[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 135 (Thursday, July 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34628-34629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16888]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration


Request for Applications for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration Medical Review Board

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for applications for the Medical Review Board.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA solicits applications from interested physicians to 
serve on the Agency's Medical Review Board (MRB). The MRB, authorized 
by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity 
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), provides scientific advice to the 
Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) and the FMCSA Administrator 
on medical issues relating to the physical qualification standards for 
commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. In 2006, the Secretary 
appointed five physicians for 2-year terms to serve on the MRB. In 
2008, the Secretary reappointed the physicians to the MRB, with the 
chairperson currently serving a 2-year term, and the other four members 
serving staggered 1-year terms. In 2009, the Secretary appointed two 
new members to a 2-year term, and reappointed two of the current 
members to a 1-year term to ensure the MRB continued to operate with 
five active members. The term of the chairman and two members will 
expire in 2010. Therefore, in 2010, the Secretary will appoint three 
new MRB members to fill the vacancies created when the three current 
members' terms expire. In addition, the Secretary will appoint 
alternates to serve if one or more of the appointed MRB members is 
unable to complete his/her term. The appointment of alternates ensures 
that the MRB will operate continuously with five active members.

DATES: Applications must be received by August 17, 2009. FMCSA will 
periodically call for applications as deemed necessary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Director, Medical 
Programs, 202-366-4001, FMCSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8 
a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    FMCSA has current statutory authority under 49 U.S.C. 31502 and 
31136 to determine the physical qualifications of interstate CMV 
drivers. The physical qualifications regulations for commercial motor 
vehicle (CMV) drivers in interstate commerce are found in 49 CFR 
391.41. Section 391.43 contains instructions to medical examiners for 
performing physical examinations of CMV drivers. FMCSA medical 
standards and guidelines are critical medical program components in 
accomplishing FMCSA's mission to reduce crashes, injuries, and 
fatalities involving large trucks and buses.
    In 2005, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act; A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 
109-59). Section 4116 (a) of SAFETEA-LU (codified at 49 U.S.C. 31149) 
required FMCSA to establish the MRB to provide scientific advice on 
matters related to CMV driver health and safety. The Charter for the 
MRB was originally approved and filed with the General Services 
Administration on September 20, 2005 [FR 70 57642], and renewed on 
November 2, 2007.
    The MRB promotes CMV safety by providing science-based medical 
expertise on the medical qualification of CMV drivers, reviewing and 
revising medical standards, and interpreting medical research. These 
activities address the appropriateness and viability of the medical 
standards in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, the 
framework that relates driver health to safe CMV operation. The MRB 
assesses and provides recommendations to FMCSA about regulations that 
may need to be changed or updated. FMCSA's MRB provides information, 
advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation and the 
FMCSA Administrator on the development and implementation of science-
based physical qualification standards applicable to interstate CMV 
drivers, and implementation of a national registry of medical 
examiners. The MRB does not hold regulatory development 
responsibilities, manage programs, or make decisions affecting such 
programs. The MRB provides a forum for the development, consideration, 
and communication of information from a knowledgeable, scientific 
perspective. The MRB began operations in February 2006, with formal 
deliberations beginning in August 2006. The MRB meets 3-4 times each 
year and has issued many recommendations on cardiovascular diseases, 
seizure disorders, musculoskeletal diseases, and other topics pertinent 
to the certified driver medical examination.

[[Page 34629]]

II. Request for Applications

    FMCSA seeks physicians from many different medical specialties to 
develop science-based CMV physical qualification standards, medical 
advisory criteria and safety policies. As members of the Agency's MRB, 
physicians will provide expert guidance on medical guidelines and 
standards. FMCSA is committed to appointing physicians with diverse 
professional backgrounds, and taking into account gender, ethnicity, 
demographic and socioeconomic factors. To be eligible for appointment, 
physicians must: (a) Be a U.S. citizen; (b) not be a Federal government 
employee; (c) have a U.S. medical license (as a Medical Doctor or 
Doctor of Osteopathy) and is in good standing; with a State medical 
licensing authority; and (d) be able to attend three to four face-to-
face meetings a year, three to five 1 hour teleconferences, and spend 
approximately 5 hours per month providing additional consultation.
    Interested physicians should have a commitment to transportation 
safety and health, an understanding of evidence-based medicine and 
research methods, knowledge of transportation medical issues, history 
of excellence in original medical research demonstrated through 
publications in peer-reviewed journals, experience on panels that 
develop medical standards, and a record of leadership activities in 
transportation safety and medical professional organizations.
    MRB members are special government employees under the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act of 1972, Public Law 92-463. While attending 
meetings or conducting business of the Committee, expenses for travel 
and subsistence or per diem allowances will be paid by FMCSA.
    Applications should be submitted online at http://www.mrb.fmcsa.dot.gov. For additional information, please contact 
Jennifer Musick at 703-998-0189, extension 237, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. FMCSA will accept applications through August 17, 
2009, and will periodically call for applications as the MRB work 
continues.

    Issued on: June 29, 2009.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E9-16888 Filed 7-15-09; 8:45 am]
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