Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comments; Consolidated Vehicles' Owner's Manual Requirements for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment
| Published date | 22 February 2022 |
| Citation | 87 FR 9787 |
| Record Number | 2022-02453 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,Transportation Department |
Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2022)
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9787-9795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02453]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2021-0059]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comments; Consolidated Vehicles' Owner's Manual Requirements for Motor
Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments on a reinstatement with
modification of a previously approved information collection.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration invites
public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) to reinstate a previously approved
information collection with modification. Before a Federal agency can
collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval
from OMB. Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit
public comment on proposed collections of information, including
extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This
document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends
to seek OMB approval on Vehicle Owner's Manual Requirements for Motor
Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment. NHTSA is requesting a
modification of the information collection to include regulatory
changes made by NHTSA's Adaptive Driving Beam Headlamps final rule.
NHTSA is also requesting modification to include requirements for
owner's manuals in NHTSA's existing regulations.
DATES: Written comments should be submitted by April 25, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NHTSA docket number
identified above, through any of the following methods:
Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help
you, please call (202) 366-9322 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access
to background documents, contact James Myers, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, West Building, Room W43-320, NRM-100, Washington, DC 20590.
Mr. Myers' telephone number is 202-493-0031. Please identify the
relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control
Number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency submits a proposed
collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a
document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must
ask for public comment on the following: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) how to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
[[Page 9788]]
collected; and (d) how to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses. In compliance with these
requirements, NHTSA asks for public comments on the following proposed
collection of information for which the agency is seeking approval from
OMB.
Title: Consolidated Vehicle Owner's Manual Requirements for Motor
Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment.
OMB Control Number: 2127-0541.
Form Numbers: N/A.
Type of Request: Request for reinstatement with modification of a
previously approved collection of information.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of Information:
NHTSA is seeking approval for a reinstatement with modification of
a previously approved information collection request (ICR) covering
fifteen information collections. These information collections require
or ask manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment to
provide information in owner's manuals, as specified in the Federal
motor vehicle safety standards and other NHTSA regulations. The
modification reflects regulatory changes contained in the Adaptive
Driving Beam (ADB) final rule published today affecting FMVSS No. 108,
``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.'' The
modification also covers information collection requirements
inadvertently left out of previous ICRs.
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act authorizes the
Secretary of Transportation (NHTSA by delegation), at 49 U.S.C. 30111,
to issue Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that set
performance standards for motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle
equipment. Further, the Secretary (NHTSA by delegation) is authorized,
at 49 U.S.C. 30117, to require manufacturers to provide information to
first purchasers of motor vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment
related to performance and safety in printed materials that are
attached to or accompany the motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle
equipment. NHTSA has exercised this authority to require manufacturers
to provide certain specified safety information to be readily available
to consumers and purchasers of motor vehicles and items of motor
vehicle equipment. This information is most often provided in vehicle
owners' manuals and the requirements are found in 49 CFR parts 563,
571, and 575. This information collection request only covers
requirements or requests to provide information that is not provided
verbatim in the regulation or standard. The information requirements or
requests are included in: Part 563, ``Event data recorders;'' FMVSS No.
108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment;'' FMVSS No.
110, ``Tire selection and rims;'' FMVSS No. 138, ``Tire Pressure
Monitoring Systems;'' FMVSS No. 202a, ``Head restraints;'' FMVSS No.
205, ``Glazing materials;'' FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash
protection;'' FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages;'' FMVSS
No. 213, ``Child restraint systems;'' FMVSS No. 225; ``Child restraint
anchorage systems:'' FMVSS No. 226, ``Ejection mitigation;'' FMVSS No.
303, ``Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles;''
section 575.103, ``Truck-camper loading;'' section 575.104, ``Uniform
tire quality grading standards;'' and section 575.105, ``Vehicle
rollover.'' NHTSA is seeking approval from OMB for reinstatement with
modification of this previously approved collection. Details of the
information collection and modifications are described below.
Part 563--Event data recorders. Section 563.11 requires
manufacturers of vehicles equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) to
provide a prescribed statement in the owner's manual.\1\ However, this
statement is provided verbatim in the regulation and, therefore, is not
an information collection. Section 563.11 also states that the owner's
manual may include additional information about the form, function, and
capabilities of the EDR, in supplement to the required statement. This
voluntary disclosure of information is an information collection for
which NHTSA is seeking approval.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 49 CFR 563.11(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated
equipment.'' This standard requires that certain lamps and reflective
devices with certain performance levels be installed on motor vehicles
to assure that the roadway is properly illuminated, that vehicles can
be readily seen, and the signals can be transmitted to other drivers
sharing the road during day, night, and inclement weather. In addition
to establishing performance requirements for those lamps and reflective
devices, FMVSS No. 108 also contains provisions requiring manufacturers
to provide instructions or information on the lighting device.
