70658 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 224 / Tuesday, November 22, 2005 / Notices 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

Petition for Exemption From the 

Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; 

DaimlerChrysler 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. 

SUMMARY: This notice grants in full the 

petition of DaimlerChrysler Corporation 

(DaimlerChrysler) for an exemption in 

accordance with § 543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR 

part 543, Exemption from the Theft 

Prevention Standard, for the Chrysler 

300C vehicle line beginning with model 

year (MY) 2006. This petition is granted 

because the agency has determined that 

the antitheft device to be placed on the 

line as standard equipment is likely to 

be as effective in reducing and deterring 

motor vehicle theft as compliance with 

the parts-marking requirements of the 

Theft Prevention Standard. 

DATES: The exemption granted by this 

notice is effective beginning with model 

year (MY) 2006. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Rosalind Proctor, Office of International 

Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer 

Programs, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, 

SW., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. 

Proctor’s telephone number is (202) 

366–0846. Her fax number is (202) 493–

2290. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 

petition dated August 13, 2005, 

DaimlerChrysler requested an 

exemption from the parts-marking 

requirements of the theft prevention 

standard (49 CFR part 541) for the 

Chrysler 300C vehicle line. The petition 

has been filed pursuant to 49 CFR Part 

543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft 

Prevention Standard, based on the 

installation of an antitheft device as 

standard equipment for an entire 

vehicle line. DaimlerChrysler’s 

submission is considered a complete 

petition as required by 49 CFR 543.7, in 

that it meets the general requirements 

contained in § 543.5 and the specific 

content requirements of § 543.6. Under 

§ 543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition 

NHTSA to grant exemptions for one line 

of its vehicle lines per year. 

DaimlerChrysler stated that all 

Chrysler 300C vehicles would be 

equipped with a standard Sentry Key 

Immobilizer System (SKIS) antitheft 

device. In its petition, DaimlerChrysler 

provided a detailed description and 

diagram of the identity, design, and 

location of the components of the 

antitheft device for the vehicle line. The 

SKIS antitheft device to be installed on 

the Chrysler 300C is a transponderbased, passive immobilizer antitheft 

device designed to provide protection 

against unauthorized vehicle use. The 

immobilizer feature is activated when 

the key is removed from the ignition 

switch. Once activated, only a valid key 

inserted into the ignition switch will 

disable immobilization and allow the 

vehicle to start and continue to run. The 

antitheft device does not provide any 

visible or audible indication of 

unauthorized entry by means of flashing 

vehicle lights or sounding of the horn. 

The SKIS consists of the Sentry Key 

Remote Entry Module (SKREEM), the 

Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and 

the Sentry Key, which collectively 

perform the immobilizer function. The 

SKREEM is the primary component of 

the SKIS. When the ignition switch is 

turned to the ‘‘ON’’ position, the 

SKREEM transmits a radio frequency 

(RF) signal to the transponder in the 

ignition key. If the response received 

identifies the key as valid, the SKREEM 

sends a valid key message to PCM over 

the PCI data bus, and the PCM allows 

the engine to continue to run. To avoid 

any perceived delay when starting the 

vehicle with a valid key and to prevent 

unburned fuel from entering the 

exhaust, the engine is permitted to run 

for no more than 2 seconds if an invalid 

key is used. If the response identifies 

the key as invalid, or if no response is 

received from the key transponder, the 

SKREEM sends an invalid key message 

to the PCM. The PCM will disable 

engine operation (after the initial 2 

second run) based upon the status of the 

SKREEM messages. 

According to DaimlerChrysler, each 

ignition key used in the antitheft device 

has an integral transponder chip 

included on the circuit board. The 

ignition key must be cut to match the 

mechanical coding of the ignition lock 

cylinder and programmed for operation 

of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) 

system. Additionally, each new key is 

programmed with a unique transponder 

identification code by the manufacturer 

and must be recognized by the SKREES 

as a valid key. The Sentry Key 

transponder cannot be adjusted or 

repaired. If it is faulty or damaged, the 

entire key and RKE must be replaced. 

In addressing the specific content 

requirements of 543.6, DaimlerChrysler 

provided information on the reliability 

and durability of its device. To ensure 

the reliability and durability of the 

device, it conducted tests based on its 

own specified standards. 

DaimlerChrysler provided information 

on tests conducted and believes that the 

device is reliable and durable since the 

device complied with its specified 

requirements for each test. 

