A significant rulemaking report was released by the U. S. Department of Transportation last September and will take effect throughout 2023. With the new year beginning, it`s the right time to check some of these rulemakings, their expected dates and what we might expect from the FMCSA.

1. Safe Integration of Automated Driving Systems-Equipped Commercial Motor Vehicles Stage: NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

Projected Publication Date: 01/18/2023

FMCSA proposes to amend certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to ensure the safe introduction of automated driving systems (ADS)-equipped commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) onto the Nation`s roadways.

The proposed changes to the CMV operations, inspection, repair, and maintenance regulations prioritize safety and security, promote innovation, foster a consistent regulatory approach to ADS-equipped CMVs, and recognize the difference between human operators and ADS.

2. Automatic Emergency Braking Systems

Stage: NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

Projected Publication Date: 01/30/2023

This joint rulemaking of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal

Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) will be seeking comments on a proposal to require and/or standardize equipment performance for automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on heavy trucks.

The rulemaking is expected to propose performance standards and motor carrier maintenance requirements for AEB systems on heavy trucks and accompanying test procedures for measuring the performance of the AEB systems in NHTSA compliance testing.

3. Safety Fitness Procedures

Stage: ANPRM (Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

Projected Publication Date: 01/30/2023

FMCSA is seeking information on how the Agency might use data and resources more effectively to identify unfit motor carriers and to remove them from the Nation`s roadways. FMCSA would seek public comment about the use of available safety data, including inspection data, in determining carrier fitness to operate. The Agency would also seek public input on possible changes to the current three-tier safety fitness rating structure. The action would also include a review of the list of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that the Agency uses in its safety fitness rating methodology.

4. Heavy Vehicle Speed Limiters

Stage: SNPRM (Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

Projected Publication Date: 06/30/2023

FMCSA intends to proceed with a motor carrier-based speed limiter rulemaking by preparing a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to follow up on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration`s (NHTSA) and FMCSA`s jointly issued September 7, 2016, notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on this subject. The new rulemaking in subsequent consultation with NHTSA, will consider whether additional regulatory actions should be taken concerning CMV manufacturer requirements.

Specifically, motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), whichever is greater, that are equipped with an electronic engine control unit (ECU) capable of governing the maximum speed be required to limit the CMV to a speed to be determined by the rulemaking and to maintain that ECU setting for the service life of the vehicle.

Please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation official website for more information: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-09/September%202022%20Significant%20Rulemaking%20Report.v.1.z.pdf