82_FR_8406 82 FR 8391 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Automatic Emergency Braking

82 FR 8391 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Automatic Emergency Braking

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 15 (January 25, 2017)

Page Range8391-8395
FR Document2017-01542

This document denies a January 13, 2016 rulemaking petition jointly submitted by Consumer Watchdog, Center for Auto Safety, and Public Citizen. The petition requested NHTSA to begin a rulemaking proceeding to mandate that all light vehicles be equipped with three types of automatic emergency braking (AEB) technologies: Forward crash warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support. NHTSA is denying the petition because the Agency has already taken significant steps to incentivize the installation of these technologies in a way that allows for continued innovation and technological advancement. First, NHTSA has expanded its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) so that the NCAP information for a vehicle notes whether the vehicle is equipped with one or more of these technologies. Second, it has sought public comment on its plans to revise NCAP so that the presence and level of performance of these technologies affects the overall rating of light motor vehicles. To reinforce these improvements to the NCAP program, NHTSA encouraged and facilitated a process that resulted in 20 light vehicle manufacturers, representing more than 99 percent of light motor vehicle sales in the United States, committing to voluntarily installing forward crash warning and crash imminent braking. While NHTSA's actions will help create availability and market push for AEB technologies, private sector organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports are helping to create market pull through a variety of outreach activities that are helping consumers understand the benefits of AEB as well as differences among various vehicle models. Together with NCAP, the industry commitment and the actions of other stakeholders will lead to the installation of a growing array of AEB technologies in substantially all light vehicles and will foster innovation and competition in this technologically dynamic area. As the manufacturers respond to NCAP and carry out their commitments, the Agency is continuously monitoring their efforts to assess whether additional steps, including the possibility of a rulemaking to establish a new standard, might be needed in the future to ensure realization of the potential benefits from the full array of automatic emergency braking technologies.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 15 (Wednesday, January 25, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8391-8395]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2017-0005]


Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Automatic Emergency 
Braking

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

ACTION: Denial of petition for rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document denies a January 13, 2016 rulemaking petition 
jointly submitted by Consumer Watchdog, Center for Auto Safety, and 
Public Citizen. The petition requested NHTSA to begin a rulemaking 
proceeding to mandate that all light vehicles be equipped with three 
types of automatic emergency braking (AEB) technologies: Forward crash 
warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support. NHTSA is 
denying the petition because the Agency has already taken significant 
steps to incentivize the installation of these technologies in a way 
that allows for continued innovation and technological advancement. 
First, NHTSA has expanded its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) so that 
the NCAP information for a vehicle notes whether the vehicle is 
equipped with one or more of these technologies. Second, it has sought 
public comment on its plans to revise NCAP so that the presence and 
level of performance of these technologies affects the overall rating 
of light motor vehicles.
    To reinforce these improvements to the NCAP program, NHTSA 
encouraged and facilitated a process that resulted in 20 light vehicle 
manufacturers, representing more than 99 percent of light motor vehicle 
sales in the United States, committing to voluntarily installing 
forward crash warning and crash imminent braking. While NHTSA's actions 
will help create availability and market push for AEB technologies, 
private sector organizations such as the Insurance Institute for 
Highway Safety and Consumer Reports are helping to create market pull 
through a variety of outreach activities that are helping consumers 
understand the benefits of AEB as well as differences among various 
vehicle models. Together with NCAP, the industry commitment and the 
actions of other stakeholders will lead to the installation of a 
growing array of AEB technologies in substantially all light vehicles 
and will foster innovation and competition in this technologically 
dynamic area. As the manufacturers respond to NCAP and carry out their 
commitments, the Agency is continuously monitoring their efforts to 
assess whether additional steps, including the possibility of a 
rulemaking to establish a new standard, might be needed in the future 
to ensure realization of the potential benefits from the full array of 
automatic emergency braking technologies.

DATES: January 18, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For Non-Legal Issues: Mr. David Hines, Director, Office of Crash 
Avoidance Standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, Telephone: (202) 493-
0245, Facsimile: (202) 493-2990.
    For Legal Issues: Mr. Stephen P. Wood, Acting Chief Counsel, Office 
of Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, Telephone: (202) 366-2992, 
Facsimile: (202) 366-3820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background
    A. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
    B. Automatic emergency braking technologies
    C. Chronology of NHTSA actions and other events related to 
automatic emergency braking
II. Petition

[[Page 8392]]

III. NHTSA's consideration of the petition
    A. General principles
    B. Context for considering the petition
    C. Analysis of the petition
IV. Conclusion

I. Background

A. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act

    The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (``Safety Act'') 
(49 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) authorizes NHTSA to issue safety standards 
for new motor vehicles and new items of motor vehicle equipment. Each 
safety standard must be practicable, meet the need for motor vehicle 
safety, and be stated in objective terms. NHTSA does not endorse any 
vehicles or items of equipment. Further, NHTSA does not approve or 
certify vehicles or equipment. Instead, the Safety Act establishes a 
``self-certification'' process under which each manufacturer is 
responsible for certifying that its products meet all applicable safety 
standards. Pursuant to the Safety Act and the Motor Vehicle Information 
and Cost Savings Act, the Agency also issues guidelines and establishes 
test procedures and rating systems to encourage the development and 
installation of additional and improved safety technologies under the 
New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) for light motor vehicles.

B. Automatic Emergency Braking Technologies

    An Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system uses forward-looking 
sensors, typically radars and/or cameras, to detect objects, e.g., 
vehicles, ahead on the roadway. There are three complementary types of 
automatic emergency braking technologies. They are listed below:
1. Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
    FCW is a system that uses information from forward-looking sensors 
to determine whether or not a crash is likely or unavoidable and that, 
in such cases, warns the driver so the driver can brake and/or steer to 
avoid a crash or minimize the force of the crash. The system is based 
on two components: A sensing system capable of detecting a vehicle in 
front of the subject vehicle, and a warning system sending a signal to 
the driver. The sensing system consists of forward-looking radar, 
LIDAR,\1\ camera systems, or a combination thereof. The sensor data are 
digitally processed by a computer software algorithm that determines 
whether an object it has detected poses a safety risk (e.g., whether 
the object is a motor vehicle, etc.), determines if an impact with the 
detected object is imminent, decides if and when a warning signal 
should be sent to the driver, and finally, sends the warning signal. 
The warning may be a visual signal, such as a light on the dash, an 
audio signal, such as a chime or buzzer, or a haptic feedback signal 
that applies rapid vibrations or motions to the driver.
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    \1\ LIDAR is a device that uses pulsed lasers to detect nearby 
stationary and moving objects in the driving environment, calculate 
their distance and direction, and help to create a digital 
representation of nearby objects and other driving environment 
features that will be used to determine what path it is safe for a 
vehicle to take.
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2. Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)
    CIB is a system that uses information from forward-looking sensors 
to automatically apply the brakes in driving situations in which a 
crash is likely or unavoidable and the driver makes no attempt to avoid 
the crash. When an object in front of the driver's forward-moving 
vehicle is detected, a computer software algorithm reviews the 
available data from the input signal of the sensing system. If the 
algorithm determines that a rear-end crash with another motor vehicle 
is imminent, then a signal is sent to the electronic brake controller 
to automatically activate the brakes of the driver's vehicle.
3. Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)
    DBS is a system that uses information from forward-looking sensors 
about driving situations in which a crash is likely or unavoidable to 
supplement automatically the output of the brakes when the DBS system 
senses that the force being applied by the driver to the brake pedal is 
insufficient to avoid the crash. FCW most often works in concert with 
DBS by first warning the driver of the situation and thereby providing 
the opportunity for the driver to initiate the necessary braking. If 
the driver's brake application is insufficient, DBS provides the 
additional braking needed to avoid or mitigate the crash.
    DBS is similar to CIB; the difference is that CIB activates when 
the driver has not pressed on the brake pedal, and DBS activates when 
the driver has pressed on the brake pedal, but not hard enough.

