Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 161 / Wednesday, August 20, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 44225

1The amount of ballast in the thorax depends on

how weight tolerances of the various parts that

make up the thorax assembly accumulate.

ACTION: Correction.

SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is

issuing a correction to the final rule

published at 61 FR 58488, November 15,

1996.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 15, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Defense Acquisition Regulations

Council, Attn: Ms. Michele Peterson,

PDUSD (A&T) DP (DAR), IMPD 3D139,

3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC

20301–3062. Telephone (703) 602–0131;

telefax (703) 602–0350.

Correction

In the issue of Friday, November 15,

1996, on page 58489, in the first

column, amendatory instruction 5 is

corrected to read as follows: ‘‘Section

225.7005 is added to read as follows:’’.

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition

Regulations Council.

[FR Doc. 97–21890 Filed 8–19–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 5000–04–M

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

49 CFR Part 572

[Docket No. 97–047, Notice 01]

RIN 2127–AG44

Anthropomorphic Test Dummy; SixYear-Old Child Dummy

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA),

Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Final rule; technical

amendment.

SUMMARY: This document corrects

NHTSA’s regulation specifying the

characteristics of the test dummy

representing a six-year-old child. It

revises the specification for locating the

center of gravity (cg) of the thorax by

moving it forward 0.4 inches from the

location currently specified in part 572.

This document also amends the

dummy’s specifications to show that

thorax ballast mass, if used, is mounted

on the inside of the anterior wall of the

spine box rather than to its sides. Both

of these changes bring the drawing

specifications in line with the actual

construction of the dummy. They are

intended to ensure that there is no

confusion among dummy manufacturers

and users as to whether a particular

dummy meets the specifications of

NHTSA’s regulation.

DATES: The changes made in this rule

are effective August 20, 1997. The

incorporation by reference of certain

publications listed in this rule is

approved by the Director of the Federal

Register as of August 20, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For

nonlegal issues: Stan Backaitis, Office of

Crashworthiness Standards (telephone:

202–366–4912). For legal issues: Deirdre

Fujita, Office of the Chief Counsel (202–

366–2992). Both can be reached at the

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, 400 Seventh St., S.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

November 14, 1991, NHTSA published

a rule that added specifications for a 6-

year-old child test dummy to NHTSA’s

set of regulations for ‘‘Anthropomorphic

Test Dummies’’ (49 CFR part 572). The

dummy was adopted to test child

restraint systems for older children. The

specifications for the dummy are set

forth in subpart I of 49 CFR part 572.

The dummy is instrumented with

accelerometers for measuring

accelerations in the thorax during

dynamic testing. NHTSA was very

specific in describing, in drawings

referenced in part 572, subpart I, the

location of the center of gravity (cg) of

the dummy’s thorax. However, location

descriptions for the cg in the

specifications do not reflect where the

cg is actually located in the dummy.

This discrepancy was brought to the

agency’s attention by First Technology

Safety Systems, Inc. (FTSS), a

manufacturer of test dummies. On

January 23, 1996, FTSS petitioned the

agency to move the shown location of

the cg of the thorax of the dummy

forward 0.4 inches from the current

location specified in drawings that are

incorporated into part 572. Currently,

these drawings specify that the cg is 0.9

± 0.5 inches back from the dummy’s

shoulder yoke center. The petitioner

requested that the cg be located 0.5 ± .5

inches back from the shoulder yoke, ‘‘to

fit within the design proportions and

put the cg in line with its current

production value.’’

NHTSA has examined FTSS’s

concerns and agrees that the

specification for the cg of the dummy’s

thorax should be amended.

Accordingly, this document corrects the

specification for locating the cg of the

thorax by moving the specified location

forward 0.4 inches.

The discrepancy in the current

specification usually results when

ballast is used in the dummy’s thorax to

achieve the required thorax weight.1

NHTSA had found that in some tests of

the dummy, the screws that affix the

ballast firmly to the lateral sides of the

thoracic spine box loosen during

dynamic testing. This causes the ballast

to vibrate, resulting in extraneous

accelerometer responses. To prevent the

ballast retaining screws from loosening,

NHTSA moved the ballast forward from

the lateral sides of the thoracic spine

box to the inside anterior wall of the

box, where the ballast could not load

the screws with high dynamic forces.

FTSS estimates that the repositioned

ballast could result in the accumulation

of the various weight tolerances within

the thorax such that it could put the cg

location up to 0.6 inches forward from

its current specification. However, FTSS

believes that relocating the cg 0.4 inches

forward from the current position would

be a more representative mean location

for all of the dummy population.

NHTSA has decided to revise Subpart

I as requested by FTSS to avoid

potential sources of complaint and

confusion caused by a discrepancy in

the cg location of the dummy’s thorax.

Dummy manufacturers have asked

NHTSA on different occasions to correct

inconsistencies between the part 572

specifications and the actual design and

manufacture of the test dummies, to

avoid potential customer complaints

that a particular dummy does not meet

the specifications of NHTSA’s

regulation, even when the problems are

relatively minor and are related to the

specification rather than the dummy.