NHTSA is seeking approval to modify two of these requirements. The
first (in S10.18.8.2) requires manufacturers to provide instructions so
that owners, as well as traditional vehicle service personnel, can aim
their vehicle's Vehicle Headlamp Aiming Device (VHAD) headlamps using
equipment that is an integral part of the headlamp system. Because the
specific manner in which headlamp aiming is to be performed is not
regulated (only the performance of the device is), aiming devices
manufactured or installed by different vehicle and headlamp
manufacturers may work in significantly different ways. To assure that
the VHAD can be correctly aimed, this standard requires that
instructions for proper use of VHAD systems be part of the vehicle as a
label, or optionally, be placed in the vehicle owner's manual. The
second informational requirement NHTSA is seeking to modify (S9.4.1.1)
requires manufacturers to provide information regarding how to operate
semiautomatic beam switching devices.
On October 12, 2018 (83 FR 51766), NHTSA published a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing performance requirements for
adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlighting systems. NHTSA is today
publishing a final rule (Docket No. NHTSA-2021-0062) that modifies the
informational requirements referred to above.
First, the ADB final rule modifies the requirements regarding
providing instructions for VHADs in S10.18.8.2.1. Prior to this final
rule, the standard required manufacturers to provide instructions
advising that the headlighting system is properly aimed if the
appropriate vertical plane (as defined by the vehicle manufacturer) is
perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and a
horizontal plane when the vehicle is on a horizontal surface, and the
VHAD is set at ``0'' vertical and ``0'' horizontal. The final rule
changes this provision to require manufacturers to provide instructions
either on a label permanently affixed to the vehicle adjacent to the
VHAD, or in the operator's manual, advising the vehicle owner what to
do if the headlighting system requires aiming, using the VHAD.
Second, the ADB final rule modifies the requirements in S9.4.1.1
for manufacturers to provide instructions for operating semiautomatic
headlamp switching devices. Prior to this final rule, the standard
required manufacturers to provide instructions on how to operate the
device correctly,
[[Page 9789]]
including: How to turn the automatic control on and off; how to adjust
the sensitivity control; and any other specific instructions applicable
to the device. The final rule modifies this by excluding ADB systems
from the requirement to provide instructions on how to adjust the
sensitivity control.
FMVSS No. 110, ``Tire selection and rims.'' This standard specifies
requirements for tire selection to prevent tire overloading. The
vehicle's normal load and maximum load on the tire shall not be greater
than applicable specified limits. Section 7.2 of FMVSS No. 110 requires
certain information in the owner's manual for vehicles equipped with a
non-pneumatic spare tire. The owner's manual of the passenger car shall
contain, in writing in the English language and in not less than 10
point type, the following information under the heading ``IMPORTANT--
USE OF SPARE TIRE'': (a) A statement indicating the information related
to appropriate use for the non-pneumatic spare tire including at a
minimum the information set forth in S6 (a) and (b) and either the
information set forth in S4.3(g) or a statement that the information
set forth in S4.3(g) is located on the vehicle placard and on the non-
pneumatic tire; (b) An instruction to drive carefully when the non-
pneumatic spare tire is in use, and to install the proper pneumatic
tire and rim at the first reasonable opportunity; and (c) A statement
that operation of the passenger car is not recommended with more than
one non-pneumatic spare tire in use at the same time.
FMVSS No. 138, ``Tire pressure monitoring systems.'' This standard
specifies requirements for a tire pressure monitoring system to warn
the driver of an under-inflated tire condition. Its purpose is to
reduce the likelihood of a vehicle crash resulting from tire failure
due to operation in an under-inflated condition. The standard requires
the owner's manual to include specific information on the low-pressure
warning telltale and the malfunction indicator telltale. While most of
this information is provided verbatim, the statement requires some
customization. FMVSS No. 138, also states that the owner's manual may
include additional information about the time for the TPMS telltale(s)
to extinguish once the low tire pressure condition or the malfunction
is corrected. It may also include additional information about the
significance of the low tire pressure warning telltale illuminating, a
description of corrective action to be undertaken, whether the tire
pressure monitoring system functions with the vehicle's spare tire (if
provided), and how to use a reset button, if one is provided.
FMVSS No. 202a, ``Head restraints.'' This standard specifies
requirements for head restraints. The standard, which seeks to reduce
whiplash injuries in rear collisions, currently requires head
restraints for front outboard designated seating positions in passenger
cars and in light multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses
with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less and specifies
requirements for optionally provided rear outboard seat head restraints
in the same vehicles. The standard requires that vehicle manufacturers
include information in owner's manuals for vehicles manufactured on or
after September 1, 2008. The owner's manual must clearly identify which
seats are equipped with head restraints. If the head restraints are
removable, the owner's manual must provide instructions on how to
remove the head restraint by a deliberate action distinct from any act
necessary for adjustment, and how to reinstall the head restraints. The
owner's manual must warn that all head restraints must be reinstalled
to properly protect vehicle occupants. Finally, the owner's manual must
describe, in an easily understandable format, the adjustment of the
head restraints and/or seat back to achieve appropriate head restraint
position relative to the occupant's head.
