[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88856-88861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25990]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2024-0067]
HOLON U.S. Inc.--Receipt of Petition for Temporary Exemption From
Various Requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for
an Automated Driving System-Equipped Vehicle
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of receipt of petition for temporary exemption; request
for public comment.
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SUMMARY: HOLON and HOLON U.S. Inc have petitioned NHTSA for a temporary
exemption from certain requirements in seven Federal motor vehicle
safety standards (FMVSS) for its ``automated electric bus,'' which is a
vehicle equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS). Specifically,
HOLON seeks exemption from portions of FMVSS No. 101, Controls and
displays; FMVSS No. 102, Transmission shift position sequence, starter
interlock, and transmission braking effect; FMVSS No. 104, Windshield
wiping and washing systems; FMVSS No. 105, Windshield wiping and
washing systems; FMVSS No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and
associated equipment; FMVSS No. 111, Rear visibility; and FMVSS No.
208, Occupant crash protection. NHTSA is
[[Page 88857]]
publishing this document in accordance with statutory and
administrative provisions and seeks comment on the merits of HOLON's
exemption petition and on potential terms and conditions that should be
applied to a temporary exemption if granted. After receiving and
considering public comments, NHTSA will assess the merits of the
petition and will publish a notice in the Federal Register notice
setting forth NHTSA's reasoning for either granting or denying the
petition.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 7, 2025.
ADDRESSES: NHTSA invites you to submit comments on the petition
described herein and the questions posed below. You may submit comments
identified by docket number in the heading of this notice by any of the
following methods:
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name
and docket number. Note that all comments received will be posted
without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided. Please see the Privacy Act discussion below.
NHTSA will consider all comments received before the close of business
on the comment closing date indicated above. To the extent possible,
NHTSA will also consider comments filed after the closing date.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. Telephone: (202) 366-9826.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT
posts these comments, without edit, to www.regulations.gov, as
described in the system of records notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible
through www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to facilitate comment tracking
and response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the
name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely
optional. Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely
comments will be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments
containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact the
agency for alternate submission instructions.
Confidential Business Information: If you wish to submit any
information under a claim of confidentiality, you must submit your
request directly to NHTSA's Office of the Chief Counsel. Requests for
confidentiality are governed by part 512. NHTSA is currently treating
electronic submission as an acceptable method for submitting
confidential business information to the agency under part 512. If you
would like to submit a request for confidential treatment, you may
email your submission to Dan Rabinovitz in the Office of the Chief
Counsel at [email protected] or you may contact Dan for a
secure file transfer link. At this time, you should not send a
duplicate hardcopy of your electronic CBI submissions to DOT
headquarters. If you claim that any of the information or documents
provided to the agency constitute confidential business information
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), or are protected from
disclosure pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1905, you must submit supporting
information together with the materials that are the subject of the
confidentiality request, in accordance with part 512, to the Office of
the Chief Counsel. Your request must include a cover letter setting
forth the information specified in our confidential business
information regulation (49 CFR 512.8) and a certificate, pursuant to
Sec. 512.4(b) and part 512, appendix A. In addition, you should submit
a copy, from which you have deleted the claimed confidential business
information, to the Docket at the address given above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For legal issues: Sara R. Bennett,
Office of the Chief Counsel, Telephone: (202) 366-2992; Fax: (202) 366-
3820. For technical issues: Andrew Magaletti, Rulemaking Office of
Automation Safety at [email protected], Telephone: (202) 366-
2190; Fax: (202) 366-7002. Mailing address: National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
II. Authority and Procedures for Temporary Exemption
III. HOLON's Petition
A. Overview of the HOLON Bus
B. Description of HOLON Petition
C. HOLON's Public Interest Argument
IV. Agency's Review of HOLON's Petition
V. Public Interest Considerations
VI. Statement on Terms
VII. Public Participation
I. Introduction
NHTSA is responsible for promulgating and enforcing Federal motor
vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) designed to improve motor vehicle
safety. Generally, a manufacturer may not manufacture for sale, sell,
offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction into
interstate commerce a vehicle that does not comply with all applicable
FMVSS.\1\ There are limited exceptions to this general prohibition.\2\
One path permits manufacturers to petition NHTSA for an exemption for
noncompliant vehicles under a specified set of statutory bases.\3\ The
details of these bases, and on which basis HOLON, described as an
international company headquartered in Germany, and HOLON U.S. Inc.,
the U.S.-based subsidiary (hereinafter referred to collectively as
``HOLON''), petitions, is provided in the sections of this notice that
follow.
