[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9470]
[[Page 17812]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
49 CFR Part 393
[FHWA Docket No. MC-96-41; FHWA-97-2289]
RIN 2125-AE05
Public Meeting To Discuss the Development of the North American
Standard for Protection Against Shifting or Falling Cargo
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA is announcing a public meeting concerning the
development of the North American Standard for Protection Against
Shifting or Falling Cargo. The meeting will include a review of the
most recent version of the North American Standard for Protection
Against Shifting or Falling Cargo and a discussion of issues related to
the adoption of the guidelines by jurisdictions throughout North
America.
DATES: The meeting will be held on May 2, 1998. The meeting will begin
at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900
Jamboree Boulevard in Irvine, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry W. Minor, Office of Motor
Carrier Research and Standards, HCS-10, (202) 366-4009; or Mr. Charles
E. Medalen, Office of the Chief Counsel, HCC-20, (202) 366-1354,
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:
Electronic Access
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem
and suitable communications software from the Federal Register
Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet users may
reach the Federal Register's home page at: http://www.nara.gov/nara/
fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/su__docs.
Background
On October 17, 1996, the FHWA published an advance notice of
proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) concerning the development of the North
American Standard for Protection Against Shifting or Falling Cargo (61
FR 54142). The ANPRM indicated that the FHWA is considering proposing
amendments to its regulations concerning cargo securement requirements
for commercial motor vehicles engaged in interstate commerce.
Specifically, the agency is considering adopting new cargo securement
rules that will be based upon the results of a multi-year comprehensive
research program to evaluate current regulations and industry
practices. The FHWA requested comments on the process to be used in
developing the cargo securement guidelines.
Standard Development Process
The preliminary efforts at developing the North American Standard
for Protection Against Shifting or Falling Cargo are currently being
managed by a drafting group. The drafting group is developing a model
set of cargo securement guidelines based upon the results from the
multi-year research program. Membership in the drafting group includes
representatives from the FHWA, Transport Canada, the Canadian Council
of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), the Ontario Ministry of
Transportation, the Quebec Ministry of Transportation--Ontario and
Quebec are conducting most of the research--and the Commercial Vehicle
Safety Alliance (CVSA).
The meeting on May 2 is a continuation of a series of public
meetings and is intended to serve as part of a process for further
developing the guidelines. The meeting will involve a review of the
work completed to date by the drafting group, discussions concerning
the process for each of the jurisdictions in North America to adopt the
guidelines, and the identification of any additional research or data
that may be needed to resolve concerns raised during previous public
meetings. The meeting is open to all interested parties. This process
is intended to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity
to participate in the development of the guidelines, and to identify
and consider the concerns of the Federal, State, and Provincial
governments, carriers, shippers, industry groups, and associations as
well as safety advocacy groups and the general public.
For individuals and groups unable to attend the meeting, copies of
the draft standard may be obtained, free of charge, by contacting Mr.
Larry W. Minor at the address and telephone number listed at the
beginning of this notice. Further, the CCMTA has posted the complete
draft standard and related information (e.g., minutes of the previous
public meetings, information about ordering copies of the cargo
securement research reports, etc.) on the INTERNET. The website is:
http://www.ab.org/ccmta/ccmta.html.
With regard to future rulemaking notices, the FHWA will publish a
separate notice concerning its review of the docket comments submitted
in response to the ANPRM. That notice will summarize the comments and
identify any issues that warrant reconsideration of the standard
development process.
Meeting Information
The meeting will be held on May 2, 1998, at the Hyatt Regency
Irvine Hotel, 17900 Jamboree Boulevard in Irvine, California. The
meeting is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in conjunction with
the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's 1998 Spring Workshop.
Attendance for the cargo securement meeting is free of charge and open
to all interested parties. However, anyone interested in attending the
sessions and committee meetings of the CVSA's 1998 Spring Workshop must
register with the CVSA and pay the appropriate registration fee. For
further information about registration for other sessions or meetings
of the CVSA's 1998 Spring Workshop please contact the CVSA at (301)
564-1623.
The FHWA notes that since the CVSA's 1998 Spring Workshop is being
held at the Hyatt Regency Irvine Hotel, the availability of guest rooms
at the hotel is very unlikely. Therefore, those needing hotel
accommodations should attempt to make reservations at other hotels in
the vicinity.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 393
Highway safety, Motor carriers, Motor vehicle safety.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31136, 31502; 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: April 6, 1998.
George L. Reagle,
Associate Administrator for Motor Carriers.
[FR Doc. 98-9470 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
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