[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14392]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
Plans for Establishment of Land Transportation Standards
Subcommittee
AGENCY: Office of International Transportation and Trade, Office of the
Secretary, Department of Transportation.
ACTION: This notice announces the Department of Transportation's (DOT)
plans for establishing the Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee
(LTSS) required in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It
also describes the LTSS' scope of work, notifies the public of upcoming
meetings, and invites interested parties to write to DOT, by July 20,
1994, to be included in the Department's distribution list for LTSS
reports and related information.
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SUMMARY: The United States, Canada, and Mexico intend to work to
develop more compatible land transportation standards through the LTSS
in accordance with a timetable set in the NAFTA. Five working groups of
federal and state government technical experts from the three countries
will accomplish this work under the direction of the LTSS. While the
working groups will be comprised of government officials only, the U.S.
delegation to the LTSS will include federal and state government
officials, as well as representatives from industry, labor, and safety
advocacy groups. The LTSS is scheduled to hold its first plenary
session on July 12, 1994, in Cancun, Mexico. Several working groups may
meet on July 11, 1994 at the same location. Agendas for the meetings
are yet to be determined. In the future, the Department intends to
publish in advance the schedules and agendas for LTSS and working group
meetings, and to distribute regularly relevant information to
individuals and organizations on its mailing list. Public briefings
will also be scheduled as appropriate to provide updated information.
Respondents are requested to send a post card with their full names and
addresses to DOT, specifying the group(s) about which they would like
to receive information.
BACKGROUND: The NAFTA establishes a Committee on Standards-Related
Measures, and requires that it create a subcommittee to seek, to the
extent practicable, compatibility of land transportation standards
among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Annex 913.5.a-1 of the
NAFTA sets forth the work program that the LTSS will follow for seeking
compatibility of the countries' standards-related measures for bus and
truck operations, rail personnel standards that are relevant to cross-
border operations, and the transportation of hazardous materials.
Land Transportation Standards Subcommittee: The LTSS will meet once
a year chaired, on the U.S. side, by the Director of the Office of
International Transportation and Trade, Office of the Secretary of
Transportation. The chair will give general guidance and direction to
U.S. working group heads, establish the parameters for participation of
U.S. delegates in delegation and trilateral meetings, and prepare
policy recommendations for the Secretary of Transportation's
consideration. U.S. participants to the LTSS will include: (1) Federal
officials from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA), Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA), the U.S. Department of State, the Office of the
U.S. Trade Representative, and other federal agencies as appropriate;
(2) state policy-makers identified by the National Governors'
Association; (3) trade association representatives for the truck, bus,
and rail industries, shippers transportation labor unions, brokers, and
shippers; and (4) public safety advocates.
Working Groups: Five working groups, comprised of federal, state,
and provincial officials from the three countries, will be established.
In the United States, each working group will operate under the
leadership of a DOT official. By invitation, representatives of state
government organizations such as the Association of American Motor
Vehicle Administrators, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the
International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association
of State Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Cooperative Hazardous
Materials Enforcement Development Program, and others may also be part
of the U.S. delegation. Individual working groups will determine the
frequency of meetings depending on the scope of work and the time-frame
established in the NAFTA for seeking compatibility for the specific
standards under each group's jurisdiction. The groups and chairs are
listed below.
1. Working Group 1--This group will consider medical and non-
medical standards-related measures for drivers, including age and
language requirements. It will also review measures with respect to
vehicles such as tires, brakes, parts and accessories, cargo
securement, maintenance and repair, inspections, and emissions and
environmental pollution levels not covered by the Automotive Standards
Council's work program established under Annex 913.5.a-3 of the NAFTA.
In addition, the group will examine standards related to the
supervision of motor carrier safety compliance. For information call
Tom Kozlowski, Chief, Standards Development Division/FHWA, at (202)
366-2981.
2. Working Group 2--This group will analyze the development of more
compatible vehicle weights and dimensions standards. For information
call Susan Binder, Chief, Office of Industry and Economic Analysis/
FHWA, at (202) 366-9230.
3. Working Group 3--This group will be responsible for seeking
compatibility of standards-related measures relating to road signs. For
information call Rudolph Umbs, Acting Chief, Safety Management
Division/FHWA, at (202) 366-0411.
4. Working Group 4--This group will consider compatibility of
standards related to rail operating personnel that are relevant to
cross-border operations, and standards related to locomotives and other
rail equipment. For information call Jane Bachner, Director, Office of
Economic Analysis/FRA, at (202) 366-0344.
5. Working Group 5--This group will be responsible for seeking
compatibility of standards related to the transportation of hazardous
materials. For information call Frits Wybenga, International Standards
Coordinator for Hazardous Materials/RSPA, at (202) 366-0656.
MEETINGS: The LTSS is scheduled to meet for the first time in plenary
session on July 12, 1994, in Cancun, Mexico. Several working groups may
also meet at the same location on July 11, 1994. Agendas for the July
sessions are not immediately available, but may be obtained by calling
the individuals listed on this notice the week of June 27. Schedules
and agendas for future meetings will be published in advance.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact David DeCarme, Chief, Maritime and
Surface Division, Office of International Transportation and Trade,
Office of the Secretary of Transportation, at (202) 366-2892.
ADDRESS AND DEADLINE: Individuals and organizations interested in being
placed on the mailing list for receiving LTSS-related information are
requested to send, by July 20, 1994, a post card indicating the
complete name and address where the information should be sent, and
specifying the group or groups about which information is desired. Mail
post cards to David DeCarme, U.S. Department of Transportation, OST/X-
20, room 10300, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Dated: June 9, 1994.
Arnold Levine,
Director, Office of International Transportation and Trade.
[FR Doc. 94-14392 Filed 6-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P
