Regulatory Update – July 27, 2018

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

NHTSA Extends Comment Period on State Data Transfer for Vehicle Crash Data ICR
On July 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an extension to the comment period for the proposed information collection request (ICR) titled “State Data Transfer for Vehicle Crash Data,” originally published on May 31, 2018. Comments are now due by Sept. 14.

FHWA Announces Public Meetings on Highway Automation
On July 17, 2018, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published notice of public meetings on highway automation. FHWA will hold the public meetings in approximately five locations across the country. FHWA’s objective is to engage stakeholders to understand the implications of automated vehicles on roadways.

FMCSA Announces Intent to Publish ICR on Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements
On July 16, 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published notice of its intent to file an ICR for a study titled “Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impacts on Safety.” The study aims to determine the impact of commercial motor vehicle maintenance requirements on overall motor carrier safety. Comments are due by Sept. 14.

FMCSA Announces that Previously Published Changes to SMS Will Not Be Completed
Also on July 16, 2018, FMCSA published notice that it would not complete the changes to the Safety Measurement System (SMS) originally proposed on June 29, 2015, and Oct. 5, 2016. FMCSA withdrew its proposed changes in response to a study published by the National Academy of Sciences on June 27, 2017.

Update on Exemptions

Oregon Governor Announces Emergency Exemption of Title 49 CFR Parts 390-399
On July 18, 2018, Oregon’s governor declared a statewide wildfire emergency and announced a statewide suspension of Title 49 CFR Parts 390-399, including hours-of-service regulations, for carriers providing direct assistance for emergency relief efforts. The exemption is effective until the statewide wildfire emergency is lifted.

FMCSA Requests Comment on WMH HOS Exemption Application
On July 17, 2018, FMCSA published notice of an hours-of-service (HOS) exemption application from Waste Management Holding (WMH). The application requests that the company’s short-haul drivers be allowed to return within 14 hours, instead of 12, without losing the short-haul 100-air-mile radius exemption status. Comments are due by Aug. 16.

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions issued by FMCSA. Members can access the document by logging into their CVSA member portal and clicking on the “Exemptions” tab at the top of the page.