81_FR_6953 81 FR 6927 - Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; TowMate, LLC Application for an Exemption

81 FR 6927 - Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; TowMate, LLC Application for an Exemption

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 26 (February 9, 2016)

Page Range6927-6928
FR Document2016-02511

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant TowMate, LLC's (TowMate) application for a limited two-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), all required lamps, with the exception of battery-powered lamps used on projecting loads, must be powered by the electrical system of the motor vehicle. The Agency has determined that use of rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations would not have an adverse impact on safety, and use of these systems under the terms and conditions of the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation. This decision is consistent with an August 2005 amendment to the FMCSRs to allow battery powered lamps on the rear of projecting loads.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6927-6928]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0238]


Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; TowMate, LLC 
Application for an Exemption

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

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 
announces its decision to grant TowMate, LLC's (TowMate) application 
for a limited two-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate 
rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems 
during temporary towing operations. Under the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), all required lamps, with the exception of 
battery-powered lamps used on projecting loads, must be powered by the 
electrical system of the motor vehicle. The Agency has determined that 
use of rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting 
systems during temporary towing operations would not have an adverse 
impact on safety, and use of these systems under the terms and 
conditions of the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent 
to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation. This 
decision is consistent with an August 2005 amendment to the FMCSRs to 
allow battery powered lamps on the rear of projecting loads.

DATES: This exemption is effective February 9, 2016 and ending February 
9, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Luke Loy, Vehicle and Roadside 
Operations Division, Office of Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Safety, MC-
PSV, (202) 366-0676, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments submitted to notice requesting public comments on the 
exemption application, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit 
Room W12-140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The on-line Federal document 
management system is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. 
The docket number is listed at the beginning of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant 
exemptions from certain parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Regulations. FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in 
the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the 
public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the 
application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. 
The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the 
request.
    The Agency reviews safety analyses and public comments submitted, 
and determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a 
level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of 
the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 
381.315(b)) with the reasons for denying or granting the application 
and, if granted, the name of the person or class of persons receiving 
the exemption, and the regulatory provision from which the exemption is 
granted. The notice must also specify the effective period and explain 
the terms and conditions of the exemption. The exemption may be renewed 
(49 CFR 381.300(b)).

TowMate's Application for Exemption

    TowMate applied for an exemption from 49 CFR 393.23 to allow motor 
carriers to operate rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and 
tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations. A copy of the 
application is included in the docket referenced at the beginning of 
this notice.
    Section 393.23, ``Power Supply for Lamps,'' provides that ``All 
required lamps must be powered by the electrical system of the motor 
vehicle with the exception of battery powered lamps used on projecting 
loads.''
    The application stated:

    TowMate is making this request because the use of conventional 
hard wired temporary stop, turn, and tail lights has many drawbacks 
that wireless tow lights solve. These include broken connections, 
frayed wires, burnt out incandescent bulbs, and the potential to be 
snagged or pulled from the tow light receptacle due to improper 
running of wires, and road hazards, along with the safety hazard of 
increasing the amount of time spent on the roadside or the scene of 
an accident by stringing wired lighting systems between vehicles and 
securing the wires. With the advent of LED technology coupled with 
advancements in battery technologies, wireless tow lights are more 
reliable and better equipped for the rigors of daily temporary use.
    Temporary wireless stop, turn, tail lighting systems can operate 
for 10+ hours of continuous use on a full charge, and in-cab wire-
less monitoring systems give the driver constant information on the 
functioning of the system, displaying state of charge of the battery 
inside the unit, displaying the functioning of the system during 
operation, and warning the driver if the unit is no longer 
functioning. In this sense, wireless tow lights provide a level of 
safety and redundancy that is not currently required on wired 
temporary lighting systems. In an emergency situation with a drained 
battery, power can be directly connected to the temporary wireless 
stop, turn, and tail lighting system from a standard 4 pin or 7 pin 
electrical connection.
    Without the proposed temporary exemption, tow and haul away 
operators will be forced to continue to use cumbersome wired 
temporary towing light systems, placing an unnecessary burden on 
their daily operations. The current temporary lighting requirements 
for stop, tail, and turn lamps require that the lamps receive their 
power from a direct wired connection to the towing vehicle with no 
ascertainable benefit from doing such. Wireless tow lights afford 
benefits that wired systems are unable to, such as redundancies like 
monitoring the status of the unit in real time, thus assuring their 
proper operation at all times.

