/11/2011  08/11/2012   
To OMB 09/24/2011  09/24/2012   
OMB Clearance 12/23/2011  12/23/2012   
Publication Date 12/31/2011  12/31/2012   
End of Comment Period 03/02/2012  03/02/2013   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
73.  Sound for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Green
Popular Title:Quiet Cars
RIN 2127-AK93
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would respond to The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010, which directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and establish a motor vehicle safety standard that provides for a means of alerting blind and other pedestrians of motor vehicle operation. NHTSA is conducting research in this area and has not yet developed an estimate for the potential costs and benefits associated with this rulemaking action.
Effects:
  EU
NAFTA
Foreign
Prompting action:None
Legal Deadline:  Initiate rulemaking: : 07/04/2012
Final Rule: : 01/31/2014
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 03/18/2011
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 02/14/2012     
To OMB 03/27/2012     
OMB Clearance 06/27/2012     
Publication Date 07/05/2012     
End of Comment Period 09/05/2012     
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
74.  Motorcoach Rollover Structural Integrity Green
Popular Title:Motorcoach Rollover Structural Integrity
RIN 2127-AK96
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would promulgate a new FMVSS for rollover structural integrity requirements for motorcoaches. In August 2007, NHTSA published a motorcoach safety plan identifying four specific priority items: seat belts on motorcoaches, rollover structural integrity, emergency evacuation, and fire safety. The DOT published a comprehensive motorcoach safety action plan in November 2009 that reiterated NHTSA’s motorcoach safety priorities. This rulemaking also addresses 6 recommendations issued by the NTSB on motorcoach roof strength and structural integrity.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action:None
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 03/18/2011
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 08/12/2011     
To OMB 09/23/2011     
OMB Clearance 12/23/2011     
Publication Date 12/30/2011     
End of Comment Period 03/02/2012     
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None




National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
75.  Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles Red
Popular Title:Heavy Vehicle ESC
RIN 2127-AK97
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would promulgate a new Federal standard that would require stability control systems on truck tractors and motorcoaches that address both rollover and loss of control crashes, after an extensive research program to evaluate the available technologies, an evaluation of the costs and benefits, and a review of manufacturer´s product plans. Rollover and loss of control crashes involving heavy vehicles is a serious safety issue that is responsible for 304 fatalities and 2,738 injuries annually. They are also a major cause of traffic tie-ups, resulting in millions of dollars of lost productivity and excess energy consumption each year. Suppliers and truck and motorcoach manufacturers have developed stability control technology for heavy vehicles to mitigate these types of crashes. Our preliminary estimate produces an effectiveness range of thirty-seven to fifty-six percent against single-vehicle tractor-trailer rollover crashes and three to fourteen percent against loss of control crashes that result from skidding on the road surface. With these effectiveness estimates, annually, we estimate 29 - 66 lives would be saved, 517 - 979 MAIS 1-5 injuries would be reduced, and 810 - 1,693 crashes that involved property damage only would be eliminated. Additionally, it would save $10 - $26 million in property damage and travel delays. Based on the technology unit costs and affected vehicles, we estimate technology costs would be $55 to 107 million, annually. However, the costs savings from reducing travel delay and property damage would produce net benefits of $128 - $372 million.
Effects:
  Economically Significant
Major
Prompting action:None
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 03/18/2011
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 05/11/2011  08/12/2011   
To OMB 06/23/2011  09/24/2011   
OMB Clearance 09/23/2011  12/23/2011   
Publication Date 09/30/2011  12/30/2011   
End of Comment Period 11/30/2011  03/02/2012   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None