[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60817-60818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29832]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
49 CFR Part 350
Public Meeting To Discuss the Development of Functional
Specifications for Performance-Based Brake Testers Used To Inspect
Commercial Motor Vehicles
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is announcing a public meeting to discuss the
development of functional specifications for performance-based brake
testing machines purchased with Federal funds through the FHWA's Motor
Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). The FHWA is nearing the
completion of a multi-year research program to evaluate prototype
performance-based brake testing technologies, including roller
dynamometers, flat-plate brake testers, and breakaway torque brake
testers. The agency has determined that certain performance-based brake
testing machines are eligible for funding under MCSAP but only as
screening and sorting devices in commercial vehicle inspections. The
purpose of the public meeting is to discuss the establishment of
generic functional specifications that would be applicable to a range
of brake testing technologies. The functional specifications would
serve as guidelines for the States to use in determining whether the
purchase of a specific brake tester would be an eligible expense under
the MCSAP.
DATES: The meeting will be held on December 8, 1997. The meeting will
begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will include a
presentation of the results to date from the brake tester evaluation
program and a review of preliminary functional specifications.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Vehicle Research and Test Center in
East Liberty, Ohio.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry W. Minor, Vehicle and
Operations Division, Office of Motor Carrier Research and Standards,
(202) 366-4009; Mr. Steve Keppler, Intelligent Transportation Systems--
Commercial Vehicle Operations Division, Office of Motor Carrier Safety
and Technology, (202) 366-0950; or Mr. Paul Alexander, State Programs
Division, Office of Motor Carrier Safety and Technology (202) 366-9579,
Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.
C. 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In 1993, the FHWA initiated a research program to evaluate various
performance-based brake testing technologies for use on commercial
motor vehicles. The purpose of the program was to determine, through
field-test data collection, if performance-based brake inspection
technologies could improve or assist with the throughput and accuracy
of the current inspection techniques which involve visual examination
of components, measurement of push-rod travel on air-braked vehicles,
and listening for air leaks. Following the completion of the first task
of the program, in which various performance-based technologies were
analyzed, several of the systems were selected for evaluation in a
roadside field-test inspection program.
During the field tests, inspections were performed using both
visual and performance-based methods to compare their ability to detect
vehicle brake defects. In particular, a Commercial Vehicle Safety
Alliance Level 4 inspection (consisting of the brake and tire portion
of a Level 1 inspection) was conducted in addition to a performance-
based brake test. The dual inspections were performed by State
officials in each of eight States that volunteered to participate in
the field test program.
The data collected from these dual inspections were tabulated and
[[Page 60818]]
correlations were sought between Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (FMCSRs) violations, the North American Uniform Vehicle
Out-of-Service Criteria used by officials in the United States, Canada,
and Mexico, and various pass/fail criteria used by manufacturers of
performance-based technology. In addition to the performance-based
brake ``failure'' information, data relating to the operational
characteristics of each prototype machine were also collected and
evaluated. These data included setup and tear down times, vehicle
inspection times, maintenance requirements, user friendliness,
calibration procedures and results, operator skill-level requirements
and information to generate a cost-benefit analysis. A key source of
data was the interviews with State inspectors.
The preliminary findings from the first phase of the prototype
brake testing program are documented in an interim report, ``Evaluation
of Performance-Based Brake Testing Technologies,'' December 1995, FHWA-
MC-96-004. A copy of this report may be obtained by contacting one of
the individuals listed at the beginning of this notice. The interim
report presents findings based upon approximately one year of data from
roller dynamometers used in Colorado and Ohio, and a flat plate tester
in Minnesota.
West Virginia is currently participating in the field test
evaluation of a roller dynamometer, Wisconsin is collecting data on a
flat-plate tester, and Maryland and Nevada are collecting data on
breakaway torque testers. Connecticut participated in the testing of a
roller dynamometer for several months but elected to discontinue its
involvement in the research program. The final report on the research
program will be published in 1998.
Determination of Eligibility for MCSAP Funding
On April 1, 1996, the FHWA issued a memorandum advising agency
staff that two specific performance-based brake testing machines are
eligible for funding under MCSAP. The memorandum indicated that the
devices are prototypes, and are approved for screening and sorting
purposes only. This means that States may request MCSAP funding to
purchase one of the approved brake testers for use in screening or
sorting vehicles at inspection cites. Vehicles that fail the
performance test would be inspected to determine the reason for the
poor test results. Generally, motor carriers cannot be cited for brake-
related violations of the FMCSRs solely on the basis of the results
from a performance-based brake tester. Citations are based upon the
specific defects or deficiencies found during the in-depth inspection.
The FHWA is considering the development of pass/fail criteria for
braking force that could be enforced by Federal and State officials
using performance-based brake testing technologies. As inspection
criteria or regulations are developed through the rulemaking process,
the use of the performance-based brake testing machines could be
expanded to include enforcement of the new Federal brake performance
standards. The new standards would be an alternative to the stopping
distances from 32.2 kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour) currently
specified in 49 CFR 393.52 but rarely enforced by Federal and State
officials because of difficulties in performing such tests at roadside.
If brake force standards are developed through the rulemaking process,
the States would be able to issue citations based upon the output from
the brake testers.
The development of pass/fail criteria for braking force in
commercial motor vehicles will be considered for rulemaking but will
not be a topic of discussion at the meeting. The meeting will focus
only on the development of functional specifications for the brake
testing technologies to ensure that the equipment accepted as eligible
expenses under the MCSAP are capable of accurately measuring brake
forces.
Meeting Information
The meeting will be held on December 8, 1997, at the NHTSA's
Vehicle Research and Test Center, located near the intersection of
State Routes 33 and 347, East Liberty, Ohio. This location is
approximately 55 miles northwest of Columbus, Ohio. The meeting is
scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The NHTSA's Vehicle Research and
Test Center is located on the grounds of the Transportation Research
Center, a privately owned facility with controlled access. All visitors
to the Transportation Research Center must be registered with the
security office and wear a visitor's badge at all times while on the
premises. Therefore, the FHWA requests that all interested parties
contact one of the individuals listed at the beginning of this notice
by December 1 to provide their name and company affiliation so that
security personnel at TRC can be notified in advance. This will prevent
delays in gaining access to the facility.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 350
Highway safety, Motor carriers, motor vehicle safety.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31136, 31502; 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: November 5, 1997.
George L. Reagle,
Associate Administrator for Motor Carriers.
[FR Doc. 97-29832 Filed 11-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P