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials.'' This standard specifies
requirement for all glazing material used in windshields, windows, and
interior partitions of motor vehicles. Its purpose is to reduce
injuries resulting from impact to glazing surfaces, to ensure a
necessary degree of transparency in motor vehicle windows for driver
visibility, and to minimize the possibility of occupants being thrown
through the vehicle windows in collisions. Detailed information
regarding the care and maintenance of plastic glazing items, such as a
glass-plastic windshield, is required to be placed in the vehicle
owner's manual.
FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection.'' This standard
specifies requirements for both active and passive occupant crash
protection systems for passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles,
trucks, and buses. Certain safety features, such as air bags, or the
care and maintenance of air bag systems, are required to be explained
to the owner by means of the owner's manual. For example, the owner's
manual must describe the vehicle's air bag system and provide
precautionary information about the proper positioning of the
occupants, including children. The owner's manual must also warn that
no objects should be placed over or near the air bag covers. The
owner's manual must also describe the operation of any tension
relieving and locking features of the provided seat belts. There is
also required information about the operation of seat belt assemblies
and other information that could total up to about 20 pages in the
owner's manual. This material would also need to be kept current with
the latest technical information on an annual basis.
FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages.'' This standard
specifies requirements for seat belt assembly anchorages to ensure
effective occupant restraint and to reduce the likelihood of failure in
a crash. FMVSS No. 210 requires that manufacturers place the following
information in the vehicle owner's manual: (a) An explanation that
child restraints are designed to be secured by means of the vehicle's
seat belts, and (b) a statement alerting vehicle owners that children
are always safer in the rear seat.
FMVSS No. 213; ``Child restraint systems.'' This standard specifies
requirements for built-in child restraint systems and requires vehicle
manufacturers provide consumers with information about the operation
and do's and don'ts in its owner's manual.
FMVSS No. 225; ``Child restraint anchorage systems.'' This standard
establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to
ensure their proper location and strength for the effective securing of
child restraints, to reduce the likelihood of the anchorage systems'
failure, and to increase the likelihood that child restraints are
properly secured and thus more fully achieve their potential
effectiveness in motor vehicles. The vehicle owner's manual must
provide written instructions, in English, for using the tether
anchorages and the child restraint anchorage system in the vehicle.
Instructions must at a minimum indicate which seating positions in the
vehicle are equipped with tether anchorages and child restraint
anchorage systems, explain the meaning of markings provided to locate
the lower anchorages, and include instructions that provide a step-by-
step procedure (including diagrams) for properly attaching a child
restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorages.
FMVSS No. 226, ``Ejection mitigation.'' This standard establishes
vehicle requirements intended to reduce the partial and complete
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes,
particularly rollover crashes. The standard applies to passenger cars,
and to multipurpose
[[Page 9790]]
passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a gross vehicle weight
rating of 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) or less. Written information must be
provided that describes any ejection mitigation countermeasure that
deploys in the event of a rollover and a discussion of the readiness
indicator with a list of the elements of the system being monitored by
the indicator, a discussion of the purpose and location of the
telltale, and instructions to the consumer on the steps to take if the
telltale is illuminated.
FMVSS No. 303, ``Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas
Vehicles.'' This standard specifies requirements for the integrity of
motor vehicle fuel systems using compressed natural gas (CNG),
including the CNG fuel systems of bi-fuel, dedicated, and dual fuel CNG
vehicles. This regulation requires manufacturers to permanently label
CNG vehicles, near the vehicle refueling connection, with service
pressure information and the statement ``See instructions on fuel
container for inspection and service life.'' Manufacturers of CNG
vehicles must also provide a first purchaser this information in either
an owner's manual or a one-page document.
Section 575.103, ``Truck-camper loading.'' This regulation requires
manufacturers of slide-in campers to affix to each camper a label that
contains information relating to identification and proper loading of
the camper and to provide more detailed loading information in the
owner's manual. This regulation also requires manufacturers of trucks
that would accommodate slide-in campers to specify the cargo weight
ratings and the longitudinal limits within which the center of gravity
for the cargo weight rating should be located.
Section 575.104, ``Uniform tire quality grading standards.'' This
regulation requires manufacturers of motor vehicles to inform the
drivers of the type and quality of the tires with which their vehicles
are equipped. Manufacturers must include in the vehicle owner's manual
a list of all possible grades for traction and temperature resistance
and restate verbatim the explanation for each performance area
specified in Sec. 575.104 Figure 2, Part II. The information must
contain a statement referring the reader to the tire sidewall for the
specific tire grades for the tires with which the vehicle is equipped.