Comments

    On August 6, 2015, FMCSA published notice of the TowMate 
application and requested public comment (80 FR 47031). The Agency 
received thirteen comments, all in support of TowMate's application.
    The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc., and the 
Wisconsin Towing Association commented that hard-wired temporary stop, 
tail and turn signal lighting systems take additional time to install 
on the side of the road or highway as compared to wireless systems, 
leaving tow operators vulnerable and at greater risk of being struck 
and injured by passing motorists These commenters stated that use of 
rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting

[[Page 6928]]

systems would help eliminate this hazard, and provide a safer working 
environment.
    Seven commenters identified themselves as owners of small towing 
companies that use rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail 
lighting systems when conducting temporary emergency tows. These 
commenters echoed the comments above, noting that use of the wireless 
systems allows operators to clear accident scenes from roadways faster 
and thereby increases tow operator safety.
    Four additional commenters supported TowMate's application, noting 
the same benefits as the other commenters.

Discussion

    Prior to August 2005, section 393.23 of the FMCSRs was titled 
``Lighting devices to be electric,'' and stated ``Lighting devices 
shall be electric, except that red liquid-burning lanterns may be used 
on the end of loads in the nature of poles, pipes, and ladders 
projecting to the rear of the motor vehicle.'' In a final rule 
published on August 15, 2005, FMCSA amended section 393.23 of the 
FMCSRs to incorporate terminology which is more consistent with current 
industry standards and practices (70 FR 48008). Specifically, the title 
of section 393.23 was revised to read ``Power supply for lamps,'' the 
reference to red liquid-burning lanterns was removed as obsolete, and--
as it relates to the subject exemption application--the rule was 
amended to permit the use of battery powered lamps on projecting loads. 
With respect to the use of battery powered lamps, the August 2005 rule 
states ``With the exception of temporary lamps used on projecting 
loads, lamps are required to be powered through the electrical system 
of the commercial motor vehicle.'' [Emphasis added].
    Motor vehicles transporting loads which extend more than 4 feet 
beyond the rear of the motor vehicle, or which have tailboards or 
tailgates extending more than 4 feet beyond the body, are required to 
mark those projections when the vehicle is operated during the hours 
when headlamps are required. Specifically, each side of the projecting 
load is required to be marked with one red side marker lamp, visible 
from the side, located to indicate the maximum overhang, and the rear 
of the projecting load is required to be marked with two red lamps, 
visible from the rear, one at each side, and two red reflectors visible 
from the rear, one at each side, located so as to indicate the maximum 
width of the projection. By expressly permitting battery powered lamps 
on projecting loads via the August 2005 final rule, the Agency has 
directly acknowledged the viability of lighting systems powered by 
sources other than the vehicle's electrical system in limited 
applications where the lamps required by the regulations are temporary 
in nature due to the specific vehicle operation.
    Section 393.17 of the FMCSRs prescribes the lighting requirements 
for vehicles engaged in driveaway-towaway operations. A vehicle 
combination consisting of a tow vehicle pulling a wrecked or disabled 
vehicle is considered a driveaway-towaway operation, and the 
combination needs to be equipped with the lighting devices specified in 
section 393.17. Specifically with respect to the rear of the rearmost 
towed vehicle in such a combination, section 393.17(b)(2) requires at 
least two tail lamps, two stop lamps, two turn signals, two clearance 
lamps, and two reflectors, one of each type at each side. In addition, 
if any vehicle in the combination is 80 inches or more in overall 
width, there must be three identification lamps on the rear. Similar to 
the temporary lamps required on the rear of projecting loads, the 
required lamps on the rear of a wrecked or disabled vehicle being 
transported to a motor carrier's terminal or facility for repairs are 
temporary in nature.

