83 FR 2321 - Research Program: Automated Transit Buses
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 10 (January 16, 2018)
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 10 (January 16, 2018)
| Page Range | 2321-2323 | |
| FR Document | 2018-00615 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 2321-2323] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-00615] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA-2017-0024] Research Program: Automated Transit Buses AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) seeks public comment regarding the current and near-future status of automated transit buses and related technologies. FTA seeks comments in particular from parties involved in the development, demonstration, deployment, and evaluation of currently available or near-market ready automated buses; systems and components that support bus automation; and ancillary systems that support non-driving bus operator functions (e.g., wheelchair securement, occupant detection, passenger information assistance, fare payment, etc.). For purposes of this notice, ``bus'' is defined broadly to consider a range of sizes, vehicle platforms and configurations, and passenger capacities, and could include both traditional and novel vehicle designs (e.g., full-size city buses, articulated buses, small shuttles, etc.). ``Bus'' includes bus rapid transit. DATES: Comments must be submitted by March 2, 2018. FTA will consider late-filed comments to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Please submit your comments by only one of the following methods, identifying your submission by docket number FTA-2017-0024. All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic site at http://www.regulations.gov. (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. (2) Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. (3) Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12- 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. (4) Fax: 202-493-2251. Instructions: You must include the agency name (Federal Transit Administration) and Docket number (FTA-2017-0024) for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov including any personal information provided and will be available to internet users. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement published in the Federal [[Page 2322]] Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477). Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions, contact Steve Mortensen, Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room E43-422, Washington, DC 20590, phone: (202) 493-0459, fax: (202) 366-3765, or email, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Overview Transportation currently is undergoing a transformation. As traveler preferences and needs recently have evolved and continue to change, so have the capabilities of emerging transportation technologies and, more importantly, the operational concepts defining how those technologies will be deployed in our communities. Motor vehicle automation (both as a technology platform and service model) has become the most talked about development for surface transportation in recent times. Many industry stakeholders and observers anticipate and expect that public transportation will have a significant role in this new space, as garnered from transit stakeholders during FTA preliminary research on the subject. Certain operational applications such as circulator or first mile/last mile service are clear instances where the use of automated motor vehicles could play a very effective role, based on transit stakeholder input and preliminary benefit-cost information on these service types. Circulator service is regular service within a closed loop, typically on a fixed route, and may be found in business parks, retirement communities, college campuses, downtowns, etc. First mile/last mile service provides service between high-capacity fixed-route service, such as rail transit and bus rapid transit, and a traveler's origin and/or destination, usually within a radius of three miles and often in an area of low-density development. FTA is seeking comments and information for the purpose of determining the current state of the industry as related to automated vehicle technology in order to make more informed decisions regarding future areas of research. The intent of this request for comments is to gauge the transit industry and other sectors' ability and interest in responding to one or more near-future Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for demonstration(s) and evaluation(s) of use cases where commercially ready technology and products could be applied to transit to provide early demonstrable results. FTA has identified transit bus automation use cases, organized into five general categories, as outlined below: 1. Transit Bus Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)Smooth Acceleration and Deceleration Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Collision Avoidance Curb Avoidance Object Avoidance Precision Docking Narrow Lane/Shoulder Operations Platooning 2. Automated Shuttles Circulator Bus Service Feeder Bus Service 3. Maintenance, Yard, and Parking Operations Precision Movement for Fueling, Service Bays, and Bus Wash Automated Parking and Recall 4. Mobility-on-Demand Service Automated First/Last Mile Automated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit On-Demand Shared Ride 5. Automated Bus Rapid Transit This notice is a request for comments and information only. It is not a solicitation for project proposals. Submission of any information in response to this notice is voluntary. The Government will not pay for any effort expended in responding to this notice. II. Scope and Submission of Comments The goal of this notice is to better inform FTA of existing transit bus automation technology, and to assist FTA in identifying potential areas of future research. For purposes of this notice, ``bus'' is defined broadly to consider a range of sizes, vehicle platforms and configurations, and passenger capacities, and could include both traditional and novel vehicle designs (e.g., full-size city buses, articulated buses, small shuttles, etc.). ``Bus'' includes bus rapid transit. FTA requests comments for a