Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2017 / Notices 48739 

Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad 

Administration, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, 

DC 20590 (Telephone: (202) 493–6132). 

(These telephone numbers are not toll 

free.) 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 

44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its 

implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 

1320, require Federal agencies to issue 

two notices seeking public comment on 

information collection activities before 

OMB may approve paperwork packages. 

44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 

1320.8(d)(1), and 1320.12. On June 30, 

2017, FRA published a 60-day notice in 

the Federal Register soliciting comment 

on the ICRs for which it is now seeking 

OMB approval. See 82 FR 29976. FRA 

received no comments in response to 

the notice. The summaries below 

describe the ICRs and their expected 

burden. FRA is submitting these 

renewal requests for clearance by OMB, 

as the PRA requires. 

Before OMB decides whether to 

approve these proposed collections of 

information, it must provide 30 days for 

public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 

5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires 

OMB to approve or disapprove 

paperwork packages between 30 and 60 

days after the 30-day notice is 

published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)–(c); 5 CFR 

1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, 

Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes the 30-day 

notice informs the regulated community 

to file relevant comments and affords 

the agency adequate time to digest 

public comments before it renders a 

decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. 

Therefore, respondents should submit 

their respective comments to OMB 

within 30 days of publication. 5 CFR 

1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 

29, 1995. 

Comments are invited on the 

following ICRs regarding: (1) Whether 

the information collection activities are 

necessary for FRA to properly execute 

its functions, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(2) the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of 

the burden of the information collection 

activities, including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used to 

determine the estimates; (3) ways for 

FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information being 

collected; and (4) ways to minimize the 

burden of information collection 

activities on the public, including the 

use of automated collection techniques 

or other forms of information 

technology. 

Title: Railroad Operating Rules. 

OMB Control Number: 2130–0035. 

Abstract: Title 49 CFR 217 requires 

Class I and Class II railroads to file with 

FRA copies of their operating rules, 

timetables, timetable special 

instructions, and subsequent 

amendments (49 CFR 217.7(a) and (b)), 

while Class III railroads are required to 

retain copies of these documents at their 

systems headquarters (49 CFR 217.7(c)). 

Also, 49 CFR 220.21(b) requires 

railroads to retain one copy of their 

current operating rules with respect to 

radio communications at a specified 

location. These railroads are also 

required to retain one copy of each 

subsequent amendment thereto. These 

documents must be made available to 

FRA upon request. FRA uses the 

information collected to determine the 

railroads’ rules and practices with 

respect to train operations and 

instructions provided by the railroads to 

their operating employees. 

Type of Request: Extension with 

change of a currently approved 

information collection. 

Affected Public: Businesses. 

Form(s): N/A. 

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 

188,591,125. 

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 

4,797,590 hours. 

Title: Track Safety Standards; 

Concrete Crossties. 

OMB Control Number: 2130–0592. 

Abstract: On April 1, 2011, FRA 

amended 49 CFR 213 (Track Safety 

Standards) to ensure safe operations 

over track constructed with concrete 

crossties. FRA issued specific 

requirements for effective concrete 

crossties, rail fastening systems 

connected to concrete crossties, and 

automated inspections of track 

constructed with concrete crossties. 

FRA uses the information collected 

under 49 CFR 213.234 to ensure that 

automated track inspections of track 

constructed with concrete crossties are 

carried out as specified in this section 

to supplement visual inspections by 

Class I and Class II railroads, intercity 

passenger railroads, and commuter 

railroads or small governmental 

jurisdictions that serve populations 

greater than 50,000. 

Type of Request: Extension with 

change of a currently approved 

information collection. 

Affected Public: Businesses. 

Form(s): N/A. 

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 

2,318. 

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 

4,875 hours. 

Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 

1320.5(b) and 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA 

informs all interested parties that it may 

not conduct or sponsor, and a 

respondent is not required to respond to 

a collection of information, unless it 

displays a currently valid OMB control 

number. 

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. 

Brett A. Jortland, 

Acting Deputy Chief Counsel. 

[FR Doc. 2017–22650 Filed 10–18–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

Petition for Exemption From the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Motor Theft 

Prevention Standard; General Motors 

Corporation 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration, Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. 

SUMMARY: This document grants in full 

General Motors Corporation’s (GM) 

petition for an exemption of the Cadillac 

XT4 vehicle line in accordance with 

Exemption from the Theft Prevention 

Standard. 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 

Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention 

Standard (Theft Prevention Standard). 

DATES: The exemption granted by this 

notice is effective beginning with the 

2019 model year (MY). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Hisham Mohamed, Office of 

International Policy, Fuel Economy, and 

Consumer Standards, NHTSA, W43– 

437, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Mohamed’s 

phone number is (202) 366–0307. His 

fax number is (202) 493–2990. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 

petition dated May 29, 2017, GM 

requested an exemption from the partsmarking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard for its Cadillac XT4 

vehicle line beginning with MY 2019. 

The petition requested an exemption 

from parts-marking pursuant to 49 CFR 

543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft 

Prevention Standard, based on the 

installation of an antitheft device as 

standard equipment for the entire 

vehicle line. 

Under 49 CFR part 543.5(a), a 

manufacturer may petition NHTSA to 

grant an exemption for one vehicle line 

per model year. In its petition, GM 


rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with NOTICES
48740 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2017 / Notices 

provided a detailed description and 

diagram of the identity, design, and 

location of the components of the 

antitheft device for the Cadillac XT4 

vehicle line. GM will install the PASSKey III+ antitheft device as standard 

equipment on its Cadillac XT4 vehicle 

line. The PASS-Key III+ is a passive, 

transponder-based, electronic 

immobilizer device. The major 

components of the antitheft device are 

a PASS-Key III+ controller module, 

engine control module (ECM), 

electronically-coded ignition key, radio 

frequency (RF) receiver, immobilizer 

exciter module, three low frequency 

antennas and a passive antenna module. 

GM stated that the device will provide 

protection against unauthorized use 

(i.e., starting and engine fueling), but 

will not provide any visible or audible 

indication of unauthorized vehicle entry 

(i.e., flashing lights or horn alarm). GM 

stated that the PASS-Key III+ 

immobilizer device is designed to be 

active at all times without direct 

intervention by the vehicle operator. 

GM further stated that activation of the 

device occurs immediately after the 

ignition has been turned off and the key 

has been removed and deactivation of 

the antitheft device occurs 

automatically when the engine is 

started. GM stated that the Cadillac XT4 

vehicle line will be equipped with one 

of two ignition versions. Specifically, 

the Cadillac XT4 will be equipped with 

either a keyed or keyless ignition 

version of its PASS-Key III+ 

immobilizer antitheft device. GM also 

stated that the ‘‘keyed’’ ignition version 

utilizes a special ignition key and 

decoder module and its electrical code 

must be sensed and properly decoded 

by the controller module before the 

vehicle can be operated. GM further 

stated that with the ‘‘keyless’’ ignition 

version, an electronic key fob performs 

normal remote keyless entry functions 

and communicates with the vehicle 

without direct owner intervention. 

Specifically, during operation of the 

vehicle, when the owner presses the 

engine start/stop switch, the vehicle 

transmits a randomly generated 

challenge and vehicle identifier within 

the passenger compartment of the 

vehicle via three low-frequency 

antennas, controlled by the passive 

antenna module. The electronic key 

receives the data and if the vehicle 

identifier matches that of the vehicle, 

the electronic key will calculate the 

response to the vehicle using the 

challenge and secret information shared 

between the key and the vehicle. The 

electronic key then transmits the 

response via a radio frequency channel 

to a vehicle mounted receiver, 

conveying the information to the PASSKey III+ control module. The PASS-Key 

III+ control module compares the 

received response with an internally 

calculated response. If the values match, 

the device will allow the vehicle to 

enter functional modes and transmit a 

fixed code pre-release password to the 

engine controller over the serial data 

bus, and enable computation and 

communication of a response to any 

valid challenge received from the engine 

controller. If a valid key is not detected, 

the device will not transmit a fixed code 

pre-release password to the engine 

controller preventing fuel from being 

delivered to the engine, enabling 

starting. 

GM’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. 

In addressing the specific content 

requirements of 543.6, GM provided 

information on the reliability and 

durability of its proposed device. To 

ensure reliability and durability of the 

device, GM conducted tests based on its 

own specified standards. GM provided 

a detailed list of the specific tests it used 

to validate the integrity, durability and 

reliability of the PASS-Key III+ device. 

