Document ID: NHTSA-2009-0175-0001
Agency: nhtsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Air Brake Systems
Posted Date: 2009-11-13T05:00Z

[Federal Register: November 13, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 218)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 58562-58567]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no09-10]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2009-0175]
RIN 2127-AK62

 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Air Brake Systems

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Final Rule; partial response to petitions for reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: On July 27, 2009, NHTSA published a final rule that amended 
the Federal motor vehicle safety standard for air brake systems by 
requiring substantial improvements in stopping distance performance. In 
response, the agency received eight petitions for reconsideration. This 
document responds to those petitions by correcting errors in a table 
published in the final rule, removing a testing specification, and 
adjusting the compliance date for a small number of vehicles the agency 
had not fully accounted for in the final rule. This document provides a 
partial response to the submitted petitions for reconsideration.

DATES: This final rule is effective November 24, 2009.
    Petitions for reconsideration: Petitions for reconsideration of 
this final rule must be received not later than December 28, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Any petitions for reconsideration should refer to the docket 
number of this document and be submitted to: Administrator, National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
West Building, Ground Floor, Docket Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
    The petition will be placed in the docket. Anyone is able to search 
the electronic form of all documents received into any of our dockets 
by the name of the individual submitting the document (or signing the 
document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor 
union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in 
the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; 
Pages 19477-78).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical issues: Jeff Woods, 
Office of Crash Avoidance Standards (NVS-121), NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., West Building, Washington, DC 20590 (Telephone: (202) 366-
0098) (Fax: (202) 366-7002).
    For legal issues: Ari Scott, Office of the Chief Counsel (NCC-112), 
NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, Washington, DC 20590 
(Telephone: (202) 366-2992) (Fax: (202) 366-3820).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Petitions for Reconsideration and Agency Analysis
    A. Four-Axle Tractors With a GVWR Under 59,600 Pounds
    B. Definition of Typical Three-Axle Tractors
    C. Fuel Tank Loading Specification
    D. Typographical Corrections
    E. Stopping Distances at Reduced Test Speeds
III. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
    A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures
    B. Privacy Act
    C. Other Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
IV. Regulatory Text

I. Background

    On July 27, 2009, NHTSA published a final rule \1\ in the Federal 
Register (74 FR 37122) amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
(FMVSS) No. 121, Air Brake Systems, to require improved stopping 
distance performance for heavy truck tractors. This rule reduced the 
maximum allowable stopping distance, from 60 mph, from 355 feet to 250 
feet for the vast majority of heavy truck tractors. For a small 
minority of very heavy tractors, the maximum allowable stopping 
distance was reduced from 355 feet to 310 feet. Having come to the 
conclusion that modifications needed for ``typical three-axle 
tractors,'' to meet the improved requirements were relatively 
straightforward, NHTSA provided two years lead time for those vehicles 
to comply with the new requirements. These typical three-axle tractors 
comprise approximately 82 percent of the total fleet of heavy tractors. 
The agency concluded that other tractors, which are produced in far 
fewer numbers and may require additional work to ensure stability and 
control while braking, would require more lead time to meet the 
requirements. Due to extra time needed to design, test, and validate 
these vehicles, which included two-axle tractors and severe service 
tractors, the agency allowed four years lead time for these tractors to 
meet the improved stopping distance requirements.
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    \1\ Docket  NHTSA-2009-0083.

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[[Page 58563]]

