Source: http://thefederalregister.com/2012/08/27/2012-21017.html
Timestamp: 2018-03-20 01:42:21
Document Index: 680712217

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 383', 'art 383', 'ART 383', 'art 383', '§ 383', 'ART 390', 'art 390', '§ 390']

Federal Register | Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR); Definition
[Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0156]
SUMMARY: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amends the definition of "gross combination weight rating" (GCWR) in our regulations. The definition currently prescribes how the GCWR is calculated if the vehicle manufacturer does not include the information on the vehicle certification label required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Agency has determined the definition should not include what is essentially guidance that is difficult for the motor carrier and enforcement communities to use. Therefore, FMCSA amends this definition to state that the GCWR is the value specified by the commercial motor vehicle manufacturer.
DATES: This rule is effective October 26, 2012, unless an adverse comment or notice of intent to submit an adverse comment, is either submitted to our online docket viahttp://www.regulations.govon or before September 26, 2012 or reaches the Docket Management Facility by that date. If an adverse comment or notice of intent to submit an adverse comment is received by September 26, 2012, we will withdraw this direct final rule and publish a timely notice of withdrawal in theFederal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Kelly, Office of Enforcement and Program Delivery, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001, by telephone at (202) 366-1812 or via email atThomas.Kelly@dot.gov.Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Participation and Request for Comments A. Submitting Comments B. Viewing Comments and Documents C. Privacy Act II. Abbreviations III. Regulatory Information IV. Background V. Discussion of the Rule VI. Regulatory Analyses VII. The Final Rule I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
To submit your comment online, go tohttp://www.regulations.gov,click on the “submit a comment” box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the “Document Type” drop down menu select “Proposed Rule” and insert “FMCSA-2012-0156” in the “Keyword” box. Click “Search” then click on the balloon shape in the “Actions” column. If you submit your comment by mail or hand delivery, submit it in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit it by mail and would like to know that it reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the comment period.
To view comments, go tohttp://www.regulations.gov,click on the “read comments” box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the “Keyword” box insert “FMCSA-2012-0156” and click “Search.” Click the “Open Docket Folder” in the “Actions” column. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may also view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
II. Abbreviations FMCSAFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FRFederal Register GCWRGross combination weight rating NHTSANational Highway Traffic Safety Administration III. Regulatory Information
FMCSA publishes this amendment to parts 383 and 390 under the direct final rule procedures in 49 CFR 389.11 and 389.39 because we believe the rule is a routine, non-controversial amendment to the definition of “gross combination weight rating” (GCWR) in both 49 CFR 383.5 and 390.5. The rule would provide consistency between FMCSA's definition of GCWR and the definition of that term used by NHTSA under 49 CFR 571.3. FMCSA does not expect adverse comments. If no adverse comments or notices of intent to submit an adverse comment are received by September 26, 2012, this rule will become effective as stated in theDATESsection. In that case, approximately 30 days before the effective date, FMCSA will publish a document in theFederal Registerstating that no adverse comments were received and confirming that this rule will become effective as scheduled. However, if the Agency receives any adverse comments or notices of intent to submit an adverse comment, FMCSA will publish a document in theFederal Registerannouncing the withdrawal of all or part of this direct final rule. If an adverse comment applies only to part of this rule and it is possible to remove that part without defeating the purpose of this rule, the Agency may adopt, as final, that part of this rule on which no adverse comments were received. FMCSA will withdraw the part of this rule that was the subject of an adverse comment. If the Agency decides to proceed with a rulemaking following receipt of any adverse comments, FMCSA will publish a separate notice of proposed rulemaking and provide a new opportunity for comment.
Gross combination weight rating (GCWR)means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination (articulated) vehicle. In the absence of a value specified by the manufacturer, GCWR will be determined byadding the GVWR1 of the power unit and the total weight of the towed unit and any load thereon.
1GVWR stands for gross vehicle weight rating.
The first sentence of the definition is entirely correct; this is the definition used by other authorities. The second sentence, however, presents an alternative definition that is not used to determine GCWR by either vehicle manufacturers or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (see49 CFR 571.3) (“Gross combination weight rating or GCWR means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination vehicle.”) As FMCSA and its State partners increase their monitoring of drivers and carriers through roadside inspections, investigations and the Agency's Safety Measurement System and other tools, questions from industry and the enforcement community about the inconsistency between FMCSA's GCWR definition in 49 CFR 383.5 and 390.5 and NHTSA's definition in 49 CFR 571.3 make it clear that the FMCSA definition must be changed.
VI. Regulatory Analyses E.O. 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures as Supplemented by E.O. 13563)
Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601et seq.), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 857), FMCSA is not required to prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis under 5 U.S.C. 604(a) for this final rule because the agency has not issued a notice of proposed rulemaking prior to this action.
In accordance with section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, FMCSA wants to assist small entities in understanding this direct final rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on themselves and participate in the rulemaking initiative. If the direct final rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance; please consult the FMCSA point of contact, Tom Kelly, listed in theFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTsection of this proposed rule.
This proposed rule would not impose an unfunded Federal mandate, as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1532et seq.), that will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $143.1 million (which is the value of $100 million in 2010 after adjusting for inflation) or more in any 1 year.
The regulations implementing E.O. 12372 regarding intergovernmentalconsultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this program.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501et seq.), Federal agencies must obtain approval from OMB for each collection of information they conduct, sponsor, or require through regulations. There is no new information collection requirement associated with this final rule.
FMCSA analyzed this rule in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321et seq.) and determined under our environmental procedures Order 5610.1 (69 FR 9680, March 1, 2004) that this action does not have any effect on the quality of the environment. Therefore, this final rule is categorically excluded (CE) from further analysis and documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under FMCSA Order 5610.1, paragraph 6(b) of Appendix 2. The CE under paragraph 6(b) addresses rulemakings that make editorial or other minor amendments to existing FMCSA regulations. A Categorical Exclusion Determination is available for inspection or copying in theRegulations.govWeb site listed underADDRESSES.
FMCSA also analyzed this rule under the Clean Air Act, as amended (CAA), section 176(c) (42 U.S.C. 7401et seq.), and implementing regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Approval of this action is exempt from the CAA's general conformity requirement since it does not affect direct or indirect emissions of criteria pollutants.
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through OMB, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards (e.g.,specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) are standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.
List of Subjects 49 CFR Part 383
PART 383—COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE STANDARDS; REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES 1. The authority citation for part 383 continues to read as follows: Authority:
49 U.S.C. 521, 31136, 31301 et seq., and 31502; secs. 214 and 215, Pub. L. 106-159, 113 Stat. 1748, 1766, 1767; sec. 4140, Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, 1746; and 49 CFR 1.73.
2. Amend § 383.5 by revising the definition of “gross combination weight rating” to read as follows:
Gross combination weight rating (GCWR)means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination motor vehicle.
PART 390—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS; GENERAL 3. The authority citation for part 390 continues to read as follows: Authority:
49 U.S.C. 504, 508, 31132, 31133, 31136, 31144, 31151, and 31502; sec. 114, Pub. L. 103-311, 108 Stat. 1673, 1677-1678; secs. 212, 217, and 229, Pub. L. 106-159, 113 Stat. 1748, 1766, 1767; sec. 229, Pub. L. 106-159 (as transferred by sec. 4115 and amended by secs. 4130-4132, Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, 1726, 1743-1744), sec. 4136, Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, 1745; and 49 CFR 1.73.
4. Amend § 390.5 by revising the definition of “gross combination weight rating” to read as follows:
Issued on: August 16, 2012. Anne S. Ferro, Administrator.