[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 21, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53987-53999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25241]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 572

[Docket No. NHTSA-09-0166]
RIN 2127-AK34


Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Hybrid III 6-Year-Old Child Test 
Dummy

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: Today's NPRM proposes two changes to the agency's 
specifications for the Hybrid III six-year-old child dummy. In Part 1 
of this NPRM, to improve the durability of the dummy's femurs, we 
propose changes to the design of and material used for the femur 
assembly. In Part 2, the drawing for the abdomen insert would be 
corrected so that the abdominal insert dimensions on the drawing 
reflect the actual part. Part 2 of this rulemaking commenced in 
response to a petition for rulemaking submitted by Denton ATD (Denton) 
and First Technology Safety Systems (FTSS). This document declines the 
petitioners' suggestion to investigate tolerances for vinyl and rubber 
components of the dummy and to specify the expected time frame each 
part would meet the tolerances.

DATES: You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that they 
are received not later than December 21, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by the Docket ID Number 
above) by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public 
Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this 
document. Note that all comments received will be posted

[[Page 53988]]

without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the street 
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the 
dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For non-legal issues, you may call Ms. 
Lori Summers, NHTSA Office of Crashworthiness Standards (telephone 202-
366-1740) (fax 202-493-2990). For legal issues, you may call Ms. 
Deirdre Fujita, NHTSA Office of Chief Counsel (telephone 202-366-2992) 
(fax 202-366-3820). You may send mail to these officials at the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 
SE., Washington, DC, 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Overview
II. Part 1--Femur Improvements
    a. Introduction
    b. Description of the Femur; Failures
    c. Proposed Femur Design Changes
    d. Analysis of the New Femur Design
    1. Stress Analysis of the Fillet Effect
    2. Dynamic Evaluation
    i. Comparing Test Results of the Modified HIII-6C Test in the 
Marathon, Boulevard, and Decathlon CRSs
    ii. Comparing the Results of the Britax Marathon Test of the 
Modified HIII-6C (Test H06337) to Those of a Test of the Original 
HIII-6C Where Femur Failure Occurred (H06120)
    A. Effect on FMVSS No. 213 Injury Metrics
    B. Effect on Dummy Kinematics
    C. Dummy Response Biofidelity
    D. Hip Lock
III. Part 2--Abdominal Insert
IV. Proposed Effective Date
V. Other Issues: Rubber and Foam Parts
VI. Rulemaking Analyses And Notices
VII. Public Participation

I. Overview

    This NPRM proposes two changes to the agency's specifications for 
the Hybrid III six-year-old child dummy (HIII-6C). In Part 1 of this 
NPRM, to improve the durability of the dummy's femurs, we propose 
changes to the design of and material used for the femur assembly. The 
primary modifications include the addition of a \1/4\-inch (6.35 
millimeter (mm)) fillet between the femur clamp and the connecting 
segment (as defined in section II.b of this preamble) of the machined 
femur, removal of material from the connecting segment, and a material 
change from aluminum bronze to 4340 steel. These changes would be made 
by changing the drawings for the femur in the drawing package specified 
in 49 CFR Part 572, Subpart N (``Six-year-old child test dummy''), the 
parts list, and the ``Procedures for Assembly, Disassembly, and 
Inspection'' (``PADI'') document of the Hybrid III 6-year-old child 
crash test dummy (June 2002) incorporated by reference into that 
regulation. In Part 2, the drawing for the HIII-6C abdomen insert would 
be corrected so that the abdominal insert dimensions on the drawing 
reflect the actual part. We also propose to make conforming changes to 
the specifications and drawings of the HIII-6CW weighted child test 
dummy (49 CFR Part 572, Subpart S).