II. Petitions for Reconsideration and Agency Analysis

    NHTSA received eight timely petitions for reconsideration in 
response to the final rule. Separate petitions were received from the 
Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA); the Heavy Duty Brake 
Manufacturers Council of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association 
(HDBMC); Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (Bendix), a joint venture 
between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Dana Corporation; and 
ArvinMeritor. The agency received four additional petitions supporting 
and incorporating the TMA petition by reference from Daimler Trucks 
North America (Daimler); Kenworth Truck Company (Kenworth); Peterbilt 
Motors Company (Peterbilt); and Navistar Truck Group (Navistar).
    The petitions focused on four main issues, as well as identified 
some typographical errors in the final rule. The main issues included 
the stopping distance requirements for reduced speeds, the omission of 
four-axle tractors under 59,600 pounds gross vehicle weight rating 
(GVWR) from the listed requirements and the date at which the improved 
stopping distance requirements should apply to those tractors, the 
manner in which NHTSA characterized the typical three-axle tractor, and 
the fuel tank fill level testing specification. Additionally, the 
petitioners requested that NHTSA correct some typographical errors in 
the regulatory text.
    This final rule addresses all issues except those relating to 
stopping distance requirements at reduced speeds. With regard to that 
issue, the agency is closely examining the petitions and working to 
formulate a comprehensive response. However, we are addressing the 
other issues in this document. The reason for this two-part approach is 
that, because the agency omitted to address lead time requirements for 
tractors with four or more axles and a GVWR of 59,600 pounds or less, 
and given the way this final rule was drafted the amended regulation 
inadvertently requires these vehicles to comply with the upgraded 
stopping distance requirements on November 24, 2009. We recognize that 
this would not provide nearly enough time to design and validate 
compliant tractors, and as the agency intended to provide sufficient 
time to modify these vehicles in the final rule, a prompt amendment is 
needed to correct this omission. The specific issues of the petitions 
are addressed below.

A. Four-Axle Tractors With a GVWR Less Than or Equal to 59,600 Pounds

    In the final rule, the agency omitted addressing a compliance date 
for tractors with four or more axles that have a GVWR of less than or 
equal to 59,600 pounds. Moreover, given the way the final rule was 
drafted, these tractors would inadvertently be required to comply with 
the requirements in Table II on November 24, 2009. Manufacturers were 
given either a two- or four-year lead time before all other tractors 
were required to meet the improved stopping distances in Table II. 
Specifically, typical three-axle tractors are required to comply with 
the upgraded requirements on August 1, 2011, while all other tractors 
are required to comply on August 1, 2013.
    The issue of lead time for tractors with four or more axles less 
than or equal to 59,600 pounds GVWR was raised by a number of 
petitioners. TMA noted their omission, and requested that NHTSA amend 
the rule so that these tractors are required to comply with the 
improved stopping distances on August 1, 2013, which would provide four 
years lead time. HDBMC made an identical request. Bendix also noted the 
omission, although did not provide a recommended lead time.
    It was not the agency's intention to omit tractors with four or 
more axles and a GVWR of 59,600 pounds or less from the optional 
requirements of Table IIa, and therefore require them to comply with 
the upgraded requirements in November 2009. Instead, the agency 
acknowledges that these tractors require lead time commensurate with 
other non-typical tractors for purposes of design, testing, and 
validation. Therefore, for the reasons discussed below, NHTSA is 
accepting the recommendation of TMA, HDBMC, and Bendix, and requiring 
compliance with the improved standards for tractors with four or more 
axles and a GVWR of less than or equal to 59,600 pounds by August 1, 
2013, thereby giving four years of lead time.
    In deciding to allow four years of lead time, instead of two years, 
the agency used the same rationale concerning appropriate lead time as 
that discussed in the final rule. In the rule, we allowed two years of 
lead time for typical three-axle tractors because we believed that the 
improvements needed to shorten the stopping distances to meet the new 
requirements were relatively straightforward, and that many of these 
tractors would already comply with the new standards. On the other 
hand, we allowed four years lead time for two-axle tractors and severe 
service tractors (defined as tractors with a GVWR of more than 59,600 
pounds) for several reasons. First, for some tractors, we believed that 
meeting the improved stopping distances might require additional 
engineering to address concerns with stability and control issues. 
Second, we noted that unlike ``typical'' three-axle tractors, which 
comprise the overwhelming bulk of the tractor fleet, relatively less 
design work had been done on non-typical tractors, and that more time 
would be needed for design, testing, and validation of new tractor 
designs. Specifically, in the section of the final rule dealing with 
lead time, we stated:

    [O]nly limited development work relevant to reduced stopping 
distance has been performed on [severe service tractors] vehicles to 
date. As several commenters indicated, additional lead time is 
needed for complete testing and validation of new brake systems for 
these vehicles to ensure that full compliance can be achieved, 
without compromising control, stability, and comfort elements 
important to end users.\2\
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    \2\ 74 FR 37154.

