Motor carrier safety standards: Drivers' hours of services— Global positioning system technology; pilot demonstration project,

[Federal Register: July 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 133)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 37689-37690]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr13jy99-16]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

49 CFR Part 395

Global Positioning System (GPS) Technology; Extension of Application Date

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of extension of deadline for submission of applications to participate in the GPS technology pilot demonstration project.

SUMMARY: The FHWA is extending the deadline for motor carriers to submit applications to participate in the agency's Global Positioning System (GPS) technology pilot demonstration project. This project allows qualified motor carriers that use GPS technology and related safety management computer systems to enter into an agreement with the FHWA to use such systems to record and monitor drivers' hours-of- service, in lieu of requiring them to prepare handwritten records of duty status. This project is intended to demonstrate that the motor carrier industry can use this technology to improve compliance with the hours-of-service requirements in a manner which promotes safety and operational efficiency while reducing paperwork.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before December 31, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written applications should be mailed to the Office of Motor Carrier Research and Standards (HCS-10), Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Neill L. Thomas, Office of Motor Carrier Research and Standards (HMCS-10), (202) 366-4009, or Mr. Charles Medalen, Office of Chief Counsel (HCC-20), (202) 366-1354, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 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. Application requests and specific questions regarding this pilot demonstration project may also be directed to the contact person(s) named in this notice or the Division Offices of the FHWA in your State.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a computer modem and suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of 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

On September 30, 1988, the FHWA published a final rule (53 FR 38666) to allow motor carriers to use certain automatic on-board devices to record their drivers' duty status in lieu of the handwritten records required by 49 CFR 395.8. This provision is now codified at 49 CFR 395.15. Many motor carriers employing this technology found that their compliance with the hours-of-

[[Page 37690]]

service regulations improved. New technologies are emerging, however, and the narrowly crafted on-board recorder provision is becoming obsolete.

Before considering changes to the rule, the FHWA determined that it would be prudent to demonstrate the effectiveness of more recent technology for ensuring compliance with the hours-of-service regulations. On April 6, 1998, the FHWA announced a pilot project that would allow motor carriers to use GPS tracking systems and related computer programs to monitor compliance with the hours-of-service regulations. Drivers would be exempted from the requirement to maintain paper logs (63 FR 16697). Werner Enterprises, Inc., was the first carrier to enter into an agreement with the FHWA to use a GPS system for this purpose. The FHWA believes GPS technology and many of the complementary safety management computer systems currently available to the motor carrier industry provide at least the same degree of monitoring accuracy as 49 CFR 395.15. The FHWA also believes the project will demonstrate that reduced paperwork and recordkeeping requirements are consistent with highway safety, while providing economic advantages to the motor carrier industry.

Reason for Extending the Application Deadline

The FHWA has received letters or telephone calls from 17 entities that have expressed their desire to participate in the pilot program. Development of the related safety management computer systems has been slow. Those motor carriers that wish to participate in the pilot demonstration project have been unable to purchase or develop the requisite computer systems and software that complement the GPS technology before the extended application deadline of June 30, 1999. Two entities have informed us that they now have the requisite software. Others will be coming on-line shortly. Therefore, to ensure the best possible results for this pilot project, the agency is extending the application period to December 31, 1999. Motor carriers that wish to participate in the pilot demonstration project must have GPS technology and complementary safety management computer systems which meet all of the conditions specified in the April 6, 1998, notice.

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 553(b); 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 U.S.C. 31133, 31136, and 31502; sec. 345, Pub. L. 104-59, 109 Stat. 568, 613; and 49 CFR 1.48.

Issued on: July 7, 1999. Kenneth R. Wykle, Federal Highway Administrator.

[FR Doc. 99-17804Filed7-12-99; 8:45 am]

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