Such conforming amendments to part

572 have been made several times, e.g.,

corrections of NHTSA’s regulations for

the side impact test dummy, 59 FR

52089; October 14, 1994; and six-yearold dummy, 60 FR 2896, January 12,

1995.) These amendments are primarily

corrective in nature, and do not affect

the impact response of the dummy in

any significant manner.

Today’s correction does not impose

any additional responsibilities on any

manufacturer and has virtually no effect

on the performance of the dummy. To

determine the importance and the

effects of thorax cg location on the

dummy’s kinematics, a modeling study

was performed for NHTSA by the

National Crash Analysis Center of the

George Washington University. The

study used an Articulated Total Body

computer model to represent the sixyear-old child dummy restrained by a

three-point belt system and seated on a

belt-positioning booster seat. The

location of the thorax cg varied over a

range of one inch up, down, forward

and backward. The study showed that a

movement of the cg one inch forward

did not change the chest g response,

reduced head g response by 1 g and
44226 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 161 / Wednesday, August 20, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

increased head excursion by 0.5 inches.

Assuming a linear relationship between

changes in the cg location and the

dummy’s responses, moving the cg of

the thorax 0.4 inch forward would

amount to no change in chest g, about

0.4g decrease in the head and 0.2 inch

increase in head displacement. These

changes translate to 0 percent change in

the torso response, approximately 0.8

percent decrease in the head injury

criterion and only slightly over 3

percent increase in head displacement.

It should be noted that these estimates

represent theoretical potential response

changes. Actually, there would be no

change in the performance of existing

dummies, because existing dummies

would not be changed. This revision

brings in line the part 572 specification

to the dummy as actually produced.

This document also corrects Drawing

No. SA 106C 001 to show that the

thorax ballast, if used, would be

mounted inside the thoracic spine box,

rather than outside as is currently

shown. As explained above, in actual

practice, the ballast (if needed) is

mounted inside rather than outside of

the spine box on all currently

manufactured six-year-old child

dummies. Accordingly, this change

would bring in line the subject drawing

to current dummy construction practice.

The following table identifies the

drawings that are revised by this

document, and shows the new revision

letters for the drawings:

AFFECTED DRAWINGS

Drawing name Drawing No. Previous revision letter

New revision

letter

Crash Test Dummy Assembly; 6-Year-Old Child ...................................... SA 106C 001 (sheet 1) ................... D ....................... E

Crash Test Dummy Assembly; 6-Year-Old Child ...................................... SA 106C 001 (sheet 3) ................... ........................... A

Crash Test Dummy Assembly; 6-Year-Old Child ...................................... SA 106C 001 (sheet 10) ................. B ....................... C

Crash Test Dummy Assembly; 6-Year-Old Child ...................................... SA 106C 001 (sheet 11) ................. C ....................... D

Sternum Thoracic Weld Assembly ............................................................ 6C 1000–1 ....................................... B ....................... C

Ballast ........................................................................................................ 6C 1021 ........................................... A ....................... B

Cover-Chest Accelerometer ...................................................................... 6C 909 ............................................. ........................... A

Screw Button Head Socket ....................................................................... 6C 1610–1 ....................................... ........................... A

Bushing ...................................................................................................... 6C 1023 ........................................... Deleted.

This document also updates the

reference in § 572.70 to the address and

telephone number of Reprographic

Technologies, concerning where the

drawings for the dummy may be

obtained.

This document does not impose any

additional responsibilities on any

vehicle or dummy manufacturer. Since

this rule does not impose any additional

burdens, and because it corrects minor

inconsistencies in the regulation and

removes potential sources of question

for dummy manufacturers, NHTSA

finds for good cause that notice and an

opportunity for comment on this

document are unnecessary, and that this

rule should be effective upon

publication.

These minor technical amendments

were not reviewed under E.O. 12866.

NHTSA has considered costs and other

factors associated with these

amendments, and determined that these

amendments do not change any of the

conclusions in the November 1991 final

rule regarding the impacts of that final

rule, including the impacts on small

businesses, manufacturers and other

entities.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 572

Motor vehicle safety, Incorporation by

reference.

In consideration of the foregoing,

NHTSA amends 49 CFR part 572 as

follows:

PART 572—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 572

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115,

30117 and 30166; delegation of authority at

49 CFR 1.50.

Subpart I—6-Year-Old Child

2. In § 572.70, paragraph (b)(1) is

revised to read as follows:

§ 572.70 Incorporation by reference.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(1) Drawing number SA 106 C001

sheets 1 through 18, and the drawings

listed in the parts lists described on

sheets 8 through 17, are available from

Reprographic Technologies, 9000

Virginia Manor Rd., Beltsville, MD

20705, Telephone (301) 210–5600, Fax

(301) 210–5607.

* * * * *

3. In § 572.71, paragraphs (a)(1), (b)

and table A are revised to read as

follows:

§ 572.71 General description.