    Much like severe service tractors, only limited development work 
relevant to reduced stopping distance has been performed on tractors 
with four or more axles and a GVWR of less than or equal to 59,600 
pounds. The agency believes that this tractor configuration would be 
uncommon, because it has a relatively low GVWR and is equipped with 
four axles. By virtue of it having four axles, we consider that it is 
not a typical three-axle tractor and it should be afforded more lead 
time for design, testing, and validation to meet the new stopping 
distance requirements. Therefore, we believe that manufacturers of 
these tractors should be given until August 1, 2013 to meet the 
improved stopping distance requirements.

B. Definition of Typical Three-Axle Tractors

    TMA and ArvinMeritor raised a concern regarding the manner in which 
NHTSA defined ``typical three-axle tractor'' in the final rule. TMA 
stated that there was a slight, but substantive, discrepancy between 
how NHTSA defined this term in the preamble of the final rule, and how 
it defined it in the regulatory text of the standard. Because of this 
discrepancy, TMA and ArvinMeritor claim that NHTSA puts some tractors 
with severe service characteristics into the category of typical three-
axle tractors, and thus only allows two years lead time to meet the 
improved standards, when it should actually allow manufacturers of 
those tractors four years of lead time. After

[[Page 58564]]

carefully reviewing the TMA and ArvinMeritor petitions, NHTSA agrees 
and is revising the standard to reflect this, for the reasons described 
below.
    In the final rule, NHTSA made the following statement regarding the 
definition of three-axle tractors:

    NHTSA used the same definition for a ``typical three-axle 
tractor'' as TMA and HDBMC, which is a 6x4 configuration (three 
axles with six wheel positions; a non-driven steer axle and two rear 
drive axles) with a GVWR below 59,600 pounds, a steer axle with a 
GAWR equal or less than 14,600 pounds, and tandem drive axles rated 
equal or less than 45,000 pounds total capacity.\3\
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    \3\ 74 FR 37131.

This definition was important, because NHTSA treated typical three-axle 
tractors differently than other tractors, by providing manufacturers 
less lead time to meet the improved requirements for these tractors 
than other tractors. As we stated, ``NHTSA is specifying differing 
compliance dates for typical three-axle tractors on the one hand, and 
two-axle and severe service tractors on the other.'' \4\ However, in 
the text of the regulation, NHTSA used a shorthand method of referring 
to these tractors that, TMA and ArvinMeritor point out, includes some 
tractors that should not be included. Specifically, the text of the 
regulation required that ``three-axle tractors with a GVWR of 59,600 
pounds or less'' \5\ are required to comply with the improved 
requirements by August 1, 2011.
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    \4\ 74 FR 37154.
    \5\ See paragraph S5 of 49 CFR 571.121.
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    By using the overall GVWR of the tractor in the regulation, as 
opposed to specifying the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the 
specific axles, NHTSA incorporated some tractors into the category of 
``typical three-axle tractors'' that should not have been included. For 
example, according to the definition in the preamble, a tractor with a 
steer axle with a GAWR of 18,000 pounds and combined drive axle GAWRs 
of 40,000 pounds would not be considered a typical three-axle tractor. 
We note that, for a tractor of this configuration, the high steer axle 
weight rating is consistent with severe service duty. However, because 
the vehicle would have a GVWR of 58,000 pounds, it would be considered 
a typical three-axle tractor using the ``less than or equal to 59,600 
pounds GVWR'' classification in the regulation.
    We believe that the definition of ``typical three-axle tractors'' 
should be limited to those tractors that meet the definition in the 
preamble of the final rule--that is--have a steer axle GAWR of 14,600 
pounds or less and a combined drive axle GAWR of 45,000 pounds or less. 
NHTSA is aware that a small number of three-axle tractors, used in some 
specialty applications, have heavier steer axles. Much like other 
tractors produced in lower volumes, only limited development work has 
been done on these tractors. Therefore, we believe that manufacturers 
of those tractors require additional lead time to design, test, and 
validate improved braking systems on these tractors. For this reason, 
we are modifying the category of vehicles subject to the two-year lead 
time to three-axle tractors with a front axle (steer axle) less than or 
equal to 14,600 pounds GAWR, and a combined GAWR for the rear two axles 
(drive axles) less than or equal to 45,000 pounds. This more precise 
classification will encompass the typical three-axle tractors NHTSA 
that NHTSA intended it to encompass, without unintentionally including 
a subset of non-typical tractors.

