This month, the U.S. Department of Transportation is anticipated to reveal a final rule mandating automatic emergency braking systems on heavy trucks. According to the DOT’s latest Significant Rulemakings Report, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are expected to take final action on the rulemaking in April.
However, the final rule has yet to be submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, a necessary step before publication in the Federal Register. OMB reviews can often extend for months; for instance, NHTSA’s final rule for light vehicle automatic emergency braking, submitted on Jan. 18, is still pending clearance.
Last year, FMCSA and NHTSA jointly proposed a regulation mandating automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems and electronic stability control (ESC) systems on new vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds. Under the heavy vehicle proposal, all Class 7 and 8 vehicles (weighing over 26,000 pounds) would need to meet AEB standards within three years of the rule’s enactment.
Similarly, all Class 3 to 6 vehicles (10,001 to 26,000 pounds) would need to meet AEB and ESC requirements within four years. Small-volume manufacturers would have a grace period of five years after the final rule takes effect, and no retrofit requirements would be imposed on existing heavy vehicles.
Despite the proposed mandate, many truck drivers oppose it, citing issues with existing AEB technology, particularly false activations.
“I am a current truck driver with this system already in use on company trucks,” Joe Hoffman said. “I have had many false positives, and brakes were jarringly applied, almost causing accidents on every single one. One of the false positives almost sent me into a wall going through Philadelphia. Other false positives have almost caused people to hit me from behind. Is this a technology for new drivers just starting? Yes, but only once the technology has been significantly improved.”
Numerous truck drivers have expressed their concerns through comments, highlighting the challenges they face with AEB systems. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), representing small-business truckers, has emphasized the prevalence of false activations and their adverse impact on drivers’ operations.
“The notice of proposed rulemaking mandates AEB systems without sufficiently addressing false activations, properly consulting with professional truck drivers or completing ongoing research programs,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA president.
Source: Land Line
