Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 10 / Thursday, January 16, 2025 / Notices 4835 

being compromised or if continuation of 

the exemption would not be consistent 

with the goals and objectives of 49 

U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA 

may take immediate steps to revoke or 

modify the exemption. 

Vincent G. White, 

Deputy Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2025–00938 Filed 1–15–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0159] 

Parts and Accessories Necessary for 

Safe Operation; Exemption Renewal 

From Vision Systems North America, 

Inc. 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of final disposition; 

granting of renewal of exemption. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its final 

decision to renew the exemption 

granted to Vision Systems North 

America, Inc. (VSNA) to allow motor 

carriers to operate commercial motor 

vehicles (CMV) with the company’s 

Smart-Vision high-definition camera 

monitoring system (Smart-Vision) 

installed as an alternative to the two 

rear-vision mirrors required by the 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Regulations (FMCSRs). 

DATES: This renewed exemption is 

effective January 15, 2025, through 

January 15, 2030. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 

David Sutula, Chief, Vehicle and 

Roadside Operations Division, Office of 

Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Safety, 

FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001; (202) 366– 

9209; MCPSV@dot.gov. If you have 

questions on viewing or submitting 

material to the docket, call Dockets 

Operations at (202) 366–9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation 

Viewing Comments and Documents 

To view comments, go to 

www.regulations.gov, insert the docket 

number ‘‘FMCSA–2019–0159’’ in the 

keyword box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, 

sort the results by ‘‘Posted (NewerOlder),’’ choose the first notice listed, 

and click ‘‘Browse Comments.’’ To view 

documents mentioned in this notice as 

being available in the docket, go to 

www.regulations.gov, insert the docket 

number ‘‘FMCSA–2019–0159’’ in the 

keyword box, click ‘‘Search,’’ and chose 

the document to review. 

If you do not have access to the 

internet, you may view the docket 

online by visiting Dockets Operations 

on the ground floor of the DOT West 

Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. To be sure 

someone is there to help you, please call 

(202) 366–9317 or (202) 366–9826 

before visiting Dockets Operations. 

II. Legal Basis 

FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 

31136(e) and 31315(b) to grant 

exemptions from Federal Motor Carrier 

Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). FMCSA 

must publish a notice of each exemption 

request in the Federal Register (49 CFR 

381.315(a)). The Agency must provide 

the public an opportunity to inspect the 

information relevant to the application, 

including the applicant’s safety 

analysis. The Agency must provide an 

opportunity for public comment on the 

request. 

The Agency reviews safety analyses 

and public comments submitted and 

determines whether granting the 

exemption would likely achieve a level 

of safety equivalent to, or greater than, 

the level that would be achieved by the 

current regulation (49 CFR 381.305(a)). 

The Agency must publish its decision in 

the Federal Register (49 CFR 

381.315(b)). If granted, the notice will 

identify the regulatory provision from 

which the applicant will be exempt, the 

effective period, and all terms and 

conditions of the exemption (49 CFR 

381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is 

denied, the notice will explain the 

reason for the denial (49 CFR 

381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be 

renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)). 

III. Background 

Current Regulatory Requirements 

FMCSA requires in 49 CFR 393.80(a) 

that each bus, truck, and truck tractor be 

equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, 

one at each side. The mirrors must be 

positioned to reflect to the driver a view 

of the highway to the rear and the area 

along both sides of the CMV. Section 

393.80(a) also requires that the National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 

standard for mirrors on motor vehicles 

in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 

Standard (FMVSS) No. 111 be met. 

Paragraph S7.1 of FMVSS No. 111 

provides requirements for mirrors on 

multipurpose passenger vehicles and 

trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating 

(GVWR) greater than 4,536 kg and less 

than 11,340 kg and each bus, other than 

a school bus, with a GVWR of more than 

4,536 kg. Paragraph S8.1 provides 

requirements for mirrors on 

multipurpose passenger vehicles and 

trucks with a GVWR of 11,340 kg or 

more. 