C. Fuel Tank Loading Specification

    In the final rule, NHTSA added a provision to FMVSS No. 121 
specifying the level of fuel in the fuel tank is 100 percent of rated 
capacity at the beginning of testing, and that the level is not less 
than 75 percent of rated capacity during any part of the brake testing. 
We stated that we believed that specifying this will reduce test 
variability. In its petition, TMA requested that NHTSA rescind the fuel 
tank loading specification, both for substantive and procedural 
reasons. First, TMA raised a procedural objection, arguing that NHTSA 
did not provide adequate notice in the notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) that it was considering adding a fuel tank fill specification. 
Second, TMA argued that because tractors are configured with a wide 
range of fuel storage options, specifying the level of fuel carried by 
the vehicle as a proportion of the tank(s) may not reduce test 
variability. Third, TMA stated that the fuel specification may result 
in test complications in certain circumstances, such that a tractor 
with a front axle that is already close to its rated load capacity in 
the bobtail condition can have the front axle weight rating exceeded 
when the additional weight of a roll bar and test equipment is combined 
with full fuel tanks.
    NHTSA has considered TMA's petition on this issue, and has decided 
to remove the fuel tank fill specification from the text of the 
regulation. This decision is based on the procedural question of notice 
alone. Having re-examined the NPRM, we agree that the NPRM did not 
propose a specification for filling the fuel tanks.
    In these circumstances, we believe it is appropriate to briefly 
address a number of the applicable test conditions as they currently 
exist, and will continue to exist after the fuel tank specification is 
removed. FMVSS No. 121 specifies vehicle weight conditions for its test 
requirements, and, in conducting a compliance test, NHTSA follows those 
conditions as it does other test conditions included in the standard.
    FMVSS No. 121 specifies various requirements that vehicles must 
meet in loaded and lightly loaded conditions, including stopping 
distance requirements. S5.3.1 refers to Table I. Table I, Stopping 
Sequence, of FMVSS No. 121 provides that certain tests (including 
stopping distance tests) are conducted with the vehicle at its gross 
vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and certain tests are conducted with the 
vehicle at lightly loaded vehicle weight (LLVW).
    As to the loaded tests, GVWR is a term that is defined at 49 CFR 
571.3. We also note that the standard specifies various other 
conditions related to weight for the loaded tests.
    Lightly loaded vehicle weight is determined by adding specified 
additional weight to a vehicle's unloaded vehicle weight.\6\ The term 
unloaded vehicle weight is defined at 49 CFR 571.3, and means the 
weight of a vehicle with maximum capacity of all fluids necessary for 
operation of the vehicle, but without cargo, occupants, or accessories 
that are ordinarily removed from the vehicle when they are not in use. 
It thus includes the weight of full fuel tanks.
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    \6\ See S4 of 49 CFR 571.105.
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    For the stopping distance tests in a lightly loaded weight 
condition, up to 500 pounds weight (including driver and 
instrumentation) is added to the vehicle's unloaded vehicle weight. At 
the manufacturer's option, an additional amount of weight that is not 
more than 1000 pounds may be added for a roll bar structure. See 
S5.3.1.1 (b) and (c). We note that while different terminology is used 
in some cases in these paragraphs with respect to a vehicle's unloaded 
weight, in a short hand fashion, the meaning is the same. Thus, 
``unloaded weight'' in the latter portions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
S5.3.1.1 of FMVSS No. 121 has the same meaning as ``unloaded vehicle 
weight,'' and the reference to ``tractor only configuration'' at the 
beginning of (b) has the same meaning as ``unloaded vehicle weight.''
    TMA raised a concern about the possible situation of the combined

