Agencies Eyeing Automatic Emergency Brake Rule

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems could soon be required for heavy-duty trucks, if two federal agencies get their way. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intend to issue a joint notice of proposed rulemaking in March seeking feedback on the idea, according to a filing with the Office of Management and Budget. 

“The rulemaking is expected to propose performance standards and motor carrier maintenance requirements for AEB systems on heavy trucks and accompanying test procedures for measuring the performance of the AEB systems in NHTSA compliance testing,” the filing states. 

The proposal is designated as “economically significant,” meaning it is estimated to have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the industry, related industries and the environment. 

Comments on the proposal will be sought once it is released. Implementation of the proposed rule was required under the 2021 infrastructure law.