C. Chronology of NHTSA actions and other events related to automatic 
emergency braking

    July 2011--NHTSA added FCW to NCAP. (July 29, 2011; 76 Fed Reg 
45453).
    July 2012--NHTSA published a notice informing the public that the 
Agency had, for about two years, been studying advanced braking 
technologies that rely on forward-looking sensors to supplement driver 
braking or to actuate automatic braking in response to an impending 
crash. NHTSA stated that it believes these technologies show promise 
for enhancing vehicle safety by helping drivers to avoid crashes or 
mitigate the severity and effects of crashes. NHTSA solicited comments 
on the results of its research thus far to help guide its continued 
efforts in this area. (July 3, 2012; 77 FR 39561).
    January 2015--NHTSA published a notice requesting public comments 
on Agency plans for adding CIB and DBS as recommended technologies to 
NCAP. (January 28, 2015; 80 FR 4630).
    September 2015--NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway 
Safety (IIHS) announced a commitment by 10 vehicle manufacturers to 
install FCW and CIB in their light motor vehicles.
    October 2015--NHTSA published a notice granting a petition by 
Center for Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and the 
Truck Safety Coalition to initiate a rulemaking to mandate the 
installation of FCW, CIB, and DBS in heavy trucks and other heavy 
vehicles. (October 16, 2015; 80 FR 62487).
    November 2015--NHTSA published a final decision adding CIB and DBS 
as recommended technologies in NCAP, effective with model year 2018. 
FCW had previously been added to NCAP. Thus, if FCW, CIB or DBS were 
installed in a light motor vehicle, the NCAP information for that 
vehicle would note the presence of the technologies. However, the 
vehicle's overall NCAP score would not be affected. (November 5, 2015; 
80 FR 68604).
    December 2015--NHTSA published a notice requesting public comments 
on a new plan under which the scoring system would be revised such 
that, in the future, the installation and performance of FCW, CIB or 
DBS in a light motor vehicle would increase the vehicle's overall NCAP 
score. In addition, a pedestrian safety rating would be assigned to new 
vehicles, based on tests that determine how well the vehicles minimize 
injuries and fatalities to pedestrians. The rating would reflect the 
results from four crashworthiness pedestrian tests and the system 
performance tests of two advanced crash avoidance technologies that 
have the potential to avoid or mitigate crashes that involve a 
pedestrian and improve pedestrian safety--pedestrian AEB and rear 
automatic braking. (December 16, 2015; 80 FR 78521).
    January 2016--Consumer Watchdog, Center for Auto Safety, and Public 
Citizen (``Petitioners'') submitted a petition for rulemaking (dated 
January

[[Page 8393]]

13, 2016) asking NHTSA to initiate a rulemaking to mandate FCW, CIB, 
and DBS in all light motor vehicles.
    March 2016--NHTSA and IIHS announced that 20 vehicle manufacturers, 
representing more than 99 percent of light motor vehicle sales in the 
United States, voluntarily committed to installing FCW and CIB in 
substantially all of their light motor vehicles.\2\ Under their 
commitments, the manufacturers will make FCW and CIB standard on 
virtually all light cars and trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 
8,500 lbs. or less beginning no later than September 1, 2022. FCW and 
CIB will be standard on substantially all trucks with a gross vehicle 
weight between 8,501 lbs. and 10,000 lbs., beginning no later than 
September 1, 2025. The manufacturers further committed to submitting 
annual reports on their implementation of their commitments. IIHS and 
NHTSA agreed to publish progress reports.
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    \2\ The making of the commitments was preceded by a series of 
meetings in late 2015 and early 2016 attended by the representatives 
of the following:
    Automakers
    BMW, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai-Kia, 
Jaguar Land-Rover, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, 
Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen\Audi, Volvo
    Government Agencies
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Transport Canada
    Non-Government Organizations
    Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Association of Global 
Automakers, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
    To keep the public informed about the progress on developing the 
commitments, the agency prepared minutes of the meetings and placed 
them in docket NHTSA-2015-0101, available at www.regulations.gov. 
The minutes for the 6th meeting on February 1, 2016, also recounted 
a January 29, 2016 meeting with other stakeholder groups: Advocates 
for Highway and Auto Safety, Automotive Safety Council, Consumer 
Federation of American, Consumer Reports, Consumer Watchdog, Public 
Citizen and Transport Canada.
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    May 2016--Petitioners sent NHTSA a letter (dated May 23, 2016) 
asking the Agency to either grant or deny their petition.

II. Petition

    Petitioners submitted a petition for rulemaking, dated January 13, 
2016, requesting NHTSA to initiate a rulemaking to issue a safety 
standard requiring that light vehicles be equipped with three AEB 
technologies: FCW, CIB and DBS. Based on their petition and their 
follow-up letter submitted in May 2016, it appears that the petitioners 
further intend that the Agency include in that rulemaking all of the 
tests, including test speeds, either adopted or planned for inclusion 
in NCAP or developed through Agency research projects. Alternatively, 
the petitioners ask that the Agency explain why it was not including 
any of those tests.
    In support of their petition, petitioners stated the following:
     It is feasible to issue a light motor vehicle AEB standard 
now given that the technologies are mature and NHTSA has: Researched 
the AEB technologies extensively; granted a petition for rulemaking for 
heavy vehicle AEB; incorporated FCW and CIB into NCAP and announced 
plans to incorporate the third AEB technology, DBS, in NCAP.
     Neither a voluntary commitment nor NCAP is an adequate 
substitute for a safety standard because neither is enforceable.
     The commitment is not comprehensive or stringent enough. 
It does not include DBS. Further, with respect to FCW and CIB, the 
commitment does not include some of the performance requirements 
included in NCAP. In addition, while the commitment includes other 
performance requirements, it does so at reduced levels of stringency.

