Automatic Emergency Braking Proposal: Comment Period Now Open
The Federal Register has officially opened the comment period for a new proposal that mandates the installation of automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on heavy vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) jointly announced the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on June 22. The objective of this rule is to reduce the frequency and severity of rear-end crashes by implementing AEB systems.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson emphasized the potential life-saving capabilities of advanced driver assistance systems like AEB. She stated that the proposal is a significant stride towards enhancing safety on U.S. roads and eliminating preventable tragedies that impact Americans.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) expressed its support for the proposal, commending NHTSA’s regulation mandating AEB in new passenger vehicles. ATA Vice President of Safety Policy Dan Horvath noted the timeliness and appropriateness of the NPRM for heavy-duty trucks. The trucking industry, according to Horvath, embraces the use of proven safety technology like automatic emergency braking. The ATA eagerly anticipates reviewing the proposal and collaborating with NHTSA and FMCSA during its implementation.
Trucking Industry Official Voices Concerns
Not all members of the trucking industry endorse the proposal. Jay Grimes, director of federal affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), raised concerns about potential performance issues that need resolution before advancing the rule. Grimes highlighted worries among drivers regarding false activation, loss of driver control, and the system’s effectiveness in adverse weather and road conditions. He argued that the proposal’s release coincides with ongoing studies on AEB for commercial vehicles, which have not yet been concluded.
An automatic emergency braking system employs various sensor technologies to identify situations where a crash is imminent. If the driver fails to apply the brakes, the system automatically engages them, or it supplements the driver’s braking with additional force if necessary. The proposed standard requires the technology to operate within a speed range of approximately 6 to 50 miles per hour.
Focus of National Strategy to Reduce Crashes and Save Lives
FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson stated that establishing AEB standards aligns with the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, enhancing commercial motor vehicle crash reduction strategies and contributing to the reduction of roadway fatalities.
NHTSA data reveals that heavy vehicles are involved in around 60,000 rear-end crashes annually as the striking vehicle. Upon implementation, NHTSA estimates that the proposed rule will prevent 19,118 crashes, save 155 lives, and avoid 8,814 injuries each year.
NHTSA and FMCSA have actively sought input from safety advocates, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to address this critical safety requirement on American roads.
Proposed Rule Defines Heavy Vehicles and Expands AEB Requirements
This proposed rule, which fulfills a mandate outlined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, defines “heavy vehicles” as those with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, including heavy-duty trucks and buses. NHTSA has also proposed a similar rule that necessitates AEB systems in passenger vehicles and light trucks.
In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation released the National Roadway Safety Strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling the escalating crisis of motor vehicle fatalities and severe injuries. As part of its continued efforts, USDOT launched the next phase of the National Roadway Safety Strategy—the Call to Action campaign—and issued a one-year progress report accompanied by data visualizations that highlight the scope and gravity of the roadway safety problem in the United States, ultimately striving for zero deaths on the nation’s roads.
Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted for a period of 60 days. For more information on the rulemaking process, click here.
Related Articles: