[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35708-35709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16758]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-99-5057]


Fatigue Reducing Technologies

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for information.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 4021(a) of the Transportation 
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the FHWA seeks information 
about technologies that may reduce commercial motor vehicle (CMV) 
driver fatigue, while also lowering CMV emissions and reducing fuel 
consumption. The FHWA believes that many such technologies may exist in

[[Page 35709]]

various stages of development and would like to obtain more information 
about them.

DATES: The FHWA must receive your submission of information on 
potential technologies on or before August 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: All information should refer to the docket number that 
appears in the heading of this document. Submit it to the Docket Clerk, 
U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590-0001. All submissions will be available for examination at the 
above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. If you desire notification of receipt of your 
submission of information, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope 
or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Albert Alvarez, Office of Motor 
Carrier Research & Standards, HMCS-20, (202) 366-4706, or Mr. Charles 
Medalen, Office of Chief Counsel, HCC-20, (202) 366-1354, Federal 
Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC. 20590-
0001. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Internet users can access all comments by using the DOT's Dockets 
Management System (DMS) at http://dms.dot.gov. The DMS is available 24 
hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the instructions 
online for more information and help.
    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1662. Internet 
users may reach the Federal Register's home page at http://
www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at 
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    Section 4021 of TEA-21 (Pub. L. 105-178) requires the Secretary of 
Transportation to encourage the research, development, and 
demonstration of technologies that may aid in reducing commercial motor 
vehicle (CMV) operators' fatigue. In implementing Section 4021, the 
Secretary must take into account the degree to which the fatigue-
reducing technology: will be cost-efficient; can be used effectively 
under diverse climactic conditions; and will further emission 
reductions, conserve energy, and support other transportation goals.
    The FHWA has received information about a few private initiatives 
that appear to reduce fatigue while meeting varied climactic demands, 
conserving energy, and reducing emissions. However, as far as the FHWA 
is aware, the relative benefits and costs of these technologies (e.g., 
in terms of fuel consumption, definable level of emissions reductions, 
developmental cost, and operating cost) have not been subjected to a 
rigorous assessment. Moreover, other viable products may be planned or 
under development that the FHWA should include in any general 
assessment.
    Consequently, the FHWA is interested in obtaining as much 
information as possible about a variety of emerging technologies, and 
requests that all interested parties provide the agency with 
information about specific technologies that appear to satisfy the 
intent of section 4021.
    The FHWA will use the information that it collects to help it 
determine research priorities and funding needs. The FHWA also will use 
the information to determine whether Federal support of initial 
engineering and cost-benefit evaluations of the described technologies 
would be appropriate to answer questions about their performance. 
Analyzing performance will help determine potential benefits, as well 
as cost or design obstacles that might lessen acceptance. This cost-
benefit analysis would be essential before the FHWA could make any 
further public investment in research to determine how well any 
specific technology mitigates fatigue.

Response Requirements

    The FHWA asks that respondents provide the following information, 
at a minimum:
    1. A general description of the technology itself, identifying, for 
example, its chemical, mechanical, and electronic components and 
configuration;
    2. A brief description of the developmental history;
    3. A summary of the technology's current or intended use(s);
    4. The energy source(s) used, or to be used. In particular, whether 
it would, in a commercial motor vehicle environment, rely upon existing 
sources (e.g., on-vehicle fuel or battery power) or some additional/
external source of energy;
    5. A description of its status (i.e., initial design stage, 
available prototype, pilot application/testing in an industry or 
transportation environment);
    6. If appropriate, its current domestic or foreign application, 
either in transportation or some other industrial capacity;
    7. Its potential for use and maintainability in a mobile CMV 
environment (assuming the technology is not now specifically designed 
for, or being used on CMVs);
    8. Information about its public and private sector sponsor(s); and
    9. The estimated cost of the technology.
    In addition to the specific questions listed above, commenters are 
encouraged to discuss any other issues they believe are relevant to the 
assessment of technologies described in this Notice. The FHWA requests 
that commenters avoid submitting proprietary or confidential 
information.

Subsequent Evaluations

    Once the FHWA has completed its review of all the submissions, the 
agency will publish a summary report on the characteristics, status and 
future developmental needs of the technologies described by individual 
respondents to this Notice. The FHWA also will discuss in its report 
the agency's determination of any need for additional evaluations or 
tests, based on the nature and number of individual technologies 
described in the submissions. The FHWA hopes to devote research dollars 
in FY 2000 to these additional evaluations or tests, as determined 
appropriate, subject to the availability of funds.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48; Sec. 4021(a) of Pub. L. 
105-178.

    Issued on: June 23, 1999.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-16758 Filed 6-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P