II. Part 1--Femur Improvements

a. Introduction

    The HIII-6C is used to represent a six-year-old child in vehicle 
crash tests and equipment compliance tests. It is an enhanced, more 
biofidelic upgrade to its predecessor, the Hybrid II six-year-old 
dummy. The HIII-6C is used in multiple testing environments, including, 
but not limited to, out-of-position testing in FMVSS No. 208 (Occupant 
Crash Protection, 49 CFR 571.208), child restraint system (CRS) 
evaluation in FMVSS No. 213 (Child Restraint Systems, 49 CFR 
571.213),\1\ and for research purposes in the New Car Assessment 
Program (NCAP).
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    \1\ Mandatory use of the HIII-6C by NHTSA in compliance tests 
will begin in 2010. Currently, manufacturers have the option of 
certifying their child restraints to FMVSS No. 213 using the HIII-6C 
or the Hybrid II six-year-old dummy.
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    The HIII-6C can be used in its normal configuration or it can be 
weighted to simulate heavier children (see 49 CFR Part 572, Subpart S). 
The standard HIII-6C weighs 52 pounds (lb) (23.6 kilograms (kg)). The 
weighted version of the dummy (HIII-6CW) weighs ten pounds more at 62 
lb (28.1 kg). The HIII-6CW was developed to represent larger children 
for purposes of testing booster seats to the requirements of FMVSS No. 
213.\2\
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    \2\ As noted earlier, we propose changing the specifications and 
drawings of the HIII-6CW set forth in 49 CFR Part 572, Subpart S, 
consistent with the changes proposed for the HIII-6C dummy discussed 
in this preamble.
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    NHTSA has become aware that femur failures, involving complete 
separation of the dummy leg(s) from the pelvis, have occurred in the 
test dummy in FMVSS No. 213 testing and in NCAP research testing.
    To improve the durability of the femur, NHTSA's Vehicle Research 
and Test Center (VRTC), through an existing contract with dummy 
manufacturers First Technology Safety Systems (FTSS) and Denton ATD 
(Denton),\3\ requested the manufacturers to consider new femur designs 
for the HIII-6C. NHTSA asked the dummy manufacturers to look into 
improving the femur design after learning of a femur failure. The 
agency began investigating the femur even though only a single failure 
had occurred because the same failure had been observed in a prototype 
version of the Hybrid III 10-year-old child dummy (HIII-10C) that had a 
femur design that was similar to the present HIII-6C femur.\4\ NHTSA 
was concerned that the HIII-6C's femur was a vulnerable design and that 
more femur failures would occur as the dummy became more widely used in 
agency testing.
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    \3\ These are the manufacturers that produce the HIII-6C dummy.
    \4\ In particular, the machined femur of the HIII-10C had the 
same sharp corner, discussed in the next section of this preamble, 
between the ``femur clamp'' and the ``connecting segment'' regions. 
The machined femur of the HIII-10C that had been involved in the 
failures was redesigned before the initiation of the HIII-10C's 
incorporation into 49 CFR Part 572 and the redesigned HIII-10C 
femurs have not been failing. The redesign of the HIII-10C dummy 
femur added a \1/4\-inch (6.35 mm) fillet to reduce stress at the 
intersection of the femur clamp and connecting segment. 
Additionally, the material of the HIII-10C machined femur and shaft 
was modified to be 4140 Steel, which has a significantly higher 
yield strength (92,000 psi) than the aluminum bronze used in the 
HIII-6C femur (48,000 psi). The shaft angle of the HIII-10C 
(77[deg]) is also larger than that of the HIII-6C (55[deg]).
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    FTSS and Denton separately developed different redesigns of the 
HIII-6C's femur. NHTSA has assessed both approaches and has decided to 
propose design changes that are based on the approach developed by 
FTSS. NHTSA has prepared a technical report that discusses in detail 
the femur designs, the agency's analysis of data relating to the 
proposed redesign of the femur, and other technical information 
supporting this NPRM. A copy of the report has been placed in the 
docket.

b. Description of the Femur; Failures

    The present design of the HIII-6C femur is specified in 49 CFR Part 
572, Subpart N.\5\ The machined femur, which is part of the femur 
assembly illustrated in Figure 1 below, consists of a large section 
that clamps onto the upper leg and a smaller section that contains the 
femur shaft. For ease of

[[Page 53989]]

discussion, these portions of the machined femur will be referred to as 
the ``femur clamp'' and the ``connecting segment,'' respectively, for 
the remainder of this preamble. The femur shaft, retaining flange, and 
femur ball connect the machined femur to the dummy's pelvis. Similar to 
a human hip joint, the ball in the HIII-6C femur assembly allows for 
rotation of the dummy hip joint. The flange is used to attach the femur 
assembly to the pelvis. The entire femur assembly is found within the 
lower torso, and the material specification for this assembly, 
including the machined femur, shaft, flange and ball is Aluminum Bronze 
C-624 AMC0-18. The line drawn in the illustration shows the approximate 
location of the femur failure. (The femur load cell, the response of 
which is discussed in the ``dynamic evaluation'' section below, is 
located in the distal portion of the upper leg (i.e., farther from the 
pelvis) and not in the area of the machined femur.)
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    \5\ Complete drawings for the HIII-6C femur can be found in 
Docket No. NHTSA-2002-12541.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21OC09.029

    Failures of the HIII-6C femur appear to have initiated at a sharp 
corner between the femur clamp and connecting segment sections of the 
machined femur. The fracture was observed from this corner to the bolt 
hole within the femur clamp, at an angle of approximately 45[deg]. The 
failure continued through the thin section of material directly beneath 
the bolt hole, causing complete separation of the machined femur. 
Additionally, in one failed component, small indents on the inner 
diameter of the retaining flange were observed, indicating potential 
contact between the flange and shaft. The location of the fracture is 
depicted in the Figure 1 illustration. Pictures of a fractured part can 
be found in the technical report accompanying this NPRM.