broad range of automation technologies spanning automation levels 1-5 as defined in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard J3016_201609 (see http://standards.sae.org/j3016_201609/). Responses to this notice will help inform FTA on the technological readiness of the transit industry to participate in demonstrations of use cases as identified above. In particular, FTA seeks comments with respect to the following areas of interest: A. What transit bus automation and supplemental technologies currently exist, and/or are being developed? Are there any ADAS, inclusive of automated actuation (e.g., as in an automated emergency braking application), currently available or soon to be available in the market? If so, please specify or describe these new systems and products. B. What light-duty and commercial vehicle automation technologies currently on the market or in development could be transferred or applied to transit buses? C. Are there any new business models or processes that may arise in response to or may accommodate transit bus automation, including, but not limited to, cross-organizational data management and exchange? If so, please specify or describe these new potential business models or processes. Please note FTA is not seeking comments pertaining to systems without an automated driving aspect (e.g., driver warnings and alerts), unless the system is evolving to include automation in the foreseeable future. Please also note that this notice is not seeking comments related to rail fixed guideway systems or personal rapid transit systems. Each response should indicate which level of automation the technology or process addresses. Inclusion of existing supplemental information is welcomed and encouraged. This supplemental information could include reports, presentations, specifications, or other documentation. Interested parties are requested to respond to this notice in writing as soon as possible but not later than March 2, 2018. This request for comments is for information and planning purposes only, and is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) or NOFO, including the use of any non-profit organization or small business program. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids, quotations, and proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by FTA to issue an RFP or NOFO. FTA is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of response to this [[Page 2323]] notice. FTA will not pay for any materials provided in response to this notice and submittals will not be returned to the sender. Each response should reference the docket number (FTA-2017-0024), and provide the name and contact information (company, company representative's name, phone, email, etc.) of the submitter, at a minimum. For information about the Federal Transit Administration, please refer to the FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 10, 2018 under authority delegated in 49 CFR Part 1.91. K. Jane Williams, Deputy Administrator. [FR Doc. 2018-00615 Filed 1-12-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Notices 2321
the last five years. His endocrinologist business on the closing date indicated SUMMARY: The Federal Transit
certifies that Mr. West understands in the DATES section of the notice. Administration (FTA) seeks public
diabetes management and monitoring, comment regarding the current and
IV. Submitting Comments
has stable control of his diabetes using near-future status of automated transit
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV You may submit your comments and buses and related technologies. FTA
safely. Mr. West meets the requirements material online or by fax, mail, or hand seeks comments in particular from
of the vision standard at 49 CFR delivery, but please use only one of parties involved in the development,
391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined these means. FMCSA recommends that demonstration, deployment, and
him in 2017 and certified that he does you include your name and a mailing evaluation of currently available or
not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds address, an email address, or a phone near-market ready automated buses;
a Class A CDL from Ohio. number in the body of your document systems and components that support
so that FMCSA can contact you if there bus automation; and ancillary systems
Rodney J. Woods are questions regarding your that support non-driving bus operator
Mr. Woods, 52, has had ITDM since submission. functions (e.g., wheelchair securement,
1994. His endocrinologist examined him To submit your comment online, go to occupant detection, passenger
in 2017 and certified that he has had no http://www.regulations.gov and in the information assistance, fare payment,
severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting search box insert the docket number etc.). For purposes of this notice, ‘‘bus’’
in loss of consciousness, requiring the FMCSA–2017–0288 and click the search is defined broadly to consider a range of
assistance of another person, or button. When the new screen appears, sizes, vehicle platforms and
resulting in impaired cognitive function click on the blue ‘‘Comment Now!’’ configurations, and passenger
that occurred without warning in the button on the right hand side of the capacities, and could include both
past 12 months and no recurrent (two or page. On the new page, enter traditional and novel vehicle designs
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in information required including the (e.g., full-size city buses, articulated
the last five years. His endocrinologist specific section of this document to buses, small shuttles, etc.). ‘‘Bus’’
certifies that Mr. Woods understands which each comment applies, and includes bus rapid transit.
diabetes management and monitoring, provide a reason for each suggestion or
DATES: Comments must be submitted by
has stable control of his diabetes using recommendation. If you submit your
comments by mail or hand delivery, March 2, 2018. FTA will consider late-
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV filed comments to the extent
safely. Mr. Woods meets the submit them in an unbound format, no
larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for practicable.