Section 575.105, ``Vehicle rollover.'' This regulation requires
manufacturers of utility vehicles \2\ to alert the drivers of those
vehicles that they have a higher possibility of rollover than other
vehicle types and to advise them of steps that can be taken to reduce
the possibility of rollover and/or to reduce the likelihood of injury
in a rollover. The owner's manual must include a discussion of the
vehicle design features which cause this type of vehicles to be more
likely to rollover (e.g., higher center of gravity) and a discussion of
the driving practices that can reduce the risk of a rollover (e.g.,
avoiding sharp turns at excessive speed).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ 49 CFR 575.105 states Utility vehicles means multipurpose
passenger vehicles (other than those which are passenger car
derivatives) which have a wheelbase of 110 inches or less and
special features for occasional off-road operation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the
Information
The purpose of requiring that certain information be provided in
manuals is to ensure owners and operators are provided with readily
accessible important information about critical components of their
vehicles, such as the performance of their vehicle or instructions for
proper operation. The Federal program for reducing highway fatalities,
injuries and crashes is likely to be adversely affected if the
information is not collected, since consumers would not be made readily
aware of certain important safety provisions that apply to critical
components of their vehicles and would not have a readily accessible
source of information when circumstances require such information.
Earlier 60-Day Notice
On May 12, 2021, NHTSA published a notice in the Federal Register
(86 FR 26128) soliciting comments on reinstating the collection of
information (Consolidated Vehicle Owner's Manual Requirements for Motor
Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment). NHTSA received one comment from
the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators) requesting
that NHTSA consider the development of new compliance options to permit
digital format owners' manuals in lieu of hard copy (printed) owners'
manuals. However, as no such compliance option currently exists, the
Auto Innovators' request to change the FMVSS is outside of the scope of
this reinstatement request. NHTSA will consider the request for future
Agency action.
Affected Public: Vehicle manufacturers.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,628.
NHTSA estimates the burden for each of the information collections
individually based on the estimated number of manufacturers expected to
need to comply with the requirements and the estimated time each
manufacturer spends each year complying with the requirements to put
specific information into owner's manual. To calculate manufacturer
burden, NHTSA has estimated the time to compile, revise, and review
information for owner's manuals by vehicle model. This estimate is
informed by the estimated number of vehicle models that would be
subject to the requirements and also the expected number of new models
or models undergoing changes that would necessitate updates to owner's
manuals.
Part 563--Event Data Recorders. NHTSA estimates that the vehicle
manufacturers that voluntarily provide this additional information in
the owner's manual incur minimal burden. We conservatively estimate
that half of the 406 vehicle models for light duty vehicles will have
owner's manuals that contain this supplemental information and that the
burden for updating and reviewing this information will be 1 hour per
model line. This would result in 203 annual burden hours (203 vehicle
model lines x 1 hour of time x 1 manual per model).
FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated
equipment.''
Vehicle Headlamp Aiming Device
Considering that we anticipate adaptive driving beam systems to
include a horizontal vehicle headlamp aiming device (VHAD), it is
estimated 50% of models will offer adaptive driving beam headlighting
systems on at least one trim level that will include a VHAD. Vehicles
equipped with VHAD headlamps, for one model line with new VHAD
headlamps, the time to collect the required information, prepare
technical input, and review for accuracy of the required information
placed for publication in the owner's manual template is estimated to
be 4 hours per manual. In a carry-over vehicle owner's manual, we
estimate that it would take a vehicle manufacturer 1 hour to review the
required information for continued accuracy relating to VHAD systems.
Section 571.108 permits each manufacturer a choice in placing headlamp
aiming instruction in the owner's manual or on a label affixed to the
vehicle. We estimate about half of the VHAD aiming applications would
be
[[Page 9791]]
on labels attached to the VHAD, with the remainder (50%) using
information in the owner's manual to convey the necessary information.
Therefore, the number of annual burden hours imposed on manufacturers
whose vehicles are subject to FMVSS No. 108 would be determined from
the number of model lines produced annually (of which an estimated 25%
are new and 75% are non-new, a repeat of previous years' model lines)
multiplied by the portion of vehicles equipped with VHAD headlamps
multiplied by the estimated number of hours required to assemble the
required information (estimated to be 4 hours of review for new
vehicles and 1 hour to review the information for non-new models). The
annual burden hours required by FMVSS No. 108's VHAD section in the
owner's manual is 383 hours ((438 models x 0.5 use VHAD x 0.25 new
models x 4 hours/model) + (438 models x 0.5 use VHAD x 0.75 non-new
models x 1 hour/model)).