III. NHTSA's Consideration of the Petition

A. General Principles

    Petitions for rulemaking are governed by 49 CFR part 552. Pursuant 
to Part 552, the Agency conducts a technical review of the petition, 
which may consist of an analysis of the material submitted, together 
with information already in possession of the Agency. In deciding 
whether to grant or deny a petition, the Agency considers this 
technical review as well as appropriate factors, which may include, 
among others, allocation of Agency resources and Agency priorities.

B. Context for Considering the Petition

1. Overview of Vehicle Safety in the United States
    Two sets of numbers serve to convey the state of vehicle safety and 
identify the way forward. First, in 2015, 35,092 people lost their 
lives on the Nation's roadways, making motor vehicle crashes a leading 
cause of death in the United States. That was an increase of more than 
7 percent over the total for 2014. Preliminary figures indicate that, 
for the first nine months of 2016, fatalities were up again, 
approximately 8 percent, compared to the same portion of 2015.\3\ The 
third quarter of 2016 represents the eighth consecutive quarter with 
increases in fatalities as compared to the corresponding quarters in 
the previous years.\4\
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    \3\ Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities For the 
First 9 Months of 2016. DOT HS 812 358. January 2017.
    \4\ Ibid.
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    Second, 94 percent of vehicle crashes can be traced to human 
choices (e.g., choices about safety belt use or consumption of alcohol) 
or error. If there were technological means to prevent those human 
choices or behaviors from affecting vehicle safety, we could 
potentially prevent or mitigate 19 of every 20 crashes on the road.
2. Technologies for Improving Vehicle Safety Performance and Tools for 
Implementing Them
    Automated vehicles, which depend on technologies like automatic 
emergency braking, hold the promise of being the means that will 
prevent human choice or error from causing crashes. That is why NHTSA 
and the Department of Transportation have focused on trying to 
accelerate the safe development and deployment of highly automated and 
connected vehicles.\5\ Vehicle automation and connectedness could cut 
roadway fatalities dramatically.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Connected vehicles are vehicles equipped with mean of 
exchanging ``here I am'' messages on portions of spectrum set aside 
by FCC for that purpose. The message includes, e.g., speed, 
direction and GPS determined vehicle location. Vehicle can be 
equipped with software that analyzes messages from nearby vehicles 
to determine which vehicles may be on a collision course with it and 
warn the vehicle's driver when necessary to avoid a collision. For 
more information, see 82 FR 3854; January 12, 2017, available at 
https://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-01-12/pdf/2016-31059.pdf.
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    To realize this potential, NHTSA has a variety of tools that it has 
used in the past to improve vehicle safety. The primary traditional 
approach to improving vehicle safety has been developing and writing 
new standards prescribing detailed, specific requirements and test 
procedures and then conducting a notice-and-comment rulemaking process 
to adopt and implement those standards.
    However, because many modern vehicle safety technologies are 
software-controlled and still relatively new, they are evolving very 
quickly. Standard setting at this early stage of technological 
evolution must be undertaken with great care, given the risk of 
inadvertently stymieing innovation and stalling the development and 
introduction of successively better versions of these technologies.
    Further, rulemaking, and the research that must precede it in order 
to select the appropriate thresholds of performance and the test 
procedures for measuring compliance, take considerable time, often six 
to ten years

[[Page 8394]]

for full implementation in new vehicles. The increasing complexity of 
vehicle safety technologies factors into the lengthening of the 
Agency's rulemaking proceedings. In the immediate term, through 
proactive collaboration with industry and other stakeholders, much has 
been and can be accomplished.
    Accordingly, the Agency has sought to adapt the lessons and 
practices of the Federal Aviation Administration and the aviation 
industry regarding proactive safety and apply them, where appropriate, 
to the motor-vehicle sector. The Agency has revamped or expanded its 
use of its non-rulemaking tools in an effort to be more responsive to 
safety issues and more proactive about preventing them.
    For several decades, NHTSA used NCAP to encourage light vehicle 
manufacturers to offer, and consumers to demand, levels of crash 
protection above and beyond those required by the safety standards. In 
recent years, the Agency has begun to expand NCAP to encourage the 
installation of safety-focused advanced crash avoidance systems.
    More recently, the Agency has begun issuing guidance documents to 
promote the development and adoption of safer designs of evolving, 
complex electronic vehicle safety systems. Guidance documents are more 
adaptive tools than standards with respect to the ease of being updated 
to reflect the latest developments in these technologies. The prime 
example to date of Agency guidance is the vehicle performance guidance 
for automated vehicles included in the Federal Automated Vehicles 
Policy \6\ issued in September 2016. This Policy is the right tool at 
the right time. It answers a call from industry, state and local 
governments, safety and mobility advocates and many others to lay a 
clear path forward for the safe development and deployment of automated 
vehicles and technologies. This Policy also allows NHTSA to work with 
automakers and developers on the front end, to ensure that sound 
approaches to safety are followed from the very beginning and 
throughout the entire design and development process. Further, this 
Policy will help us accomplish two goals: First, to make sure that new 
technologies are developed and deployed safely; and second, to leave 
room for flexibility and safety innovation.
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    \6\ Available at https://one.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/av/av-policy.html.
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C. Analysis of the Petition