FMCSA Decision

    FMCSA has evaluated the comments received in support of TowMate's 
application. The Agency agrees that permitting the use of rechargeable 
wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during 
temporary towing operations will reduce the time tow operators spend at 
the side of the road connecting wired lighting systems between 
vehicles, thereby reducing their risk of injury and increasing safety. 
The Agency believes that use of the rechargeable wireless lighting 
systems will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or 
greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption. This 
decision is consistent with the amendment made in the August 2005 final 
rule to allow battery powered lamps on the rear of projecting loads.

Terms and Conditions for the Exemption

    The Agency hereby grants the exemption for a two-year period, 
beginning February 9, 2016 and ending February 9, 2018. During the 
temporary exemption period, motor carriers will be allowed to use 
rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems 
that do not meet the lighting power supply requirements of 49 CFR 
393.23 during temporary towing operations, provided the requirements of 
49 CFR 393.17(b)(2) are met. The exemption will be valid for two years 
unless rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be rescinded if: 
(1) Motor carriers and/or commercial motor vehicles fail to comply with 
the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has 
resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was 
granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent 
with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b).
    Interested parties possessing information that would demonstrate 
that motor carriers using rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, 
and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations are not 
achieving the requisite statutory level of safety should immediately 
notify FMCSA. The Agency will evaluate any such information and, if 
safety is being compromised or if the continuation of the exemption is 
not consistent with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), will take 
immediate steps to revoke the exemption.

Preemption

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31313(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 
381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall 
enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate commerce that 
conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption with respect to a 
firm or person operating under the exemption. States may, but are not 
required to, adopt the same exemption with respect to operations in 
intrastate commerce.

    Issued on: January 29, 2016.
T.F. Scott Darling, III,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-02511 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 9, 2016 / Notices                                                 6927

