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DOT/NHTSA

RIN: 2127-AK97

Publication ID: Fall 2011

Title: ●Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles
Abstract: This rulemaking would promulgate a new Federal standard that would require stability control systems on truck tractors and motorcoaches that address both rollover and loss of control crashes, after an extensive research program to evaluate the available technologies, an evaluation of the costs and benefits, and a review of manufacturer´s product plans. Rollover and loss of control crashes involving heavy vehicles is a serious safety issue that is responsible for 304 fatalities and 2,738 injuries annually. They are also a major cause of traffic tie-ups, resulting in millions of dollars of lost productivity and excess energy consumption each year. Suppliers and truck and motorcoach manufacturers have developed stability control technology for heavy vehicles to mitigate these types of crashes. Our preliminary estimate produces an effectiveness range of 37 to 56 percent against single-vehicle tractor-trailer rollover crashes and 3 to 14 percent against loss of control crashes that result from skidding on the road surface. With these effectiveness estimates, annually, we estimate 29 to 66 lives would be saved, 517 to 979 MAIS 1 to 5 injuries would be reduced, and 810 to 1,693 crashes that involved property damage only would be eliminated. Additionally, it would save $10 to $26 million in property damage and travel delays. Based on the technology unit costs and affected vehicles, we estimate technology costs would be $55 to $107 million, annually. However, the costs savings from reducing travel delay and property damage would produce net benefits of $128 to $372 million.
Agency: Department of Transportation(DOT)	Priority: Economically Significant
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: Yes	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 49 CFR 571
Legal Authority: 49 USC 30111 49 USC 30115 49 USC 30117 49 USC 30166 49 USC 322 Delegation of Authority at 49 CFR 1.50

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: Rollover and loss of control crashes involving heavy vehicles is a serious safety issue that is responsible for 304 fatalities and 2,738 injuries annually. They are also a major cause of traffic tie-ups, resulting in millions of dollars of lost productivity and excess energy consumption each year. This action is consistent with our detailed plans for improving motorcoach passenger protection, laid out in NHTSA's Approach to Motorcoach Safety 2007 and the Department of Transportation 2009 Motorcoach Action Plan (Docket No. NHTSA-2007-28793), as well as the Agency's Vehicle Safety and Fuel Economy Rulemaking and Research Priority Plan 2011 to 2013 (Docket No. NHTSA-2009-0108), and is responsive to two recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Summary of the Legal Basis: Section 30111, title 49 of the U.S.C. states that the Secretary shall prescribe motor vehicle safety standards.

Alternatives: The Agency is not pursuing any alternatives.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The costs and benefits of the potential changes addressed in this action have not yet been assessed.

Risks: The Agency believes that there are no significant risks associated with this rulemaking and that only beneficial outcomes will occur.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	04/00/2012

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov	Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Patrick Smith Safety Engineer Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 Phone:202 366-6040 Email: patrick.smith@dot.gov