Document ID: NHTSA-2009-0151-0001
Agency: nhtsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Air Brake Systems
Posted Date: 2009-08-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register: August 25, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 163)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 42781-42785]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au09-8]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2009-0151]
RIN 2127-AK44

 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Air Brake Systems

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document makes permanent an existing requirement that 
trailers with antilock brake systems (ABS) be equipped with an external 
malfunction indicator lamp. The indicator lamp requirement, which is 
included in the Federal motor vehicle safety standard that governs air-
braked vehicles, was originally scheduled to sunset on March 1, 2009, 
but had previously been extended to September 1, 2009. The agency had 
established a sunset date for this requirement in light of the 
increasing numbers of post-2001 tractors which have an in-cab trailer 
ABS malfunction lamp, making the external trailer lamp redundant. We 
are making the requirement permanent in light of additional safety 
purposes served by the external lamp, including: it not only warns the 
driver of a malfunctioning trailer ABS, but, unlike the in-cab lamps, 
indicates which trailer in double and trailer applications has a 
malfunction, and it assists Federal and State roadside inspectors and 
maintenance personnel in identifying a malfunctioning trailer ABS. This 
rulemaking was conducted in response to petitions from the Commercial 
Vehicle Safety Alliance.

DATES: Effective Date: This rule is effective August 31, 2009. 
Petitions: Petitions for reconsideration must be received by October 9, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to petition for reconsideration of this rule, 
you should refer in your petition to the docket number of this document 
and submit your petition to: Administrator, National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, 
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) or you may visit http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For non-legal issues, you may call Mr. 
George Soodoo, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards (Phone: 202-366-
4931; FAX: 202-366-7002). For legal issues, you may call Mr. Ari Scott, 
Office of the Chief Counsel (Phone: 202-366-2992; FAX: 202-366-3820). 
You may send mail to these officials at: National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Comments
III. Response to Comments and Agency Decision
IV. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

I. Background

    The final rule requiring antilock brake systems (ABS) on truck 
tractors, other air-braked heavy vehicles including trailers, and 
hydraulic-braked trucks was published in the Federal Register (60 FR 
13216) on March 10, 1995. As amended by that final rule, FMVSS No. 121, 
Air Brake Systems, required two separate in-cab ABS malfunction 
indicator lamps for each truck tractor, one for the tractor's ABS 
(effective March 1, 1997) and the other for the trailer's ABS 
(effective March 1, 2001). The final rule also required air-braked 
trailers to be equipped with an externally mounted ABS malfunction lamp 
(effective March 1, 1998) so that the driver of a non-ABS equipped 
tractor or an ABS-equipped tractor manufactured prior to March 1, 2001, 
towing an ABS-equipped trailer would be alerted in the event of a 
malfunction in the trailer ABS.
    The requirement for the trailer-mounted ABS malfunction indicator 
lamp was originally scheduled to expire on March 1, 2009. The National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established this sunset 
date, based on the assumption that, after this eight-year period, many 
of the pre-2001 tractors without the dedicated trailer ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp would no longer be in long-haul service. The agency 
based its decision on the belief that the typical tractor life was five 
to seven years, and therefore decided on an eight-year period for the 
external ABS malfunction indicator lamp requirement. We further stated 
our belief that there would be no need for a redundant ABS malfunction 
lamp mounted on the trailer after the vast majority of tractors were 
equipped with an in-cab ABS malfunction indicator lamp for the trailer.
    Before the trailer-mounted ABS malfunction indicator lamp 
requirement expired, NHTSA received two petitions from the Commercial 
Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). CVSA is an international not-for-profit 
organization comprised of local, State, provincial, territorial and 
Federal motor carrier safety officials and industry