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\1\ 49 U.S.C. 30112(a)(1).
\2\ 49 U.S.C. 30112(b); 49 U.S.C. 30113; 49 U.S.C. 30114.
\3\ 49 U.S.C. 30113.
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On August 28, 2024, HOLON submitted a petition for exemption for
its HOLON bus vehicle (HOLON Bus), which HOLON states is an SAE Level 4
Automated Driving System-Dedicated Vehicle (ADS-DV).\4\ Specifically,
HOLON petitioned NHTSA for a temporary exemption from portions of seven
FMVSS. HOLON requests a two-year exemption for not more than 2,500
exempted vehicles for each 12-month period covered by the exemption.
HOLON does not specify how many vehicles it intends to produce under
the exemption. Without this information, NHTSA may assume that HOLON
intends to utilize the exemption for up to 2,500 vehicles. NHTSA
requests comment on this assumption. The temporary exemption, if
granted, will allow HOLON to manufacture for sale, sell, and deploy
into interstate commerce vehicles that lack certain safety features
required by the FMVSS.
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\4\ Page 4 of the Petition
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II. Authority and Procedures for Temporary Exemption
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act),
codified
[[Page 88858]]
at 49 U.S.C. chapter 301, authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to
exempt motor vehicles, on a temporary basis and under specified
circumstances, and on terms the Secretary considers appropriate, from a
FMVSS or bumper standard. This authority is set forth at 49 U.S.C.
30113. The Secretary has delegated the authority for implementing this
section to NHTSA.\5\
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\5\ 49 CFR 1.95.
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The Safety Act authorizes the Secretary to grant, in whole or in
part, a temporary exemption to a vehicle manufacturer if the Secretary
makes one of four specified findings.\6\ The Secretary must also look
comprehensively at the request for exemption and find that the
exemption is consistent with the public interest and with the
objectives of the Safety Act.\7\
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\6\ 49 U.S.C. 30113(b)(3).
\7\ 49 U.S.C. 30113(b)(3)(A).
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The Secretary must evaluate the petition for exemption under at
least one of the following bases:
(i) Compliance would cause substantial economic hardship, and the
manufacturer tried to comply in good faith;
(ii) the exemption would make easier the development or field
evaluation of a new motor vehicle safety feature, and the safety level
is equal to the safety level of the standard;
(iii) the exemption would make the development or field evaluation
of a low-emission motor vehicle easier, and the safety level of the
vehicle is not unreasonably lowered; or
(iv) compliance would prevent the manufacturer from selling a motor
vehicle with an overall safety level at least equal to the overall
safety level of nonexempt vehicles.\8\
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\8\ 49 U.S.C. 30113(b)(3)(B).
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HOLON seeks temporary exemption under the basis that compliance
with the seven FMVSS would prevent it from selling a motor vehicle with
an overall safety level at least equal to the overall safety level of
nonexempt (i.e., compliant) vehicles.\9\
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\9\ 49 U.S.C. 30113(b)(3)(B)(iv).
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NHTSA established 49 CFR part 555, Temporary Exemption from Motor
Vehicle Safety and Bumper Standards, to implement the statutory
provisions concerning temporary exemptions. The requirements in 49 CFR
555.5 state that the petitioner must set forth the basis of the
petition and the information required under 49 CFR 555.6, and the
reasons why the exemption would be in the public interest and
consistent with the objectives of the Safety Act. A petition submitted
on the basis that the applicant is otherwise unable to sell (or in this
instance, manufacture) a vehicle whose overall level of safety or
impact protection is at least equal to that of a nonexempt vehicle must
include the information specified in 49 CFR 555.6(d).