c. Proposed Femur Design Changes

    The proposed modification to improve the femur's durability is 
based on the approach developed by FTSS. The agency decided on that 
approach over Denton's because the FTSS design was more straightforward 
and simpler than that of Denton,\6\ and a similar design change had 
demonstrated improvement in the HIII-10C. Rather than re-designing, 
FTSS increased the strength and durability of the femur assembly by 
fabricating the machined femur and shaft from 4340 steel, which has a 
higher yield strength than the original material, aluminum bronze C-624 
AMC0-18, while keeping the ball and retaining flange as the original 
aluminum bronze material. A \1/4\-inch (6.35 mm) circular fillet was 
added between the femur clamp and the connecting segment to eliminate 
stress-risers that were present on the original femur, and a portion of 
the connecting segment material near the femur clamp was removed. The 
weight of the new FTSS femur is only 0.002 lb (0.001 kilograms (kg)) 
heavier than the original femur. Table 1 below compares the weights and 
material properties of the original femur, the FTSS-developed femur, 
and the Denton-developed femur.
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    \6\ Both manufacturers recommended a material change to increase 
the strength of the femur. In terms of design, FTSS reduced the 
effects of a stress-riser in the area of the failure, while Denton 
completed more extensive design changes to also address the alleged 
issue of ``hip lock.'' Hip lock is a condition where flexion of the 
dummy's hip joint is mechanically limited due to contact between the 
femur and the retaining ring or other pelvis structure. Hip lock in 
the HIII-50th percentile male femur led to design modifications that 
prevented ``hard'' (i.e., metal-to-metal contact) hip lock from 
occurring (61 FR 67953, Dec. 26, 1996). In that adult dummy, hard 
hip lock was characterized by spikes in the unfiltered pelvis and 
chest accelerometer readings, high and sharply-pointed chest z 
acceleration traces, non-unimodal chest x and resultant 
accelerations, and a high tension component in the lumbar z force 
(Klinich et al., ``Evaluation of a Proposed Hybrid III Hip 
Modification,'' Stapp Paper No. 952730, 1995).

[[Page 53990]]



                              Table 1--Weight and Material Properties for the Original and Developed HIII-6C Femur Designs
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          Femur design                           Measured weight                                       Material and yield strength
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Original.......................  0.532 lb (0.241 kg)...........................  Aluminum Bronze C-624 AMC0-18.................  48,000 psi.
FTSS...........................  0.534 lb (0.242 kg)...........................  4340 Steel....................................  114,000 psi.
Denton.........................  0.606 lb (0.275 kg)...........................  4140 Steel....................................  92,000 psi.
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    To implement this change in femur design and material, the 
following changes would be made to the materials describing the HIII-6C 
in 49 CFR Part 572. Drawings 127-3017-1&-2, ``6 YR H3--FEMUR MACHINED'' 
would be replaced with drawings 127-3017-1S&-2S, which show the 
proposed machined femur.\7\ The femur assembly drawings (127-3016-1&-2) 
would also be changed due to the new femur design, with new part 
numbers 127-3016-1S&-2S. Higher assembly drawings including 127-3000, 
``LOWER TORSO ASSEMBLY,'' and the complete assembly drawings (127-0000) 
would be amended to show the proposed part. These revisions would be 
noted on drawing SA572-127DRL-2. The PADI would also be updated so that 
it shows the proposed machined femur in figures and reports the proper 
lower torso assembly and total weight for the dummy. Finally, the part 
numbers for the machined femur and the femur assembly would be changed 
in the Parts/Drawings list, along with the revision letters for higher 
assembly drawings, as appropriate. Copies of the HIII-6C drawing 
package, PADI, and Parts/Drawings list that include the proposed change 
in femur design can be obtained online at http://www.regulations.gov, 
in the same docket as this NPRM.
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    \7\ The material specification on drawing 127-3021, ``6 YR H3--
FEMUR SHAFT,'' would be changed from ``Aluminum Bronze \3/8\ Rnd C-
624 AMC0-18'' to ``4340 Steel \3/8\ Rnd.''
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d. Analysis of the New Femur Design

