Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment

Résumé

This notice proposes amendments to Standard No. 108, the Federal motor vehicle standard on lighting, which would adopt new photometric requirements for motorcycle headlamps and which would improve the objectivity of the aiming of their upper beam. The new photometric requirements would be those of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standard J584 OCT93, added as a new Figure 31 to Standard No. 108. They would exist simultaneously with the current photometric requirements of SAE J584 April 1964, for a short time, and would become mandatory between two and four years after issuance of the final rule. When being tested for photometric compliance with Figure 31, the upper beam of motorcycle headlamps would be aimed photoelectrically rather than visually, as at present. The amendments should enhance motor vehicle safety by improving visibility for the motorcycle operator, and detectability of his or her machine.