[[Page 42782]]

representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
    On October 22, 2007, CVSA petitioned NHTSA to make the trailer-
mounted external antilock malfunction indicator lamp permanent instead 
of allowing it to expire. CVSA included in its petition suggested 
regulatory text along with its rationale for why the extension should 
be permanent. On October 15, 2008, CVSA again petitioned NHTSA to amend 
FMVSS No. 121, requesting that the agency issue a stay of the sunset 
date of March 1, 2009 for the external ABS warning lamp. CVSA stated 
that a stay would prevent a time gap in the regulation, while NHTSA 
continued to evaluate CVSA's 2007 petition. CVSA stated that the 
vehicle inspection process has already been complicated by the phased-
in ABS and ABS malfunction indicator lamp requirements, and a time gap 
would further complicate the inspection process and cause additional 
confusion for drivers and maintenance personnel.
    On March 3, 2009, the agency concurrently published an interim 
final rule extending the sunset date for the requirement by six months, 
to September 1, 2009 (74 FR 9173), and a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) to extend the requirement to March 1, 2011 (74 FR 9202). In the 
latter notice, the agency explained that it expected to be able to 
fully analyze the issues raised by the CVSA petitions and further 
address them prior to March 1, 2011. The agency also indicated that if 
it was able to fully resolve the outstanding issues it could make the 
requirement permanent in a final rule based on the NPRM.
    The rationale put forth by CVSA, in its 2007 petition, for making 
the requirement permanent included four points. The first point was 
that there were still expected to be many pre-2001 tractors in use when 
the malfunction indicator lamp requirement was set to expire (at the 
time, March 1, 2009). These tractors do not have the in-cab trailer ABS 
malfunction indicator lamp that was perceived to render the external 
lamp redundant. Second, CVSA argued that for double and triple trailer 
applications, it will not be possible to determine, from an in-cab lamp 
alone, which trailer ABS is malfunctioning without external lamps. 
Third, CVSA stated that many trailer repair shops rely on the external 
lamp to quickly diagnose the operational status of the trailer ABS 
without having to couple a post-2001 tractor to the trailer. With an 
external indicator lamp, any age tractor can be used, making inspection 
significantly easier. Fourth, the petition argued that without the 
external lamp, the signal from the in-cab lamp may be confusing, as it 
may indicate either a malfunctioning in-cab bulb, a functioning pre-
1998 trailer (with no ABS), a problem with the communication circuit 
between the trailer and tractor, or a malfunctioning ABS. The external 
lamp helps to diagnose the situation further.

II. Summary of Comments

Overview

    NHTSA received a number of comments in response to the two March 3, 
2009 Federal Register notices. All commenters addressing the issue 
supported the extension provided in the interim final rule and some 
further extension, with varying time periods for the further extension.
    The American Trucking Associations (ATA), a trade association 
representing trucking companies, supported extending the trailer 
external lamp requirement until March 1, 2011, the date proposed in the 
NPRM, but argued against making the requirement permanent. The Truck 
Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) supported extending the 
requirement to March 1, 2010. The American Moving and Storage 
Association (AMSA), which represents moving services and handlers of 
specialized freight, supported extending the requirement through 2011 
in order to prevent a ``gap'' in the requirements, but did not offer a 
position on whether the requirement should be made permanent.
    Two associations submitted comments supporting the permanent 
extension of the requirements, the Heavy Duty Brake Manufacturers 
Association (HDMA), which represents manufacturers of braking systems 
and components, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association 
(OOIDA).\1\ Other commenters supporting a permanent extension of the 
external lamp requirement included Meritor WABCO, a supplier of air and 
hydraulic antilock brake systems (ABS), air disc brakes, air 
compressors, brake control valves and electronic components for medium 
and heavy duty trucks, buses, and trailers, and Advocates for Highway 
and Auto Safety (Advocates). CVSA, the petitioner, also submitted 
comments supporting a permanent extension.
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    \1\ The OOIDA comment was submitted prior to NRPM in support of 
the CVSA petition.
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    NHTSA also received information from the University of Michigan 
Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).

