Development of Functional Specifications for Performance-based Brake Testers Used To Inspect Commercial Motor Vehicles

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

49 CFR Part 350

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-98-3611]

Development of Functional Specifications for Performance-based

Brake Testers Used To Inspect Commercial Motor Vehicles

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA is requesting public comment concerning the

development of functional specifications for performance-based brake

testing machines purchased with Federal funds through the FHWA's Motor

Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). The FHWA is nearing the

completion of a multi-year research program to evaluate prototype

performance-based brake testing technologies, including roller

dynamometers, flat-plate brake testers, breakaway torque brake testers,

an on-board electronic decelerometer, and an infrared brake temperature

measurement system. To date, the FHWA has determined that certain

performance-based brake testing machines are eligible for funding under

MCSAP, but only as screening and sorting devices in commercial vehicle

inspections. The FHWA is requesting public comments on generic

functional specifications that would be applicable to a range of brake

testing technologies. The States would use the functional

specifications as guidelines to determine whether the purchase of a

specific brake tester would be an eligible expense item under the

MCSAP.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit written, signed comments to the docket identified at

the beginning of this notice, the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room

PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All

comments received will be available for examination at the above

address from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments

must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry W. Minor, Vehicle and

Operations Division, Office of Motor Carrier Research and Standards,

(202) 366-4009; or Mr. Steve Keppler, Intelligent Transportation

Systems--Commercial Vehicle Operations Division, Office of Motor

Carrier Safety and Technology, (202) 366-0950, or Mr. Charles E.

Medalen, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1354, Federal Highway

Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D. C. 20590.

Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through

Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 30679]]

Electronic Access

Internet users can access all comments received by the U.S. DOT

Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL):

http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each

year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and

help.

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem

and suitable communications software from the Government Printing

Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet

users may reach the Federal Register's home page at: http://

www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at:

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

In 1993, the FHWA initiated a research program to evaluate various

performance-based brake testing technologies for application to

commercial motor vehicles. The purpose of the program was to determine,

through field-test data collection, if performance-based brake

inspection technologies could improve, or assist with the throughput

and accuracy of, the current inspection techniques which involve visual

examination of components, measurement of push-rod travel on air-braked

vehicles, and listening for air leaks. Following the completion of the

first task of the program, in which various performance-based

technologies were analyzed, several of the technologies were selected

for evaluation in a roadside field-test.

During the field tests, inspections were performed using both

visual and performance-based methods to compare their ability to detect

vehicle brake defects. In particular, a Commercial Vehicle Safety

Alliance (CVSA) Level 4 inspection (consisting of the brake and tire

portion of a Level 1 inspection) was conducted in addition to a

performance-based brake test. The dual inspections were performed by

State officials in each of ten States (Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana,

Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, West Virginia, Wisconsin)

that volunteered to participate in the field test program.

The data collected from these dual inspections were tabulated and

correlations were sought between Federal Motor Carrier Safety

Regulations (FMCSRs) violations, the North American Uniform Vehicle

Out-of-Service Criteria used by officials in the United States, Canada,

and Mexico, and various pass/fail criteria used by manufacturers of

performance-based technology. In addition to the performance-based

brake ``failure'' information, data relating to the operational

characteristics of each prototype machine were also collected and

evaluated. These data included setup and tear down times, vehicle

inspection times, maintenance requirements, user friendliness,

calibration procedures and results, operator skill-level requirements

and information to generate a cost-benefit analysis. A key source of

data was the interviews (performed by the researchers) with State

inspectors.

The preliminary findings from the first phase of the prototype

brake testing program are documented in an interim report, ``Evaluation

of Performance-Based Brake Testing Technologies,'' December 1995, FHWA-

MC-96-004. A copy of this report has been placed in the docket and may

be obtained by contacting one of the individuals listed at the

beginning of this notice. The interim report presents findings based

upon approximately one year of data from roller dynamometers used in

Colorado and Ohio, and a flat plate tester in Minnesota.

The first phase of the brake testing program also included an

evaluation of an on-board decelerometer, and an infrared brake

temperature measurement system. The evaluations of these technologies

did not involve a year-long data collection effort. The evaluation of

the decelerometer was conducted using Indiana school buses that were

undergoing annual summer inspections. Use of this technology in

roadside inspections appears impractical. The logistics are difficult

and the majority of the vehicles tested would be loaded with cargo in

transit--few commercial motor vehicle drivers would be willing to

perform panic stops in other than emergency situations because of the

potential damage to their cargo. The evaluation of the infrared brake

temperature measurement system was conducted in Oregon. Since criteria

for using infrared technology for detecting faulty brakes had not yet

been developed, the field-test data were collected and analyzed to

determine whether any correlation could be made between the brake

temperature data and the inspection results.

