80 FR 28761 - Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) Transition
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 96 (May 19, 2015)
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 96 (May 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 28761-28762 | |
| FR Document | 2015-12021 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 28761-28762] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-12021] [[Page 28761]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA-2015-0008] Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) Transition AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In issuing Federal-aid eligibility letters for roadside safety hardware, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) currently makes determinations of continued eligibility for modifications to devices tested to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 350 (NCHRP 350). In an effort to facilitate the implementation of the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), FHWA intends to discontinue issuing eligibility letters for requests received after December 31, 2015, for modified NCHRP 350-tested devices that do not involve full scale crash testing to the MASH. Modifications to NCHRP 350-tested devices that have, in the past, been based on engineering analysis or finite element modeling will no longer receive FHWA eligibility letters. Effective January 1, 2016, all changes to NCHRP 350-tested devices will require testing under MASH in order to receive a Federal-aid eligibility letter from FHWA. DATES: Data and information must be submitted to FHWA on or before June 18, 2015. ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver data and information to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room W12- 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, or fax comments to (202) 493-2251. Alternatively, you may submit or retrieve information online through the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. The Web site is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines are available under the help section of the Web site. An electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded from the Government Printing Office's Web site at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov and the Office of the Federal Register's Web site at: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register. Please note that the Federal eRulemaking portal is unable to receive videos or any document larger than 10MB. If you would like to submit a video or a document that is 10MB or larger, please directly contact one of the individuals identified in this notice. All data and information must include the docket number that appears in the heading of this document. All data and information received will be available for examination and copying at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of data and information must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard or you may print the acknowledgment page that appears after submitting comments electronically. Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all information in any one of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the information (or signing the information, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, or labor union). The DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its activities. The DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Griffith, Office of Safety, 202-366-9469, [email protected], Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. For legal questions, please contact Jennifer Mayo, Assistant Chief Counsel, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1523, or via email at [email protected], Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Guardrails, guardrail end terminals, and other roadside safety hardware are tested to criteria established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) through its committee structure in which FHWA participates. The States are guided by the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide (RDG) in their decisions regarding what roadside safety hardware to install on their roadways. In order for a State to receive FHWA reimbursement for roadside safety hardware, the hardware must be crashworthy, meaning that it meets the testing and evaluation guidelines in effect at the time that hardware was developed. Roadside safety hardware guidelines and testing criteria have evolved over the last several decades with changes in the vehicle fleet and the emergence of new hardware designs. From 1981 until 1993, NCHRP 230 guidelines were used. From 1993 until 2011, NCHRP 350 guidelines were used. The MASH was published in 2009 and since January 1, 2011, all new or significantly changed devices must meet the MASH criteria. Not unlike other industries, each successive version of guidelines is meant to encourage manufacturers to advance the state of roadside safety hardware and to develop devices that work with a changing vehicle fleet under a wider range of conditions. Because of the extensive development and testing required, it typically takes many years after roadside safety hardware guidelines are established for products meeting those guidelines to be widely available on the market. Accordingly, when AASHTO adopted MASH, it did not intend or require that devices designed to meet previous criteria would need to be retested to meet the newly developed criteria. Instead, a new generation of devices would need to be developed to meet the newly adopted criteria. In the six years since the MASH was published, however, there have not been a significant number of MASH-tested devices developed and brought to market. As a result and to encourage the development and installation of MASH-compliant devices, FHWA and AASHTO agree it is time to begin the transition to requiring that new installations of roadway safety hardware comply with the MASH criteria. Purpose of This Notice The FHWA provides technical assistance to States by issuing Federal-aid eligibility letters for devices deemed crashworthy. The FHWA also makes determinations of continued eligibility for modified devices that have existing eligibility letters. The purpose of this notice is to seek the input of industry, State Departments of Transportation, and the broader highway community on the impact of FHWA no longer issuing eligibility letters after December 31, 2015, for modified NCHRP 350-tested devices that do not involve full scale crash testing to MASH. Modifications to NCHRP 350-tested devices that have, in the past, been based on engineering analysis or finite element modeling will no longer receive FHWA eligibility letters. Please provide any information that FHWA should be aware of regarding impacts of this change. By taking this action, FHWA believes it will facilitate the implementation of MASH. Later this year, AASHTO is expected to take action regarding a schedule for requiring that new installations of roadway safety hardware comply with the MASH criteria. [[Page 28762]] Authority: 23 U.S.C. 148 and 315. Issued on: May 13, 2015. Gregory G. Nadeau, Deputy Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. [FR Doc. 2015-12021 Filed 5-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 96 / Tuesday, May 19, 2015 / Notices 28761
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION individuals identified in this notice. All From 1993 until 2011, NCHRP 350
data and information must include the guidelines were used. The MASH was
Federal Highway Administration docket number that appears in the published in 2009 and since January 1,
[Docket No. FHWA–2015–0008] heading of this document. All data and 2011, all new or significantly changed
information received will be available devices must meet the MASH criteria.
Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware for examination and copying at the Not unlike other industries, each
(MASH) Transition above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., successive version of guidelines is
Monday through Friday, except Federal meant to encourage manufacturers to
AGENCY: Federal Highway holidays. Those desiring notification of advance the state of roadside safety
Administration (FHWA), Department of receipt of data and information must hardware and to develop devices that
Transportation (DOT). include a self-addressed, stamped work with a changing vehicle fleet
ACTION: Notice; request for comment. postcard or you may print the under a wider range of conditions.
acknowledgment page that appears after Because of the extensive development
SUMMARY: In issuing Federal-aid submitting comments electronically. and testing required, it typically takes
eligibility letters for roadside safety Anyone is able to search the electronic many years after roadside safety
hardware, the Federal Highway form of all information in any one of our hardware guidelines are established for
Administration (FHWA) currently dockets by the name of the individual products meeting those guidelines to be
makes determinations of continued submitting the information (or signing widely available on the market.
eligibility for modifications to devices the information, if submitted on behalf Accordingly, when AASHTO adopted
tested to the National Cooperative of an association, business, or labor MASH, it did not intend or require that
Highway Research Program Report 350 union). The DOT solicits comments devices designed to meet previous
(NCHRP 350). In an effort to facilitate from the public to better inform its criteria would need to be retested to
the implementation of the Manual for activities. The DOT posts these meet the newly developed criteria.
Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH), comments, without edit, including any Instead, a new generation of devices
FHWA intends to discontinue issuing personal information the commenter would need to be developed to meet the
eligibility letters for requests received provides, to www.regulations.gov, as newly adopted criteria. In the six years
after December 31, 2015, for modified described in the system of records since the MASH was published,
NCHRP 350-tested devices that do not notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can however, there have not been a
involve full scale crash testing to the be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. significant number of MASH-tested
MASH. Modifications to NCHRP 350-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: devices developed and brought to
tested devices that have, in the past,
Michael Griffith, Office of Safety, 202– market. As a result and to encourage the
been based on engineering analysis or
366–9469, mike.griffith@dot.gov, development and installation of MASH-
finite element modeling will no longer
Federal Highway Administration, 1200 compliant devices, FHWA and
receive FHWA eligibility letters.
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, AASHTO agree it is time to begin the
Effective January 1, 2016, all changes to
DC 20590. For legal questions, please transition to requiring that new
NCHRP 350-tested devices will require
contact Jennifer Mayo, Assistant Chief installations of roadway safety hardware
testing under MASH in order to receive
Counsel, FHWA Office of the Chief comply with the MASH criteria.