III. HOLON's Petition
The following discussion provides: An overview of the HOLON Bus
based on information submitted in HOLON's petition; a brief summary of
HOLON's safety showing and arguments for exemption from portions of
certain FMVSS; and a summary of the petitioner's arguments that
granting its petition for exemption would be in the public interest.
Additionally, HOLON implies, though does not state explicitly, that it
does not intend to comply with the seven standards at the end of the
exemption period.\10\ Specifically, HOLON states that it intends to
work with industry stakeholders on rulemaking efforts during the
exemption period. HOLON also states that if new rulemaking is not
completed by NHTSA by the end of the requested period, HOLON will apply
for an exemption renewal. Because HOLON has sought confidential
treatment of some aspects of its petition, a redacted version of
HOLON's petition is included in the docket referenced at the beginning
of this notice. NHTSA notes that the descriptions in this section are
extracted from HOLON's petition and do not necessarily reflect the
views of NHTSA.
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\10\ See 49 CFR 555.6(d)(3).
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A. Overview of the HOLON Bus
HOLON describes the HOLON Bus as a purpose-built, highly automated,
low-emission vehicle designed specifically for operation by an
Automated Driving System rather than a human driver. It is not equipped
with manually operated driving controls or features (e.g., steering
wheel, pedals, manual turn signals, mirrors) that a human might need if
manually driving the vehicle. It also is designed with ``campfire''
seating, meaning a front row of seats that faces backwards, a back row
of seats that faces forwards, and a side row of seats that faces
towards the doors on the right of the vehicle. It is classified as a
bus with a total capacity of 15 passengers (9 seated, 6 standing) and a
gross vehicle weight rating of 4,800 kilograms (10,582 lbs.). The HOLON
Bus's SAE Level 4 ADS was collaboratively developed by HOLON and
Mobileye. HOLON states that while the vehicle is designed to be
operated by the ADS under normal operating conditions, it is equipped
with limited manual controls should the need for human intervention
arise. This limited manual mode is reserved for emergency purposes and
is speed limited to approximately 6 kilometers per hour (3.7 miles per
hour). HOLON's petition provides some basic information about the ADS
and its sensors. For specific FMVSS, HOLON goes into greater detail
about how it believes the ADS and the accompanying sensor suite fulfill
those FMVSS requirements with which it does not comply and is seeking
exemption.
At the time of the submission of HOLON's petition, the HOLON Bus
had not yet started regular serial production. It its petition, HOLON
provides multiple digital renderings of the interior and exterior of
the vehicle.
B. Description of HOLON Petition
HOLON has petitioned NHTSA for a temporary exemption from certain
requirements in seven FMVSS for its ADS-equipped vehicle, the HOLON
Bus. Specifically, HOLON seeks exemption from portions of:
FMVSS No. 101, ``Controls and displays''
FMVSS No. 102, ``Transmission shift position sequence, starter
interlock, and transmission braking effect''
FMVSS No. 104, ``Windshield wiping and washing systems''
FMVSS No. 105, ``Hydraulic and electric brake systems''
FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated
equipment''
FMVSS No. 111, ``Rear visibility,'' and
FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection''
In its petition for exemption, HOLON asserts that the requirements
from which it seeks exemption generally assume the presence of a human
driver to maintain visibility or to activate a manual control. Other
requirements requiring exemption are related to the HOLON Bus's
unconventional campfire seating configuration. HOLON states that the
HOLON Bus and its ADS can meet all applicable elements of the FMVSS for
which HOLON seeks exemption and that the overall safety in operating
the bus will be maintained. A short description of the rationale HOLON
provides for how its vehicle establishes an equivalent level of safety
for each exemption sought and why it should receive an exemption
follows. HOLON's petition includes additional detail and support for
its arguments related to each FMVSS.