    NHTSA has tentatively determined that the proposed changes to the 
femur would successfully prevent the femur from failing and would not 
compromise the utility of the test dummy. This determination is based 
on an analysis showing the stress is reduced by the addition of the 
fillet as proposed, and on an analysis of dynamic test results, as 
discussed below.
1. Stress Analysis of the Fillet Effect
    In the current HIII-6C machined femur, the change in dimension 
between the femur clamp and the connecting segment is nearly instant. 
This abrupt change can lead to high stresses in that area when the 
femur is loaded. The addition of a fillet in that area reduces these 
stresses. We have estimated that the proposed addition of the fillet 
between the femur clamp and the connecting segment of the HIII-6C 
machined femur will result in stresses approximately 1.6 to two times 
less than those in the femur without a fillet. However, it is noted 
that this is only an estimate, as the loading conditions present in the 
femur during a FMVSS No. 213 type sled test were highly simplified in 
order to provide a rough estimate of the fillet benefit. Details about 
the stress reduction approximation can be found in the technical 
report. Because the fillet design results in substantially reducing 
stress in the femur of the dummy, we tentatively conclude that adding 
the fillet and using the 4340 steel material will make the dummy 
sufficiently durable to avoid femur failure.
2. Dynamic Evaluation
    NHTSA evaluated the FTSS-developed femur in April 2006 at the MGA 
testing facility. To assess the effect of the component modification, a 
HIII-6C with new femurs (which we refer to as a ``modified HIII-6C'' or 
``modified dummy'') was tested in the Britax Marathon, Britax Boulevard 
and Britax Decathlon to the FMVSS No. 213 test conditions, and the 
results were compared.\8\ To obtain a greater understanding of the 
loading experienced by the femur assembly, instrumentation was added to 
the dummy to allow measurement of triaxial accelerations in the pelvis 
and forces and moments in the femurs. Additionally, to determine the 
effect of the new femur, we compared test results from a test in which 
the femur had failed to those of a test with a modified dummy, under 
conditions that had previously caused failure, i.e., the modified HIII-
6C dummy was tested in the Britax Marathon to the FMVSS No. 213 sled 
pulse.
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    \8\ The Boulevard and Decathlon models were each tested with a 
modified HIII-6C and with a HIII-6CW with the modified femur design. 
No femur failure occurred in any of the tests. For simplicity and 
because the test results of the HIII-6CW are not comparable to those 
of the HIII-6C, tests of the HIII-6CW dummy are not generally 
discussed in this preamble. However, results for all tests of the 
HIII-6CW are discussed in the technical report, including test 
numbers, maximum head, chest and pelvis accelerations and left and 
right femur maximum moments and forces.
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    In all tests of the FTSS-developed femurs, there were no femur 
failures. In addition, test data relating to left and right femur 
maximum moments, measurement of FMVSS Nos. 208 and 213 injury 
mechanisms, dummy kinematics, and other factors concerning the 
performance of the dummy raised no concerns about the new femur design. 
We tentatively conclude that the testing indicated that use of the new 
femur would not affect the utility of the modified HIII-6C and HIII-6CW 
dummies in FMVSS No. 208, FMVSS No. 213, and NCAP research tests, 
except to make the dummies more durable and, therefore, more acceptable 
as anthropomorphic test instruments used in agency testing.
i. Comparing Test Results of the Modified HIII-6C Test in the Marathon, 
Boulevard, and Decathlon CRSs
    NHTSA measured and compared maximum forces and moments measured in 
the femur load cells (over both legs) of the modified HIII-6C dummy in 
the Britax Marathon, Boulevard, and Decathlon. The Marathon and 
Boulevard showed similar maximum forces, while the Decathlon had a 
higher maximum femur force. All maximum forces occurred along the Z-
axis, and all maximum moments were about the Y-axis.

[[Page 53991]]



Table 2--Maximum Forces and Moments Measured in the Femur Load Cells of Modified HIII-6C Dummies in an FMVSS No.
                                       213 Compliance Testing Environment
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                                                                      Britax          Britax          Britax
                                                                     Marathon*      Decathlon*       Boulevard
                          Femur measure                          -----------------------------------------------
                                                                        6C              6C              6C
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Max Force (N)...................................................          1492.9          2264.7          1578.4
Max Moment (N-m)................................................             -78           -63.9             -70
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* Marathon: Restraint changed from upright to reclined during test. Decathlon: Top tether webbing separated at
  the attachment clip and the restraint changed position from upright to reclined.

    At the time of maximum moment there are visible differences in the 
degree of knee extension (test video pictures are provided in the 
technical report). These visual differences in response are consistent 
with the differences in force and moment magnitude seen in the tests.
    Maximum left and right femur forces from the tests of the HIII-6C 
dummy are displayed in Figure 2, while Figure 3 shows the maximum 
moments measured in the left and right legs during each test. In 
general, force and moment measurements made in the left and right 
femurs were similar, though not identical. This may give some insight 
into why failures were observed in the left leg, right leg, or both 
legs in any given test. We believe that the failures were caused by 
stresses exceeding the material strength of the femur, so the 
occurrence of one femur failure, rather than both, may be due to the 
fact that the forces present during the test were unevenly distributed.
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21OC09.030


[[Page 53992]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21OC09.031

BILLING CODE 4910-59-C
ii. Comparing the Results of the Britax Marathon Test of the Modified 
HIII-6C (Test H06337) to Those of a Test of the Original HIII-6C Where 
Femur Failure Occurred (H06120)
    Both tests were performed using the same dummy (S/N 158).\9\ In 
test H06120 (with the original femurs), the left femur failed and 
detached completely. The right knee of this dummy was in a fully 
extended position, which could have resulted from the change in 
kinematics due to loss of one leg. In test H06337 (modified dummy), 
there were no femur failures and both legs remained attached to the 
dummy.\10\
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    \9\ Both tests were performed using the same dummy (S/N 158). 
However, because FMVSS No. 213 does not require measurement of 
femoral loads, no femoral force data was available for test H06120 
with the original femurs. Therefore, comparisons were made between 
pre- and post-test positioning, head and chest measurements, and 
dummy position throughout the test, as indicated by the test videos. 
This is discussed in detail in the technical report.
    \10\ We note that in test H06337 (modified dummy), the child 
seat had multiple cracks in its base following the test, and during 
the test the restraint position shifted from upright to reclined. 
However, these issues are not likely linked to the performance of 
the new femur.
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A. Effect on FMVSS No. 213 Injury Metrics
    In these two tests, we compared the maximum head and chest 
accelerations. As seen in Figure 4, these measures were similar for 
both tests, suggesting that the new femur does not affect the dummy 
head or chest response significantly. Specifically, peak chest 
resultant acceleration, an FMVSS No. 213 injury criterion, increased 
only 2.42 percent from 41.4 g with the current Part 572 femur to 42.4 g 
with the proposed femur. However, we note that the maximum head Z and 
resultant accelerations occurred after the time of femur failure in 
test H06120. Therefore, it is possible that the acceleration magnitude 
or response in time was affected by the loss of one limb.