requirements of the vision standard at
49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His copying and electronic filing. If you ADDRESSES: Please submit your
ophthalmologist examined him in 2017 submit comments by mail and would comments by only one of the following
and certified that he has stable like to know that they reached the methods, identifying your submission
proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He facility, please enclose a stamped, self- by docket number FTA–2017–0024. All
holds a Class A CDL from Alabama. addressed postcard or envelope. electronic submissions must be made to
We will consider all comments and the U.S. Government electronic site at
Timothy A. Zimmerman materials received during the comment http://www.regulations.gov.
period. FMCSA may issue a final (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
Mr. Zimmerman, 53, has had ITDM
determination at any time after the close http://www.regulations.gov and follow
since 2013. His endocrinologist
of the comment period. the online instructions for submitting
examined him in 2017 and certified that
he has had no severe hypoglycemic V. Viewing Comments and Documents comments.
reactions resulting in loss of (2) Mail: Docket Management Facility:
To view comments, as well as any
consciousness, requiring the assistance U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
documents mentioned in this preamble,
of another person, or resulting in New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building,
go to http://www.regulations.gov and in
impaired cognitive function that Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
the search box insert the docket number
occurred without warning in the past 12 Washington, DC 20590–0001.
FMCSA–2017–0288 and click ‘‘Search.’’
months and no recurrent (two or more) Next, click ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ and (3) Hand Delivery or Courier: West
severe hypoglycemic episodes in the you will find all documents and Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
last five years. His endocrinologist comments related to this notice. 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9
certifies that Mr. Zimmerman a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday
understands diabetes management and Issued on: January 5, 2018. through Friday, except Federal holidays.
monitoring, has stable control of his Larry W. Minor, (4) Fax: 202–493–2251.
diabetes using insulin, and is able to Associate Administrator for Policy. Instructions: You must include the
drive a CMV safely. Mr. Zimmerman [FR Doc. 2018–00579 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am] agency name (Federal Transit
meets the requirements of the vision BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P Administration) and Docket number
standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His (FTA–2017–0024) for this notice at the
optometrist examined him in 2017 and beginning of your comments. Submit
certified that he does not have diabetic DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION two copies of your comments if you
retinopathy. He holds an operator’s submit them by mail. For confirmation
license from Indiana. Federal Transit Administration that FTA received your comments,
III. Request for Comments [Docket No. FTA–2017–0024] include a self-addressed stamped
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
postcard. Note that all comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) Research Program: Automated Transit received will be posted without change
and 31315, FMCSA requests public Buses to www.regulations.gov including any
comment from all interested persons on AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration personal information provided and will
the exemption petitions described in (FTA), DOT. be available to internet users. You may
this notice. We will consider all review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
comments received before the close of Statement published in the Federal
VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:48 Jan 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00191 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM 16JAN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_2331/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Notices 2323
notice. FTA will not pay for any (2) Mail: Docket Management Facility: will have a significant role in this new
materials provided in response to this U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 space, as garnered from transit
notice and submittals will not be New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, stakeholders during FTA preliminary
returned to the sender. Ground Floor, Room W12–140, research on the subject. Certain
Each response should reference the Washington, DC 20590–0001. operational applications such as
docket number (FTA–2017–0024), and (3) Hand Delivery or Courier: West circulator or first mile/last mile service
provide the name and contact Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, are clear instances where the use of
information (company, company 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, between 9 automated motor vehicles could play a
representative’s name, phone, email, a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday very effective role, based on transit
etc.) of the submitter, at a minimum. through Friday, except Federal holidays. stakeholder input and preliminary
For information about the Federal (4) Fax: 202–493–2251. benefit-cost information on these service
Transit Administration, please refer to Instructions: You must include the types. Circulator service is regular
the FTA website at https:// agency name (Federal Transit service within a closed loop, typically
www.transit.dot.gov/. Administration) and Docket number on a fixed route, and may be found in
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 10, (FTA–2017–0025) for this notice at the business parks, retirement communities,