    NHTSA shares the petitioners' belief that AEB technologies will 
lead to important safety benefits. These technologies are vital to 
automated vehicles. NHTSA has already invested substantial resources 
and taken significant steps to increase the installation of these 
technologies by expanding NCAP and facilitating a process that resulted 
in light vehicle manufacturers committing voluntarily to install 
forward crash warning and crash imminent braking.
    Based on its consideration and analysis of the petition, NHTSA 
notes the following points:
    1. NCAP is influencing light vehicle manufacturers to increase 
their installation of AEB technologies and to improve their 
performance.
    NHTSA has already added FCW, CIB and DBS to NCAP to promote the 
installation of those and other advanced crash avoidance technologies. 
In addition, in December 2015, NHTSA requested comments on revising the 
NCAP scoring system so that the installation of FCW, CIB or DBS in a 
motor vehicle would increase that vehicle's overall NCAP score. These 
revisions are already promoting wider spread installation of a broad 
array of these technologies.
    2. The complementary commitments made by light vehicle 
manufacturers and the ratings programs of IIHS and Consumer Reports are 
magnifying the effects of NCAP.
    The monitoring of the industry commitment shows that there has been 
an upturn in the rate of AEB installation.
    3. The combined effects of the above activities are expected to 
produce benefits substantially similar to those that would eventually 
result from the rulemaking requested by the petitioners.
    The Agency believes that the benefits of the AEB aspects of NCAP, 
in combination with the benefits of the industry commitment and the 
stakeholder rating programs, would be substantially similar to the 
benefits of the rulemaking requested by the petitioners. The 
petitioners did not make any showing to the contrary.
    4. The Agency does not have evidence before it showing that there 
is a market failure warranting the initiating of rulemaking.
    One of the principles of regulation in Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, is that agencies seeking to initiate 
rulemaking should identify the market failure that necessitates 
regulation. At the current time, on account of the combined effects of 
NCAP, the industry commitment, and various stakeholder rating programs, 
there is not any evidence showing that there is a market failure with 
respect to the offering of AEB technologies.
    5. These activities will make AEB standard on new light vehicles 
faster than could be achieved through the formal regulatory process.
    Based on the Agency's rulemaking proceedings on complex issues in 
recent years, if the Agency were to grant the petition, conduct 
research, tentatively select required levels of performance, conduct a 
notice-and-comment rulemaking and provide sufficient leadtime to enable 
manufacturers to phase-in compliance, the delay in making AEB standard 
equipment on light vehicles would be as many as three years, and 
possibly longer.\7\
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    \7\ NHTSA press release issued March 17, 2016, available at 
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/us-dot-and-iihs-announce-historic-commitment-20-automakers-make-automatic-emergency.
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    6. Making AEB standard equipment earlier than could be achieved 
through rulemaking will provide significant additional safety benefits.
    According to IIHS estimates made in March 2016, the benefits of 
making AEB standard equipment three years earlier will be to prevent 
28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries during that time period.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Ibid.
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    7. Given the success of light vehicle AEB activities described 
above and the large array of rulemakings either mandated by Congress or 
initiated by the Agency in response to petitions or at the Agency's 
discretion, the Agency should place priority at this time on conducting 
rulemakings in areas other than light-vehicle AEB.
    Among the higher priority rulemakings is the one on light vehicle 
vehicle-to-vehicle communication, for which the agency recently 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking, and heavy vehicle AEB. As 
noted above, in late 2015, NHTSA granted a petition for rulemaking to 
initiate rulemaking on heavy vehicle AEB. In addition, the Agency is 
involved in some nonrulemaking activities that are of higher priority, 
such as the continued expansion and strengthening of NCAP and the 
issuance of guidance in areas such as automated vehicles, driver 
distraction and cybersecurity.
    8. A rulemaking can be commenced later if it proves necessary.
    As the manufacturers carryout their commitments, the Agency will 
continuously monitor their efforts and assess whether and when 
additional steps, including rulemaking, might be needed in the future 
to ensure realization of the potential benefits from the full array of 
automatic emergency braking technologies.

[[Page 8395]]

IV. Conclusion

    In accordance with 49 CFR part 552, and for the forgoing reasons, 
NHTSA hereby denies, without prejudice, the January 13, 2016 petition 
by Consumer Watchdog, Center for Auto Safety, and Public Citizen to 
commence a rulemaking proceeding to require all light vehicles to be 
equipped with FCW, CIB and DBS.

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30162; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95.

    Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 
1.95.
Raymond R. Posten,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2017-01542 Filed 1-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P



                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                              8391

                                                       16. This Arrangement will expire 30 days             law and provide a process for sharing of               level of performance of these
                                                    after any Authority gives written notice to the         information. Among other things,                       technologies affects the overall rating of
                                                    other Authority of its intention to terminate           Congress removed a requirement that                    light motor vehicles.
                                                    the Arrangement. In the event of termination                                                                      To reinforce these improvements to
                                                    of this Arrangement, Confidential
                                                                                                            another regulator must indemnify both
                                                    Information will continue to remain                     the Commission and the swap data                       the NCAP program, NHTSA encouraged
                                                    confidential and will continue to be covered            repository for expenses related to                     and facilitated a process that resulted in
                                                    by this Arrangement.                                    litigation before data could be shared.                20 light vehicle manufacturers,
                                                       This Arrangement is executed in duplicate,           To date, no domestic or foreign                        representing more than 99 percent of
                                                    this lllday of lll.                                     regulator has provided such an                         light motor vehicle sales in the United
                                                    lllllllllllllllllllll                                   indemnification. Today’s proposal                      States, committing to voluntarily
                                                    [name of Chairman]                                      removes this requirement in the CFTC’s                 installing forward crash warning and
                                                    Chairman                                                own rules, makes other changes                         crash imminent braking. While
                                                    U.S. Commodity Futures Trading                                                                                 NHTSA’s actions will help create
                                                    Commission
                                                                                                            consistent with Congressional action,
                                                                                                            and creates a process for when and how                 availability and market push for AEB
                                                    lllllllllllllllllllll
                                                                                                            other regulators gain access to SDR                    technologies, private sector
                                                    [name of signatory]
                                                    [title]                                                 information that will protect                          organizations such as the Insurance
                                                    [name of foreign/domestic regulator]                    confidentiality.                                       Institute for Highway Safety and
                                                    [Exhibit A: Description of Scope of                        I thank my fellow Commissioners                     Consumer Reports are helping to create
                                                    Jurisdiction. If ABC is not enumerated in               Bowen and Giancarlo for their                          market pull through a variety of
                                                    Commission Regulations 49.17(b)(1)(i)–(vi), it          unanimous support for this proposal. I                 outreach activities that are helping
