USA: Modernization of FMVSS No. 135 for vehicle brake systems

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, ”Light vehicle brake systems.” The proposed modifications would distinguish how regulations apply to vehicles with and without manually operated driving controls. The proposed modifications would clarify definitions, telltale requirements, performance requirements, and test procedures in the standard and remove sections that are no longer relevant. The stopping distance performance requirements, which address the primary safety purpose of the standard, would still apply to all subject vehicles.

This proposed rule primarily addresses vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS) that do not include manually operated driving controls. An ADS is generally understood as a combination of hardware and software capable of performing all real-time operational and tactical functions necessary to operate a vehicle on a sustained basis—functions traditionally carried out by a human driver using manually operated controls.

As defined in Part 571.3 and referenced throughout this document, manually operated driving controls refer to control systems that: (i) are used by an occupant for real-time, continuous manual control of the vehicle’s direction (steering) and/or speed (acceleration and braking); and (ii) are positioned to remain accessible to an occupant, regardless of whether the controls are actively being used to influence vehicle movement.

For ADS-equipped vehicles designed to operate exclusively under automated control, manually operated driving controls are not inherently required. Moreover, in such vehicles, controls that allow direct manual override of ADS operation may introduce safety risks through intentional or unintended misuse by passengers. Similarly, occupants in these vehicles are considered passengers rather than drivers and should not be expected to perform driver-related functions, such as engaging the parking brake.

To find you more about vehicle regulations in USA and the FMVSS, do not hesitate to contact the Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research.