Some of the tests GM conducted were 

for high temperature storage, low 

temperature storage, thermal shock, 

humidity, frost, salt fog, flammability 

and others. GM believes that the device 

is reliable and durable since the 

components must operate as designed 

after each test. GM further stated that 

the design and assembly processes of 

the PASS-Key III+ subsystem and 

components are validated for 10 years of 

vehicle life and 150,000 miles of 

performance. 

GM further stated that the PASS-Key 

III+ device has been designed to 

enhance the functionality and theft 

protection provided by its first, second 

and third generation PASS-Key, PASSKey II, and PASS-Key III devices. GM 

also referenced data provided by the 

American Automobile Manufacturers 

Association (AAMA) in support of the 

effectiveness of GM’s PASS-Key devices 

in reducing and deterring motor vehicle 

theft. Specifically, GM stated that data 

which provide the basis for GM’s 

confidence that the PASS-Key 111+ 

system will be effective in reducing and 

deterring motor vehicle theft are 

contained in the response of the 

American Automobile Manufacturers 

Association (AAMA) to Docket 97–042; 

Notice I (NHTSA Request for Comments 

on its Preliminary Report to Congress on 

the Effects of the Anti Car Theft Act of 

1992 and the Motor Vehicle Theft Law 

Enforcement Act of 1984). In the Report 

to Congress, AAMA stated the more 

recent antitheft systems are more 

effective in reducing auto theft. AAMA 

also cited the Highway Loss Data 

Institute (HLDI) findings on the 

effectiveness of antitheft devices in 

reducing theft. AAMA noted that 

vehicles with antitheft devices are less 

likely to be stolen for joyriding or 

transportation and therefore, their 

recovery rates are lower. 

GM also noted that theft rate data 

have indicated a decline in theft rates 

for vehicle lines equipped with 

comparable devices that have received 

full exemptions from the parts-marking 

requirements. GM stated that the theft 

rate data, as provided by the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime 

Information Center (NCIC) and 

compiled by the agency, show that theft 

rates are lower for exempted GM models 

equipped with the PASS-Key-like 

systems than the theft rates for earlier 

models with similar appearance and 

construction that were parts-marked. 

Based on the performance of the PASSKey, PASS-Key II, and PASS-Key III 

devices on other GM models, and the 

advanced technology utilized in PASSKey III+, GM believes that the PASS-Key 

III+ device will be more effective in 

deterring theft than the parts-marking 

requirements of 49 CFR part 541. 

Additionally, GM stated that the 

model year (MY) 2014 Cadillac CTS and 

SRX theft rates (per 1000 vehicles 

produced) are below the 1990/1991 

median rate of 3.5826. Specifically, the 

theft for the MY 2014 Cadillac CTS is 

0.3546 and 0.8481 for the MY 2014 

Cadillac SRX vehicle line. Since the 

same antitheft device will be used on 

the 2019 MY Cadillac XT4, GM believes 

the statistical data indicates that this 

vehicle will also have an acceptable 

theft rate to obtain an exemption from 

the parts marking requirements of 49 

CFR part 541. GM was granted an 

exemption from the parts-marking 

requirements by the agency for the 

Cadillac CTS vehicle line beginning 

with MY 2011 (See 74 FR 62385, 

November 27, 2009). The average theft 

rate for the Cadillac CTS and SRX 

vehicle lines, based on NHTSA’s theft 

rate data, using 3 MYs data (MYs 2012– 

2014) are 0.8518 and 0.6020 

respectively. 

GM further stated that it believes that 

PASS-Key III+ devices will be more 

effective in deterring theft than the 

parts-marking requirements and that the 

agency should find that inclusion of the 

PASS-Key III+ device on the Cadillac 

XT4 vehicle line is sufficient to qualify 


rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2017 / Notices 48741 

it for full exemption from the partsmarking requirements. 