HOLON petitions for exemption from portions of six of NHTSA's crash
avoidance FMVSS:
[[Page 88859]]
FMVSS No. 101 establishes requirements for vehicle
controls, telltales, and indicators. HOLON argues that the ADS is
capable of receiving information through the Controller Area Network
(CAN) bus, without visual indication, and can initiate controls without
a physical means to do so. When operating the vehicle in limited manual
mode, HOLON explains that the certified operator will be provided with
the same level of information as they would gain through a visual
telltale or indicator via the command center.
If the transmission shift position sequence includes a
park position, FMVSS No. 102 requires the identification of gear
selection shift positions to be displayed in view of the driver,
including the positions in relation to each other and the position
selected, when certain conditions exist. HOLON states that the HOLON
Bus's ADS can meet all shifting requirements of FMVSS No. 102.
Additionally, HOLON states that in limited manual mode, HOLON provides
a gear shift device to allow for the human operator to shift gears in a
manner consistent with the safety objectives of the standard.
For HOLON's petition for exemption from portions of FMVSS
No. 104 (Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems), HOLON suggests that
the purpose and intent of the safety standard is obviated by the
vehicle's sensor system design. HOLON states that the HOLON Bus's ADS
has a 360-degree view of roadway surroundings with a sensor cleaning
system functionally equivalent to a windshield wiping system.
Requirements in FMVSS No. 105 refer to foot- and hand-
operated parking brake systems as well as brake system indicator lamps
visible to the driver. HOLON states that the HOLON Bus's ADS activates
the parking brake through electrical means and can function properly
without a visual indicator or physical activation. When operating the
vehicle in limited manual mode, HOLON explains that the certified
operator can activate the parking brake and will be provided with
information about the vehicle's braking system status through the
command center.
Portions of FMVSS No. 108 contain requirements related to
manual controls for use by humans in switching various signals and
lights. HOLON argues that an ADS does not need manual devices for
signals and lights to function properly, and the HOLON Bus's ADS is
capable of activation and control of all lighting and signals through
other means.
FMVSS No. 111 contains requirements for outside mirrors on
buses. HOLON states that the HOLON Bus's ADS has a 360-degree view of
surroundings and therefore provides clear and reasonably unobstructed
view to the rear. When operated in limited manual mode, the certified
operator is provided with a camera view that provides an equivalent
field of view to that of outside mirrors.
Finally, HOLON petitions for exemption from one portion of one of
NHTSA's crashworthiness FMVSS: FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant Crash
Protection.'' S4.4.4.1 of FMVSS No. 208 contains two options for
meeting occupant crash protection requirements for buses with a gross
vehicle weight rating of more than 4,526 kg (10,000 lb.) but not
greater than 11,793 kg (26,000 lb.). One option requires a complete
passenger protection system in the driver's seating position only. The
other option provides seat belt requirements at the driver's designated
seating position and all designated seating positions in the front row
of seats in a bus. HOLON argues that the HOLON Bus cannot meet
requirements related to a driver's designated seating position because
it does not have a driver's designated seating position and proposes to
interpret the forward-facing seats in its campfire seating
configuration as the conventional front row of seats referenced in in
the second option in the standard.
NHTSA requests comment on the strength and persuasiveness of these
arguments and the support for each provided by HOLON.
C. HOLON's Public Interest Argument
HOLON argues that granting its petition for exemption for the HOLON
Bus furthers the Safety Act's objectives and advances other public
interests, including:
1. Saving lives and protecting vulnerable road users
2. Creating jobs and developing the public transit workforce
3. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
4. Reducing traffic congestion
5. Accelerating equitable economic development
6. Promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and freedom of mobility
7. Supporting flexible and more equitable mobility planning
NHTSA requests comment on the strength and persuasiveness of these
arguments and the support for each provided by HOLON.
IV. Agency's Review of HOLON's Petition
NHTSA has not yet made any judgment on the merits of HOLON's
petition, the adequacy of the information submitted, or the safety of
the HOLON Bus. NHTSA will assess the merits of the petition and
consider public comments on the petition, as well as any additional
information that the agency receives from HOLON. NHTSA is placing a
non-confidential copy of the petition in the docket in accordance with
statutory and administrative provisions.