                                                  FMCSA as a curbside bus operator                        Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–                        The application stated:
                                                  requiring an annual safety assessment?                  0001.                                                    TowMate is making this request because
                                                    9. Is there any additional criteria we                   Docket: For access to the docket to                the use of conventional hard wired
                                                  should consider to identify which motor                 read background documents or                          temporary stop, turn, and tail lights has many
                                                  carrier of passenger should be defined                  comments submitted to notice                          drawbacks that wireless tow lights solve.
                                                  as a curbside bus operator requiring an                 requesting public comments on the                     These include broken connections, frayed
                                                  annual safety assessment?                               exemption application, go to                          wires, burnt out incandescent bulbs, and the
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov at any time or visit              potential to be snagged or pulled from the
                                                    Issued under the authority delegated in 49                                                                  tow light receptacle due to improper running
                                                  CFR 1.87 on: January 29, 2016.                          Room W12–140 on the ground level of
                                                                                                          the West Building, 1200 New Jersey                    of wires, and road hazards, along with the
                                                  T.F. Scott Darling, III,                                                                                      safety hazard of increasing the amount of
                                                                                                          Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
                                                  Acting Administrator.                                                                                         time spent on the roadside or the scene of an
                                                                                                          a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through                   accident by stringing wired lighting systems
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–02510 Filed 2–8–16; 8:45 am]              Friday, except Federal holidays. The on-              between vehicles and securing the wires.
                                                  BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P                                  line Federal document management                      With the advent of LED technology coupled
                                                                                                          system is available 24 hours each day,                with advancements in battery technologies,
                                                                                                          365 days each year. The docket number                 wireless tow lights are more reliable and
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            is listed at the beginning of this notice.            better equipped for the rigors of daily
                                                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            temporary use.
                                                  Federal Motor Carrier Safety                                                                                     Temporary wireless stop, turn, tail lighting
                                                  Administration                                          Background                                            systems can operate for 10+ hours of
                                                                                                             FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C.                continuous use on a full charge, and in-cab
                                                  [Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0238]                                                                                  wire-less monitoring systems give the driver
                                                                                                          31136(e) and 31315 to grant exemptions                constant information on the functioning of
                                                                                                          from certain parts of the Federal Motor               the system, displaying state of charge of the
                                                  Parts and Accessories Necessary for                     Carrier Safety Regulations. FMCSA must
                                                  Safe Operation; TowMate, LLC                                                                                  battery inside the unit, displaying the
                                                                                                          publish a notice of each exemption                    functioning of the system during operation,
                                                  Application for an Exemption                            request in the Federal Register (49 CFR               and warning the driver if the unit is no
                                                  AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety                    381.315(a)). The Agency must provide                  longer functioning. In this sense, wireless
                                                  Administration (FMCSA), DOT.                            the public an opportunity to inspect the              tow lights provide a level of safety and
                                                                                                          information relevant to the application,              redundancy that is not currently required on
                                                  ACTION: Notice of final disposition.                                                                          wired temporary lighting systems. In an
                                                                                                          including any safety analyses that have
                                                                                                          been conducted. The Agency must also                  emergency situation with a drained battery,
                                                  SUMMARY:   The Federal Motor Carrier                                                                          power can be directly connected to the
                                                  Safety Administration (FMCSA)                           provide an opportunity for public                     temporary wireless stop, turn, and tail
                                                  announces its decision to grant                         comment on the request.                               lighting system from a standard 4 pin or 7
                                                  TowMate, LLC’s (TowMate) application                       The Agency reviews safety analyses                 pin electrical connection.