DaimlerChrysler stated that all of the 

devices undergo a series of three 

functional tests prior to being shipped 

from the supplier to the vehicle 

assembly plant for installation in the 

vehicles. Additionally, the antitheft 

device incorporates an indicator light to 

convey information on the status of the 

system to the customer. 

DaimlerChrysler believes that the 

immobilizer system proposed for the 

Chrysler 300C will be at least as 

effective as compliance with the partsmarking requirements of the theft 

prevention standard. DaimlerChrysler 

stated that its experience with vehicles 

subject to the parts-marking requirement 

that are subsequently equipped with 

ignition immobilizer systems as 

standard equipment indicate that even 

lower theft rates can be expected from 

vehicles equipped with standard 

ignition immobilizer systems as that 

proposed. 

For supportive purposes, 

DaimlerChrysler offered the Jeep Grand 

Cherokee vehicles as an example of 

vehicles subject to Part 541 partsmarking requirements that subsequently 

are equipped with ignition immobilizer 

systems as standard equipment. 

NHTSA’s theft rates for the Jeep Grand 

Cherokee vehicles for model years 1995 

through 1998 were 5.5545, 7.0188, 

4.3163, and 4.3557, respectively, all 

significantly higher than the 1990/1991 

median theft rate. DaimlerChrysler 

indicated that, since the introduction of 

immobilizer systems as standard 

equipment on the Jeep Grand Cherokee 

vehicles, the average theft rate for the 

MY 1999 through 2003 is 2.6537, which 

is significantly lower than the 1990/ 

1991 median theft rate of 3.5826. The 

Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles were 

granted an exemption from the partsmarking requirements beginning with 

MY 2004 vehicles. 

On the basis of this comparison, 

DaimlerChrysler has concluded that the 

proposed antitheft device is no less 

effective than those devices installed on 

lines for which NHTSA has already 

granted full exemption from the partsmarking requirements. 

Based on the evidence submitted by 

DaimlerChrysler, the agency believes 

that the antitheft device for the Chrysler 

300C vehicle line is likely to be as 

effective in reducing and deterring 

motor vehicle theft as compliance with 

the parts-marking requirements of the 

Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR 541). 

The agency concludes that the device 

will provide four of the five types of 

performance listed in § 543.6(a)(3): 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 224 / Tuesday, November 22, 2005 / Notices 70659 

Promoting activation; attracting 

attention to the efforts of unauthorized 

persons to enter or operate a vehicle by 

means other than a key; preventing 

defeat or circumvention of the device by 

unauthorized persons; preventing 

operation of the vehicle by 

unauthorized entrants; and ensuring the 

reliability and durability of the device. 

As required by 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 

49 CFR 543.6 (a)(4) and (5), the agency 

finds that DaimlerChrysler has provided 

adequate reasons for its belief that the 

antitheft device will reduce and deter 

theft. This conclusion is based on the 

information DaimlerChrysler provided 

about its device. For the foregoing 

reasons, the agency hereby grants in full 

DaimlerChrysler petition for exemption 

for the vehicle line from the partsmarking requirements of 49 CFR Part 

541. 

If DaimlerChrysler decides not to use 

the exemption for this line, it must 

formally notify the agency, and, 

thereafter, the line must be fully marked 

as required by 49 CFR Parts 541.5 and 

541.6 (marking of major component 

parts and replacement parts). 

NHTSA notes that if DaimlerChrysler 

wishes in the future to modify the 

device on which this exemption is 

based, the company may have to submit 

a petition to modify the exemption. Part 

543.7(d) states that a Part 543 exemption 

applies only to vehicles that belong to 

a line exempted under this part and 

equipped with the anti-theft device on 

which the line’s exemption is based. 

Further, ‘‘543.9(c)(2) provides for the 

submission of petitions ‘‘to modify an 

exemption to permit the use of an 

antitheft device similar to but differing 

from the one specified in that 

exemption.’’

The agency wishes to minimize the 

administrative burden that Part 

543.9(c)(2) could place on exempted 

vehicle manufacturers and itself. The 

agency did not intend Part 543 to 

require the submission of a modification 

petition for every change to the 

components or design of an antitheft 

device. The significance of many such 

changes could be de minimis. Therefore, 

NHTSA suggests that if the 

manufacturer contemplates making any 

changes the effects of which might be 

characterized as de minimis, it should 

consult the agency before preparing and 

submitting a petition to modify. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33106; delegation of 

authority at 49 CFR 1.50. 

Issued on: November 21, 2005. 

Stephen R. Kratzke, 

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. 

