NHTSA Rule addresses agricultural equipment lighting/marking.
Press Release Summary:
U.S. DOT has published final rule, Lighting and Marking on Agricultural Equipment, which directly points to requirements and content of ASAE S279.14, Lighting and Marking of Agricultural Equipment on Highways, and ASAE S390.4, Definitions and Classifications of Agricultural Field Equipment, or any successors to those standards. Formation of rule was mandated in the 2012 highway bill signed by President Obama, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–21).
Original Press Release:
NHTSA Publishes Rule on Lighting, Marking Agricultural Equipment
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has published a final rule standardizing lighting and marking of agricultural equipment on highways. The rule incorporates two ASABE standards by reference.
The rule, Lighting and Marking on Agricultural Equipment, directly points to the requirements and content of ASAE S279.14, Lighting and Marking of Agricultural Equipment on Highways, and ASAE S390.4, Definitions and Classifications of Agricultural Field Equipment, or any successors to those standards.
Formation of the rule was mandated in the 2012 highway bill signed by President Obama, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–21). That legislation required the DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish a federal rule regarding lighting and marking for agricultural equipment. The MAP-21 mandate made the rule non-discretionary and therefore not subject to the typical public comment period. The requirements are effective immediately; however, manufacturers have one year—until June 22, 2017—to be in compliance.
ASABE Executive Director Darrin Drollinger notes that ASABE standards serve the public interest with an open and voluntary development process described in Section V of the rule. “The Society maintains a neutral and advisory role with regard to governmental regulatory actions," says Drollinger. "Nevertheless, we appreciate that the U.S. DOT recognizes the long-standing efforts of the ASABE Lighting and Marking committee to improve the safety of agricultural equipment on public roads."
ASABE members with standards access and those with site-license privileges can access the full text of S279 and S390 by electronic download from the ASABE online Technical Library. Others can purchase a copy, directly from the library or by contacting ASABE headquarters at OrderStandard@asabe.org.
ASABE is recognized worldwide as a standards developing organization for food, agricultural, and biological systems, with more than 250 standards currently in publication. Conformance to ASABE standards is voluntary, except where required by state, provincial, or other governmental requirements, and the documents are developed by consensus in accordance with procedures approved by the American National Standards Institute. For information on this or any other ASABE standard, contact Scott Cedarquist at 269-932-7031, cedarq@asabe.org. A current listing of all ASABE standards projects can be found on the ASABE web site at www.asabe.org/projects.
ASABE is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. Further information on the Society can be obtained by contacting ASABE at (269) 429-0300, emailing hq@asabe.org or visiting www.asabe.org.
Carla VanGilder
Global Standards Administrator
American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers
2950 Niles Road
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
269-932-7015
