Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 1/22/81; End of Comment Period 4/22/81. Request for Comments: Publication Date 5/20/97; End of Comment Period 8/18/97.

Abstract: This action would require manufacturers to disseminate crashworthiness performance information concerning their cars to the public. This information would provide consumers with comparative information on the crashworthiness performance of new car models. NHTSA is planning on withdrawing the proposal because it is being addressed through the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 01/22/1981

Dates for Withdrawal:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	02/15/2003		01/31/2003
Publication Approved	03/15/2003		03/03/2003
Publication Date	03/21/2003		07/24/2003

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Withdrawal: 68 FR 43899

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

66.

Flammability of Interior Materials in School Buses

Green

Popular Title: Bus Flammability

RIN 2127-AA44

Stage: Withdrawal

Previous Stage: ANPRM: Publication Date 11/04/1988; End of Comment Period 1/3/89. Request for Comments: Publication Date 02/26/91; End of Comment Period 4/29/91.

Abstract: This rulemaking considered upgrading Standard No. 302's flammability resistance requirements for school bus interiors. After reviewing the available information, NHTSA is considering withdrawing this rulemaking and evaluating whether (1) the risks presented by school bus fires pose a minimal safety problem, (2) the agency's upgrading of Standard No. 217's emergency exit requirements will allow faster evacuation from school buses and will reduce the already minimal safety problem due to fire, (3) significant costs would have resulted from upgrading Standard No. 302, and (4) further research would have been necessary before a test protocol and criteria regarding the conditions vital for survivability in a fire could have been proposed, utilizing scarce agency resources which could be put to more effective uses elsewhere.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/12/1988

Dates for Withdrawal:

Milestone	Originally Scheduled Date	New Projected Date	Actual Date
To OST	05/05/2003	01/17/2003	01/17/2003
Publication Approved	06/30/2003	02/17/2003	03/15/2003
Publication Date	07/07/2003		07/24/2003

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Withdrawal: 68 FR 43895

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

67.

Fuel Economy Standards- Rights and Responsibilities of Manufacturers in the Context of Changes in Corporate Relationships

Red

Popular Title: Fuel Economy Standards

RIN 2127-AG97

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 01/22/2001; End of Comment Period 3/22/2001.

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. NOTE: This rulemaking will be merged with the upcoming CAFE ANPRM.

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
To OMB	03/17/2003
OMB Clearance	06/17/2003
Publication Date	07/01/2003

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

68.

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

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	09/08/2003
To OMB	03/03/2003	10/07/2003
OMB Clearance	06/03/2003	01/07/2004
Publication Approved	06/03/2003	01/07/2004
Publication Date	06/08/2003	01/14/2004

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

69.

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.

Effects:

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline:

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/22/1999

Dates for NPRM:

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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