IV. Application for Renewal of 

Exemption 

The renewal application for 

exemption from VSNA was described in 

detail in a Federal Register notice 

published on October 18, 2024 (89 FR 

83937) and will not be repeated here as 

the facts have not changed. 

V. Public Comments 

The Agency received one comment 

supporting the exemption renewal and 

no comments opposing it. 

Matthew Buchannan, an individual 

commenter, stated, ‘‘I fully support this 

request. These have shown to be very 

reliable in all weather conditions day or 

night. Also, they give the benefit of 

removing the blind spots created by the 

mirrors themselves. I believe that these 

systems should be allowed on a 

permanent basis and not just another 

extension.’’ 

VI. FMCSA Safety Analysis and Agency 

Decision 

FMCSA is not aware of any evidence 

showing that the operation of VSNA’s 

Smart-Vision system in accordance with 

the conditions of the original exemption 

has resulted in any degradation in 

safety. Moreover, the information VSNA 

provided in its application supports the 

view that the company’s Smart-Vision 

system maintains the requisite statutory 

level of safety. Therefore, for the reasons 

discussed above and in the prior notice 

granting the original exemption request, 

FMCSA concludes that renewing the 

exemption granted on January 15, 2025, 

for a subsequent 5 years, on the terms 

and conditions set forth in this 

exemption renewal decision, will likely 

maintain a level of safety that is 

equivalent to, or greater than, the level 

of safety achieved without the 

exemption. 

VII. Exemption Decision 

A. Grant of Exemption 

FMCSA renews the exemption for a 

subsequent period of 5 years subject to 

the terms and conditions of this 

decision. The exemption from the 

requirements of 49 CFR 393.80 is 

effective January 15, 2025, through 

January 15, 2030, 11:59 p.m. local time, 

unless revoked. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
4836 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 10 / Thursday, January 16, 2025 / Notices 

1The City of North Salt Lake initially requested 

relief under Docket Number FRA–2024–0115, and 

a Federal Register notice was published in that 

docket. See https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ 

FRA-2024-0115. The Salt Lake City Department of 

Public Services submitted an initial request in this 

docket and then sent an additional letter that 

combined both requests into Docket Number FRA– 

2024–0124. Comments submitted to both of the 

notices in FRA–2024–0115 and FRA–2014–0124 

will be considered. 

B. Applicability of Exemption 

During the temporary exemption 

period, motor carriers operating CMVs 

may install and use the VSNA’s SmartVision system in lieu of the two rearvision mirrors required by § 393.80. 

C. Terms and Conditions 

1. This exemption is limited to the 

VSNA’s Smart-Vision system installed 

on CMVs and does not apply to any 

other camera-based mirror replacement 

system/technology. 

2. Motor carriers using the VSNA’s 

Smart-Vision system installed on CMVs 

must report to FMCSA on an annual 

basis to MCPSV@dot.gov: (1) the total 

number of CMVs operating under the 

terms and conditions of the exemption; 

and (2) any crashes, other than front-end 

crashes, involving CMVs operating 

under the exemption. The reports are 

due by the end of the calendar year 

beginning from the effective date of this 

exemption. 

3. Drivers operating CMVs under this 

exemption must inspect the SmartVision system each time before 

operating the CMV and be satisfied that 

it is in proper working order. 

4. Drivers operating CMVs under this 

exemption must inspect the SmartVision system at the end of each day 

and note any defects in the equipment 

on the driver vehicle inspection report. 

The motor carrier must repair any 

defects noted by the driver before it 

operates the CMV again. 

5. The motor carrier must periodically 

inspect the Smart-Vision system in 

addition to the existing inspection 

required at least once every 12 months. 

6. Motor carriers using the VSNA’s 

Smart-Vision system installed on CMVs 

must notify FMCSA within 5 business 

days after they become aware, or 

otherwise determine, that the continued 

use of Smart-Vision system covered by 

this exemption is no longer likely to 

maintain a level of safety that is at least 

equivalent to the level that would be 

achieved absent this exemption. 