[[Page 53993]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21OC09.032

    We also compared the 36 millisecond (ms) head injury criterion 
(HIC) values. These values are displayed in Table 3 and Figure 5, along 
with the previously-discussed peak chest accelerations (Figure 6). The 
response measured in the modified HIII-6C resulted in a 5.65 percent 
decrease in HIC over the response of the original HIII-6C. These 
relatively low changes in response suggest that HIC and chest g's are 
not significantly altered by the femur replacement.

Table 3--HIC 36 and Peak Chest Acceleration Values for Matched FMVSS No.
                                213 Tests
         [These results are presented in Figures 5 and 6, below]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        H06120: Femur
                                         failure w/          H06337:
               Measure                current part 572   Proposed femur
                                           design
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIC 36..............................             723.3             682.4
Peak Chest Acceleration (g).........              41.4              42.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

[[Page 53994]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21OC09.033


[[Page 53995]]


BILLING CODE 4910-59-C
B. Effect on Dummy Kinematics
    Because the FTSS-developed femur design only involves a material 
change, removal of material, and the addition of a fillet at a high-
stress location, we do not expect that use of the new femur would 
change the dummy's kinematic response. This expectation is borne out by 
an analysis of test video comparing the kinematics of the dummy in 
tests H06337 (modified dummy) and H06120 (femur failure). (Photographs 
from the video are presented in the technical report.) Until the time 
of maximum femur force, in the test with new femurs, the position of 
the dummy in each test is fairly similar. At maximum force, the dummy's 
knees in H06337 (modified dummy) are slightly more extended and lower 
than the knees in H06120 (femur failure). At the approximate time of 
femur failure in test H06120, the positions of the two dummies are 
noticeably different. The fully extended left knee of the dummy in test 
H06120 (femur failure) and the additional excursion of the leg (as 
noted by the position of the knee marker) may be indicative of the 
failing femur component. After femur failure at 100 ms, slight 
differences in dummy position could be attributable to the loss of one 
leg in the test H06120. Since the dummies' positions before femur 
failure were very similar, and because the new femur design is so 
similar to the current design, we believe that the new femur would not 
significantly alter dummy response.
C. Dummy Response Biofidelity
    Since the FTSS-developed femur has the same geometry as the 
original femurs where it interfaces with the pelvis, the new femur is 
not expected to behave any differently than the original femur. As 
discussed in the previous sections, little difference in head and chest 
measurements and dummy kinematics was observed in the dummy with the 
new versus the current Part 572 femur. Therefore, the slight 
modification in femur design and material is not expected to have an 
effect on dummy biofidelity.
D. Hip Lock
    Because the Denton-developed femur was designed specifically to 
address the potential issue of hip lock, after being tested, the FTSS-
developed femur was inspected for indications of susceptibility to this 
condition. There was no evidence of excessive wear near the retaining 
ring/ball joint of the new FTSS-developed femurs. Some wear was noticed 
on the upper leg of dummy S/N 155 where the femur clamp is fastened to 
the upper leg weldment. However, because this wear is located at a 
fastening site, metal-to-metal contact is inevitable and is not 
indicative of hip lock.

III. Part 2--Abdominal Insert

    FTSS and Denton petitioned NHTSA to change Drawing No. 127-8210 of 
the HIII-6C drawing package, which specifies the abdominal insert for 
the dummy. The petitioners stated that FTSS owns the original mold for 
the abdominal insert that was part of the dummies used by NHTSA to 
develop the 49 CFR Part 572 specifications for the dummy, and that the 
mold is still being used to manufacture the HIII-6C dummies. The 
petitioners stated that they have measured the mold to compare its 
dimensions to those of the drawing and have ``a number of discrepancies 
between the mold and the drawing.'' The petitioners stated that Denton 
has also measured its abdominal insert mold, and has found it to match 
the FTSS mold dimensions. Both manufacturers stated their belief that 
Drawing No. 127-8210 is in error because of these discrepancies, and 
have asked NHTSA to revise the abdomen insert drawing to match the part 
mold dimensions. The petitioners submitted a revised drawing as part of 
their petition for rulemaking which provided new dimensions for the 
ledge height, depth, and taper angle of cone.
    Agency Response:
    NHTSA is granting this request, with slight modification.
    During 2006 and in early 2007, the agency investigated the subject 
dimensional discrepancies of the abdominal insert at NHTSA's VRTC. Five 
abdominal inserts were measured to obtain the dimensions listed in 
Table 4; four of these were manufactured by FTSS and ranged in age from 
5-12 years old. The fifth abdominal insert was new and purchased from 
Denton, ATD. The results of this investigation showed (see Table 4 and 
Figure 7) that the abdominal insert as manufactured did not always meet 
the ledge height (items 2&3 in Figure 7), depth (items 4&5), notch half 
width (item 8), notch depth (item 9) and taper of cone specifications 
(items 6&7).
    We note that we measured the actual manufactured part, and not the 
mold. Because the drawing package specifies dimensions for the part, 
not the mold, it is logical to correct drawing dimensions based on the 
measured dimensions of parts. Thus, while we considered the 
petitioners' recommendations from measurements of the mold, we have 
developed a revised set of specifications for the abdomen using the set 
of measured dimensions from available parts as the base. We believe 
that the dimensions derived from this set of measurements will 
represent a wide range of parts.