V. Public Interest Considerations
NHTSA is seeking comment on the agency's consideration of specific
matters of public interest in both deciding whether granting the
exemption is consistent with the public interest and in developing
terms and conditions with which the petitioner must comply if its
petition is granted. Section 30113 authorizes NHTSA to grant exemptions
that are consistent with the public interest and the Safety Act and
authorizes NHTSA to apply appropriate terms to any such grant. Whether
granting the exemption is consistent with the public interest and the
objectives of the Safety Act are required findings that are no less
critical than a discussion of the particular statutory basis on which
the exemption is sought (e.g., whether the subject vehicle provides an
equivalent level of safety to a nonexempt vehicle). Although NHTSA's
mission is primarily a safety mission, NHTSA's authority under section
30113 requires the agency to extend its consideration to issues beyond
traffic safety.\11\
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\11\ NHTSA stated, in the notice granting Nuro the first
exemption for an ADS-equipped vehicle, that the broad authority to
determine whether the public interest and general goals of the
Vehicle Safety Act will be served by granting the exemption allows
the Secretary to consider many diverse effects of the exemption,
including: The overall safety of the transportation system beyond
the analysis required in the safety determination; how an exemption
will further technological innovation; economic impacts, such as
consumer benefits; and environmental effects. 85 FR 7826, 7828 (Feb.
11, 2020).
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As the Federal regulatory agency governing automotive safety in the
U.S. and the interpretation of its existing standards, NHTSA has
significant discretion in making the safety findings required under
these provisions. Further, the broad authority to determine whether the
public interest and general goals of the Safety Act will be served by
granting the exemption allows the agency to consider many diverse
effects of the temporary exemption.
[[Page 88860]]
ADS-equipped vehicles have the potential to benefit our
transportation system significantly beyond the analysis required in the
safety determination. As NHTSA considers the potentially transformative
impact of ADS technology, it is also considering its role in
encouraging the use of ADS-equipped vehicles in ways that maximize
their benefit to society. NHTSA will also continue to consider how
exemptions affect the development of advanced vehicle technologies.
NHTSA seeks comments on whether the agency should consider
additional matters of public interest in developing terms and
conditions with which a part 555 petitioner must comply if its petition
were granted. NHTSA is seeking comment on whether other areas of public
interest should be considered, and how the agency can best promote the
public interest through the exercise of our discretion in granting
exemptions and establishing terms and conditions to such exemptions.
VI. Statement on Terms
Section 30113 authorizes the Secretary, NHTSA by delegation, to
condition the grant of a temporary exemption ``on terms [NHTSA]
considers appropriate.'' \12\ The agency's authority to set terms is
broad. It is not limited solely to terms and conditions relevant to its
specific determination. Instead, this provision allows the agency to
set terms that would allow NHTSA to collect information about the
exempted vehicles that would service the public interest, such as
information concerning the safety performance of the ADS.\13\
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\12\ 49 U.S.C. 30113(b)(1) (delegation of authority at 49 CFR
1.95).
\13\ 85 FR 7826, 7840 (Feb. 11, 2020).
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If a manufacturer receives a temporary exemption, NHTSA can issue
terms that can limit or change the permitted use of those vehicles
produced pursuant to the exemption. NHTSA may also effectively limit
the use of the exempted vehicles as it exercises its enforcement
authority (e.g., its safety defect authority). The agency would
carefully consider whether and what terms to establish if it were to
grant a temporary exemption. The manufacturer would need to agree to
abide by the terms set for that exemption before it may begin and
continue producing vehicles pursuant to that temporary exemption.
Due to the novel nature of ADS technology and NHTSA's interest in
better understanding the safety and utility of ADS-equipped vehicles,
if the petition were granted in whole or in part, the agency
anticipates applying conditions to the grant.
NHTSA exercised its authority to apply a variety of terms when it
granted Nuro's petition for the first ADS-equipped vehicle exempted
under part 555.\14\ The terms NHTSA chose were designed to enhance the
public interest and included post-crash reporting, periodic reporting,
terms concerning cybersecurity, and certain general requirements.
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\14\ Id.
