NHTSA to study mileage impact of truck TPMS

WASHINGTON (Dec. 14, 2012) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking input on truck tire maintenance procedures to help determine the impact of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) on commercial vehicle fuel economy.

NHTSA is planning a study on feasible fuel-economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks for model year 2019 and beyond. Part of the study will be the time savings that may result from implementing a TPMS rule for trucks, NHTSA said in its Dec. 11 request for comments.

"To properly estimate this value, data are needed on the frequency with which maintenance staff or vehicle operators check tire pressures and how many minutes a tire pressure check and adjustment takes," the agency said in its request.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, all government agencies must publish a request for comments in the Federal Register before they submit information collection requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Under OMB regulations, NHTSA is asking commenters:

1) Whether the proposed collection of information has practical utility and is necessary for the proper functioning of NHTSA;

2) Whether NHTSA's estimate of the regulatory burden caused by the information collection is accurate;

3) How to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4) How to minimize the burden of collection on responders, including whether electronic or other technological collection techniques should be allowed.

Feb. 11 is the deadline to submit comments.