                                                         Table 4--HIII-6C Key Abdomen Dimensions
[Fig. Ref numbers in the table refer to Figure 7. For full table, including individual dummy responses and matching pelvis opening measurements, see the
                                                                    Technical Report]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Dim spec.       Min/Max                                    M+/-2SD       Petition    Proposed spec.
            Description               Fig. ref         (in.)          (in.)      Mean  (in.)     SD  (in.)       (in.)         (in.)           (in.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall height....................             1       3.81+/.20     3.73/3.79           3.77          0.03     3.82/3.71           3.81       3.81+/.20
Ledge height......................           2lt       2.10+/.20     1.46/1.63           1.55          0.07     1.69/1.41           1.53       1.53+/.20
                                             3rt       2.10+/.20     1.48/1.66           1.61          0.08     1.77/1.46           1.53       1.53+/.20
Depth excl. plug..................             4       2.50+/.20     2.60/2.82           2.72          0.08     2.88/2.56           2.80       2.80+/.20
Depth incl. plug..................             5       2.50+/.20     2.86/3.03           2.94           .07     3.08/2.80           2.80       2.80+/.20
Taper angle of cone...............           6lt    123.4 +/-0.5       123/128         125.4           2.41       130/121         122.4          121/129
                                             7rt    123.4 +/-0.5       123/128         124.6           1.95       128/121         122.4          121/129
Notch Half Width..................             8       1.45+/.20     1.56/1.69           1.62          0.05     1.72/1.52           1.45      1.50+/-.20
Notch Depth.......................             9      1.40+/-.20     1.16/1.34           1.24          0.07     1.38/1.11           1.40      1.40+/-.20
Width Bottom of Cone..............            10      5.40+/-.40  ............  .............  ............  ............  .............      5.40+/-.40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 53996]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP21OC09.034

    We tentatively agree with the petitioners that several dimensions 
of the abdomen should be revised. Although the recommended dimensional 
changes are mostly based on agency measurements of physical parts, 
nearly all changes are in agreement with the petitioners' mold-based 
dimensions. The recommended action would incorporate the petitioner-
recommended changes in dimension to the ledge height and overall depth. 
The taper angle of the cone dimension would also be changed to include 
the range of angle requested by the petitioner, but have a nominal 
value of 125[deg] rather than 122.4[deg], and an increased tolerance of 
4[deg] to account for the range of angles measured in the 
available parts.
    However, there are two small dimensional discrepancies between the 
part and drawing that were not addressed in the petition: The notch 
half width and notch depth dimensions. We are adjusting the notch half 
width dimension based on measurements of abdominal inserts at VRTC. The 
notch half width measurements were all larger than the specified 
nominal dimension of 1.45 inches, and one measurement fell outside the 
allowed tolerance. Therefore, a slight increase in this dimension to 
1.50 inches is proposed. The suggested changes to the abdominal insert 
drawing are reflected in Table 4 under ``Proposed Spec.'' We have 
decided not to adjust the notch depth dimension based on part 
measurements, because only one out of five measurements did not meet 
the specification, and the age of this part may have affected this 
dimension. This decision is discussed more fully in the technical 
report.

IV. Proposed Effective Date

    We propose that the changes to the femur design of the HIII-6C and 
HIII-6CW be effective 180 days after publication of a final rule. With 
regard to the changes proposed in Part 2, because the changes are more 
corrective in nature, we propose that the changes to the drawing for 
the abdomen be effective 45 days after publication of a final rule.

V. Other Issues--Rubber and Foam Parts

    FTSS and Denton also suggested that NHTSA undertake a project to 
investigate tolerances for vinyl and rubber components, develop a 
detailed procedure on how to measure the dimensions used to define 
vinyl flesh parts, and work with the manufacturers to ``determine 
proper values and the expected time frame each part would normally 
comply with the tolerances, given that these parts can change 
dimensionally over time.''
    Agency Response: We decline this request. The lifetime of foam 
parts will be highly dependent on the part's age, the test situations 
the dummy is exposed to (i.e., FMVSS No. 213 compliance tests, vehicle 
compliance tests, research and development tests, etc.), as well as the 
conditions in which it is stored, the frequency of use, etc. We 
encourage the dummy manufacturers to investigate part lifetimes to 
provide replacement time frames for their customers; the agency lacks 
the resources to investigate this type of part specification. Moreover, 
the agency does not have reason to conclude the lifetime of foam parts 
raises problems that NHTSA needs to address, and the petitioners did 
not provide data to sufficiently quantify the extent to which this may 
be a problem.