Whether at Least a Limited Extension Is Needed

    Every commenter addressing the issue, with one exception, supported 
extending the external malfunction indicator lamp requirement to at 
least March 1, 2011. TTMA supported a shorter extension, to March 1, 
2010, to coincide with the sunset date of the external lamp requirement 
in Canada. AMSA, making an argument for continuity of the requirement, 
stated that it supported the extension until 2011 because it would be 
extremely disruptive for carriers to cease current maintenance of 
external ABS indicators, and then be required to resume the current 
practices at a later date.
    Several commenters provided data indicating that relatively large 
numbers of pre-2001 tractors are still in use, and that therefore there 
is still at least a temporary need for the trailer-mounted lamp. The 
HDMA provided information from R.L. Polk & Co. regarding vehicle age 
date, which stated that 58.5 percent of registered tractors were built 
prior to March 1, 2001.\2\ Meritor WABCO also provided this figure in 
its comments. Information obtained from UMTRI, Center for National 
Truck and Bus Statistics, also provided information on the numbers of 
pre-2001 tractors in use. UMTRI analyzed two crash data files to 
estimate the proportion of tractors with model year 2000 and prior: (1) 
The General Estimates System (GES) file compiled by NHTSA, which is a 
nationally representative sample file of all police-reportable traffic 
crashes, and (2) the Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents (TIFA) file, 
compiled by UMTRI, which is a census of all medium and heavy trucks 
involved in fatal crashes in the U.S. Based on accident analysis from 
the GES and the TIFA file, UMTRI estimated that 29-30 percent of the 
exposed population of tractors has a model year of 2000 or earlier.\3\ 
The ``exposure'' in crashes is primarily related to vehicle miles 
traveled.
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    \2\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0009, p. 2, available at http://
www.regulations.gov.
    \3\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0017, p. 3, available at http://
www.regulations.gov.
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Whether the Requirement Should Be Made Permanent

    We note that the decision whether to make the requirement for the 
external trailer lamp permanent presents different issues than a 
temporary extension. There are two potential reasons for a temporary 
extension. First, as discussed in the NPRM, an extension to March 1, 
2011 would give the agency additional time to do further analyses

[[Page 42783]]

