[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 51 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 13069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5256]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Reports, Forms and Record Keeping Requirements Agency Information 
Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information 
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the nature of the information collections and their expected 
burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was 
published on December 14, 2004 [FR docket  04-27305, Vol. 9, 
No. 239, pgs. 74546-74566].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 18, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Van Iderstine at the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Rulemaking (NVS-121), 
202-366-4931, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 5307, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    Title: Compliance Labeling of Retroreflective Materials Heavy 
Trailer Conspicuity.
    OMB Number: 2127-0569.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

    Abstract: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, ``Lamps 
Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment,'' specifies 
requirements for vehicle lighting for the purposes of reducing 
traffic accidents and their tragic results by providing adequate 
roadway illumination, improved vehicle conspicuity, appropriate 
information transmission through signal lamps, in both day, night, 
and other conditions of reduced visibility. For certifications and 
identification purposes, the Standard requires the permanent marking 
of the letters ``DOT-C2,'' ``DOT-C3'', or ``DOT-C4'' at least 3mm 
high at regular intervals on retroreflective sheeting material 
having adequate performance to provide effective trailer 
conspicuity.
    The manufacturers of new tractors and trailers are required to 
certify that their products are equipped with retroreflective 
material complying with the requirements of the standard. The 
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Motor Carrier Safety 
enforces this and other standards through roadside inspections of 
trucks. There is no practical field test for the performance 
requirements, and labeling is the only objective way of 
distinguishing trailer conspicuity grade material from lower 
performance material. Without labeling, FHWA will not be able to 
enforce the performance requirements of the standard and the 
compliance testing of new tractors and trailers will be complicated. 
Labeling is also important to small trailer manufactures because it 
may help them to certify compliance. Because wider stripes or 
material of lower brightness also can provide the minimum safety 
performance, the marking system serves the additional role of 
identifying the minimum stripe width required for retroreflective 
brightness of the particular material. Since the differences between 
the brightness grades of suitable retroreflective conspicuity 
material is not obvious from inspection, the marking system is 
necessary for tractor and trailer manufacturers and repair shops to 
assure compliance and for FHWA to inspect tractors and trailers in 
use.
    Permanent labeling is used to identify retroreflective material 
having the minimum properties required for effective conspicuity of 
trailers at night. The information enables the FHWA to make 
compliance inspections, and it aids tractor and trailer owners and 
repairs shops in choosing the correct repair materials for damaged 
tractors and trailers. It also aids smaller trailer manufacturers in 
certifying compliance of their products.
    The FHWA will not be able to determine whether trailers are 
properly equipped during roadside inspections without labeling. The 
use of cheaper and more common reflective materials, which are 
ineffective for the application, would be expected in repairs 
without the labeling requirement.

    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 28 Hours.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: NHTSA Desk Officer.
    Comments Are Invited on: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the Departments estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology. A Comment to OMB is most effective if OMB 
receives it within 30 days of publication.

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 11, 2005.
H. Keith Brewer,
Director, Office of Crash Avoidance.
[FR Doc. 05-5256 Filed 3-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P