[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14392]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 14, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

 

Plans for Establishment of Land Transportation Standards 
Subcommittee

AGENCY: Office of International Transportation and Trade, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: This notice announces the Department of Transportation's (DOT) 
plans for establishing the Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee 
(LTSS) required in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It 
also describes the LTSS' scope of work, notifies the public of upcoming 
meetings, and invites interested parties to write to DOT, by July 20, 
1994, to be included in the Department's distribution list for LTSS 
reports and related information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States, Canada, and Mexico intend to work to 
develop more compatible land transportation standards through the LTSS 
in accordance with a timetable set in the NAFTA. Five working groups of 
federal and state government technical experts from the three countries 
will accomplish this work under the direction of the LTSS. While the 
working groups will be comprised of government officials only, the U.S. 
delegation to the LTSS will include federal and state government 
officials, as well as representatives from industry, labor, and safety 
advocacy groups. The LTSS is scheduled to hold its first plenary 
session on July 12, 1994, in Cancun, Mexico. Several working groups may 
meet on July 11, 1994 at the same location. Agendas for the meetings 
are yet to be determined. In the future, the Department intends to 
publish in advance the schedules and agendas for LTSS and working group 
meetings, and to distribute regularly relevant information to 
individuals and organizations on its mailing list. Public briefings 
will also be scheduled as appropriate to provide updated information. 
Respondents are requested to send a post card with their full names and 
addresses to DOT, specifying the group(s) about which they would like 
to receive information.

BACKGROUND: The NAFTA establishes a Committee on Standards-Related 
Measures, and requires that it create a subcommittee to seek, to the 
extent practicable, compatibility of land transportation standards 
among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Annex 913.5.a-1 of the 
NAFTA sets forth the work program that the LTSS will follow for seeking 
compatibility of the countries' standards-related measures for bus and 
truck operations, rail personnel standards that are relevant to cross-
border operations, and the transportation of hazardous materials.
    Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee: The LTSS will meet once 
a year chaired, on the U.S. side, by the Director of the Office of 
International Transportation and Trade, Office of the Secretary of 
Transportation. The chair will give general guidance and direction to 
U.S. working group heads, establish the parameters for participation of 
U.S. delegates in delegation and trilateral meetings, and prepare 
policy recommendations for the Secretary of Transportation's 
consideration. U.S. participants to the LTSS will include: (1) Federal 
officials from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA), Research and Special Programs 
Administration (RSPA), the U.S. Department of State, the Office of the 
U.S. Trade Representative, and other federal agencies as appropriate; 
(2) state policy-makers identified by the National Governors' 
Association; (3) trade association representatives for the truck, bus, 
and rail industries, shippers transportation labor unions, brokers, and 
shippers; and (4) public safety advocates.
    Working Groups: Five working groups, comprised of federal, state, 
and provincial officials from the three countries, will be established. 
In the United States, each working group will operate under the 
leadership of a DOT official. By invitation, representatives of state 
government organizations such as the Association of American Motor 
Vehicle Administrators, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the 
International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association 
of State Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Cooperative Hazardous 
Materials Enforcement Development Program, and others may also be part 
of the U.S. delegation. Individual working groups will determine the 
frequency of meetings depending on the scope of work and the time-frame 
established in the NAFTA for seeking compatibility for the specific 
standards under each group's jurisdiction. The groups and chairs are 
listed below.
    1. Working Group 1--This group will consider medical and non-
medical standards-related measures for drivers, including age and 
language requirements. It will also review measures with respect to 
vehicles such as tires, brakes, parts and accessories, cargo 
securement, maintenance and repair, inspections, and emissions and 
environmental pollution levels not covered by the Automotive Standards 
Council's work program established under Annex 913.5.a-3 of the NAFTA. 
In addition, the group will examine standards related to the 
supervision of motor carrier safety compliance. For information call 
Tom Kozlowski, Chief, Standards Development Division/FHWA, at (202) 
366-2981.
    2. Working Group 2--This group will analyze the development of more 
compatible vehicle weights and dimensions standards. For information 
call Susan Binder, Chief, Office of Industry and Economic Analysis/
FHWA, at (202) 366-9230.
    3. Working Group 3--This group will be responsible for seeking 
compatibility of standards-related measures relating to road signs. For 
information call Rudolph Umbs, Acting Chief, Safety Management 
Division/FHWA, at (202) 366-0411.
    4. Working Group 4--This group will consider compatibility of 
standards related to rail operating personnel that are relevant to 
cross-border operations, and standards related to locomotives and other 
rail equipment. For information call Jane Bachner, Director, Office of 
Economic Analysis/FRA, at (202) 366-0344.
    5. Working Group 5--This group will be responsible for seeking 
compatibility of standards related to the transportation of hazardous 
materials. For information call Frits Wybenga, International Standards 
Coordinator for Hazardous Materials/RSPA, at (202) 366-0656.

MEETINGS: The LTSS is scheduled to meet for the first time in plenary 
session on July 12, 1994, in Cancun, Mexico. Several working groups may 
also meet at the same location on July 11, 1994. Agendas for the July 
sessions are not immediately available, but may be obtained by calling 
the individuals listed on this notice the week of June 27. Schedules 
and agendas for future meetings will be published in advance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact David DeCarme, Chief, Maritime and 
Surface Division, Office of International Transportation and Trade, 
Office of the Secretary of Transportation, at (202) 366-2892.

ADDRESS AND DEADLINE: Individuals and organizations interested in being 
placed on the mailing list for receiving LTSS-related information are 
requested to send, by July 20, 1994, a post card indicating the 
complete name and address where the information should be sent, and 
specifying the group or groups about which information is desired. Mail 
post cards to David DeCarme, U.S. Department of Transportation, OST/X-
20, room 10300, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.

    Dated: June 9, 1994.
Arnold Levine,
Director, Office of International Transportation and Trade.
[FR Doc. 94-14392 Filed 6-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P