                                                  for a limited two-year exemption to                     and public comments submitted, and                       Without the proposed temporary
                                                  allow motor carriers to operate                         determines whether granting the                       exemption, tow and haul away operators will
                                                  rechargeable wireless temporary stop,                   exemption would likely achieve a level                be forced to continue to use cumbersome
                                                  turn, and tail lighting systems during                  of safety equivalent to, or greater than,             wired temporary towing light systems,
                                                                                                          the level that would be achieved by the               placing an unnecessary burden on their daily
                                                  temporary towing operations. Under the                                                                        operations. The current temporary lighting
                                                  Federal Motor Carrier Safety                            current regulation (49 CFR 381.305).
                                                                                                          The decision of the Agency must be                    requirements for stop, tail, and turn lamps
                                                  Regulations (FMCSRs), all required                                                                            require that the lamps receive their power
                                                  lamps, with the exception of battery-                   published in the Federal Register (49                 from a direct wired connection to the towing
                                                  powered lamps used on projecting                        CFR 381.315(b)) with the reasons for                  vehicle with no ascertainable benefit from
                                                  loads, must be powered by the electrical                denying or granting the application and,              doing such. Wireless tow lights afford
                                                  system of the motor vehicle. The                        if granted, the name of the person or                 benefits that wired systems are unable to,
                                                  Agency has determined that use of                       class of persons receiving the                        such as redundancies like monitoring the
                                                  rechargeable wireless temporary stop,                   exemption, and the regulatory provision               status of the unit in real time, thus assuring
                                                                                                          from which the exemption is granted.                  their proper operation at all times.
                                                  turn, and tail lighting systems during
                                                  temporary towing operations would not                   The notice must also specify the                      Comments
                                                  have an adverse impact on safety, and                   effective period and explain the terms
                                                                                                          and conditions of the exemption. The                     On August 6, 2015, FMCSA published
                                                  use of these systems under the terms                                                                          notice of the TowMate application and
                                                  and conditions of the exemption would                   exemption may be renewed (49 CFR
                                                                                                          381.300(b)).                                          requested public comment (80 FR
                                                  achieve a level of safety equivalent to or                                                                    47031). The Agency received thirteen
                                                  greater than the level of safety provided               TowMate’s Application for Exemption                   comments, all in support of TowMate’s
                                                  by the regulation. This decision is                                                                           application.
                                                                                                             TowMate applied for an exemption
                                                  consistent with an August 2005                                                                                   The Towing and Recovery
                                                                                                          from 49 CFR 393.23 to allow motor
                                                  amendment to the FMCSRs to allow                                                                              Association of America, Inc., and the
                                                                                                          carriers to operate rechargeable wireless
                                                  battery powered lamps on the rear of                                                                          Wisconsin Towing Association
                                                                                                          temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting
                                                  projecting loads.                                                                                             commented that hard-wired temporary
                                                                                                          systems during temporary towing
                                                  DATES: This exemption is effective                      operations. A copy of the application is              stop, tail and turn signal lighting
                                                  February 9, 2016 and ending February 9,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          included in the docket referenced at the              systems take additional time to install
                                                  2018.                                                   beginning of this notice.                             on the side of the road or highway as
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                       Section 393.23, ‘‘Power Supply for                 compared to wireless systems, leaving
                                                  Luke Loy, Vehicle and Roadside                          Lamps,’’ provides that ‘‘All required                 tow operators vulnerable and at greater
                                                  Operations Division, Office of Carrier,                 lamps must be powered by the electrical               risk of being struck and injured by
                                                  Driver, and Vehicle Safety, MC–PSV,                     system of the motor vehicle with the                  passing motorists These commenters
                                                  (202) 366–0676, Federal Motor Carrier                   exception of battery powered lamps                    stated that use of rechargeable wireless
                                                  Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey                  used on projecting loads.’’                           temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting


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                                                  6928                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 9, 2016 / Notices

                                                  systems would help eliminate this                       battery powered lamps on projecting                   power supply requirements of 49 CFR
                                                  hazard, and provide a safer working                     loads via the August 2005 final rule, the             393.23 during temporary towing
                                                  environment.                                            Agency has directly acknowledged the                  operations, provided the requirements
                                                     Seven commenters identified                          viability of lighting systems powered by              of 49 CFR 393.17(b)(2) are met. The
                                                  themselves as owners of small towing                    sources other than the vehicle’s                      exemption will be valid for two years
                                                  companies that use rechargeable                         electrical system in limited applications             unless rescinded earlier by FMCSA. The
                                                  wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail                 where the lamps required by the                       exemption will be rescinded if: (1)
                                                  lighting systems when conducting                        regulations are temporary in nature due               Motor carriers and/or commercial motor
                                                  temporary emergency tows. These                         to the specific vehicle operation.                    vehicles fail to comply with the terms
                                                  commenters echoed the comments                             Section 393.17 of the FMCSRs                       and conditions of the exemption; (2) the
                                                  above, noting that use of the wireless                  prescribes the lighting requirements for              exemption has resulted in a lower level
                                                  systems allows operators to clear                       vehicles engaged in driveaway-towaway                 of safety than was maintained before it
                                                  accident scenes from roadways faster                    operations. A vehicle combination                     was granted; or (3) continuation of the
                                                  and thereby increases tow operator                      consisting of a tow vehicle pulling a                 exemption would not be consistent with
                                                  safety.                                                 wrecked or disabled vehicle is                        the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C.
                                                     Four additional commenters                           considered a driveaway-towaway                        31136(e) and 31315(b).
                                                  supported TowMate’s application,                        operation, and the combination needs to                  Interested parties possessing
                                                  noting the same benefits as the other                   be equipped with the lighting devices                 information that would demonstrate
                                                  commenters.                                             specified in section 393.17. Specifically             that motor carriers using rechargeable
                                                  Discussion                                              with respect to the rear of the rearmost              wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail
                                                                                                          towed vehicle in such a combination,                  lighting systems during temporary
                                                     Prior to August 2005, section 393.23                 section 393.17(b)(2) requires at least two            towing operations are not achieving the
                                                  of the FMCSRs was titled ‘‘Lighting                     tail lamps, two stop lamps, two turn                  requisite statutory level of safety should
                                                  devices to be electric,’’ and stated                    signals, two clearance lamps, and two                 immediately notify FMCSA. The
                                                  ‘‘Lighting devices shall be electric,                   reflectors, one of each type at each side.            Agency will evaluate any such
                                                  except that red liquid-burning lanterns                 In addition, if any vehicle in the                    information and, if safety is being
                                                  may be used on the end of loads in the                  combination is 80 inches or more in                   compromised or if the continuation of
                                                  nature of poles, pipes, and ladders                     overall width, there must be three                    the exemption is not consistent with 49
                                                  projecting to the rear of the motor                     identification lamps on the rear. Similar             U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), will take
                                                  vehicle.’’ In a final rule published on                 to the temporary lamps required on the                immediate steps to revoke the
                                                  August 15, 2005, FMCSA amended                          rear of projecting loads, the required                exemption.
                                                  section 393.23 of the FMCSRs to                         lamps on the rear of a wrecked or
                                                  incorporate terminology which is more                   disabled vehicle being transported to a               Preemption
                                                  consistent with current industry                        motor carrier’s terminal or facility for                In accordance with 49 U.S.C.
                                                  standards and practices (70 FR 48008).                  repairs are temporary in nature.                      31313(d), as implemented by 49 CFR
                                                  Specifically, the title of section 393.23                                                                     381.600, during the period this
                                                  was revised to read ‘‘Power supply for                  FMCSA Decision                                        exemption is in effect, no State shall
                                                  lamps,’’ the reference to red liquid-                      FMCSA has evaluated the comments                   enforce any law or regulation applicable
                                                  burning lanterns was removed as                         received in support of TowMate’s                      to interstate commerce that conflicts
                                                  obsolete, and—as it relates to the subject              application. The Agency agrees that                   with or is inconsistent with this
                                                  exemption application—the rule was                      permitting the use of rechargeable                    exemption with respect to a firm or
                                                  amended to permit the use of battery                    wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail               person operating under the exemption.
                                                  powered lamps on projecting loads.                      lighting systems during temporary                     States may, but are not required to,
                                                  With respect to the use of battery                      towing operations will reduce the time                adopt the same exemption with respect
                                                  powered lamps, the August 2005 rule                     tow operators spend at the side of the                to operations in intrastate commerce.
                                                  states ‘‘With the exception of temporary                road connecting wired lighting systems                  Issued on: January 29, 2016.
                                                  lamps used on projecting loads, lamps                   between vehicles, thereby reducing their
                                                                                                                                                                T.F. Scott Darling, III,
                                                  are required to be powered through the                  risk of injury and increasing safety. The
                                                  electrical system of the commercial                                                                           Acting Administrator.
                                                                                                          Agency believes that use of the
                                                  motor vehicle.’’ [Emphasis added].                                                                            [FR Doc. 2016–02511 Filed 2–8–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          rechargeable wireless lighting systems
                                                     Motor vehicles transporting loads                    will maintain a level of safety that is               BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
                                                  which extend more than 4 feet beyond                    equivalent to, or greater than, the level
                                                  the rear of the motor vehicle, or which                 of safety achieved without the
                                                  have tailboards or tailgates extending                                                                        DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                                                                          exemption. This decision is consistent
                                                  more than 4 feet beyond the body, are                   with the amendment made in the                        National Highway Traffic Safety
                                                  required to mark those projections when                 August 2005 final rule to allow battery               Administration
                                                  the vehicle is operated during the hours                powered lamps on the rear of projecting
                                                  when headlamps are required.                            loads.                                                [Docket No. NHTSA–2013–0134; Notice 2]
                                                  Specifically, each side of the projecting
                                                  load is required to be marked with one                  Terms and Conditions for the                          General Motors LLC, Grant of Petition
                                                  red side marker lamp, visible from the                  Exemption                                             for Decision of Inconsequential
                                                                                                                                                                Noncompliance
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  side, located to indicate the maximum                      The Agency hereby grants the
                                                  overhang, and the rear of the projecting                exemption for a two-year period,                      AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
                                                  load is required to be marked with two                  beginning February 9, 2016 and ending                 Safety Administration (NHTSA),
                                                  red lamps, visible from the rear, one at                February 9, 2018. During the temporary                Department of Transportation (DOT).
                                                  each side, and two red reflectors visible               exemption period, motor carriers will be              ACTION: Grant of petition.
                                                  from the rear, one at each side, located                allowed to use rechargeable wireless
                                                  so as to indicate the maximum width of                  temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting               SUMMARY: General Motors LLC, (GM) has
                                                  the projection. By expressly permitting                 systems that do not meet the lighting                 determined that certain model year 2014


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Document Created: 2018-02-02 14:30:13
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 14:30:13
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of final disposition.
DatesThis exemption is effective February 9, 2016 and ending February 9, 2018.
ContactMr. Luke Loy, Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division, Office of Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Safety, MC- PSV, (202) 366-0676, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
FR Citation81 FR 6927 

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