[[Page 58565]]

weight of full fuel tanks, driver and instrumentation, and a roll bar 
resulting in a vehicle's front axle rating being exceeded. TMA has not 
demonstrated that there is a problem. The regulation has been in place 
for years, and we have not encountered any problems. Roll bars are a 
manufacturer option that manufacturers are not required to select, and 
manufacturers can design their vehicles in ways to avoid this possible 
problem.
    Moreover, as we have explained on a number of occasions, 
manufacturers are not required to test their products in the manner 
specified in the relevant safety standard, or even to test the product 
at all, as their basis for certifying that the product complies with 
all applicable standards. A manufacturer may choose any valid means of 
evaluating its products to determine whether the vehicle or equipment 
will comply with the safety standards when tested by the agency 
according to the procedures specified in the standard and to provide a 
basis for its certification of compliance. Thus, a truck tractor 
manufacturer may certify that a vehicle will comply with the lightly 
loaded option in S5.3.1.1(b) of FMVSS No. 121 that does not include the 
weight of a roll bar without testing in that specific manner.

D. Typographical Corrections

    All petitioners pointed out two typographical errors that appeared 
in the regulatory text of the final rule. First, it was pointed out 
that two-axle tractors were mistakenly omitted from the ``notes'' 
portion of Table II. All petitioners stated that two-axle tractors 
should be added to the note for column three. Second, all petitioners 
pointed out that note three, which at one point reads ``Four of more 
axles,'' should read ``Four or more axles.'' NHTSA is changing the 
tables in the regulatory text to reflect the changes discussed in this 
response to petitions for reconsideration, and will correct these 
errors in that process.

E. Stopping Distances at Reduced Test Speeds

    TMA, HDBMC, and Bendix raised concerns with the new stopping 
distance requirements for tractors that would be subjected to brake 
testing from initial speeds below 60 mph. Requirements in FMVSS No. 121 
provide that if the speed attainable by a tractor in a distance of two 
miles is less than 60 mph, the vehicle shall stop from a speed in Table 
II that is four to eight mph less than the speed attainable in two 
miles. In the final rule, the agency discussed its derivation of the 
stopping distances for reduced test speeds associated with the new 250-
foot, 60 mph stopping distance requirement in Table II.
    Several petitioners raised questions regarding the agency's method 
of calculating the required stopping distance at reduced speeds. HDBMC 
stated that the new stopping distances had not been validated by 
testing at reduced speeds, and stated that limited initial testing by 
HDBMC members showed that tractors were close to meeting, or did not 
meet, the 20 mph, 30-foot stopping distance with a ten-percent margin 
of compliance. HDBMC stated that additional testing is planned and that 
it will share this data with the agency when it is available. TMA and 
Bendix similarly stated that further testing needs to be completed to 
verify the calculations used to determine the stopping distances, and 
TMA requested that the agency withdraw the reduced speed stopping 
distances until it obtains more test data supporting the new 
requirements.
    The agency concludes that it will need more time to complete an 
analysis of this issue and therefore we are not addressing it in this 
document, but we will do so in a subsequent response to petitions for 
reconsideration.

III. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This action partially responds to petitions for reconsideration 
regarding the July 27, 2009 final rule amending FMVSS No. 121. It was 
not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under E.O. 12866. 
The agency has considered the impact of this action under the 
Department of Transportation's regulatory policies and procedures (44 
FR 11034; February 26, 1979), and has determined that it is not 
``significant'' under them.
    This final rule, partial response to petitions for reconsideration 
corrects a table, adjusts the compliance date for a small number of 
truck tractors not fully accounted for in the final rule, and removes a 
testing specification. Today's action will not cause any additional 
expenses for vehicle manufacturers, and will reduce some costs by 
allowing longer compliance time for a small number of truck tractors, 
thereby allowing a more reasonable schedule for improved brake design 
and validation. Due to the relatively small number of tractors affected 
and the fact that this is merely a change in the compliance dates, the 
action will not have any significant safety impacts.

B. Privacy Act

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all documents 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the document (or signing the document, if submitted on 
behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review 
DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published 
on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may 
visit http://docketsinfo.dot.gov/.

C. Other Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

    In the July 27 final rule, the agency discussed relevant 
requirements related to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the National 
Environmental Policy Act, Executive Order 13132 (Federalism), the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, Civil Justice Reform, the National 
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, 
and Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks). As today's rule merely makes minor changes in 
the lead time and test conditions, it will not have any effect on the 
agency's analyses in those areas.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Tires.