related to CVSA's request for a permanent extension, while avoiding a 
potential confusing time gap in the vehicles subject to the 
requirement. Second, even if NHTSA did not make the existing 
requirement permanent, a further temporary extension could be needed 
given the relatively large numbers of pre-2001 tractors that are still 
in use. Since the numbers of pre-2001 tractors will over time become 
increasingly small, the case for a permanent requirement is predicated 
on the benefits that the external lamp provides even when coupled with 
the in-cab trailer ABS indicator present on tractors built after March 
1, 2001.
    A number of commenters which supported CVSA's petition to make the 
external lamp requirement permanent cited the utility of the external 
lamp for trailer inspection and diagnostic purposes. There were several 
reasons given in the comments, including benefits related to redundancy 
of the external lamp, the lamp serves to facilitate inspections and 
repair of trailer ABS, and the utility of the lamp in multiple trailer 
applications. Additionally, several commenters noted the centrality of 
a functioning ABS with regard to recent safety developments, such as 
electronic stability control (ESC) systems, that could be negatively 
impacted by faulty ABS.
    One reason given to support the permanent extension of the external 
lamp is simple redundancy and utility of the external lamp, with 
Advocates noting that ``if a combination vehicle * * * suffers loss of 
the in-cab ABS malfunction indicator, the only fail-safe means on the 
road of determining whether the ABS is still functioning is the 
external trailer, semi-trailer, or dolly ABS lamp.'' \4\ Similarly, 
OOIDA stated that the external lamp provides a ``reliable and readily 
identifiable method for drivers, roadside inspectors, and maintenance 
personnel to determine the operational status of the affected towed 
units.'' \5\ CVSA commented on the multitude of possible vehicle 
systems dependent on functioning ABS, such as rollover stability 
systems, electronic stability control, and adaptive cruise control, as 
adding importance to the ability of various parties to identify 
malfunctioning ABS in trailers.
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    \4\ 0038-0013, p. 2.
    \5\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0019, available at http://
www.regulations.gov.
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    In arguing against a permanent extension of the requirement, the 
ATA used the redundancy argument as well. ATA stated that it believes 
the extension for the ABS warning lamp is warranted so long as there 
are still tractors operating without functional in-cab systems. As to a 
permanent extension, however, it argued that the in-cab malfunction 
indicator lamp is a more useful warning signal to drivers than the 
external lamp, and that it does not believe the external trailer ABS 
malfunction lamp should be required on trailers matched with tractors 
with in-cab systems beyond 2011 solely as an aid for roadside 
inspection. ATA also stated that there are other tools to check the 
trailer ABS at a roadside inspection, if monitoring the in-cab dash 
warning lamp is not practical or safe for the inspector. Acknowledging 
that the external lamp did have some value, the ATA stated that some of 
its members wanted the light continued as an option, especially those 
who operate double and triple trailer combinations (discussed below).
    Commenters including Meritor WABCO stated that the external lamp 
enhances the inspection and maintenance of ABS on trailers and dollies. 
Meritor WABCO pointed out a recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration study indicating that 15 percent and 30 percent of 
tractor and trailer ABS, respectively, indicated potential operational 
problems,\6\ implying that additional means to identify and correct 
these problems should be considered. Meritor WABCO cited a NHTSA 
statement that the intent of the lamp was, in part, to ``to inform 
operators * * * and to facilitate * * * and * * * encourage repairs of 
faulty ABS systems.'' \7\ Meritor WABCO also stated that when 
conducting diagnostics, the lack of a trailer-mounted indicator would 
require that a trailer be coupled to a post-2001 tractor in order to 
determine the status of the trailer ABS. Similarly, in its comments to 
the original 2007 CVSA petition, TTMA noted that ``the lamp mounted 
externally allows additional people such as shop personnel to see if 
the ABS system is operable.'' \8\ CVSA reiterated this argument from 
its petition in its comments submitted to NHTSA. And even though it 
argued against making the lamp requirement permanent, in its comments, 
the ATA noted that the external lamp helped in troubleshooting 
problems.
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    \6\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0008, p. 2, available at http://
www.regulations.gov.
    \7\ 71 FR 7614, Feb 13, 2006.
    \8\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0004, available at http://
www.regulations.gov. We note that this comment was superseded by the 
comment submitted April 2, 2009 (Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0016).
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    Several commenters emphasized that the external malfunction 
indicator lamp provides more pertinent information than the in-cab lamp 
with regard to multiple trailer configurations, where a single tractor 
tows two or three trailers, each equipped with an ABS. This is because 
while the in-cab lamp may indicate a malfunction, it will not provide 
specific information as to which trailer is experiencing a 
malfunctioning ABS. While it did not support making the requirement 
permanent, in its comment the ATA noted that members with multiple 
trailer operations found the external lamp useful for troubleshooting. 
Advocates and CVSA also made this argument, with Advocates stating that 
``on multi-trailer combinations when each trailer is fitted with ABS, a 
driver needs to be able to verify that each trailing unit has operable 
ABS.'' \9\
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    \9\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0013, p. 2, available at http://
www.regulations.gov.
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    Finally, Meritor WABCO provided some guidance in its comments with 
regard to the cost of the external lamp. Specifically, the commenter 
stated that ``all trailer wiring harnesses have been modified to 
accommodate the indicator lamp so making it a permanent requirement 
would not require any additional changes of expense to the vehicle OEMs 
or the end user.'' \10\ Furthermore, the ATA comment stated that 
improvements in the external lamp circuit have eliminated previous 
maintenance issues that had caused expenses.\11\
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    \10\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0008, p. 1, available at http://
www.regulations.gov.
    \11\ Docket NHTSA-2009-0038-0014, p. 2, available at http://
www.regulations.gov.
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III. Response to Comments and Agency Decision

    After carefully considering the comments, and for the reasons 
discussed below, we have decided to make the requirement that trailers 
with ABS be equipped with an external antilock malfunction indicator 
lamp permanent.
    We are making this decision because the external lamp provides 
information that assists maintenance personnel and roadside inspectors, 
provides important diagnostic information, and provides detailed 
important information for multiple trailer applications. NHTSA believes 
that these benefits of the external lamp warrant the permanent 
extension of the requirement.
    We believe that trailer maintenance operations would be 
inconvenienced by having to couple a trailer to a post-2001 tractor or 
use additional specialized equipment in order to diagnose the state of 
a trailer's ABS, when right now a standardized trailer-mounted lamp