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If HOLON's petition is granted, HOLON will need to agree to abide
by the terms set for that temporary exemption before it may begin and
continue producing vehicles pursuant to that temporary exemption.
Nothing in either the statute or implementing regulations limits the
application of these terms to the period during which the exempted
vehicles are produced. NHTSA could set terms that continue to apply to
the vehicles throughout their normal service life if it determines that
doing so is necessary to be consistent with the Safety Act.
Thus, if NHTSA grants a temporary exemption, it could establish,
for example, reporting terms to ensure a continuing flow of information
to the agency throughout the normal service life of the exempted
vehicles, not just during the two-year period of exemption. Since only
a portion of the total mileage that the vehicles, if exempted, could be
expected to travel during their normal service life would have been
driven by the end of the exemption period, the data would need to be
reported over a longer period of time to enable the agency to make
sufficiently reliable judgments. Such judgments might include those
made in a retrospective review of the agency's determination about the
anticipated safety effects of the exemption. For example, when NHTSA
granted Nuro's exemption, NHTSA stated that the terms would apply
throughout the useful life of the vehicles. Beyond the two-year
exemption period, HOLON, like Nuro, could be subject to civil penalties
for failure to comply with the terms established as a condition for
granting the part 555 temporary exemption.
Other potential terms could include limitations on vehicle
operations (based upon location, speed, weather, identified Operational
Design Domains, road types, ownership, and management, etc.).
Conceivably, some conditions could be graduated, i.e., restrictions
could be progressively relaxed after a period of demonstrated driving
performance. Further, as with data-sharing, it may be necessary to
specify that these terms would apply to the exempted vehicles beyond
the two-year exemption period.
NHTSA notes that its regulations at 49 CFR part 555 provide that
the agency can revoke a part 555 exemption if a manufacturer fails to
satisfy the terms of the exemption. NHTSA could also seek injunctive
relief.\15\
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\15\ 49 U.S.C. 30163(a).
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NHTSA seeks comment on whether the agency should apply the same
types of conditions that it applied to Nuro's exemption for ADS-
equipped low-speed occupantless vehicles. NHTSA seeks comment not only
on whether these conditions are appropriate to apply to HOLON's
exemption, if granted, but also whether there are additional terms that
NHTSA should apply. HOLON's exemption request differs significantly
from Nuro's in that the request is for a passenger vehicle, and it is
not limited to 25 mph, as was the case of the Nuro vehicle. As such,
there are likely additional terms that would be appropriate to apply to
HOLON's exemption, if granted.
VII. Public Participation
A. Request for Comment and Comment Period
The agency seeks comment from the public on the merits of HOLON's
petition for a temporary exemption. NHTSA is also seeking comment on
the potential types of terms the agency should set if the agency
decides to grant the petition.
NHTSA is providing a 60-day comment period. After considering
public comments and other available information, NHTSA will publish a
notice of final action on the petition in the Federal Register.
B. Instructions for Submitting Comments
How long do I have to submit comments?
Please see DATES section at the beginning of this document.
How do I prepare and submit comments?
Your comments must be written in English.
To ensure that your comments are correctly filed in the
Docket, please include the Docket Number shown at the beginning of this
document in your comments.
If you are submitting comments electronically as a PDF
(Adobe) File, NHTSA asks that the documents be submitted using the
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process, thus
[[Page 88861]]
allowing NHTSA to search and copy certain portions of your submissions.
Comments may be submitted to the docket electronically by logging onto
the Docket Management System website at http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
You may also submit two copies of your comments, including
the attachments, to Docket Management at the address given 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. OMB's guidelines may be accessed
at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/reproducible.html. DOT's
guidelines may be accessed at http://www.bts.gov/programs/statistical_policy_and_research/data_quality_guidelines.
Will the Agency consider late comments?
We will consider all comments that Docket Management 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 Docket Management receives after that date.
How can I read the comments submitted by other people?
You may 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.
(Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30113 and 49 U.S.C. 30166; delegations of
authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.5.)
Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR
1.95 and 501.5.
Sophie Shulman,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-25990 Filed 11-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P