                                                    must attach the Determination Order                     also thank the hardworking CFTC staff                  consumers understand the benefits of
                                                    received from the Commission pursuant to                for all their efforts.                                 AEB as well as differences among
                                                    Commission Regulation 49.17(h). If ABC is               [FR Doc. 2017–01287 Filed 1–24–17; 8:45 am]            various vehicle models. Together with
                                                    enumerated in Commission Regulations                    BILLING CODE 6351–01–P                                 NCAP, the industry commitment and
                                                    49.17(b)(1)(i)–(vi), it must attach a
                                                    sufficiently detailed description of the scope
                                                                                                                                                                   the actions of other stakeholders will
                                                    of ABC’s jurisdiction as it relates to Swap                                                                    lead to the installation of a growing
                                                    Data maintained by SDRs.]                               DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                           array of AEB technologies in
                                                                                                                                                                   substantially all light vehicles and will
                                                      Issued in Washington, DC, on January 13,              National Highway Traffic Safety
                                                    2017, by the Commission.                                                                                       foster innovation and competition in
                                                                                                            Administration                                         this technologically dynamic area. As
                                                    Christopher J. Kirkpatrick,
                                                                                                                                                                   the manufacturers respond to NCAP and
                                                    Secretary of the Commission.                            49 CFR Part 571                                        carry out their commitments, the
                                                      Note: The following appendices will not               [Docket No. NHTSA–2017–0005]                           Agency is continuously monitoring their
                                                    appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.                                                                     efforts to assess whether additional
                                                                                                            Federal Motor Vehicle Safety                           steps, including the possibility of a
                                                    Appendices to Proposed Amendments                       Standards; Automatic Emergency                         rulemaking to establish a new standard,
                                                    to the Swap Data Access Provisions of                   Braking                                                might be needed in the future to ensure
                                                    Part 49 and Certain Other Matters—                                                                             realization of the potential benefits from
                                                    Commission Voting Summary and                           AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
                                                                                                                                                                   the full array of automatic emergency
                                                    Chairman’s Statement                                    Safety Administration (NHTSA),
                                                                                                                                                                   braking technologies.
                                                                                                            Department of Transportation (DOT).
                                                    Appendix 1—Commission Voting                                                                                   DATES: January 18, 2017.
                                                                                                            ACTION: Denial of petition for
                                                    Summary                                                 rulemaking.                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                      On this matter, Chairman Massad and                                                                             For Non-Legal Issues: Mr. David
                                                    Commissioners Bowen and Giancarlo                       SUMMARY:   This document denies a                      Hines, Director, Office of Crash
                                                    voted in the affirmative. No                            January 13, 2016 rulemaking petition                   Avoidance Standards, National
                                                    Commissioner voted in the negative.                     jointly submitted by Consumer                          Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
                                                                                                            Watchdog, Center for Auto Safety, and                  1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                                    Appendix 2—Statement of Chairman                        Public Citizen. The petition requested                 Washington, DC 20590, Telephone:
                                                    Timothy G. Massad                                       NHTSA to begin a rulemaking                            (202) 493–0245, Facsimile: (202) 493–
                                                       The increased reporting of data on                   proceeding to mandate that all light                   2990.
                                                    swaps transactions is an important                      vehicles be equipped with three types of                  For Legal Issues: Mr. Stephen P.
                                                    reform of the derivatives markets agreed                automatic emergency braking (AEB)                      Wood, Acting Chief Counsel, Office of
                                                    to by the G20 leaders in 2009. Today,                   technologies: Forward crash warning,                   Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic
                                                    thanks to this reporting, regulators                    crash imminent braking, and dynamic                    Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey
                                                    across the globe are in a better position               brake support. NHTSA is denying the                    Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590,
                                                    to assess exposures and risks related to                petition because the Agency has already                Telephone: (202) 366–2992, Facsimile:
                                                    this market. Because of the global nature               taken significant steps to incentivize the             (202) 366–3820.
                                                    of the market, it is critical for regulators            installation of these technologies in a                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                    to be able to share information, subject                way that allows for continued                          Table of Contents
                                                    to appropriate confidentiality and other                innovation and technological
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                                                    protections.                                            advancement. First, NHTSA has                          I. Background
                                                       That’s why I am pleased we are                       expanded its New Car Assessment                           A. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
                                                    issuing this proposal, which will make                  Program (NCAP) so that the NCAP                             Safety Act
                                                                                                                                                                      B. Automatic emergency braking
                                                    it easier for other regulators, both                    information for a vehicle notes whether                     technologies
                                                    domestic and foreign, to gain access to                 the vehicle is equipped with one or                       C. Chronology of NHTSA actions and other
                                                    swap data repository (SDR) swap data.                   more of these technologies. Second, it                      events related to automatic emergency
                                                    The proposal would conform our rules                    has sought public comment on its plans                      braking
                                                    to various changes Congress made in the                 to revise NCAP so that the presence and                II. Petition