[[Page 42784]]

provides the same information. This inconvenience could diminish the 
effectiveness of some maintenance operations. Furthermore, the external 
lamps provide otherwise-unavailable information to both drivers and 
roadside inspectors with regard to multiple trailer combinations. 
Without them, the in-cab information can only indicate the existence of 
a malfunctioning trailer ABS. The external lamps can pinpoint which 
trailer's ABS is malfunctioning, allowing drivers or inspectors to take 
the appropriate remedial action.
    We note that since we are making the requirement permanent because 
of the benefits the external lamp provides even when coupled with the 
in-cab trailer ABS indicator present on tractors built after March 1, 
2001, it is unnecessary to address the numbers of pre-2001 tractors 
that are still in use.
    As indicated above, we stated in the NPRM that we might make the 
requirement permanent if we could fully resolve the outstanding issues. 
We have specifically considered whether there are any unresolved issues 
for which additional analysis would be beneficial to the agency in 
reaching a decision on this issue. We have concluded that there are no 
issues for which further analyses are needed prior to making a 
decision. All trailers manufactured after March 1, 1998 have already 
been required to comply with the requirement, so manufacturers and 
users are familiar with these systems. Furthermore, all trailer wiring 
harnesses have already been modified to accommodate the external lamp, 
and there are relatively few maintenance issues, thereby minimizing the 
costs of this requirement. Finally, Federal and State inspectors and 
maintenance operations successfully use the lamps as part of their 
current procedures in order to obtain the benefits discussed in this 
document.
    In stating that we are making the existing requirement permanent, 
we do not mean to imply that we would not readdress this issue in 
future rulemaking if new developments were to make the requirement 
unnecessary. In its comments, ATA stated that in the future, wireless 
transmissions of the vehicle fault messages will be the means of 
inspection which will make external malfunction lamps obsolete. Our 
decision today reflects current designs and inspection and maintenance 
practices developed in light of those designs. If future designs and 
new inspection and maintenance practices should make the external 
malfunction lamps obsolete, we will take appropriate action at that 
time.
    We find good cause for making today's final rule effective on 
August 31, 2009. This is necessary to avoid a confusing time gap in the 
vehicles subject to the requirement. Moreover, since trailer 
manufacturers are required to meet the requirement for the trailers 
they are currently manufacturing, this effective date will not result 
in any new burdens.

IV. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This action 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 document makes permanent the existing antilock malfunction 
indicator lamp requirement, which had been scheduled to expire 
September 1, 2009. When the agency published its March 10, 1995 Final 
Rule, we estimated the costs of the lamp and the associated wiring to 
be approximately $9.43 (in 2007 dollars $12.82). In 2007 dollars, 
assuming 189,000 trailer units and that same unit costs we estimate the 
total cost to be approximately $2.4 million per year. However, we note 
that since all trailers manufactured after March 1, 1998 have already 
been complying with the requirement and that the agency is merely 
making permanent the requirement, the impact on costs is likely much 
lower than this figure indicates. While not supplying a lamp could 
result in a trailer that could be made for a few dollars less, we 
estimate the costs to be so minimal that preparation of a full 
regulatory evaluation is not required.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
NHTSA has evaluated the effects of this action on small entities. I 
hereby certify that this rule will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. This document merely makes 
permanent the requirement for an external indicator lamp in FMVSS No. 
121. No other changes are made. Small organizations and small 
government units will not be significantly affected since this action 
will not affect the price of new motor vehicles. Trailer manufacturers 
will not be required to install new systems but rather continue to 
install the systems they are already installing.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    NHTSA has examined today's rule pursuant to Executive Order 13132 
(64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) and concluded that no additional 
consultation with States, local governments or their representatives is 
mandated beyond the rulemaking process. The agency has concluded that 
the rule does not have federalism implications because it does not have 
``substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
    Further, no consultation is needed to discuss the issue of 
preemption in connection with today's rule. The issue of preemption can 
arise in connection with NHTSA rules in at least two ways. First, the 
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act contains an express 
preemption provision: ``When a motor vehicle safety standard is in 
effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a 
State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the 
same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle 
equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed 
under this chapter.'' 49 U.S.C. 30103(b)(1). It is this statutory 
command that unavoidably preempts State legislative and administrative 
law, not today's rulemaking, so consultation would be unnecessary.
    Second, the Supreme Court has recognized the possibility of implied 
preemption: in some instances, State requirements imposed on motor 
vehicle manufacturers, including sanctions imposed by State tort law, 
can stand as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of a NHTSA 
safety standard. When such a conflict is discerned, the Supremacy 
Clause of the Constitution makes the State requirements unenforceable. 
See Geier v. American Honda Motor Co., 529 U.S. 861 (2000). However, 
NHTSA has considered the nature and purpose of today's rule and does 
not currently foresee any potential State requirements that might 
conflict with it. Without any conflict, there could not be any implied 
preemption.

