Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; FMVSS No. 121, Air Brake Systems

Riepilogo

On January 16, 2001, the Heavy Duty Brake Manufacturers Council (HDBMC) of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association petitioned NHTSA to delay the implementation date for transmittal of antilock braking system (ABS) malfunction signals from trailers to tractors and trucks that are equipped to tow trailers. These requirements are specified in S5.1.6.2(b) for trucks and tractors, and S5.2.3.2 for trailers, of FMVSS No. 121, Air Brake Systems. The petitioner cites difficulties of its member companies in obtaining suitable computer chips at a reasonable cost to perform the ABS malfunction signal communications. However, the agency believes that the member companies' failure to reach suitable business arrangements with their supplier and a holder of a patent on this technology has resulted in this situation. The agency notes that nearly five years of lead time was provided to meet these requirements. The current difficulties cited by the petitioner normal commercial problems, not a lack of available technology. This petition is denied.