FAIR Crash Tests Act
Bill: H.R.4255 | Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. (R-FL)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Furthering Advanced and Inclusive Research for Crash Tests Act or the FAIR Crash Tests Act
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's use of crash test dummies, including how the administration's practices compare to the European New Car Assessment Programme and other programs that test vehicles.

To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
  study on the processes used by the National Highway Traffic Safety 
 Administration for studying and deploying crash test dummies, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Furthering Advanced and Inclusive 
Research for Crash Tests Act'' or the ``FAIR Crash Tests Act''.

SEC. 2. GAO REPORT ON CRASH DUMMIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall conduct a study and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that--
            (1) examines--
                    (A) the processes used by the National Highway 
                Traffic Safety Administration (referred to in this 
                section as the ``Administration'') for studying and 
                deploying crash test dummies;
                    (B)(i) the types of crash test dummies used by the 
                Administration as of the date of enactment of this Act;
                    (ii) the seating positions in which those crash 
                test dummies are tested; and
                    (iii) whether the seating position affects 
                disparities in motor vehicle safety outcomes based on 
                demographic characteristics, including sex, and, if so, 
                how the seating position affects those disparities;
                    (C) the biofidelic crash test dummies that are 
                available in the global and domestic marketplace that 
                reflect the physical and demographic characteristics of 
                the driving public in the United States, including--
                            (i) females;
                            (ii) the elderly;
                            (iii) young adults;
                            (iv) children; and
                            (v) individuals of differing body weights;
                    (D) how the Administration determines whether to 
                study and deploy new biofidelic crash test dummies, 
                including the biofidelic crash test dummies examined 
                under subparagraph (C), and the timelines by which the 
                Administration conducts the work of making those 
                determinations and studying and deploying new 
                biofidelic crash test dummies;
                    (E) challenges the Administration faces in studying 
                and deploying new crash test dummies; and
                    (F) how the practices of the Administration with 
                respect to crash test dummies compare to other programs 
                that test vehicles and report results to the public, 
                including the European New Car Assessment Programme;
            (2) evaluates potential improvements to the processes 
        described in paragraph (1) that could reduce disparities in 
        motor vehicle safety outcomes based on demographic 
        characteristics, including sex;
            (3) analyzes the potential use of computer simulation 
        techniques, as a supplement to physical crash tests, to conduct 
        virtual simulations of vehicle crash tests in order to evaluate 
        predicted motor vehicle safety outcomes based on the different 
        physical and demographic characteristics of motor vehicle 
        occupants; and
            (4) includes, as applicable, any assessments or 
        recommendations relating to crash test dummies that are 
        relevant to reducing disparities in motor vehicle safety 
        outcomes based on demographic characteristics, including sex.
    (b) Interim Report From the Administration.--Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Administration shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
of the House of Representatives a report that--
            (1) identifies--
                    (A) the types of crash test dummies used by the 
                Administration as of the date of enactment of this Act 
                with respect to--
                            (i) the New Car Assessment Program of the 
                        Administration; and
                            (ii) testing relating to Federal Motor 
                        Vehicle Safety Standards;
                    (B) how each type of crash test dummy identified 
                under subparagraph (A) is tested with respect to 
                seating position; and
                    (C) any crash test dummies that the Administration 
                is actively evaluating for future use--
                            (i) in the New Car Assessment Program of 
                        the Administration; or
                            (ii) for testing relating to Federal Motor 
                        Vehicle Safety Standards;
            (2) explains--
                    (A) the plans of the Administration, including the 
                expected timelines, for putting any crash test dummies 
                identified under paragraph (1)(C) to use as described 
                in that paragraph;
                    (B) any challenges to putting those crash test 
                dummies to use; and
                    (C) the potential use of computer simulation 
                techniques, as a supplement to physical crash tests, to 
                conduct virtual simulations of vehicle crash tests in 
                order to evaluate predicted motor vehicle safety 
                outcomes based on the different physical and 
                demographic characteristics of motor vehicle occupants; 
                and
            (3) provides policy recommendations for reducing 
        disparities in motor vehicle safety testing and outcomes based 
        on demographic characteristics, including sex.
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