[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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