a Federal-aid eligibility letter from
Counsel, (202) 366–1523, or via email at
FHWA. Purpose of This Notice
jennifer.mayo@dot.gov, Federal
DATES: Data and information must be Highway Administration, 1200 New The FHWA provides technical
submitted to FHWA on or before June Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC assistance to States by issuing Federal-
18, 2015. 20590. aid eligibility letters for devices deemed
ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver data SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: crashworthy. The FHWA also makes
and information to the U.S. Department determinations of continued eligibility
of Transportation, Dockets Management Background for modified devices that have existing
Facility, Room W12–140, 1200 New Guardrails, guardrail end terminals, eligibility letters. The purpose of this
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC and other roadside safety hardware are notice is to seek the input of industry,
20590, or fax comments to (202) 493– tested to criteria established by the State Departments of Transportation,
2251. Alternatively, you may submit or American Association of State Highway and the broader highway community on
retrieve information online through the and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) the impact of FHWA no longer issuing
Federal eRulemaking portal at http:// through its committee structure in eligibility letters after December 31,
www.regulations.gov. The Web site is which FHWA participates. The States 2015, for modified NCHRP 350-tested
available 24 hours each day, 365 days are guided by the AASHTO Roadside devices that do not involve full scale
each year. Electronic submission and Design Guide (RDG) in their decisions crash testing to MASH. Modifications to
retrieval help and guidelines are regarding what roadside safety hardware NCHRP 350-tested devices that have, in
available under the help section of the to install on their roadways. In order for the past, been based on engineering
Web site. An electronic copy of this a State to receive FHWA reimbursement analysis or finite element modeling will
document may also be downloaded for roadside safety hardware, the no longer receive FHWA eligibility
from the Government Printing Office’s hardware must be crashworthy, letters. Please provide any information
Web site at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov meaning that it meets the testing and that FHWA should be aware of
and the Office of the Federal Register’s evaluation guidelines in effect at the regarding impacts of this change.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Web site at: http://www.archives.gov/ time that hardware was developed. By taking this action, FHWA believes
federal_register. Please note that the Roadside safety hardware guidelines it will facilitate the implementation of
Federal eRulemaking portal is unable to and testing criteria have evolved over MASH. Later this year, AASHTO is
receive videos or any document larger the last several decades with changes in expected to take action regarding a
than 10MB. If you would like to submit the vehicle fleet and the emergence of schedule for requiring that new
a video or a document that is 10MB or new hardware designs. From 1981 until installations of roadway safety hardware
larger, please directly contact one of the 1993, NCHRP 230 guidelines were used. comply with the MASH criteria.
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![28762 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 96 / Tuesday, May 19, 2015 / Notices
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 148 and 315. SUMMARY: This document grants in full exterior lights will flash if unauthorized
Issued on: May 13, 2015. the Jaguar Land Rover North America entry is attempted by opening the hood,
Gregory G. Nadeau, LLC’s, (Jaguar Land Rover) petition for doors or luggage compartment. Jaguar
Deputy Administrator, Federal Highway an exemption of the Jaguar XF vehicle Land Rover’s submission is considered
Administration. line in accordance with 49 CFR part a complete petition as required by 49
[FR Doc. 2015–12021 Filed 5–18–15; 8:45 am]
543, Exemption from the Theft CFR 543.7, in that it meets the general
Prevention Standard. This petition is requirements contained in § 543.5 and
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
granted because the agency has the specific content requirements of
determined that the antitheft device to § 543.6.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION be placed on the line as standard Jaguar Land Rover stated that the
equipment is likely to be as effective in Smart Key is programmed and
Federal Motor Carrier Safety reducing and deterring motor vehicle synchronized to the vehicle through
Administration theft as compliance with the parts- means of an identification key code and
marking requirements of the Theft a randomly generated secret code that
Sunshine Act Meetings; Unified Carrier Prevention Standard (49 CFR part 541). are unique to each vehicle. Jaguar Land
Registration Plan Board of Directors DATES: The exemption granted by this Rover further stated that the
notice is effective beginning with model immobilizer device is armed
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety automatically when the Smart Key is
Administration (FMCSA), DOT. year (MY) 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
removed from the vehicle.