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    With respect to the review of the promulgation of a new regulation, 
section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform'' (61 FR 
4729, February 7, 1996) requires that Executive agencies make every 
reasonable effort to ensure that the

[[Page 42785]]

regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the preemptive effect; (2) clearly 
specifies the effect on existing Federal law or regulation; (3) 
provides a clear legal standard for affected conduct, while promoting 
simplification and burden reduction; (4) clearly specifies the 
retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately defines key terms; and (6) 
addresses other important issues affecting clarity and general 
draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the Attorney General. This 
document is consistent with that requirement.
    Pursuant to this Order, NHTSA notes as follows. The issue of 
preemption is discussed above in connection with E.O. 13132. NHTSA 
notes further that there is no requirement that individuals submit a 
petition for reconsideration or pursue other administrative proceeding 
before they may file suit in court.

Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks

    Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19855, April 23, 1997), applies to any 
rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' as 
defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental, 
health, or safety risk that the agency has reason to believe may have a 
disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets 
both criteria, the agency must evaluate the environmental health or 
safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the agency.
    This rule is not expected to affect children and it is not an 
economically significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. 
Consequently, no further analysis is required under Executive Order 
13045.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information by a Federal agency 
unless the collection displays a valid OMB control number. There is not 
any information collection requirement associated with this rule.

National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, (15 U.S.C. 272) directs the 
agency to evaluate and use voluntary consensus standards in its 
regulatory activities unless doing so would be inconsistent with 
applicable law or is otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus 
standards are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test 
methods, sampling procedures, and business practices) that are 
developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies, such as 
the Society of Automotive Engineers. The NTTAA directs us to provide 
Congress (through OMB) with explanations when we decide not to use 
available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. There are no 
voluntary consensus standards developed by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies pertaining to this rule.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires agencies to 
prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits and other effects 
of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate likely to 
result in the expenditure by State, local or Tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector, of more than $100 million annually 
(adjusted for inflation with base year of 1995). This rule will not 
result in expenditures by State, local or Tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector in excess of $100 million annually.

National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has analyzed this rulemaking action for the purposes of the 
National Environmental Policy Act. The agency has determined that 
implementation of this action will not have any significant impact on 
the quality of the human environment.

Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 18, 2001) applies to any 
rulemaking that: (1) Is determined to be economically significant as 
defined under E.O. 12866, and is likely to have a significantly adverse 
effect on the supply of, distribution of, or use of energy; or (2) that 
is designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. This rulemaking is 
not subject to E.O. 13211.

Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN)

    The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier 
number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of 
Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center 
publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. You may 
use the RIN contained in the heading at the beginning of this document 
to find this action in the Unified Agenda.

Privacy Act

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, 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://www.regulations.gov.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles, and Tires.

0
In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA is amending 49 CFR part 571 as 
set forth below.

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 and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

0
2. Section 571.121 is amended by revising S5.2.3.3(a) to read as 
follows:

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

* * * * *
    S5.2.3.3 Antilock malfunction indicator.
    (a) In addition to the requirements of S5.2.3.2, each trailer and 
trailer converter dolly shall be equipped with an external antilock 
malfunction indicator lamp that meets the requirements of S5.2.3.3 (b) 
through (d).
* * * * *

    Issued: August 19, 2009.
Ronald L. Medford,
Acting Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-20387 Filed 8-24-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P