IV. Regulatory Text

0
In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA is amending 49 CFR Part 571 as 
follows:

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

0
1. The authority citation for Part 571 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

0
2. Section 571.121 is amended by revising S5, removing S6.1.18, and 
revising Tables II and IIa to read as follows:

Sec.  571.121  Standard No. 121; Air brake systems.

* * * * *
    S5. Requirements. Each vehicle shall meet the following 
requirements under the conditions specified in S6. However, at the 
option of the manufacturer, the following vehicles may meet the 
stopping distance requirements specified in Table IIa instead of Table 
II: Three-axle tractors with a front axle that has a GAWR of 14,600 
pounds or less, and with two rear axles that have a combined GAWR of 
45,000 pounds or

[[Page 58566]]

less, that are manufactured before August 1, 2011; and all other 
tractors that are manufactured before August 1, 2013.
* * * * *

                                                           Table II--Stopping Distance in Feet
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                                                                                            Service brake                              Emergency brake
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Vehicle speed in miles per hour                     PFC        PFC        PFC        PFC        PFC        PFC        PFC        PFC
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   0.9 (1)    0.9 (2)    0.9 (3)    0.9 (4)    0.9 (5)    0.9 (6)    0.9 (7)    0.9 (8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20..............................................................         32         35         30         35         38         28         83         85
25..............................................................         49         54         45         54         59         43        123        131
30..............................................................         70         78         65         78         84         61        170        186
35..............................................................         96        106         89        106        114         84        225        250
40..............................................................        125        138        114        138        149        108        288        325
45..............................................................        158        175        144        175        189        136        358        409
50..............................................................        195        216        176        216        233        166        435        504
55..............................................................        236        261        212        261        281        199        520        608
60..............................................................        280        310        250        310        335        235        613        720
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:
(1) Loaded and Unloaded Buses.
(2) Loaded Single-Unit Trucks.
(3) Loaded Tractors with Two Axles; or with Three Axles and a GVWR of 70,000 lbs. or less; or with Four or More Axles and a GVWR of 85,000 lbs. or less.
  Tested with an Unbraked Control Trailer.
(4) Loaded Tractors with Three Axles and a GVWR greater than 70,000 lbs.; or with Four or More Axles and a GVWR greater than 85,000 lbs. Tested with an
  Unbraked Control Trailer.
(5) Unloaded Single-Unit Trucks.
(6) Unloaded Tractors (Bobtail).
(7) All Vehicles except Tractors, Loaded and Unloaded.
(8) Unloaded Tractors.

 Table IIa--Stopping Distance in Feet: Optional Requirements for: (1) Three-Axle Tractors With a Front Axle That
Has a GAWR of 14,600 Pounds or Less, and With Two Rear Axles That Have a Combined GAWR of 45,000 Pounds or Less,
        Manufactured Before August 1, 2011; and (2) All Other Tractors Manufactured Before August 1, 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Service brake                     Emergency brake
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      Vehicle speed in miles per hour          PFC        PFC        PFC        PFC         PFC          PFC
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             0.9 (1)    0.9 (2)    0.9 (3)    0.9 (4)     0.9 (5)      0.9 (6)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20........................................         32         35         38         40           83           85
25........................................         49         54         59         62          123          131
30........................................         70         78         84         89          170          186
35........................................         96        106        114        121          225          250
40........................................        125        138        149        158          288          325
45........................................        158        175        189        200          358          409
50........................................        195        216        233        247          435          504
55........................................        236        261        281        299          520          608
60........................................        280        310        335        355          613          720
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: (1) Loaded and unloaded buses; (2) Loaded single unit trucks; (3) Unloaded truck tractors and single unit
  trucks; (4) Loaded truck tractors tested with an unbraked control trailer; (5) All vehicles except truck
  tractors; (6) Unloaded truck tractors.

[[Page 58567]]

* * * * *

    Issued: November 6, 2009.
Ronald L. Medford,
Acting Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-27231 Filed 11-9-09; 11:15 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P