Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

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Table of Contents

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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

 

63. FMVSS: Head Restraints (Height and Distance Requirements)

 

64. Frontal Offset Protection

 

65. Event Data Recorders

 

66. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Occupant Crash Protection

 

67. Side Impact Protection Upgrade - FMVSS No. 214

 

68. Reforming the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program

 

69. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

 


 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

62. 

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.

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 

Returned to Mode

 

 

01/06/2004 

To OMB

03/17/2003 

06/22/2004 

 

OMB Clearance

06/17/2003 

09/22/2004 

 

Publication Date

07/01/2003 

09/30/2004 

 

End of Comment Period

09/01/2003 

11/30/2004 

 

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None



National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

63. 

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 

06/30/2004 

 

To OMB

03/03/2003 

07/30/2004 

 

OMB Clearance

06/03/2003 

10/29/2004 

 

Publication Date

06/08/2003 

11/08/2004 

 

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None



National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

64. 

Frontal Offset Protection

Yellow

Popular Title: Frontal Offset

RIN 2127-AH73

Stage: Request for Comments

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 Request for Comments:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

10/10/2003 

 

10/16/2003 

To OMB

11/14/2003 

 

12/05/2003 

OMB Clearance

02/16/2004 

 

01/26/2004 

Publication Date

02/24/2004 

 

02/03/2004 

End of Comment Period

04/24/2004 

 

04/05/2004 

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 Request for Comments: 69 FR 5108



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 Date 10/11/2002; End of Comment Period 01/09/2003.

Abstract: This rulemaking would address event data recorders (EDRs), i.e., devices that record information about motor vehicles involved in crashes. Manufacturers have been voluntarily installing EDRs as standard equipment in increasingly larger numbers of light vehicles in recent years. They are now being installed in the vast majority of new vehicles. The information collected by EDRs aids investigations of the causes of crashes and injuries, and makes it possible to better define and address safety problems. The information can be used to improve motor vehicle safety systems and standards. The rulemaking would not require the installation of EDRs in any motor vehicles. It would consider requirements for voluntarily installed EDRs, including ones for a minimum set of specified data elements and for data format.

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 

12/19/2003 

12/19/2003 

To OMB

10/08/2004 

01/20/2004 

03/09/2004 

OMB Clearance

01/08/2005 

06/10/2004 

 

Publication Date

01/13/2005 

06/17/2004 

 

End of Comment Period

03/13/2005 

08/17/2004 

 

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None



National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

66. 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Occupant Crash Protection

Green

Popular Title: Occupant Crash Protection

RIN 2127-AI91

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 08/06/2003; End of Comment Period 10/06/2003.

Abstract: This rulemaking would require that all designated seating positions in rear seats be equipped with integral lap/shoulder safety belts.

Effects:

 

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 12/07/2002

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

08/27/2004 

 

 

To OMB

09/24/2004 

 

 

OMB Clearance

12/24/2004 

 

 

Publication Date

12/31/2004 

 

 

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

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: NPRM

Previous Stage:None

Abstract: NHTSA is considering amending FMVSS No. 214 to add a vehicle-to-pole impact test in order to reduce the number of fatal and serious head injuries in side crashes.

Effects:

 

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate
Regulatory Flexibility Act

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 06/28/2002

Dates for NPRM:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

11/14/2003 

 

11/03/2003 

To OMB

12/12/2003 

 

02/10/2004 

OMB Clearance

03/12/2004 

05/10/2004 

 

Publication Date

03/22/2004 

05/17/2004 

 

End of Comment Period

05/22/2004 

10/19/2004 

 

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None



National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

68. 

Reforming the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program

Green

Popular Title: Reforming CAFE

RIN 2127-AJ17

Stage: ANPRM

Previous Stage:None

Abstract: This rulemaking addresses various issues relating to the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) program. In particular, it addresses possible enhancements to the program that will assist in furthering fuel conservation while protecting motor vehicle safety and American jobs. The agency is particularly interested in improvements to the structure of the CAFE program authorized under current statutory authority.

Effects:

 

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 04/01/2003

Dates for ANPRM:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

10/10/2003 

 

10/14/2003 

To OMB

11/11/2003 

11/18/2003 

11/21/2003 

OMB Clearance

02/11/2004 

02/18/2004 

12/19/2003 

Publication Date

02/18/2004 

02/25/2004 

12/29/2003 

End of Comment Period

04/19/2004 

04/26/2004 

04/27/2004 

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for ANPRM: 68 FR 74908



National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

69. 

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Green

Popular Title: TPMS

RIN 2127-AJ23

Stage: NPRM

Previous Stage:None

Abstract: The Transportation Recall Enhancement Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act required the Secretary of Transportation to initiate rulemaking to require a warning system in new motor vehicles to indicate to the operator when a tire is significantly under-inflated. The agency issued a final rule for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) (establishing FMVSS No. 138) on June 5, 2002; however, that version of the standard was vacated by a decision issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in August 2003. The agency will now take rulemaking action to re-establish FMVSS No. 138, in a manner consistent with the court's decision, and provide a new phase-in period. This rulemaking replaces 2127-AI90 and 2127-AI33, which was terminated due to the August Second Circuit decision.

Effects:

 

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate

Prompting action: Statute

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/06/2003

Dates for NPRM:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

02/27/2004 

 

 

To OMB

03/26/2004 

 

 

OMB Clearance

06/25/2004 

 

 

Publication Date

07/05/2004 

 

 

End of Comment Period

09/06/2004 

 

 

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None