Motor Carrier Safety Administration ( FMCSA ) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ( NPRM ) that would require heavy vehicles to have automatic emergency braking ( AEB ) systems that will mitigate the frequency and severity of rear-end crashes .
“ Advanced driver assistance systems like AEB have the power to save lives ,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson said in a June 22 announcement , which she called “ an important step forward in improving safety on our nation ’ s roadways by reducing , and ultimately eliminating , preventable tragedies that harm Americans .”
An AEB system uses multiple sensor technologies that work together to detect a vehicle in a crash imminent situation . The system automatically applies the brakes if the driver has not done so , or , if needed , applies more braking force to supplement the driver ’ s braking . The proposed standard would require the technology to work at speeds ranging between low-speed ( 6 miles per hour ) and high-speed ( roughly 50 miles per hour ) situations .
“ Establishing AEB standards is a key component of the Department ’ s National Roadway Safety Strategy ,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson . “ This technology can enhance the effectiveness of commercial motor vehicle crash reduction strategies and reduce roadway fatalities .”
According to NHTSA statistics , there are approximately 60,000 rear-end crashes a year in which the heavy vehicle is the striking vehicle . Once implemented , NHTSA estimates the proposed rule will prevent 19,118 crashes , save 155 lives , and prevent 8,814 injuries annually .
NHTSA and FMCSA incorporated feedback from the safety advocacy community , industry representatives and other interested parties to address this critical safety need on America ’ s roads . The proposed rule , which fulfills a mandate under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , defines “ heavy vehicles ” as those having a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 pounds , such as heavy-duty trucks and buses . NHTSA proposed a similar rule that would require AEB systems in passenger vehicles and light trucks .
In January 2022 , USDOT released the National Roadway Safety Strategy ( NRSS ), a roadmap to address “ the national crisis in motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries .”
DOT also launched the next phase of the NRSS , the Call to Action campaign , and released a one-year progress report with accompanying data visualizations that highlight the extent and magnitude of the U . S . roadway safety problem and ways to eventually bring the number of deaths on roadways to zero . Opportunity for public comments on the proposed rule were accepted for 60 days from the date of the announcement , June 22 . l FON 8 SEPTEMBER 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com