GM’s proposed device lacks an 

audible or visible alarm. Therefore, this 

device cannot perform one of the 

functions listed in 49 CFR part 

543.6(a)(3), that is, to call attention to 

unauthorized attempts to enter or move 

the vehicle. Based on comparison of the 

reduction in the theft rates of Chevrolet 

Corvettes using a passive antitheft 

device along with an audible/visible 

alarm system to the reduction in theft 

rates for the Chevrolet Camaro and the 

Pontiac Firebird models equipped with 

a passive antitheft device without an 

alarm, GM finds that the lack of an 

alarm or attention-attracting device does 

not compromise the theft deterrent 

performance of a device such as PASSKey III+ device. In these instances, the 

agency has concluded that the lack of an 

audible or visible alarm has not 

prevented these antitheft devices from 

being effective protection against theft. 

Based on the evidence submitted by 

GM, the agency believes that the 

antitheft device for the Cadillac XT4 

vehicle line is likely to be as effective 

in reducing and deterring motor vehicle 

theft as compliance with the partsmarking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard (49 CFR 541). 

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 

CFR 543.7(b), the agency grants a 

petition for exemption from the partsmarking requirements of Part 541, either 

in whole or in part, if it determines that, 

based upon substantial evidence, the 

standard equipment antitheft device is 

likely to be as effective in reducing and 

deterring motor vehicle theft as 

compliance with the parts-marking 

requirements of Part 541. The agency 

finds that GM has provided adequate 

reasons for its belief that the antitheft 

device for the Cadillac XT4 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 part 541). This 

conclusion is based on the information 

GM provided about its device. 

The agency concludes that the device 

will provide four of the five types of 

performance listed in § 543.6(a)(3): 

Promoting activation; 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. 

For the foregoing reasons, the agency 

hereby grants in full GM’s petition for 

exemption for the Cadillac XT4 vehicle 

line from the parts-marking 

requirements of 49 CFR part 541, 

beginning with its model year (MY) 

2019 vehicles. The agency notes that 49 

CFR part 541, Appendix A–1, identifies 

those lines that are exempted from the 

Theft Prevention Standard for a given 

model year. 49 CFR part 543.7(f) 

contains publication requirements 

incident to the disposition of all Part 

543 petitions. Advanced listing, 

including the release of future product 

nameplates, the beginning model year 

for which the petition is granted and a 

general description of the antitheft 

device is necessary in order to notify 

law enforcement agencies of new 

vehicle lines exempted from the parts 

marking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard. 

If GM decides not to use the 

exemption for this line, it should 

formally notify the agency. If such a 

decision is made, the line must be fully 

marked according to the requirements 

under 49 CFR parts 541.5 and 541.6 

(marking of major component parts and 

replacement parts). 

NHTSA notes that if GM 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 

antitheft device on which the line’s 

exemption is based. Further, Part 

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 in drafting 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. 

Issued in Washington, DC, under authority 

delegated in 49 CFR Part 1.95. 

Raymond R. Posten, 

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. 

[FR Doc. 2017–22660 Filed 10–18–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

Petition for Exemption From the 

Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention 

Standard; Fiat Chrysler Automobiles 

US LLC 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption. 

SUMMARY: This document grants in full 

the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC’s, 

(FCA) petition for exemption of the Jeep 

Wrangler vehicle line in accordance 

with 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from 

Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard. 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 partsmarking requirements of the Federal 

Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention 

Standard. (Theft Prevention Standard). 

DATES: The exemption granted by this 

notice is effective beginning with 2018 

model year (MY). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Carlita Ballard, International Policy, 

Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, 

NHTSA, West Building, W43–439, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. Ms. Ballard’s phone number 

is (202) 366–5222. Her fax number is 

(202) 493–2990. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 

petition dated June 2, 2017, FCA 

requested an exemption from the partsmarking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard for its Jeep 

Wrangler vehicle line beginning with 

MY 2018. The petition requested an 

exemption from parts-marking pursuant 

to 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from 

Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard, 

based on the installation of an antitheft 

device as standard equipment for the 

entire vehicle line. 

Under 49 CFR part 543.5(a), a 

manufacturer may petition NHTSA to 

grant an exemption for one vehicle line 

per model year. In its petition, FCA 

provided a detailed description and 

diagram of the identity, design, and 

location of the components of the 

antitheft device for its Jeep Wrangler 

vehicle line. FCA stated that its MY 

2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicle line will be 

installed with the Sentry Key 

Immobilizer System (SKIS) antitheft 

device as standard equipment on the 

entire vehicle line. The SKIS will 

provide passive vehicle protection by 


rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with NOTICES