[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35708-35709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16758]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-99-5057]
Fatigue Reducing Technologies
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 4021(a) of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the FHWA seeks information
about technologies that may reduce commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
driver fatigue, while also lowering CMV emissions and reducing fuel
consumption. The FHWA believes that many such technologies may exist in
[[Page 35709]]
various stages of development and would like to obtain more information
about them.
DATES: The FHWA must receive your submission of information on
potential technologies on or before August 30, 1999.
ADDRESSES: All information should refer to the docket number that
appears in the heading of this document. Submit it to the Docket Clerk,
U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590-0001. All submissions will be available for examination at the
above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. If you desire notification of receipt of your
submission of information, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope
or postcard.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Albert Alvarez, Office of Motor
Carrier Research & Standards, HMCS-20, (202) 366-4706, or Mr. Charles
Medalen, Office of Chief Counsel, HCC-20, (202) 366-1354, Federal
Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC. 20590-
0001. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
Internet users can access all comments by using the DOT's Dockets
Management System (DMS) at http://dms.dot.gov. The DMS is available 24
hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the instructions
online for more information and help.
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1662. Internet
users may reach the Federal Register's home page at http://
www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
Background
Section 4021 of TEA-21 (Pub. L. 105-178) requires the Secretary of
Transportation to encourage the research, development, and
demonstration of technologies that may aid in reducing commercial motor
vehicle (CMV) operators' fatigue. In implementing Section 4021, the
Secretary must take into account the degree to which the fatigue-
reducing technology: will be cost-efficient; can be used effectively
under diverse climactic conditions; and will further emission
reductions, conserve energy, and support other transportation goals.
The FHWA has received information about a few private initiatives
that appear to reduce fatigue while meeting varied climactic demands,
conserving energy, and reducing emissions. However, as far as the FHWA
is aware, the relative benefits and costs of these technologies (e.g.,
in terms of fuel consumption, definable level of emissions reductions,
developmental cost, and operating cost) have not been subjected to a
rigorous assessment. Moreover, other viable products may be planned or
under development that the FHWA should include in any general
assessment.
Consequently, the FHWA is interested in obtaining as much
information as possible about a variety of emerging technologies, and
requests that all interested parties provide the agency with
information about specific technologies that appear to satisfy the
intent of section 4021.
The FHWA will use the information that it collects to help it
determine research priorities and funding needs. The FHWA also will use
the information to determine whether Federal support of initial
engineering and cost-benefit evaluations of the described technologies
would be appropriate to answer questions about their performance.
Analyzing performance will help determine potential benefits, as well
as cost or design obstacles that might lessen acceptance. This cost-
benefit analysis would be essential before the FHWA could make any
further public investment in research to determine how well any
specific technology mitigates fatigue.
Response Requirements
The FHWA asks that respondents provide the following information,
at a minimum:
1. A general description of the technology itself, identifying, for
example, its chemical, mechanical, and electronic components and
configuration;
2. A brief description of the developmental history;
3. A summary of the technology's current or intended use(s);
4. The energy source(s) used, or to be used. In particular, whether
it would, in a commercial motor vehicle environment, rely upon existing
sources (e.g., on-vehicle fuel or battery power) or some additional/
external source of energy;
5. A description of its status (i.e., initial design stage,
available prototype, pilot application/testing in an industry or
transportation environment);
6. If appropriate, its current domestic or foreign application,
either in transportation or some other industrial capacity;
7. Its potential for use and maintainability in a mobile CMV
environment (assuming the technology is not now specifically designed
for, or being used on CMVs);
8. Information about its public and private sector sponsor(s); and
9. The estimated cost of the technology.
In addition to the specific questions listed above, commenters are
encouraged to discuss any other issues they believe are relevant to the
assessment of technologies described in this Notice. The FHWA requests
that commenters avoid submitting proprietary or confidential
information.
Subsequent Evaluations
Once the FHWA has completed its review of all the submissions, the
agency will publish a summary report on the characteristics, status and
future developmental needs of the technologies described by individual
respondents to this Notice. The FHWA also will discuss in its report
the agency's determination of any need for additional evaluations or
tests, based on the nature and number of individual technologies
described in the submissions. The FHWA hopes to devote research dollars
in FY 2000 to these additional evaluations or tests, as determined
appropriate, subject to the availability of funds.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48; Sec. 4021(a) of Pub. L.
105-178.
Issued on: June 23, 1999.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-16758 Filed 6-30-99; 8:45 am]
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