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The article discusses the Phase 2 proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for heavy-duty vehicle standards, and its impact on research and development cost for new products. Topics include possible demand of truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to model the Phase 2 upon a whole vehicle standard instead of a simple engine-based standard; and the inclusion of trailers within the Government discussion.

The article reports that public comment has been sought by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on a proposed collection of information on labeling of retroreflective materials. Tractor and trailer manufacturers are required to label their products as equipped with retroreflective material that is in compliance with the requirements of the standards regarding heavy trailer conspicuity.

The author offers information on a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS), FMVSS No.150, to be developed by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to stimulate proliferation of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications technologies. It informs that the new FMVSS 150 would be applied to only new automobiles and mentions of Aftermarket Safety Device (ASD) as an alternate to vehicle awareness devices (VADs).

The article reports on the introduction of 800 authorised testing facilities (ATFs) by the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA) in Great Britain in 2014.

The article offers information on several environmental testing standards in Great Britain as of 2014. Details include International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 16000-21 Indoor Air, ISO 4355 Bases for design of structures, and BS EN 9806 Solar energy. Also discussed are ISO 6487 Road vehicles, PD ISO/TR 16208 Corrosion of metals and alloys, and ISO/TS 22002-4 Prerequisite programmes on food safety.

The article discusses the addition of warning labels in wheel-ends by car repair and maintenance service provider Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake (BSFB) with purpose to educate professionals of the truck industry on performance issues related to relining. Topics includes views of Gary Ganaway, BSFB's director of marketing and global customer solutions, for the same, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 121 and importance of using right friction for high performance of relining.

The article focuses on the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) test which is required to pass by all vehicle operators in Great Britain. It states that the companies which have been approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) are required to follow the rules and regulations of Driver CPC. It further states that the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) will maintain the training companies conducting Driver CPC test in Great Britain.

The article announces that the New River Valley assembly plant of Volvo Trucks in Dublin, Virginia is the first U.S. facility to earn a certification from ISO 50001 standards, and the first Superior Energy Performance-certified facility to utilize energy management system standard of ISO 50001.

The article focuses on the implementation of the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) for the trucking industry in Australia, which was implemented by the Transportation Certification Australia Ltd. (TCA). It mentions that the program is aimed to monitor trucks that operate under special strategies including the Performance Base Standards (PBS) and the Higher Mass Limits (HML). It adds that the use of the program is carefully studied by the trucking operators particularly in terms of its costs.

The article focuses on the suggestion of the company DAF Trucks UK asking commercial vehicle operators to buy new vehicles complying to the European Union emission standard-5 to save money.

The article presents the author's views on the introduction of low-emission zones across Europe. He observes that there is less awareness on the large number of low emission zones (LEZ) being introduced across Continental Europe. He informs that the vehicles, which do not meet strict emissions standards could be banned from entering more than 60 cities. He thinks that it would be better if there were an official body that operated across Great Britain and Europe overseeing e-zone regulations.

The article presents information on the low-emission zone (LEZ) legislation of Norwich, England. According to Chris Mitchell, LEZ manager for Norfolk County Council, currently only buses and coaches fall under the LEZ, but the scheme could be expanded to heavy goods vehicles if it's deemed a success. Within the LEZ, air quality is monitored and buses must meet at least Euro-3 emissions standards.

The article focuses on the range of options for new fuel efficiency standards in Washington that the automobile industry would need to meet. According to an environmental impact document released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the fleet of new cars and trucks would have to hit estimated requirements of 20.6 to 33.6 miles per gallon by 2015. It is noted that the estimates provide a range of mileage requirements that encompass a NHTSA proposal.

The article reports on the move of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to postpone the final approval of a regulation that will enhance vehicle roof strength standards. A Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) was issued in January 2008 in order to obtain comments before issuing a final rule. The NHTSA proposal for standards upgrade was part of a plan to reduce the risk of rollover crashes. The proposed rule mandates that roof structures should be able to withstand a force 2.5 times the unloaded vehicle weight.

The article reports on the introduction of the second phase of the London low-emission zone (LEZ) for reducing pollution emissions from commercial vehicles in London, England, on July 7, 2008. Transport for London (TfL) conveyed the message to the truckers. It requires all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to meet Euro-3 emissions standards from July 7, 2008. Trucks over 12 tonnes will follow the standard from February 4, 2009. It mentions fining vehicles that don't meet the standards.

The article reports that electronic stability control systems are set to become mandatory on light goods vehicles (LGVs) used in the EU following the approval of global standards for the technology by the United Nations' World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations. The technology could be included within 24 months. EU Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen notes the life-saving potential of such systems. According to the EC, equipping trucks and buses with the systems could prevent about 500 road accident deaths a year across the EU.

The article offers tips regarding hybrid vehicle maintenance. Manufacturers of hybrids encourage owners to strictly adhere to the guidelines provided in the owners' manuals and to have their vehicles serviced only by technicians who are properly trained and certified. To keep hybrid vehicles performing at peak efficiency, regularly inspecting brakes, rotating tires and checking tire inflation, wipers, filters and fluids are necessary.

The article reports that the road haulage industry is being consulted by the European Commission (EC) on its favoured scope and timetable for introducing Euro-6 emission standards for trucks. The commission has outlined four options for capping nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter. The EC will also release its formal proposals for Euro-6 standards for trucks and buses by the end of 2007, to be considered separately to those for cars and light vans.