SemiAutomatic Beam Switching Devices
We estimate that approximately 80% of new vehicle models include a
semiautomatic beam switching device (either traditional semiautomatic
beam switching or adaptive driving beam) on at least one trim level for
the U.S. market. For new model vehicles equipped with semiautomatic
beam switching devices (SABs), the time to collect the required
information, prepare technical input, and review for accuracy of the
required information placed for publication in the owner's manual
template is estimated to be 4 hours per manual. In a carry-over vehicle
owner's manual, we estimate that it would take a vehicle manufacturer 1
hour to review the required information for continued accuracy relating
to semiautomatic beam switching devices. Section 571.108 requires
manufacturers to provide instructions on how to operate semiautomatic
beam switching devices if they are installed on the vehicle. The number
of annual burden hours imposed on manufacturers whose vehicles are
subject to FMVSS No. 108 would be determined from the number of model
lines produced annually (of which an estimated 25% are new and 75% are
non-new, a repeat of previous years' model lines) multiplied by the
portion of vehicles equipped with semiautomatic beam switching devices
multiplied by the estimated number of hours required to assemble the
required information (estimated to be 4 hours of review for new models
and 1 hour to review the information for non-new models). The annual
burden hours required by FMVSS No. 108's semiautomatic beam switching
device section in the owner's manual is 613 hours ((438 models x 0.8
offer SABs x 0.25 new models x 4 hours/model) + (438 models x 0.8 offer
SABs x 0.75 non-new models x 1 hour/model)).
FMVSS No. 110, ``Tire selection and rims.'' Currently,
manufacturers do not equip current passenger vehicles, trucks, buses,
trailers, or motorcycles with non-pneumatic spare tires. If vehicles
were equipped with non-pneumatic spare tires, the number of annual
burden hours imposed on manufacturers who choose to equip their
vehicles with this equipment would be determined from the number of
model lines produced annually (of which an estimated 25% are new and
75% are on-new, a repeat of previous years' model lines) multiplied by
the portion of vehicle models equipped with non-pneumatic spare tires
multiplied by the estimated number of hours required to assemble the
required information (estimated to be 4 hours of review for new
vehicles and 1 hour to review the information for non-new vehicles).
The product of these factors would provide the number of hours required
by manufacturers to produce necessary information to place into an
owner's manual ``master'' for printing. Because manufacturers do not
equip current passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, or
motorcycles with non-pneumatic spare tires, NHTSA estimates the hour
burden as 0 hours.
FMVSS No. 138, ``Tire pressure monitoring systems.'' The
information required by FMVSS No. 138 to be included in the owner's
manual is provided verbatim and may be taken from the Federal
regulation in its entirety. FMVSS No. 138, also states that the owner's
manual may include additional information about the low-pressure
telltale and the malfunction indicator telltale. NHTSA estimates the
burden to be 1 hour for the respondents to compile, review, and revise
the additional information. There is an average of 438 model lines each
year that include tire pressure monitoring information in the owner's
manual. Therefore, NHTSA estimates the total annual burden hours for
Sec. 571.138 to be 438 hours (438 model lines x 1 manual per model x 1
hour).
FMVSS No. 202a, ``Head restraints.'' It is estimated that 438 model
lines need to be reviewed annually, but only a fraction (25 percent)
need major revision each year. It is further estimated that it would
take 5 hours to complete the major revisions. The remaining fraction of
model lines (75 percent) only require reverification of existing
information. The total annual burden hours are estimated to be 876
hours ((438 model lines x 0.25 needing revision x 5 hours) + (438 model
lines x 0.75 needing revision x 1 hour)).
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials.'' It is estimated that the
burden to provide information in the owner's manual for detailed care
and maintenance is minimal because manufacturers already provide this
type of information in the vehicle cleaning and maintenance section of
the owner's manual. NHTSA estimates a burden for each manual of 1 hour
because manufacturers would need to verify that detailed care and
maintenance information has been included in their cleaning and
maintenance section of the owner's manual. The annual estimated burden
from Sec. 571.205 is 176 hours (176 model lines x 1 manual per model x
1 hour).
FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection.'' A conservative
estimated burden to produce the required text and information is 16
hours (or 2 days). It is also estimated that a fraction (25 percent) of
the model lines would require updates annually. The remaining fraction
of model lines (75 percent) only require reverification (1-hour burden)
of existing information. This would result in 2,750 annual burden hours
((579 vehicle model lines x 0.25 percent that need updating x 16 hours
of time) + (579 model lines x 0.75 needing revision x 1 hour)).
FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages.'' It is estimated
that it would take a vehicle manufacturer no more than 1 hour per
vehicle model line to assemble all of the FMVSS No. 210 information for
inclusion in the owner's manual. This would result in 438 annual burden
hours (438 vehicle model lines x 1 manual per model x 1 hour).
FMVSS No. 213, ``Child restraint systems.'' NHTSA estimates that
the burden associated with compiling, revising, and reviewing FMVSS No.
213 information for owner's manuals will be minimal. This information
must also be made available on strategically placed labels within the
vehicles, in addition to the vehicle's owner's manual. Thus, it is
assumed that the burden hours would be minimal since the information is
already available from the information required to produce the labels.
NHTSA estimates that there are very few vehicle models that are
equipped with built-in child restraints. A conservative estimate is
that no more than 20 models would have built-in child restraints. This
would result in 20 annual burden hours (20 vehicle model lines x 1
manual per model x 1 hour).