VI. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' (58 FR 
51735, October 4, 1993), provides for making determinations whether a 
regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore subject to Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) review and to the requirements of the 
Executive Order. This proposed rulemaking action was not considered a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

[[Page 53997]]

This proposed rulemaking action was also determined not to be 
significant under the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) regulatory 
policies and procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).
    We stated in the final rule \11\ that adopted the HIII-6C into 49 
CFR Part 572 that the cost of an uninstrumented HIII-6C dummy is 
approximately $30,000 and that instrumentation will add approximately 
$25,000 to $40,000 to the cost, depending on the number of data 
channels the user chooses to collect. This proposed rule would only 
affect the test dummy by adding a \1/4\-inch fillet between the femur 
clamp and the connecting segment of the machined femur, removing 
material from the connecting segment, and changing the material from 
aluminum bronze C-624 AMC0-18 to 4340 steel. We do not expect these 
changes to significantly affect the cost of the dummy. Further, if this 
proposed Part 572 rule becomes final, it would not impose any 
requirements on anyone. Businesses would be affected only if they 
choose to manufacture or test with the dummy. This proposed rule would 
indirectly impose requirements on only those businesses which choose to 
manufacture or test with the dummy, in that the agency will only use 
dummies for compliance testing that meet all of the criteria specified 
in this proposed rule. Because the economic impacts of this proposal 
are so minimal, no further regulatory evaluation is necessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 65 FR 2059; January 13, 2000; Docket NHTSA-99-6714.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency is required to publish a proposed 
or final rule, it must prepare and make available for public comment a 
regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the effect of the rule 
on small entities (i.e., small businesses, small organizations, and 
small governmental jurisdictions), unless the head of the agency 
certifies the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The Small Business 
Administration's regulations at 13 CFR Part 121 define a small 
business, in part, as a business entity ``which operates primarily 
within the United States.'' (13 CFR 121.105(a)).
    We have considered the effects of this rulemaking under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. I hereby certify that the proposed 
rulemaking action would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. This action would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because changing the femur design would not impose any requirements on 
anyone. NHTSA would not require anyone to manufacture or redesign the 
dummy or to test vehicles or CRSs with it.

National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has analyzed this proposal for the purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act and determined that it will not have any 
significant impact on the quality of the human environment.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    NHTSA has examined today's proposed rule pursuant to Executive 
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) and concluded that no 
additional consultation with States, local governments or their 
representatives is mandated beyond the rulemaking process. The agency 
has concluded that the proposed rule does not have federalism 
implications because the proposed rule does not have ``substantial 
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.'' This 
proposed rule would not impose any requirements on anyone. Businesses 
would be affected only if they choose to manufacture or test with the 
dummy.
    Further, no consultation is needed to discuss the preemptive effect 
of today's proposed rule. NHTSA's safety standards can have preemptive 
effect in at least two ways. This proposed rule would amend 49 CFR Part 
572 and is not a safety standard.\12\ If this proposed Part 572 rule 
becomes final, it would not impose any requirements on anyone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ With respect to the safety standards, the National Traffic 
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act contains an express preemptive 
provision: ``When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under 
this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may 
prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same 
aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment 
only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under 
this chapter.'' 49 U.S.C. 30103(b)(1). Second, the Supreme Court has 
recognized the possibility of implied preemption: State requirements 
imposed on motor vehicle manufacturers, including sanctions imposed 
by State tort law, can stand as an obstacle to the accomplishment 
and execution of a NHTSA safety standard. When such a conflict is 
discerned, the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution makes their 
State requirements unenforceable. See Geier v. American Honda Motor 
Co., 529 U.S. 861 (2000).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule would not have any retroactive effect. Under 49 
U.S.C. 30103, whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in 
effect, a State may not adopt or maintain a safety standard applicable 
to the same aspect of performance which is not identical to the Federal 
standard, except to the extent that the state requirement imposes a 
higher level of performance and applies only to vehicles procured for 
the state's use. 49 U.S.C. 30161 sets forth a procedure for judicial 
review of final rules establishing, amending, or revoking Federal motor 
vehicle safety standards. That section does not require submission of a 
petition for reconsideration or other administrative proceedings before 
parties may file suit in court.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information by a Federal agency unless 
the collection displays a valid control number from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). This proposed rule would not have any 
requirements that are considered to be information collection 
requirements as defined by the OMB in 5 CFR Part 1320.

National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272) 
directs NHTSA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory 
activities unless doing so would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling 
procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by 
voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs NHTSA to 
provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the agency decides not 
to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. There 
are no voluntary consensus standards relevant to this proposed rule.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 
Public Law 104-4, Federal requires agencies to prepare a written 
assessment of the costs, benefits, and other effects of proposed or 
final rules that include a Federal mandate likely to result in the 
expenditure by State, local, or tribal

[[Page 53998]]

governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of more than 
$100 million annually (adjusted for inflation with base year of 1995). 
Before promulgating a NHTSA rule for which a written statement is 
needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires the agency to 
identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives 
and adopt the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome 
alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule. This proposed 
rule would not impose any unfunded mandates under the UMRA. This 
proposed rule would not meet the definition of a Federal mandate 
because it would not impose requirements on anyone. It would amend 49 
CFR Part 572 by changing an aspect of a test dummy that the agency 
uses. If this proposed rule becomes final, it would affect only those 
businesses that choose to manufacture or test with the dummy. It would 
not result in costs of $100 million or more to either State, local, or 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector.