The article reports on the business performance of Trumac since its management buy-out in 2003. The growing success has led the Westbury, Writs-based bodybuilder to invest £500,000 in its facility, including £300,000 in a panel press department to enable it to produce its own panels for refrigerated bodies. Trumac produces more than a dozen refrigerated vans and rigid trucks per week, all to automatic train protection (ATP) standards.

This article states that a widow whose husband was killed in a crash with a Dutch truck driver has received the backing of a European Union MP in her campaign to raise foreign lorry safety standards. Jackie Warby, whose husband Stephen was killed in a head-on crash at Northwold in March, has 1700 signatures so far on her petition. She is demanding a register to ensure foreign drivers and vehicles have undergone safety checks and sterner enforcement of requirements.

The author discusses the changes in the diesel emission standards for 2007 which affected medium-duty fleets including the General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck (GMICT). He cites GMICT's price increase on its new diesel model trucks which reflected the new emissions standards for 2007. In addition, he indicates the company's consideration of the gasoline-powered truck as an alternative to its vehicles as prices of diesel fuels and the 2007 emissions-compliant diesels get higher.

The article presents information on how new technology, standards and regulations can enhance the value for motor vehicle fleets. Tire modeling tools offer a way to predict the impact of a design change on automobile tire performance. According to Matt D'Arienzo, national strategic account manager at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., performance tools allow designers to look inside a new tire while it is still in the idea stage and develop performance requirements.

The article reports on the appointment of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) by the British government to conduct a six-month study on the impact of longer and heavier vehicles. TRL and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland successfully bid for the project to examine the economic and logistical of different types of longer and heavier vehicle. The study will also examines how such vehicles might be used within the supply chain.

The article reports that Great Britain's Department of Transportation has issued a statement that it is considering the scope for an incentive for early uptake of Euro V standards for trucks and buses. Decisions will be made through the usual pre-budget report and budget processes. That statement contradicts what the government was saying only one month ago.

The article reports on the approval of the ANSI Z15.1 Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations by the American Society of Safety Engineers designed to help reduce roadway crashes and the high costs associated with them. The standard offers guidelines for developing a motor vehicle safety program for employers regardless of the number of vehicles they have.

The article deals with the call of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle CEO Ian Jones for the British government to sell off its test stations and concentrate on enforcing road haulage standards. Vehicle and Operator Service Agency CEO Stephen Tetlow has expressed his desire to concentrate on enforcement. The location of the stations could prove attractive, saleable assets.

This article focuses on the Denby Transport Ltd.'s EcoLink B-train. The free morning tabloid Metro helpfully kept readers informed with a snap of a three-trailer Australian roadtrain. Most prominent among the quotes was Stephen Joseph of Transport 2000, who claimed that should permission for such big rigs be granted, British operators would want to "take the trucks through town centres and country roads." This flatly contradicts the basis of the operator's applications to run double trailers between ports and yards immediately adjacent to motorways.

This article reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule in the Federal Register that clarifies standards for under-ride guards for trailers and semi-trailers that were established in 1996. The rule is effective immediately. The final rule was enacted to resolve the issue for vehicles that can't practically have under-ride guards installed due to having certain equipment mounted on the rear and underneath a trailer or semi-trailer. Such vehicles are designated as "special purpose vehicles" by NHTSA.

Reports on the impact of law enforcement imposed by Irish authorities to motor vehicle standards on the sales performance of British-manufactured trailers in Ireland as of August 2004. Comments from Andrew Smith of Newton Commercials, on the effect on sales of tipper trailers; Reason behind the preference of East European customers for old tipper trailers.

Reports that the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) has proposed a series of functional standards for event data recorders (EDR) to make collection and analysis of crash information easier. Collection of vehicle information such as speed, acceleration and airbag deployment times; Goal of providing vital crash information to emergency medical personnel. INSET: DATA DETAILS.

Reports on the proposed improved Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for light-to medium-duty trucks and big sport utility vehicles (SUV) by the U.S. National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration as part of the federal Energy Bill. Requirements for 8,500- to 10,000-pound gross vehicle weight trucks and SUV by 2007; Forecast on the application of gas- or diesel/electric hybrid powertrains by 2007; Benefits of hybrid powertrains to truck and SUV makers.

Presents updates on policies in the automobile industry in the U.S. as of February 2004. Enactment of a California bill requiring automakers to notify consumers if their vehicles are equipped with devices that can record vehicle event data during operation; Program being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will identify environmentally friendly new automobiles; Test standards instituted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Reports on the court decision concerning the delayed opening of the U.S. border to Mexico-based trucks. Enforcement of commercial vehicle safety; Effects of air pollution on border-state communities; Decline of the wage standards.

If you think about what a modern automobile is, it's amazing anyone can afford to buy one. For most of the history of automobiles, a car was expected to do little more than travel from place to place with some degree of reliability and economy. Actually, the federal and various state governments started requiring certain safety items as the technology became practical, such as electric lights, safety glass and redundant throttle return springs. But beginning with the creation of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in 1966 and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1973, the very mission of the automobile began changing.

Reports on the application of the side-impact rules to minivans, light trucks and sport utility vehicles in the U.S. Role of car design engineers in the implementation of the rules; Vulnerability of small cars to collision; Weakness in the structural design of small cars.

The article reports that fuel economy standards for 1992 light trucks will stay the same as for 1991 models and not rise as originally planned, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has decided. The corporate average fuel economy standard for truck makers, currently at 20.0 miles per gallon, climbs to 20.2 in 1991. The standard applies to pickup trucks, vans, and utility vehicles up to 8500 pounds.