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                                                    8392                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                    III. NHTSA’s consideration of the petition               combination thereof. The sensor data                  supplement driver braking or to actuate
                                                       A. General principles                                 are digitally processed by a computer                 automatic braking in response to an
                                                       B. Context for considering the petition               software algorithm that determines                    impending crash. NHTSA stated that it
                                                       C. Analysis of the petition                           whether an object it has detected poses               believes these technologies show
                                                    IV. Conclusion
                                                                                                             a safety risk (e.g., whether the object is            promise for enhancing vehicle safety by
                                                    I. Background                                            a motor vehicle, etc.), determines if an              helping drivers to avoid crashes or
                                                                                                             impact with the detected object is                    mitigate the severity and effects of
                                                    A. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle                                                                          crashes. NHTSA solicited comments on
                                                                                                             imminent, decides if and when a
                                                    Safety Act                                                                                                     the results of its research thus far to
                                                                                                             warning signal should be sent to the
                                                      The National Traffic and Motor                         driver, and finally, sends the warning                help guide its continued efforts in this
                                                    Vehicle Safety Act (‘‘Safety Act’’) (49                  signal. The warning may be a visual                   area. (July 3, 2012; 77 FR 39561).
                                                    U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) authorizes NHTSA                   signal, such as a light on the dash, an                  January 2015—NHTSA published a
                                                    to issue safety standards for new motor                  audio signal, such as a chime or buzzer,              notice requesting public comments on
                                                    vehicles and new items of motor vehicle                  or a haptic feedback signal that applies              Agency plans for adding CIB and DBS
                                                    equipment. Each safety standard must                     rapid vibrations or motions to the                    as recommended technologies to NCAP.
                                                    be practicable, meet the need for motor                  driver.                                               (January 28, 2015; 80 FR 4630).
                                                    vehicle safety, and be stated in objective                                                                        September 2015—NHTSA and the
                                                    terms. NHTSA does not endorse any                        2. Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)                       Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
                                                    vehicles or items of equipment. Further,                    CIB is a system that uses information              (IIHS) announced a commitment by 10
                                                    NHTSA does not approve or certify                        from forward-looking sensors to                       vehicle manufacturers to install FCW
                                                    vehicles or equipment. Instead, the                      automatically apply the brakes in                     and CIB in their light motor vehicles.
                                                    Safety Act establishes a ‘‘self-                         driving situations in which a crash is                   October 2015—NHTSA published a
                                                    certification’’ process under which each                 likely or unavoidable and the driver                  notice granting a petition by Center for
                                                    manufacturer is responsible for                          makes no attempt to avoid the crash.                  Auto Safety, Advocates for Highway and
                                                    certifying that its products meet all                    When an object in front of the driver’s               Auto Safety, and the Truck Safety
                                                    applicable safety standards. Pursuant to                 forward-moving vehicle is detected, a                 Coalition to initiate a rulemaking to
                                                    the Safety Act and the Motor Vehicle                     computer software algorithm reviews                   mandate the installation of FCW, CIB,
                                                    Information and Cost Savings Act, the                    the available data from the input signal              and DBS in heavy trucks and other
                                                    Agency also issues guidelines and                        of the sensing system. If the algorithm               heavy vehicles. (October 16, 2015; 80 FR
                                                    establishes test procedures and rating                   determines that a rear-end crash with                 62487).
                                                    systems to encourage the development                     another motor vehicle is imminent, then                  November 2015—NHTSA published a
                                                    and installation of additional and                       a signal is sent to the electronic brake              final decision adding CIB and DBS as
                                                    improved safety technologies under the                   controller to automatically activate the              recommended technologies in NCAP,
                                                    New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)                        brakes of the driver’s vehicle.                       effective with model year 2018. FCW
                                                    for light motor vehicles.                                                                                      had previously been added to NCAP.
                                                                                                             3. Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)                        Thus, if FCW, CIB or DBS were installed
                                                    B. Automatic Emergency Braking                              DBS is a system that uses information              in a light motor vehicle, the NCAP
                                                    Technologies                                             from forward-looking sensors about                    information for that vehicle would note
                                                      An Automatic Emergency Braking                         driving situations in which a crash is                the presence of the technologies.
                                                    (AEB) system uses forward-looking                        likely or unavoidable to supplement                   However, the vehicle’s overall NCAP
                                                    sensors, typically radars and/or                         automatically the output of the brakes                score would not be affected. (November
                                                    cameras, to detect objects, e.g., vehicles,              when the DBS system senses that the                   5, 2015; 80 FR 68604).
                                                    ahead on the roadway. There are three                    force being applied by the driver to the                 December 2015—NHTSA published a
                                                    complementary types of automatic                         brake pedal is insufficient to avoid the              notice requesting public comments on a
                                                    emergency braking technologies. They                     crash. FCW most often works in concert                new plan under which the scoring
                                                    are listed below:                                        with DBS by first warning the driver of               system would be revised such that, in
                                                                                                             the situation and thereby providing the               the future, the installation and
                                                    1. Forward Collision Warning (FCW)                       opportunity for the driver to initiate the            performance of FCW, CIB or DBS in a
                                                       FCW is a system that uses information                 necessary braking. If the driver’s brake              light motor vehicle would increase the
                                                    from forward-looking sensors to                          application is insufficient, DBS provides             vehicle’s overall NCAP score. In
                                                    determine whether or not a crash is                      the additional braking needed to avoid                addition, a pedestrian safety rating
                                                    likely or unavoidable and that, in such                  or mitigate the crash.                                would be assigned to new vehicles,
                                                    cases, warns the driver so the driver can                   DBS is similar to CIB; the difference              based on tests that determine how well
                                                    brake and/or steer to avoid a crash or                   is that CIB activates when the driver has             the vehicles minimize injuries and
                                                    minimize the force of the crash. The                     not pressed on the brake pedal, and DBS               fatalities to pedestrians. The rating
                                                    system is based on two components: A                     activates when the driver has pressed on              would reflect the results from four
                                                    sensing system capable of detecting a                    the brake pedal, but not hard enough.                 crashworthiness pedestrian tests and the
                                                    vehicle in front of the subject vehicle,                                                                       system performance tests of two
                                                                                                             C. Chronology of NHTSA actions and                    advanced crash avoidance technologies
                                                    and a warning system sending a signal
                                                                                                             other events related to automatic                     that have the potential to avoid or
                                                    to the driver. The sensing system
                                                                                                             emergency braking                                     mitigate crashes that involve a
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                                                    consists of forward-looking radar,
                                                    LIDAR,1 camera systems, or a                               July 2011—NHTSA added FCW to                        pedestrian and improve pedestrian
                                                                                                             NCAP. (July 29, 2011; 76 Fed Reg                      safety—pedestrian AEB and rear
                                                       1 LIDAR is a device that uses pulsed lasers to        45453).                                               automatic braking. (December 16, 2015;
                                                    detect nearby stationary and moving objects in the         July 2012—NHTSA published a                         80 FR 78521).
                                                    driving environment, calculate their distance and        notice informing the public that the                     January 2016—Consumer Watchdog,
                                                    direction, and help to create a digital representation
                                                    of nearby objects and other driving environment
                                                                                                             Agency had, for about two years, been                 Center for Auto Safety, and Public
                                                    features that will be used to determine what path        studying advanced braking technologies                Citizen (‘‘Petitioners’’) submitted a
                                                    it is safe for a vehicle to take.                        that rely on forward-looking sensors to               petition for rulemaking (dated January