Plain Language

    Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write all rules in 
plain language. Application of the principles of plain language 
includes consideration of the following questions:

--Has the agency organized the material to suit the public's needs?
--Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated?
--Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that is not clear?
--Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, use of 
headings, paragraphing) make the rule easier to understand?
--Would more (but shorter) sections be better?
--Could the agency improve clarity by adding tables, lists, or 
diagrams?
--What else could the agency do to make this rulemaking easier to 
understand?

    If you have any responses to these questions, please include them 
in your comments on this NPRM.

Regulation Identifier Number

    The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier 
number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of 
Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center 
publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. You may 
use the RIN contained in the heading at the beginning of this document 
to find this action in the Unified Agenda.

VII. Public Participation

How do I prepare and submit comments?

    Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your 
comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the docket 
number of this document in your comments.
    Your comments must not be more than 15 pages long. (49 CFR 553.21). 
We established this limit to encourage you to write your primary 
comments in a concise fashion. However, you may attach necessary 
additional documents to your comments. There is no limit on the length 
of the attachments.
    Please submit your comments by any of the methods provided above 
under ADDRESSES.
    Please note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, in order for 
substantive data to be relied upon and used by the agency, it must meet 
the information quality standards set forth in the OMB and DOT Data 
Quality Act guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult the 
guidelines in preparing your comments.
    Further, note that anyone is able to search the electronic form of 
all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted 
on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may 
review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register 
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

How do I submit confidential business information?

    If you wish to submit any information under a claim of 
confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete 
submission, including the information you claim to be confidential 
business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given 
above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. In addition, you should 
submit a copy from which you have deleted the claimed confidential 
business information to the Docket using any of the methods given above 
under ADDRESSES. When you send a comment containing information claimed 
to be confidential business information, you should include a cover 
letter setting forth the information specified in our confidential 
business information regulation. (49 CFR Part 512.)

Will the agency consider late comments?

    We will consider all comments that the Docket receives before the 
close of business on the comment closing date indicated above under 
DATES. To the extent possible, we will also consider comments that the 
Docket receives after that date. If the Docket receives a comment too 
late for us to consider in developing a final rule (assuming that one 
is issued), we will consider that comment as an informal suggestion for 
future rulemaking action.

How can I read the comments submitted by other people?

    You may read the comments received by the Docket at the address 
given above under ADDRESSES. The hours of the Docket are indicated 
above in the same location. You may also see the comments on the 
Internet. To read the comments on the Internet, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for accessing the 
dockets.
    Please note that even after the comment closing date, we will 
continue to file relevant information in the Docket as it becomes 
available. Further, some people may submit late comments. Accordingly, 
we recommend that you periodically check the Docket for new material.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 572

    Motor vehicle safety, Incorporation by reference.

    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA is proposing to amend 49 
CFR Part 572 as follows:

PART 572--ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DUMMIES

    1. The authority citation for Part 572 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117 and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

Subpart N--Six-Year-Old Child Test Dummy, Beta Version

    2. Section 572.120 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1) 
introductory text, (a)(1)(vii), (a)(2), (b), and (c)(1) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  572.120  Incorporation by reference.

    (a) * * *
    (1) A drawings and inspection package entitled, ``Parts List and 
Drawings, Part 572 Subpart N, Hybrid III Six-Year Old Child Crash Test 
Dummy (HIII6C, Beta Version), June 2009,'' consisting of:
* * * * *

[[Page 53999]]

    (vii) The Hybrid III Six-Year-Old Child Parts/Drawing List, dated 
June 1, 2009.
    (2) A procedures manual entitled, ``Procedures for Assembly, 
Disassembly, and Inspection (PADI) of the Hybrid III 6-Year-Old Child 
Crash Test Dummy (H-III6C), Beta Version, June 1, 2009'';
* * * * *
    (b) The Director of the Federal Register approved the materials 
incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies of the materials may be inspected at the Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 366-9826, and at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and in electronic 
format through Regulations.gov. For information on the availability and 
inspection of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. For information on the availability 
and inspection of this material at Regulations.gov, call 1-877-378-
5457, or go to: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (c) * * *
    (1) The drawings and specifications package, the parts list, and 
the PADI document referred to in paragraphs (a)(1), and (a)(2) of this 
section, are available in electronic format through www.Regulations.gov 
and in paper format from Leet-Melbrook, Division of New RT, 18810 
Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, (301) 670-0090.
* * * * *
    3. Section 572.121 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(2) 
introductory text (the table is not amended) to read as follows:


Sec.  572.121  General description.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Procedures for Assembly, Disassembly, and Inspection (PADI) of 
the Hybrid III 6-year-old test dummy, Alpha version, dated June 1, 
2009.

    Issued: October 15, 2009.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. E9-25241 Filed 10-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P