FMCSA extends comment period on ADS-equipped trucks and buses

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended until Aug. 28 the deadline for comments on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the integration of automated driving systems in commercial motor vehicles.

According to a notice published in the July 31 Federal Register, the American Trucking Associations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center requested the extension to gather information from members and properly respond to the detailed questions, the notice states.

The proposed rule focuses on existing regulations that would need to be amended, revised or eliminated to introduce ADS-equipped commercial trucks and buses.

FMCSA previously requested comments specifically on requirements of human drivers; commercial driver’s license endorsements; hours-of-service rules; medical qualifications; distracted driving and monitoring; safe driving and drug and alcohol testing; inspection, repair and maintenance; roadside inspections; cybersecurity; and confidentiality of shared information.

“We know that while many of these technologies are still in development, it is critical that we carefully examine how to make federal rules keep up with this advancing technology,” FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez said in a May 22 press release announcing the proposed rule.