Archive
Aug 2014
NHTSA Proposes to Remedy Two Issues by Publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Tire Identification and Recordkeeping
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to increase the manufacturer identifier portion of the tire identification number (TIN) from two to three symbols and to standardize the length of the TIN. The intent of this proposal is to increase the number of unique combinations of characters for identifying individual manufacturers of new tires and to eliminate confusion that could arise from variable length of TINs.
Jul 2014
New EU Regulation on Noise Emissions Published
New EU Regulation No. 540/2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems represents the most significant change in the European legal requirements on sound levels for almost 20 years.
Jun 2014
Global Technical Regulation on Light Vehicle Emissions Test Procedure Published
With its publication as Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 15 on 12th May 2014, the finalised worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure (WLTP) represents a major step towards the global harmonisation of the emissions and fuel consumption requirements applicable to light duty vehicles.
May 2014
NHTSA Issued Final Rule for Rear Visibility
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Final Rule expanding the required field of view for all passenger cars, trucks, multipurpose passenger vehicles, buses, and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds. NHTSA anticipates that today's Final Rule will significantly reduce backover crashes involving children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other pedestrians who currently have the highest risk associated with backover crashes.
Apr 2014
FHWA Issues Request for Information for Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking comments to help refine plans, for one or more pilot programs that combine connected vehicles and mobile device technology, to improve traveller mobility and system productivity, while reducing environmental impacts and enhancing safety. Procurement action is anticipated for one or more pilot deployment concepts in 2015. The FHWA is issuing this RFI in collaboration with, and on behalf of, the Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies: Federal Transit Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.
Mar 2014
Amendments to the EU Light Duty and Heavy Duty Emissions Requirements Proposed
The European Commission have recently published a proposal for a new EU Regulation that would introduce amendments to both the light duty and heavy duty emissions requirements. Some of the amendments proposed in this new Regulation clarify the application of the current requirements, whilst others propose an increase in the stringency of certain emissions requirements.
Feb 2014
NHTSA Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for FMVSS 213 Child Restraint Systems
Supplementing the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 572 - Anthropomorphic Test Devices (see InterRegs Spotlight Article - December 2013), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an NPRM that would amend FMVSS 213 - Child Restraint Systems (CRS) to include side impact requirements for child restraints using the proposed 3-year old child Q3s side impact test dummy.
Jan 2014
EU Requirements on Motorcycle Emissions and Lighting Installation Updated
Amending Directive 2013/60/EU was published on 10th December 2013. It increases the stringency of the emissions requirements applicable to L1e, L2e and L6e category vehicles, i.e. two wheeled mopeds, three wheeled mopeds and light quadricycles, and introduces a requirement for all L category vehicles to be fitted with automatically switched dipped beam headlamps or dedicated daytime running lamps.
Dec 2013
NHTSA Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for 3 Year Old Side Impact Dummy
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would amend Part 572 - Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs) to add specifications and qualification requirements for a dummy that represents a 3-year old child. This dummy is referred to as the Q3s side impact test dummy. This action is in anticipation of NHTSA issuing a separate NPRM to revise FMVSS 213 - Child Restraint Systems to include side impact requirements for child restraints.
Nov 2013
ECE Requirements on Driver's Vision Updated
In order to enhance the fields of vision available to the drivers of motor vehicles, two of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulations relating to driver's vision, ECE 46 on indirect vision and ECE 125 on forward field of vision, have recently been amended to include new requirements.