[[Page 9792]]
FMVSS No. 225, ``Child restraint anchorage systems.'' NHTSA
estimates that it takes a vehicle manufacturer no more than 5 hours to
compile the required material and that only a fraction (25 percent)
would need major revisions each year. The remaining fraction of model
lines (75 percent) only require reverification (1-hour burden) of
existing information. This would result in 876 annual burden hours
((438 vehicle model lines x 1 manual per model x 0.25 (percent
requiring major revisions) x 5 hours of time) + (438 model lines x 1
manual per model x 0.75 (percent requiring reverification) x 1 hour)).
FMVSS No. 226, ``Ejection mitigation.'' NHTSA estimates that it
takes a vehicle manufacturer no more than 8 hours to compile the
required material and it is estimated that a fraction (25 percent)
would need major revisions each year. The remaining fraction of model
lines (75 percent) only require reverification (1-hour burden) of
existing information. This would result in 1,205 annual burden hours
((438 vehicle model lines x 1 manual per model x 0.25 (percent that
need major revision) x 8 hours of time) + (438 model lines x 1 manual
per model x 0.75 (percent needing reverification) x 1 hour)).
FMVSS No. 303, ``Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas
Vehicles.'' Vehicle manufacturers must provide specific information to
the consumer dealing with CNG vehicles' fuel systems. The information
must be available on the fuel container of the vehicle and must also be
made available in the Vehicle owner's manual. For the purposes of this
justification, NHTSA assumes that all the necessary information is
already available from the information required to produce the fuel
container labels. Therefore, there is a slight burden of 1 hour for
respondents to include this information in their owner's manuals. This
would result in 18 annual burden hours (18 vehicle model lines x 1
manual per model x 1 hour of time).
Section 575.103, ``Truck-camper loading.'' The information required
for the owner's manuals under section 575.103 is developed by
manufacturers as part of their routine engineering development for
their vehicles. The figures to include in truck and slide-in camper
owner's manuals are provided in the regulation. Therefore, there is a
slight 1-hour burden for respondents to include this information in
their owner's manuals. This would result in 35 annual burden hours (35
vehicle model lines x 1 manual per model x 1 hour of time).
Section 575.104, ``Uniform tire quality grading standards.'' This
requirement directs manufacturers to provide a statement in the owner's
manual, that is provided in the regulation almost in its entirety or
equivalent form. This regulation requires manufacturers of motor
vehicles to include in the vehicle owner's manual a list of all
possible grades for traction and temperature resistance and restate
verbatim the explanation for each performance area specified in section
575.104 Figure 2, Part II. A statement is provided in the regulation
which manufacturers shall include, in its entirety or equivalent form,
in the owner's manual. Therefore, NHTSA estimates that the burden for
compiling, revising, and reviewing this information will only take 1
hour per model each year. This results in 579 annual burden hours (579
vehicle model lines x 1 manual per model x 1 hour of time).
Section 575.105, ``Vehicle rollover.'' To comply with Section
575.105, manufacturers of utility vehicles must include, in the owner's
manual, a discussion of the vehicle design features which cause this
type of vehicles to be more likely to rollover (e.g., higher center of
gravity) and a discussion of the driving practices that can reduce the
risk of a rollover (e.g., avoiding sharp turns at excessive speed).
NHTSA estimates that because this information should be readily
available, that it will take manufacturers 1 hour each year to compile,
revise, and review the information for inclusion in the owner's
manuals. This would result in 18 annual burden hours (18 vehicle model
lines x 1 manual per model x 1 hour of time).
The labor costs associated with these burden hours are derived by
using hourly labor rates published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS). For the burden hours associated with compiling the owner's
manual information required under the FMVSSs, NHTSA uses the mean
hourly wage of $35.41 per hour for ``Technical Writers'' (occupational
code 27-3042).\3\ BLS estimates that hourly wages represent
approximately 70.2% of total compensation for private industry
workers.\4\ Therefore, NHTSA estimates the labor cost associated with
less senior Technical Writers to be $50.44 per hour. The total labor
cost associated with the burden hours of this information collection
are determined by multiplying the annual burden hours by $50.44;
therefore, the total annual labor costs are estimated to be $435,171 in
each of the next three years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ May 2019 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment
and Wage Estimates, NAICS 336100--Motor Vehicle Manufacturing,
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_336100.htm#27-0000.
\4\ https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf. Accessed
March 20, 2020. Table 1. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation by
ownership [March 2020], https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t01.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below summarizes the total hour burden and associated
labor costs estimates.
Table 1--Estimated Hour Burden and Associated Labor Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Estimated total annual
Part/section Brief title total annual labor costs at
burden hours $50.44/hour
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
563........................................... Event Data Recorders............ 203 $10,239
571.108....................................... Lighting-VHAD................... 383 19,319
571.108....................................... Lighting-SABs................... 613 30,920
571.110....................................... Tire Selection and Rims......... 0 0
571.138....................................... Tire Pressure Monitoring........ 438 22,093
571.202a...................................... Head Restraints................. 876 44,185
571.205....................................... Glazing......................... 176 8,877
571.208....................................... Crash Protection................ 2,750 138,710
571.210....................................... Seat Belt Anchors............... 438 22,093
571.213....................................... Child Restraints................ 20 1,009
571.225....................................... Child Restraint Anchorages...... 876 44,185
[[Page 9793]]
571.226....................................... Ejection Mitigation............. 1,205 60,755
571.303....................................... CNG Fuel Systems................ 18 908
575.103....................................... Truck-Camper Loading............ 35 1,765
575.104....................................... Tire Quality.................... 579 29,205
575.105....................................... Utility Vehicles................ 18 908
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.................................... ................................ 8,628 435,171
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $7,971,461.