Notification must be made by sending 

an email to FMCSA at MCPSV@dot.gov. 

D. Preemption 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 

31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 

381.600, during the period this 

exemption is in effect, no State shall 

enforce any law or regulation that 

conflicts with or is inconsistent with 

this exemption with respect to a person 

operating under the exemption. States 

may, but are not required to, adopt the 

same exemption with respect to 

operations in intrastate commerce. 

E. Termination 

FMCSA does not believe that motor 

carriers and CMVs covered by the 

exemption will experience any 

deterioration of their safety record. The 

Agency will, however, rescind the 

exemption if: (1) motor carriers and/or 

CMVs operating under the exemption 

fail to comply with the terms and 

conditions of the exemption; (2) the 

exemption results in a lower level of 

safety than was maintained before it was 

granted; or (3) continuation of the 

exemption would not be consistent with 

the goals and objective of 49 U.S.C. 

31136 or chapter 313. 

Vincent G. White, 

Deputy Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2025–00900 Filed 1–15–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Railroad Administration 

[Docket Number FRA–2024–0124] 

Petition for Waiver of Compliance 

Under part 211 of title 49 Code of 

Federal Regulations (CFR), this 

document provides the public notice 

that by letters received November 12, 

2024, and December 11, 2024, the Salt 

Lake City Department of Public Services 

in conjunction with the City of North 

Salt Lake (Petitioners), petitioned the 

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 

for a waiver of compliance from certain 

provisions of the Federal railroad safety 

regulations contained at 49 CFR part 

222 (Use of Locomotive Horns at Public 

Highway-Rail Grade Crossings).1 FRA 

assigned the petition Docket Number 

FRA–2024–0124. 

Specifically, Petitioners request relief 

from § 222.35(b)(1), What are the 

minimum requirements for quiet 

zones?—Active grade crossing warning 

devices, which states that each public 

highway-rail grade crossing in a quiet 

zone ‘‘must be equipped, no later than 

the quiet zone implementation date, 

with active grade crossing warning 

devices comprising both flashing lights 

and gates which control traffic over the 

crossing.’’ Petitioners request a two-year 

waiver from the regulation ‘‘until the 

design and construction of [a] new 

signal mast and gate arms’’ can be 

completed near two railroad crossings 

(IDs 805664P and 805836V) that are 

within the Woods Cross Quiet Zone. 

In support of its request, Petitioners 

state that the relief pertains only to 

industry tracks where no accidents or 

incidents have occurred since 1979, 

according to FRA’s records. 

Additionally, Petitioners explain that 

the installation of gate arms and ‘‘other 

safety improvements’’ at both crossings 

are currently in process to bring each 

crossing into compliance. 

A copy of the petition, as well as any 

written communications concerning the 

petition, is available for review online at 

www.regulations.gov. 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in these proceedings by 

submitting written views, data, or 

comments. FRA does not anticipate 

scheduling a public hearing in 

connection with these proceedings since 

the facts do not appear to warrant a 

hearing. If any interested party desires 

an opportunity for oral comment and a 

public hearing, they should notify FRA, 

in writing, before the end of the 

comment period and specify the basis 

for their request. 

All communications concerning these 

proceedings should identify the 

appropriate docket number and may be 

submitted at www.regulations.gov. 

Follow the online instructions for 

submitting comments. 

Communications received by March 

17, 2025 will be considered by FRA 

before final action is taken. Comments 

received after that date will be 

considered if practicable. Anyone can 

search the electronic form of any written 

communications and comments 

received into any of the U.S. 

Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 

dockets by the name of the individual 

submitting the comment (or signing the 

document, if submitted on behalf of an 

association, business, labor union, etc.). 

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 

comments from the public to better 

inform its processes. DOT posts these 

comments, without edit, including any 

personal information the commenter 

provides, to www.regulations.gov, as 

described in the system of records 

notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can 

be reviewed at https://

www.transportation.gov/privacy. See 

also https://www.regulations.gov/ 

privacy-notice for the privacy notice of 

regulations.gov. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1