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                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                    8393

                                                    13, 2016) asking NHTSA to initiate a                    ask that the Agency explain why it was                 corresponding quarters in the previous
                                                    rulemaking to mandate FCW, CIB, and                     not including any of those tests.                      years.4
                                                    DBS in all light motor vehicles.                           In support of their petition,                         Second, 94 percent of vehicle crashes
                                                       March 2016—NHTSA and IIHS                            petitioners stated the following:                      can be traced to human choices (e.g.,
                                                    announced that 20 vehicle                                  • It is feasible to issue a light motor             choices about safety belt use or
                                                    manufacturers, representing more than                   vehicle AEB standard now given that                    consumption of alcohol) or error. If
                                                    99 percent of light motor vehicle sales                 the technologies are mature and NHTSA                  there were technological means to
                                                    in the United States, voluntarily                       has: Researched the AEB technologies                   prevent those human choices or
                                                    committed to installing FCW and CIB in                  extensively; granted a petition for                    behaviors from affecting vehicle safety,
                                                    substantially all of their light motor                  rulemaking for heavy vehicle AEB;                      we could potentially prevent or mitigate
                                                    vehicles.2 Under their commitments, the                 incorporated FCW and CIB into NCAP                     19 of every 20 crashes on the road.
                                                    manufacturers will make FCW and CIB                     and announced plans to incorporate the
                                                    standard on virtually all light cars and                                                                       2. Technologies for Improving Vehicle
                                                                                                            third AEB technology, DBS, in NCAP.                    Safety Performance and Tools for
                                                    trucks with a gross vehicle weight of
                                                                                                               • Neither a voluntary commitment                    Implementing Them
                                                    8,500 lbs. or less beginning no later than
                                                                                                            nor NCAP is an adequate substitute for
                                                    September 1, 2022. FCW and CIB will                                                                               Automated vehicles, which depend
                                                                                                            a safety standard because neither is
                                                    be standard on substantially all trucks                                                                        on technologies like automatic
                                                                                                            enforceable.
                                                    with a gross vehicle weight between                                                                            emergency braking, hold the promise of
                                                    8,501 lbs. and 10,000 lbs., beginning no                   • The commitment is not                             being the means that will prevent
                                                    later than September 1, 2025. The                       comprehensive or stringent enough. It                  human choice or error from causing
                                                    manufacturers further committed to                      does not include DBS. Further, with                    crashes. That is why NHTSA and the
                                                    submitting annual reports on their                      respect to FCW and CIB, the                            Department of Transportation have
                                                    implementation of their commitments.                    commitment does not include some of                    focused on trying to accelerate the safe
                                                    IIHS and NHTSA agreed to publish                        the performance requirements included                  development and deployment of highly
                                                    progress reports.                                       in NCAP. In addition, while the                        automated and connected vehicles.5
                                                       May 2016—Petitioners sent NHTSA a                    commitment includes other                              Vehicle automation and connectedness
                                                    letter (dated May 23, 2016) asking the                  performance requirements, it does so at                could cut roadway fatalities
                                                    Agency to either grant or deny their                    reduced levels of stringency.                          dramatically.
                                                    petition.                                               III. NHTSA’s Consideration of the                         To realize this potential, NHTSA has
                                                    II. Petition                                            Petition                                               a variety of tools that it has used in the
                                                                                                                                                                   past to improve vehicle safety. The
                                                       Petitioners submitted a petition for                 A. General Principles                                  primary traditional approach to
                                                    rulemaking, dated January 13, 2016,                       Petitions for rulemaking are governed                improving vehicle safety has been
                                                    requesting NHTSA to initiate a                          by 49 CFR part 552. Pursuant to Part                   developing and writing new standards
                                                    rulemaking to issue a safety standard                   552, the Agency conducts a technical                   prescribing detailed, specific
                                                    requiring that light vehicles be equipped               review of the petition, which may                      requirements and test procedures and
                                                    with three AEB technologies: FCW, CIB                   consist of an analysis of the material                 then conducting a notice-and-comment
                                                    and DBS. Based on their petition and                    submitted, together with information                   rulemaking process to adopt and
                                                    their follow-up letter submitted in May                 already in possession of the Agency. In                implement those standards.
                                                    2016, it appears that the petitioners                   deciding whether to grant or deny a                       However, because many modern
                                                    further intend that the Agency include                  petition, the Agency considers this                    vehicle safety technologies are software-
                                                    in that rulemaking all of the tests,                    technical review as well as appropriate                controlled and still relatively new, they
                                                    including test speeds, either adopted or                factors, which may include, among                      are evolving very quickly. Standard
                                                    planned for inclusion in NCAP or                        others, allocation of Agency resources                 setting at this early stage of
                                                    developed through Agency research                       and Agency priorities.                                 technological evolution must be
                                                    projects. Alternatively, the petitioners                                                                       undertaken with great care, given the
                                                                                                            B. Context for Considering the Petition                risk of inadvertently stymieing
                                                      2 The  making of the commitments was preceded
                                                                                                            1. Overview of Vehicle Safety in the                   innovation and stalling the development
                                                    by a series of meetings in late 2015 and early 2016
                                                    attended by the representatives of the following:       United States                                          and introduction of successively better
                                                       Automakers                                                                                                  versions of these technologies.
                                                       BMW, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, General Motors,
                                                                                                               Two sets of numbers serve to convey                    Further, rulemaking, and the research
                                                    Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Jaguar Land-Rover, Mazda,           the state of vehicle safety and identify               that must precede it in order to select
                                                    Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Tesla,       the way forward. First, in 2015, 35,092                the appropriate thresholds of
                                                    Toyota, Volkswagen\Audi, Volvo                          people lost their lives on the Nation’s
                                                       Government Agencies
                                                                                                                                                                   performance and the test procedures for
                                                                                                            roadways, making motor vehicle crashes                 measuring compliance, take
                                                       National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
                                                    Transport Canada
                                                                                                            a leading cause of death in the United                 considerable time, often six to ten years
                                                       Non-Government Organizations                         States. That was an increase of more
                                                       Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers,                than 7 percent over the total for 2014.                  4 Ibid.

                                                    Association of Global Automakers, Insurance             Preliminary figures indicate that, for the               5 Connected vehicles are vehicles equipped with
                                                    Institute for Highway Safety                            first nine months of 2016, fatalities were             mean of exchanging ‘‘here I am’’ messages on
                                                       To keep the public informed about the progress                                                              portions of spectrum set aside by FCC for that
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                                                                                                            up again, approximately 8 percent,
                                                    on developing the commitments, the agency                                                                      purpose. The message includes, e.g., speed,
                                                    prepared minutes of the meetings and placed them        compared to the same portion of 2015.3                 direction and GPS determined vehicle location.
                                                    in docket NHTSA–2015–0101, available at                 The third quarter of 2016 represents the               Vehicle can be equipped with software that
                                                    www.regulations.gov. The minutes for the 6th            eighth consecutive quarter with                        analyzes messages from nearby vehicles to
                                                    meeting on February 1, 2016, also recounted a           increases in fatalities as compared to the             determine which vehicles may be on a collision
                                                    January 29, 2016 meeting with other stakeholder                                                                course with it and warn the vehicle’s driver when
                                                    groups: Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety,                                                                 necessary to avoid a collision. For more
                                                    Automotive Safety Council, Consumer Federation            3 Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic            information, see 82 FR 3854; January 12, 2017,
                                                    of American, Consumer Reports, Consumer                 Fatalities For the First 9 Months of 2016. DOT HS      available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-
                                                    Watchdog, Public Citizen and Transport Canada.          812 358. January 2017.                                 2017-01-12/pdf/2016-31059.pdf.