NHTSA estimates that the only costs, other than labor costs
associated with labor hours, for this information collection are costs
associated with printing the owner's manuals. NHTSA has estimated these
costs by multiplying the estimated number owner's manuals that will be
produced by the number of words provided in the owner's manual in
response to the information collection. This estimate is then
multiplied by the estimated cost per word for printing.
Part 563--Event Data Recorders. NHTSA estimates that the word
content in the owner's manual required by Part 563 would be 100 text
words. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle manufacturers is estimated to
be $30,566.25 (17,100,000 total vehicles x 50% of vehicles including
added language in the owner's manuals x 100 text words x 1.1 production
factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per word). Cost burdens for
this regulation were not included in the previous information
collection request.
FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated
equipment.'' The ADB final rule amended the standard with specific
instructions for using the VHAD to aim ADB headlighting systems. We
amended the VHAD requirements from specifically saying that it should
be aimed at zero to a more general phrase that tells the owner what
they should do when the headlamps need aimed horizontally. We expect
this to decrease the words needed to convey the required information
from 500 words to 250 words.
The printing cost burden for these owner's manuals would be the
number of vehicles produced annually multiplied by the portion of
vehicles equipped with VHAD headlamps, multiplied by certain printing
factors (an estimated 250 text words required per owner's manual, a 1.1
multiplier to account for aftermarket manuals, a 0.25 printing factor,
and a $0.00013 cost per word). The annual cost burden to the
respondents to include the information required by FMVSS No. 108's VHAD
section in the owner's manual is $38,208 (17,100,000 vehicles x 0.5 use
VHAD x 0.5 provide info in manual x 250 words of text x 1.1 production
factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per word).
The printing cost burden for these owner's manuals would be the
number of vehicles produced annually multiplied by the portion of
vehicles equipped with semiautomatic beam switching devices, multiplied
by certain printing factors (an estimated 500 text words required per
owner's manual, a 1.1 multiplier to account for aftermarket manuals, a
0.25 printing factor, and a $0.00013 cost per word). The annual cost
burden to the respondents to include the information required by FMVSS
No. 108's semiautomatic beam switching device section in the owner's
manual is $244,530 (17,100,000 vehicles x 0.8 use SABs x 500 words of
text x 1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per
word).
FMVSS No. 110, ``Tire selection and rims.'' The printing cost
burden for these owner's manuals would be the number of vehicles
produced annually multiplied by the portion of vehicles equipped with
non-pneumatic spare tires, multiplied by certain printing factors (an
estimated 500 text words required per owner's manual, a 1.1 multiplier
to account for aftermarket manuals, a 0.25 printing factor, and a
$0.00013 cost per word). Because manufacturers do not equip current
passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, or motorcycles with non-
pneumatic spare tires, NHTSA estimates the printing cost to be $0.
FMVSS 571.138, ``Tire pressure monitoring systems.'' The recurring
cost to the respondents to include the information required by section
571.138 is based on the typical length of the tire pressure monitoring
system information that is required, including depictions of the low-
pressure telltale and, if equipped, a separate malfunction indicator
telltale. NHTSA estimates that this information is equivalent to 400
words of text for the average owner's manual. NHTSA estimates there are
17,100,000 new vehicles each year requiring tire pressure monitoring
system information in the owner's manual. The annual cost burden to the
respondents to include the information required by FMVSS No. 138 is
$244,530 (17,100,000 vehicles x 400 words of text x 1.1 production
factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per word).
FMVSS 571.202a, ``Head restraints.'' NHTSA estimates that it would
take approximately 4 pages of the owner's manual to disclose the
required head restraint information. Assuming that a page of owner's
manual information represents a typical density of 300 words per page,
manufacturers would need to publish about 1,200 words of instructions
or cautioning information for the average owner's manual. NHTSA
estimates there are 17,100,000 new vehicles each year requiring head
restraint information in the owner's manual. Therefore, the total
recurring cost estimate is $733,590 (17,100,000 vehicles x 1,200 words
of text x 1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per
word).
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials.'' The word count required in
the owner's manual is estimated to be 210 words. Only buses and low
speed vehicles currently use plastic type glazing. Therefore, NHTSA
estimates there are 17,400 new vehicles each year that include glazing
information in the owner's manual. The annual cost burden to the
respondents to include the information required by FMVSS No. 205 is
estimated to be $130.63 (17,400 vehicles x 210 words of text x 1.1
production factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per word).
FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection.'' NHTSA estimates that
the word content in the owner's manual required by FMVSS No. 208 would
be 5,400 text words. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle manufacturers is
estimated to be $3,397,680 (17,600,000
[[Page 9794]]
total vehicles x 5,400 text words x 1.1 production factor x 0.25
printing factor x $0.00013 per word).
FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages.'' It is estimated
that the word content in the owner's manual required by FMVSS No. 210
would be 400 text words. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle
manufacturers is estimated to be $244,530 (17,100,000 total vehicles x
400 text words x 1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x
$0.00013 per word).
FMVSS No. 213, ``Child restraint systems.'' It is estimated that
the recurring information required for child safety in the owner's
manual would be 500 text words. NHTSA estimates that, conservatively,
5% of vehicles may be in lines that offer built in child restraints.
Therefore, NHTSA estimates that there would be 880,000 vehicles with
owner's manual containing information provided in response to this
information collection. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle manufacturers
is estimated to be $15,730 (880,000 total vehicles x 500 text words x
1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per word).
FMVSS No. 225, ``Child Restraint Anchorage Systems.'' NHTSA
estimates that the word content in the owner's manual required by FMVSS
No. 225 would be 1,500 text words. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle
manufacturers is estimated to be $943,800 (17,600,000 total vehicles x
1,500 text words x 1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x
$0.00013 per word).
FMVSS No. 226, ``Ejection Mitigation.'' NHTSA estimates that the
word content in the owner's manual required by FMVSS No. 226 would be
3,000 text words. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle manufacturers is
estimated to be $1,833,975 (17,100,000 total vehicles x 3,000 text
words x 1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per
word).
FMVSS No. 303, ``Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas
Vehicles.'' NHTSA estimates that no more than 50 words are required in
the owner's manual to comply with the requirements in FMVSS No. 303.
There are conservatively 20,000 CNG vehicles produced annually. Hence,
the cost burden to CNG vehicle manufacturers is estimated to be $35.75
(20,000 total units x 50 text words x 1.1 production factor x 0.25
printing factor x $0.00013 per word). Cost burdens for this regulation
were not included in the previous information collection request.
Section 575.103, ``Truck-camper loading.'' It is estimated that 480
words are required in the owner's manual to comply with Sec. 575.103.
There are approximately 2,300,000 pickup trucks and 11,000 truck camper
units produced annually. These total to an annual production of
2,311,000 units. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle manufacturers is
estimated to be $39,656.76 (2,311,000 total units x 480 text words x
1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per word).
Section 575.104, ``Uniform tire quality grading standards.'' NHTSA
estimates that 390 words are minimally required in the owner's manual
to comply with Sec. 575.104. There are approximately 13,857,300
vehicles covered by this regulation. Hence, the cost burden to vehicle
manufacturers is estimated to be $193,205.41 (13,857,300 total vehicles
x 390 text words x 1.1 production factor x 0.25 printing factor x
$0.00013 per word). Cost burdens for this regulation were not included
in the previous information collection request.
Section 575.105, ``Vehicle rollover.'' NHTSA estimates that 117
words are minimally required in the owner's manual to comply with
section 575.105. There are approximately 2,700,000 utility vehicles
with 4-wheel drive and a wheelbase of 110 inches or less. Therefore,
the cost burden to vehicle manufacturers is estimated to be $11,293.43
(2,700,000 total vehicles x 117 text words x 1.1 production factor x
0.25 printing factor x $0.00013 per word). Cost burdens for this
regulation were not included in the previous information collection
request.
The total annual cost to the respondents for information published
in vehicles' owner's manuals is summarized in the table below.
Table 2--Estimated Printing Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Part/section Brief title total costs to
respondents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
563............................... Event Data Recorders $30,566
571.108........................... Lighting-VHAD....... 38,208
571.108........................... Lighting-SABs....... 244,530
571.110........................... Tire Selection and 0
Rims.
571.138........................... Tire Pressure 244,530
Monitoring Systems.
571.202a.......................... Head Restraints..... 733,590
571.205........................... Glazing............. 131
571.208........................... Occupant Crash 3,397,680
Protection.
571.210........................... Seat Belt Assembly 244,530
Anchors.
571.213........................... Child Restraints 15,730
Systems.
571.225........................... Child Restraint 943,800
Anchorage Systems.
571.226........................... Ejection Mitigation. 1,833,975
571.303........................... Fuel System 36
Integrity of
Compressed Natural
Gas Vehicles.
575.103........................... Truck-Camper Loading 39,657
575.104........................... Uniform Tire Quality 193,205
Grading Standards.
575.105........................... Vehicle Rollover.... 11,293
-------------------------------------
Total Costs................... .................... 7,971,461
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of
this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate
of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
[[Page 9795]]
The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request
for OMB's clearance of this information collection.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29.
Raymond R. Posten,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2022-02453 Filed 2-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