2018 under authority delegated in 49 CFR beginning of your comments. Submit college campuses, downtowns, etc. First
Part 1.91. two copies of your comments if you mile/last mile service provides service
K. Jane Williams, submit them by mail. For confirmation between high-capacity fixed-route
Deputy Administrator. that FTA received your comments, service, such as rail transit and bus
[FR Doc. 2018–00615 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am]
include a self-addressed stamped rapid transit, and a traveler’s origin and/
postcard. Note that all comments or destination, usually within a radius
BILLING CODE P
received will be posted without change of three miles and often in an area of
to www.regulations.gov including any low-density development.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION personal information provided and will Preliminary findings from FTA
be available to internet users. You may research are supported by a National
Federal Transit Administration review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Highway Cooperative Research Program
Statement published in the Federal study on automated transit (Gettman,
[Docket No. FTA–2017–0025]
Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR Douglas, et al. 2017. NCHRP Project 20–
Removing Barriers to Transit Bus 19477). 102 (02), Project Report Document 239,
Automation Docket: For access to the docket to Impacts of Laws and Regulations on CV
read background documents and and AV Technology Introduction in
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration comments received, go to Transit Operations.) (see also https://
(FTA), DOT. www.regulations.gov at any time or to www.nap.edu/download/24922#) which
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. the U.S. Department of Transportation, suggest that non-technical issues may
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Docket present challenges or barriers to the
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Operations, M–30, West Building development, demonstration,
Administration (FTA) seeks public Ground Floor, Room W12–140, deployment, and evaluation of
comment regarding current or potential Washington, DC 20590 between 9:00 automation technologies in transit bus
regulatory or other policy barriers to the a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through applications. For example, existing
development, demonstration, Friday, except Federal holidays. National Highway Traffic Safety
deployment, and evaluation of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Administration Federal safety
automated transit buses and related questions, contact Steve Mortensen, requirements and vehicle test
technologies for Society of Automotive Office of Research, Demonstration and procedures generally do not anticipate a
Engineers (SAE) automation levels 3 Innovation, Federal Transit fully driverless vehicle, and FTA
through 5. For purposes of this notice, Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. procurement and other requirements
‘‘bus’’ is defined broadly to consider a SE, Room E43–422, Washington, DC could limit product availability for
range of sizes, vehicle platforms and 20590, phone: (202) 493–0459, fax: (202) automated transit buses, particularly for
configurations, and passenger 366–3765, or email, Steven.Mortensen@ automation levels 3 through 5.
capacities, and could include both dot.gov. FTA seeks comments from
traditional and novel vehicle designs stakeholders, including the disability
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
(e.g., full-size city buses, articulated community, to better understand
buses, small shuttles, etc.). ‘‘Bus’’ I. Overview regulatory and policy barriers and
includes bus rapid transit. challenges to development,
Transportation currently is
DATES: Comments must be submitted by undergoing a transformation. As traveler demonstration, deployment, and
March 2, 2018. FTA will consider late- preferences and needs recently have evaluation of automation systems in the
filed comments to the extent evolved and continue to change, so have transit industry. Information from this
practicable. the capabilities of emerging RFC will help inform FTA’s approach to
ADDRESSES: Please submit your transportation technologies and, more automated transit buses, including
comments by only one of the following importantly, the operational concepts determining whether to pursue potential
methods, identifying your submission defining how those technologies will be modifications of FTA regulations,
by docket number FTA–2017–0025. All deployed in our communities. guidance, and internal practices, and
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
electronic submissions must be made to Motor vehicle automation (both as a may also help inform any future
the U.S. Government electronic site at technology platform and service model) legislation.
http://www.regulations.gov. has become the most talked about This notice is a request for comments
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to development for surface transportation and information only. It is not a
http://www.regulations.gov and follow in recent times. Many industry solicitation for project proposals.
the online instructions for submitting stakeholders and observers anticipate Submission of any information in
comments. and expect that public transportation response to this notice is voluntary. The
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Document Created: 2018-01-13 02:02:53
Document Modified: 2018-01-13 02:02:53
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be submitted by March 2, 2018. FTA will consider late-filed comments to the extent practicable. | |
| Contact | For questions, contact Steve Mortensen, Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room E43-422, Washington, DC 20590, phone: (202) 493-0459, fax: (202) 366-3765, or email, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 2321 |
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