ACTION: Notice of Unified Carrier Jaguar Land Rover also stated that
Registration Plan Board of Directors Hisham Mohamed, Office of
there are three methods the driver can
Meeting. International Policy, Fuel Economy and
approach the vehicle and start the
Consumer Programs, NHTSA, W43–437,
TIME AND DATE: The meeting will be engine. Method one is through
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
held on June 10, 2015, from 9:00 a.m.to automatic detection of the Smart Key
Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Mohamed’s
12:00 Noon, Eastern Daylight Time. via a remote frequency challenge
phone number is (202) 366–0307. His response sequence. Jaguar stated that
PLACE: This meeting will be open to the fax number is (202) 493–2990.
public at the Read House Hotel, 827 when the driver approaches the vehicle
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a and pulls the driver’s door handle (after
Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
petition dated March 23, 2015, Jaguar authentication of the correct Smart Key),
and via conference call. Those not
Land Rover requested an exemption the doors will unlock. Specifically,
attending the meeting in person may
from the parts-marking requirements of when the ignition start button is
call 1–877–422–1931, passcode
the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR pressed, a search to find and
2855443940, to listen and participate in
part 541) for the MY 2016 Jaguar XF authenticate the Smart Key commences
this meeting.
vehicle line. The petition requested an within the vehicle interior. If successful,
STATUS: Open to the public. exemption from parts-marking pursuant this information is passed by a coded
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The to 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from data transfer to the BCM via the Remote
Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard, Function Actuator. The BCM in turn,
of Directors (the Board) will continue its based on the installation of an antitheft will pass the ‘‘valid key’’ status to the
work in developing and implementing device as standard equipment for an instrument cluster, via a coded data
the Unified Carrier Registration Plan entire vehicle line. transfer. The BCM sends the key valid
and Agreement and to that end, may Under § 543.5(a), a manufacturer may message to the PCM which initiates a
consider matters properly before the petition NHTSA to grant an exemption coded data transfer authorizing the
Board. for one vehicle line per model year. In engine to start. Method two is
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. its petition, Jaguar Land Rover provided accomplished by unlocking the vehicle
Avelino Gutierrez, Chair, Unified a detailed description and diagrams of with the Smart Key unlock button. As
Carrier Registration Board of Directors at the identity, design, and location of the the driver approaches the vehicle, the
(505) 827–4565. components of the antitheft device for Smart Key unlock button is pressed and
Issued on: May 12, 2015. the XF vehicle line. Jaguar Land Rover the doors will unlock. Once the driver
Larry W. Minor, stated that its XF vehicles will be presses the ignition start button, the
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy,
equipped with a passive, transponder operation process is the same as method
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. based, electronic engine immobilizer one. Method three is accomplished by
[FR Doc. 2015–12209 Filed 5–15–15; 4:15 pm]
device as standard equipment beginning using the emergency key blade. If the
with the 2016 model year. Key Smart Key has a discharged battery or is
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
components of its antitheft device will damaged, there is an emergency key
include a power train control module blade that can be removed from the
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (PCM), instrument cluster, body control Smart Key and used to unlock the doors.
module (BCM), remote frequency When the ignition start button is
National Highway Traffic Safety receiver (RFR), remote frequency pressed a search is commenced to find
Administration actuator (RFA), immobilizer antenna and authenticate the Smart Key within
unit (IAU), Smart Key, door control the vehicle. Once the Smart Key is
Petition for Exemption From the units (DCU), and a visual and audible docked in the correct position and the
Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; perimeter alarm system. Jaguar Land ignition start button is pressed again,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Jaguar Land Rover North America, Rover also stated that the audible and the BCM and Smart key completes a
LLC visual perimeter alarm system will be coded data exchange via the IAU. If
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic installed as standard equipment and can successful, the BCM passes the valid
Safety Administration, NHTSA, be armed with the Smart Key or key status to the instrument cluster, via
Department of Transportation, DOT. programmed to be passively armed. a coded data transfer. The BCM then
Jaguar Land Rover further stated that the sends the key valid message to the PCM
ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption.
siren will sound and the vehicle’s which initiates a coded data transfer. If
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:30:09
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:30:09
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; request for comment. | |
| Dates | Data and information must be submitted to FHWA on or before June 18, 2015. | |
| Contact | Michael Griffith, Office of Safety, 202-366-9469, [email protected], Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. For legal questions, please contact Jennifer Mayo, Assistant Chief Counsel, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1523, or via email at [email protected], Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 28761 |
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