(a) * * *

(1) Technical drawings,

specifications, and the parts list package

shown in SA 106C 001, sheets 1 through

18, rereleased July 11, 1997;

* * * * *

(b) The dummy is made up of the

component assemblies set out in Table

A:
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 161 / Wednesday, August 20, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 44227

TABLE A

Assembly drawing No. Drawing title Listed on drawing No. Revision

SA 106C 010 .......................................... Head Assembly ...................................... SA 106C 001, sheet 8 ............................ A

SA 106C 020 .......................................... Neck Assembly ....................................... SA 106C 001, sheet 9 ............................ A

SA 106C 030 .......................................... Thorax Assembly .................................... SA 106C 001, sheet 10 .......................... C

SA 106C 030 .......................................... Thorax Assembly .................................... SA 106C 001, sheet 11 .......................... D

SA 106C 041 .......................................... Arm Assembly (right) .............................. SA 106C 001, sheet 14 .......................... A

SA 106C 042 .......................................... Arm Assembly (left) ................................ SA 106C 001, sheet 15 .......................... A

SA 106C 050 .......................................... Lumbar Spine Assembly ........................ SA 106C 001, sheet 12 .......................... A

SA 106C 060 .......................................... Pelvis Assembly ..................................... SA 106C 001, sheet 13 .......................... A

SA 106C 071 .......................................... Leg Assembly (right) .............................. SA 106C 001, sheet 16 .......................... A

SA 106C 072 .......................................... Leg Assembly (left) ................................ SA 106C 001, sheet 17 .......................... A

* * * * *

4. In § 572.74, paragraph (a) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 572.74 Thorax assembly and test

procedure.

(a) Thorax assembly. The thorax

consists of the part of the torso assembly

designated as SA 106C 030 on drawing

SA 106C 001, sheet 2, Revision A, and

conforms to each applicable drawing on

SA 106C 001 sheet 10, Revision C

(including Drawing number 6C–1610–1

thru –4, Revision A, titled ‘‘Screw

Button Head Socket’’, dated September

30, 1996, and Drawing number 6C–

1021, Revision B, titled ‘‘Ballast, 6 Yr.

Thoraxc (for 7267A)’’, dated September

24, 1996), and sheet 11, Revision D

(including Drawing number SA 6C–909,

Revision A, titled ‘‘Cover-chest

Accelerometer’’, dated September 21,

1996, and Drawing number 6C–1000–1,

Revision C, titled ‘‘Sternum Thoracic

Weld Ass’y.’’, dated September 24,

1996).

* * * * *

5. In § 572.74, paragraph (d) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 572.78 Performance test conditions.

* * * * *

(d) The dummy’s dimensions are

specified in drawings SA 106C 001,

sheet 3, Revision A, July 11, 1997, and

sheets 4 through 6.

* * * * *

Issued: August 12, 1997.

L. Robert Shelton,

Associate Administrator for Safety

Performance Standards.

[FR Doc. 97–21910 Filed 8–19–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018–AD45

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

and Plants; Final Rule To Designate

the Whooping Cranes of the Rocky

Mountains as Experimental

Nonessential and To Remove

Whooping Crane Critical Habitat

Designations From Four Locations;

Correction

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,

Interior.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

SUMMARY: On July 21, 1997, the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)

published a final rule designating the

Rocky Mountain population of

whooping cranes (Grus americana) as

experimental nonessential and

removing whooping crane critical

habitat designations from four National

Wildlife Refuges; Bosque del Apache in

New Mexico, Monte Vista and Alamosa

in Colorado, and Grays Lake in Idaho.

The rule inadvertently omitted language

amending 50 CFR 17.95 to remove the

designated critical habitat from the four

National Wildlife Refuges. This

proposed removal of critical habitat was

included in the Service’s proposed rule

(61 FR 4394), which provided

opportunity for public comment.

Comments received on the proposed

removal of designated critical habitat

were summarized and discussed in the

Service’s final rule designating the

Rocky Mountain population of

whooping cranes as nonessential

experimental. The Service herein

amends 50 CFR 17.95 Typographical

errors which occurred in the final rule

in the entry under part 17.11(h) are also

corrected here.

DATES: Effective August 20, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this

rule will be available for public

inspection, by appointment, during

normal business hours at the southwest

Regional Office, 500 Gold Avenue SW.,

Room 4012, Albuquerque, New Mexico,

87103–1306.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Susan MacMullin, Southwest Regional

Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico (see

ADDRESSES section) (telephone 505/248–

6663; facsimile 505/248–6922).

Regulation Promulgation

Accordingly, the Service hereby

amends part 17, subchapter B of chapter

I, title 50 of the Code of Federal

Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 17—[AMENDED]

1. Section 17.11(h) is amended by

revising the entries for ‘‘Crane,

whooping’’ under BIRDS, to read as

follows:

§ 17.11 Endangered and threatened

wildlife.

* * * * *

(h) * *

Species

Historic range

Vertebrate population

where endangered or

threatened

Status When listed Critical

habitat

Special

rules Common name Scientific name

* * * * * * *

Birds

* * * * * * *

Crane, whopping Grus americana Canada, U.S.A. (Rocky

Mountains East to

Carolinas), Mexico.

Entire, except where listed as an experimental

population.

E 1, 3, 487,

621.

17.95(b) NA