[FR Doc. 05–23036 Filed 11–21–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Surface Transportation Board 

[STB Finance Docket No. 34778] 

BNSF Railway Company—Temporary 

Trackage Rights Exemption—Union 

Pacific Railroad Company 

Union Pacific Railroad Company 

(UP), has agreed to grant limited 

temporary overhead trackage rights to 

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) for 

eastbound trains on: (1) UP’s Dallas 

Subdivision from Tower 55 at Fort 

Worth, TX (milepost 245.3), to 

Longview, TX (milepost 89.6); (2) UP’s 

Little Rock Subdivision from Longview 

(milepost 89.6), to North Little Rock, AR 

(milepost 343.6); (3) UP’s Hoxie 

Subdivision from North Little Rock, AR 

(milepost 343.6), to Bald Knob, AR 

(milepost 287.9); and (4) UP’s Memphis 

Subdivision between Bald Knob 

(milepost 287.9) to Kentucky Street, 

Memphis, TN (milepost 378.1), a 

distance of approximately 542.2 miles. 

UP has also agreed to grant limited 

temporary overhead trackage rights to 

BNSF for westbound trains on: (1) UP’s 

Memphis Subdivision from Kentucky 

Street to Briark, AR (milepost 375.3); (2) 

UP’s Brinkley Sub (milepost 4.1) to 

Brinkley, AR (milepost 70.6); (3) UP’s 

Jonesboro Subdivision (milepost 200.5) 

to Pine Bluff, AR (milepost 264.2); (4) 

UP’s Pine Bluff Subdivision (milepost 

264.2) to Big Sandy, TX (milepost 

525.1); and (5) UP’s Dallas Subdivision 

(milepost 114.5) to Tower 55, TX 

(milepost 245.3), a distance of 

approximately 526.3 miles. 

The transaction was scheduled to be 

consummated on November 10, 2005, 

and the temporary trackage rights will 

expire on December 23, 2005. The 

purpose of the temporary trackage rights 

is to allow BNSF to bridge its trains 

while its main lines are out of service 

due to programmed track, roadbed, and 

structural maintenance. 

As a condition to this exemption, any 

employee affected by the acquisition of 

the temporary trackage rights will be 

protected by the conditions imposed in 

Norfolk and Western Ry. Co.—Trackage 

Rights—BN, 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as 

modified in Mendocino Coast Ry., Inc.—

Lease and Operate, 360 I.C.C. 653 

(1980), and any employee affected by 

the discontinuance of those trackage 

rights will be protected by the 

conditions set out in Oregon Short Line 

R. Co.—Abandonment—Goshen, 360 

I.C.C. 91 (1979). 

This notice is filed under 49 CFR 

1180.2(d)(8). If it contains false or 

misleading information, the exemption 

is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the 

exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) 

may be filed at any time. The filing of 

a petition to revoke will not 

automatically stay the transaction. 

An original and 10 copies of all 

pleadings, referring to STB Finance 

Docket No. 34778, must be filed with 

the Surface Transportation Board, 1925 

K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423–

0001. In addition, a copy of each 

pleading must be served on Michael E. 

Roper, Senior General Attorney, BNSF 

Railway Company, P.O. Box 961039, 

Fort Worth, TX 76161–0039. 

Board decisions and notices are 

available on our Web site at http:// 

www.stb.dot.gov. 

Decided: November 15, 2005. 

By the Board, David M. Konschnik, 

Director, Office of Proceedings. 

Vernon A. Williams, 

Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 05–22989 Filed 11–21–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4915–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

Fiscal Service 

Financial Management Service; 

Proposed Collection of Information: 

Minority Bank Deposit Program 

(MBDP) Certification Form for 

Admission 

AGENCY: Financial Management Service, 

Fiscal Service, Treasury. 

ACTION: Notice and Request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The Financial Management 

Service, as part of its continuing effort 

to reduce paperwork and respondent 

burden, invites the general public and 

other Federal agencies to take this 

opportunity to comment on a 

continuing information collection. By 

this notice, the Financial Management 

Service solicits comments concerning 

form FMS 3144 ‘‘Minority Bank Deposit 

Program (MBDP) Certification Form for 

Admission’’. 

DATES: Written comments should be 

received on or before January 23, 2006. 

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments 

to Financial Management Service, 3700 

East West Highway, Records and 

Information Management Program Staff, 

Room 135, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the form and instructions 

should be directed to Mary Bailey, Bank 

Policy and Oversight Division, 401 14th 

Street, SW., Room 317, Washington, DC 

20227, (202) 874–7055. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Pursuant to 

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,