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                                                    8394                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                    for full implementation in new vehicles.                important safety benefits. These                       there is a market failure with respect to
                                                    The increasing complexity of vehicle                    technologies are vital to automated                    the offering of AEB technologies.
                                                    safety technologies factors into the                    vehicles. NHTSA has already invested                      5. These activities will make AEB
                                                    lengthening of the Agency’s rulemaking                  substantial resources and taken                        standard on new light vehicles faster
                                                    proceedings. In the immediate term,                     significant steps to increase the                      than could be achieved through the
                                                    through proactive collaboration with                    installation of these technologies by                  formal regulatory process.
                                                    industry and other stakeholders, much                   expanding NCAP and facilitating a                         Based on the Agency’s rulemaking
                                                    has been and can be accomplished.                       process that resulted in light vehicle                 proceedings on complex issues in recent
                                                       Accordingly, the Agency has sought                   manufacturers committing voluntarily                   years, if the Agency were to grant the
                                                    to adapt the lessons and practices of the               to install forward crash warning and                   petition, conduct research, tentatively
                                                    Federal Aviation Administration and                     crash imminent braking.                                select required levels of performance,
                                                    the aviation industry regarding                            Based on its consideration and                      conduct a notice-and-comment
                                                    proactive safety and apply them, where                  analysis of the petition, NHTSA notes                  rulemaking and provide sufficient
                                                    appropriate, to the motor-vehicle sector.               the following points:                                  leadtime to enable manufacturers to
                                                    The Agency has revamped or expanded                        1. NCAP is influencing light vehicle                phase-in compliance, the delay in
                                                    its use of its non-rulemaking tools in an               manufacturers to increase their                        making AEB standard equipment on
                                                    effort to be more responsive to safety                  installation of AEB technologies and to                light vehicles would be as many as three
                                                    issues and more proactive about                         improve their performance.                             years, and possibly longer.7
                                                    preventing them.                                           NHTSA has already added FCW, CIB                       6. Making AEB standard equipment
                                                       For several decades, NHTSA used                      and DBS to NCAP to promote the                         earlier than could be achieved through
                                                    NCAP to encourage light vehicle                         installation of those and other advanced               rulemaking will provide significant
                                                    manufacturers to offer, and consumers                   crash avoidance technologies. In                       additional safety benefits.
                                                    to demand, levels of crash protection                   addition, in December 2015, NHTSA                         According to IIHS estimates made in
                                                    above and beyond those required by the                  requested comments on revising the                     March 2016, the benefits of making AEB
                                                    safety standards. In recent years, the                  NCAP scoring system so that the                        standard equipment three years earlier
                                                    Agency has begun to expand NCAP to                      installation of FCW, CIB or DBS in a                   will be to prevent 28,000 crashes and
                                                    encourage the installation of safety-                   motor vehicle would increase that                      12,000 injuries during that time period.8
                                                    focused advanced crash avoidance                        vehicle’s overall NCAP score. These                       7. Given the success of light vehicle
                                                    systems.                                                revisions are already promoting wider                  AEB activities described above and the
                                                       More recently, the Agency has begun                  spread installation of a broad array of                large array of rulemakings either
                                                    issuing guidance documents to promote                   these technologies.                                    mandated by Congress or initiated by
                                                    the development and adoption of safer                      2. The complementary commitments                    the Agency in response to petitions or
                                                    designs of evolving, complex electronic                 made by light vehicle manufacturers                    at the Agency’s discretion, the Agency
                                                    vehicle safety systems. Guidance                        and the ratings programs of IIHS and                   should place priority at this time on
                                                    documents are more adaptive tools than                  Consumer Reports are magnifying the                    conducting rulemakings in areas other
                                                    standards with respect to the ease of                   effects of NCAP.                                       than light-vehicle AEB.
                                                    being updated to reflect the latest                                                                               Among the higher priority
                                                                                                               The monitoring of the industry
                                                    developments in these technologies.                                                                            rulemakings is the one on light vehicle
                                                                                                            commitment shows that there has been
                                                    The prime example to date of Agency                                                                            vehicle-to-vehicle communication, for
                                                                                                            an upturn in the rate of AEB
                                                    guidance is the vehicle performance                                                                            which the agency recently published a
                                                                                                            installation.
                                                    guidance for automated vehicles                                                                                notice of proposed rulemaking, and
                                                                                                               3. The combined effects of the above
                                                    included in the Federal Automated                                                                              heavy vehicle AEB. As noted above, in
                                                                                                            activities are expected to produce
                                                    Vehicles Policy 6 issued in September                                                                          late 2015, NHTSA granted a petition for
                                                                                                            benefits substantially similar to those
                                                    2016. This Policy is the right tool at the                                                                     rulemaking to initiate rulemaking on
                                                                                                            that would eventually result from the
                                                    right time. It answers a call from                                                                             heavy vehicle AEB. In addition, the
                                                                                                            rulemaking requested by the petitioners.
                                                    industry, state and local governments,                                                                         Agency is involved in some
                                                                                                               The Agency believes that the benefits
                                                    safety and mobility advocates and many                                                                         nonrulemaking activities that are of
                                                                                                            of the AEB aspects of NCAP, in
                                                    others to lay a clear path forward for the                                                                     higher priority, such as the continued
                                                                                                            combination with the benefits of the
                                                    safe development and deployment of                                                                             expansion and strengthening of NCAP
                                                                                                            industry commitment and the
                                                    automated vehicles and technologies.                                                                           and the issuance of guidance in areas
                                                                                                            stakeholder rating programs, would be
                                                    This Policy also allows NHTSA to work                                                                          such as automated vehicles, driver
                                                                                                            substantially similar to the benefits of
                                                    with automakers and developers on the                                                                          distraction and cybersecurity.
                                                                                                            the rulemaking requested by the
                                                    front end, to ensure that sound                                                                                   8. A rulemaking can be commenced
                                                                                                            petitioners. The petitioners did not
                                                    approaches to safety are followed from                                                                         later if it proves necessary.
                                                                                                            make any showing to the contrary.
                                                    the very beginning and throughout the                                                                             As the manufacturers carryout their
                                                                                                               4. The Agency does not have evidence
                                                    entire design and development process.                                                                         commitments, the Agency will
                                                                                                            before it showing that there is a market
                                                    Further, this Policy will help us                                                                              continuously monitor their efforts and
                                                                                                            failure warranting the initiating of
                                                    accomplish two goals: First, to make                                                                           assess whether and when additional
                                                                                                            rulemaking.
                                                    sure that new technologies are                                                                                 steps, including rulemaking, might be
                                                                                                               One of the principles of regulation in
                                                    developed and deployed safely; and                                                                             needed in the future to ensure
                                                                                                            Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
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                                                    second, to leave room for flexibility and                                                                      realization of the potential benefits from
                                                                                                            Planning and Review, is that agencies
                                                    safety innovation.                                                                                             the full array of automatic emergency
                                                                                                            seeking to initiate rulemaking should
                                                    C. Analysis of the Petition                             identify the market failure that                       braking technologies.
                                                      NHTSA shares the petitioners’ belief                  necessitates regulation. At the current
                                                                                                                                                                     7 NHTSA press release issued March 17, 2016,
                                                    that AEB technologies will lead to                      time, on account of the combined effects
                                                                                                                                                                   available at https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/
                                                                                                            of NCAP, the industry commitment, and                  us-dot-and-iihs-announce-historic-commitment-20-
                                                      6 Available at https://one.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/av/av-     various stakeholder rating programs,                   automakers-make-automatic-emergency.
                                                    policy.html.                                            there is not any evidence showing that                   8 Ibid.




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                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                                  8395

                                                    IV. Conclusion                                          Public Citizen to commence a                             Issued in Washington, DC, under authority
                                                                                                            rulemaking proceeding to require all                   delegated in 49 CFR 1.95.
                                                      In accordance with 49 CFR part 552,                   light vehicles to be equipped with FCW,                Raymond R. Posten,
                                                    and for the forgoing reasons, NHTSA                     CIB and DBS.                                           Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
                                                    hereby denies, without prejudice, the                                                                          [FR Doc. 2017–01542 Filed 1–24–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                              Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115,
                                                    January 13, 2016 petition by Consumer                   30117, and 30162; delegation of authority at           BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
                                                    Watchdog, Center for Auto Safety, and                   49 CFR 1.95.
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Document Created: 2017-01-25 00:08:39
Document Modified: 2017-01-25 00:08:39
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionDenial of petition for rulemaking.
DatesJanuary 18, 2017.
ContactFor Non-Legal Issues: Mr. David Hines, Director, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, Telephone: (202) 493- 0245, Facsimile: (202) 493-2990.
FR Citation82 FR 8391 

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