49 CFR Part 571

Amends the FMVSS on air brake systems to improve the stopping distance performance of truck tractors. The rule requires the vast majority of new heavy truck tractors to achieve a 30 percent reduction in stopping distance compared to currently required levels. For these heavy truck tractors (approximately 99 percent of the fleet), the amended standard requires those vehicles to stop in not more than 250 feet when loaded to their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and tested at a speed of 60 miles per hour (mph). For a small number of very heavy severe service tractors, the stopping distance requirement will be 310 feet under these same conditions. In addition, this final rule requires that all heavy truck tractors must stop within 235 feet when loaded to their “lightly loaded vehicle weight” (LLVW).

49 CFR Part 571

49 CFR Part 571

Issues related to glare produced by lamps mounted on the fronts of vehicles

49 CFR Part 571

49 CFR Part 571

Issues related to glare produced by lamps mounted on the fronts of vehicles

This proposes to establish a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 136 to require electronic stability control (ESC) systems on truck tractors and certain buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds). ESC systems in truck tractors and large buses are designed to reduce untripped rollovers and mitigate severe understeer or oversteer conditions that lead to loss of control by using automatic computer-controlled braking and reducing engine torque output. In 2012, we expect that about 26 percent of new truck tractors and 80 percent of new buses affected by this proposed rule will be equipped with ESC systems. We believe that ESC systems could prevent 40 to 56 percent of untripped rollover crashes and 14 percent of loss-of-control crashes. By requiring that ESC systems be installed on truck tractors and large buses, this proposal would prevent 1,807 to 2,329 crashes, 649 to 858 injuries, and 49 to 60 fatalities at less than $3 million per equivalent life saved, while generating positive net benefits.

49 CFR Part 571

In response to a petition for rulemaking, this document proposes to require straight trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of between 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) and 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds) to be equipped with a rear object detection system.

49 CFR Part 571, 572, 589

49 CFR Part 571, 598

49 CFR Part 571,596

A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) amending FMVSS No. 218 was published on May 21, 2015 (80 FR 29458). The NPRM set forth an interpretation of the definition of “motor vehicle equipment” in the United States Code, as amended by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP–21) Act, and requested comments on two proposed changes to the motorcycle helmet safety standard, FMVSS No. 218. NHTSA proposed to add a definition of “motorcycle helmet” and modify the existing performance requirements of the standard by adding a set of dimensional and compression requirements. These requirements and the associated test procedures would identify those helmets whose physical characteristics indicate that they likely cannot meet the existing performance requirements of the standard. Third, NTHSA proposed an optional alternative compliance process for manufacturers whose helmets do not comply with the proposed dimensional and compression requirements, but do comply with the performance requirements and all other aspects of FMVSS No. 218 . If this proposal is adopted, NHTSA will publish a list of helmets that have complied with the alternative compliance process and can therefore be certified by their manufacturers. The NPRM was the result of the agency’s assessment of other actions that could be taken to further increase the percentage of motorcyclists who wear helmets that comply with the helmet standard.

49 CFR Part 573, 574, 576, 579

49 CFR Part 575

Safety Rating Program for Child Restraint Systems