West Virginia is currently participating in the field test

evaluation of a roller dynamometer, Wisconsin is collecting data on a

flat-plate tester, and Maryland and Nevada are collecting data on

breakaway torque testers. Connecticut participated in the testing of a

roller dynamometer for several months, but elected to discontinue its

involvement in the research program. The final report on the research

program will be published later this year.

In addition to research involving State agencies, the FHWA is also

working with motor carrier fleets to provide the private sector with

the opportunity to learn about the performance-based brake testing

technologies and determine whether the use of the technologies would

benefit their maintenance programs.

Determination of Eligibility for MCSAP Funding

On April 1, 1996, the FHWA issued a memorandum advising agency

staff that two specific performance-based brake testing machines are

eligible for funding under MCSAP. On March 11, 1997, the FHWA issued

another memorandum announcing the eligibility for funding of a third

performance-based brake testing machine. Copies of the memoranda are in

the docket. The memoranda indicated that the devices are prototypes,

and are approved for screening and sorting purposes only. This means

that States may request MCSAP funding to purchase one of the approved

brake testers for use in screening or sorting vehicles at inspection

sites. Vehicles failing the brake performance test would have to be

inspected to determine the reason for the poor test results. Generally,

motor carriers cannot be cited for brake-related violations of the

FMCSRs solely on the basis of the results from a performance-based

brake tester. Currently, citations are based upon the specific defects

or deficiencies found during the in-depth inspection.

The FHWA is considering whether to the develop pass/fail criteria

for braking force that could be implemented by Federal and State

officials using performance-based brake testing technologies. As

inspection criteria or regulations are developed through the rulemaking

process, the use of the performance-based brake testing machines could

be expanded to include enforcement of the new Federal brake performance

standards. The new standards would be an alternative to the 32.2

kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour) stopping-distance test

currently specified in 49 CFR 393.52, but rarely enforced by Federal

and State officials because of the difficulty in performing such tests

at the roadside. If performance-based standards are developed through

the rulemaking process, the States would be able to issue citations

based upon the output (e.g., brake force, brake balance, deceleration,

etc.) from the brake testers.

The development of pass/fail criteria for braking force in

commercial motor

[[Page 30680]]

vehicles is being considered for rulemaking and comments are not being

requested on the topic at this time.

Public Meeting

On December 8, 1997, the FHWA held a public meeting at the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Vehicle Research and

Test Center to discuss the development of functional specifications for

performance-based brake testers. A notice announcing the meeting was

published in the Federal Register on November 13, 1997 (62 FR 60817).

In addition to the FHWA and NHTSA, the following companies were

represented at the public meeting: Battelle; B & B Automotive; B & G

Technologies, Inc; Dennis National Lease; Hicklin Engineering; Hunter

Engineering Company; Gooch Brake; MGM Brakes; Motion Control

Industries, Inc.; Nepean Engineering Pty. Ltd.; Radlinski & Associates,

Inc.; and Truckalyser Canada, Inc.

Most of the participants at the public meeting were either

manufacturers of performance-based brake testers or distributors of

such devices. The participants reviewed a draft of the functional

specifications presented in the appendix to this notice. The comments

from the participants have been incorporated to the extent practicable.

Request for Comments

The FHWA is requesting comments from all interested parties on the

functional specifications in the appendix to this notice. Although

participants at the public meeting provided very helpful comments, the

agency is requesting additional comments through this notice to ensure

that all interested persons who were unable to attend the public

meeting have an opportunity to comment on this subject.

All comments received before the close of business on the comment

closing date indicated above will be considered and will be available

for examination in the docket room at the above address. Comments

received after the comment closing date will be filed in the docket and

will be considered to the extent practicable, but the FHWA may adopt,

and publish in the Federal Register, final functional specifications at

any time after the close of the comment period. In addition to late

comments, the FHWA will also continue to file in the docket relevant

information that becomes available after the comment closing date, and

interested persons should continue to examine the docket for new

material.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 31136, 31502; and 49 CFR 1.48.

Issued on: May 20, 1998.

Kenneth R. Wykle,

Federal Highway Administrator.

BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

[[Page 30681]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.021

[[Page 30682]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.022

[[Page 30683]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.023

[[Page 30684]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.024

[[Page 30685]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.025

[[Page 30686]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.026

[[Page 30687]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.027

[[Page 30688]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.028

[[Page 30689]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.029

[[Page 30690]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.030

[[Page 30691]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.031

[[Page 30692]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.032

[[Page 30693]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.033

[[Page 30694]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP05JN98.034

[FR Doc. 98-14678 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-22-C