Program
There are four programs in Safety Performance Standards. The Safety
Standards Support Program conducts tests, gathers data, and conducts
analyses in support of regulatory and non-regulatory alternatives to
increase motor vehicle safety. The New Car Assessment Program
(NCAP) conducts tests to evaluate the comparative crashworthiness and
crash avoidance characteristics of passenger vehicles and to motivate vehicle
manufacturers to provide higher levels of occupant protection by using
market forces. The Fuel Economy Program monitors manufacturer
progress in achieving established passenger automobile and light truck fuel
economy standards and sets annual standards for light trucks as prescribed by
law. The Theft Prevention Program establishes standards to reduce
the number of motor vehicle thefts and provides information to the public on
theft and recovery of passenger cars and light trucks.
Safety
Performance Standards Program
Contract Program
Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
PROGRAMS |
FY 2001 Enacted |
FY 2002 Enacted |
FY2003 Request |
+/- 02/03 |
Safety Standards Support |
$1,700 |
$2,550 |
$2,042 |
–$508 |
New Car Assessment Program |
$5,531 |
$5,231 |
$7,300 |
+$2,069 |
Fuel Economy Program |
$60 |
$60 |
$1,000 |
+$940 |
Theft and Other Programs1 |
$50 |
$50 |
$51 |
+$ |
Total |
$7,341 |
$7,891 |
$10,393 |
+$2,502 |
FY 2003
HIGHLIGHTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SUPPORT
- Provide testing and analytical support for meeting the requirements of the
Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD)
Act for enhanced crash protection for children in child restraint systems, and
for heavy truck tire safety.
- Conduct testing for new requirements for retread tires and tire pressure
monitoring systems on commercial vehicles, to upgrade standard 121 to
accommodate electronic control braking systems, to upgrade standard 111 to
accommodate cross view mirrors on commercial vehicles, to upgrade standard 108
to address issues related to night time glare, and upgrade standard 122 to
improve motorcycle braking performance.
- Perform tests to upgrade light vehicle and heavy truck braking standards,
to accommodate new technologies and for harmonization with global
standards.
- Collect and assess data on non-crash fatalities and on adapted
vehicles.
- Conduct performance demonstration tests for the development of
headlighting performance information for consumers.
- Assess upgrading crashworthiness standards for occupant protection in rear
impacts, including seat strength requirements, offset frontal crash
protection, the next generation of occupant protection systems for school
buses, potential application of standards to motorcoaches, upgrading side
impact safety standards for improved head protection, and conducting cost and
lead time studies on bus emergency exits and window retention/release and rear
impact protection.
- Continue technology assessments for the regulatory review of standards
that have not had major updates since the 1980’s.
- Develop and deliver vehicle safety information on tire safety, towing and
trailering, antilock brakes and other vehicle issues, as well as developing
diversity initiatives and materials to better reach underserved populations.
NEW CAR ASSESSMENT
PROGRAM
- Provide frontal and side impact test ratings covering about 80 percent of
new vehicles, based on approximately 70 passenger vehicle tests.
- Measure the static stability factor (rollover resistance) for
approximately 100 vehicles.
- Support TREAD requirements through implementation of programs for a child
restraint ratings system and a dynamic rollover rating program.
- Perform developmental testing on braking and headlighting performance
tests.
- Support Consumer Information program activities to develop and deliver
NCAP crash test results and safety information through brochures, campaigns,
web-site enhancements and marketing initiatives for on-going and new NCAP
information for rollover, braking and child safety seat ratings.
FUEL ECONOMY
- Maintain, update, and expand the CAFE database for analyses of CAFE
changes.
- Conduct a study to determine the automobile manufacturers’ capability to
improve fuel economy.
- Conduct a study of the technological practicability of automotive
technologies.
- Conduct a study of the environmental implications of higher CAFE
standards.
- Conduct a study of the economic impacts of revised fuel economy standards.
THEFT PREVENTION
PROGRAM
- Conduct data analysis activities to compile and publish insurer reports on
theft and recovery of motor vehicles, comprehensive insurance coverage, and
actions taken by insurers to reduce motor vehicle thefts.
There are currently three programs in Safety Assurance. The Vehicle
Safety Compliance Program ensures that motor vehicles and motor vehicle
equipment sold in the U.S. provide the safety benefits intended by federal
safety standards. The Defects Investigation Program identifies and
removes motor vehicles found to contain safety-related defects from the Nation’s
highways. The Odometer Fraud Program enforces federal odometer
laws and regulations and encourages States to enforce their odometer laws
aggressively.
Safety
assurance Program
Contract Program Summary
(Dollars in
Thousands)
PROGRAMS |
FY 2001 Enacted |
FY 2002 Enacted |
FY2003 Request |
+/- 02/03 |
Vehicle Safety Compliance |
$6,974 |
$6,974 |
$7,500 |
+$526 |
Defects Investigation1 |
$7,579 |
$7,940 |
$8,110 |
+$170 |
Auto Safety Hotline1 |
$1,232 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
Odometer Fraud |
$150 |
$150 |
$150 |
$0 |
Total |
$15,935 |
$15,064 |
$15,760 |
+$696 |
1Beginning in FY 2002, the Auto Safety Hotline’s operating
costs are shown under Operating Expenses, while the outreach portion is included
in the Defects Investigation Program.
FY 2003
HIGHLIGHTS
VEHICLE SAFETY
COMPLIANCE
- Conduct full-scale crash testing of new motor vehicles, including: 20
tests for verification of compliance with the requirements of frontal occupant
crash protection standards; 20 tests for verification of compliance with
dynamic side impact standards; 15 tests for verification of compliance with
the requirements of upper interior head protection standards using a head
form; 20 tests for verification of compliance with dynamic rear and side fuel
system integrity requirements; and 4 dynamic side impact pole tests to assess
the performance of new technology for head protection.
- Continue to test motor vehicle equipment, with particular emphasis on
child restraint systems and motorcycle helmets, to assure compliance with
safety standard requirements.
- Develop and test new procedures for proposed amendments to safety
standards for fuel system integrity, seating systems, and head restraints.
Demonstration tests for these test procedures are also planned.
- Continue efforts to upgrade, repair, and calibrate a new family of adult
and child crash test dummies for measuring the enhanced dynamic performance
requirements for advanced air bags.
- Execute maintenance and interagency agreements to operate and staff the
tire testing facility at San Angelo, Texas under the tire quality grading
program, including traction testing of tires used on vehicles equipped with
conventional and ABS brake systems.
DEFECTS
INVESTIGATION
- Implement new initiatives required by the TREAD Act, which include the
development and acquisition of a data warehouse that will incorporate the
additional information to be received under the early warning requirements.
The new data warehouse will provide statisticians and analysts with automated
tools to promptly identify potential safety issues and concerns that should be
investigated.
- Strengthen the Defects Investigation Program to enhance the following:
screening of potential safety-related issues; petition analysis;
investigations, including more extensive examination of complaint vehicles and
equipment; site inspections of vehicle crashes; testing of vehicles and
equipment; surveys of vehicle owners; and intensified recall oversight to
ensure that the scope of each recall is appropriate and the remedy and
completion rate are adequate.
- Expand the public’s access to ODI files through the Internet. Continue
outreach programs to encourage the reporting of safety-related problems in
motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and promote utilization by the
public of the Auto Safety Hotline and the agency’s web site.
ODOMETER FRAUD
- Initiate new cooperative agreements with two States to supplement NHTSA’s
Odometer Fraud Program with State law enforcement agents and award funding to
two additional States to initiate or enhance their odometer fraud programs.
There are three program offices in Traffic Safety Programs (TSP). The
Office of Traffic Injury Control Programs (OTICP) provides
national leadership in planning and developing programs directed at preventing
and reducing highway crashes and resulting deaths, injuries, and economic costs.
OTICP develops, coordinates, and facilitates the execution of demonstration
programs, program development, technology development, technical assistance and
information transfer activities aimed at improving traffic injury programs
throughout the country. The Office of Communications and
Outreach (OCO) is responsible for the development, marketing, and
promotion of public information campaigns and materials in support of TSP
programs. OCO develops programs implemented with public and private sector
organizations, other federal agencies, and elected officials in support of TSP’s
goals and objectives. This office also supports coalition-building activities at
the National, State, and local levels. The Office of Research and Traffic
Records (ORTR) conducts research, demonstration, and evaluation programs
supporting traffic safety programs related to driver, passenger, pedestrian, and
cyclist behavior. ORTR also develops, tests, and evaluates countermeasures aimed
at reducing or eliminating unsafe actions and crash generating situations. The
office also develops and coordinates a program of research and demonstration,
and also technology and information transfer related to traffic records, driver
licensing and driver education.
highway Safety Program
Contract
Program Summary
(Dollars in Thousands)
PROGRAMS |
FY 2001 Enacted |
FY 2002 Enacted |
FY2003 Request |
+/- 02/03 |
Impaired Driving |
$9,817 |
$12,317 |
$9,576 |
–$2,741 |
Ped/Bicycle/Pupil Transportation |
$1,295 |
$1,295 |
$1,263 |
–$32 |
Motorcycle |
$661 |
$661 |
$645 |
–$16 |
Drugs, Driving and Youth |
$1,196 |
$1,196 |
$1,167 |
–$29 |
National Occupant Protection |
$10,953 |
$12,953 |
$11,183 |
–$1,770 |
Traffic Law Enforcement |
$2,192 |
$2,192 |
$2,138 |
–$54 |
Emergency Medical Services |
$2,245 |
$2,245 |
$2,189 |
–$56 |
Records and Licensing |
$2,591 |
$2,591 |
$2,527 |
–$64 |
Highway Safety Research |
$7,277 |
$7,277 |
$7,098 |
–$179 |
New/Emerging/TEA-21 Issues |
$1,196 |
$1,196 |
$1,167 |
–$29 |
Share the Road |
$500 |
$500 |
$500 |
$ 0 |
NOPUS |
$600 |
$600 |
$600 |
$ 0 |
National Driver Register |
$1,110 |
$1,110 |
$1,110 |
$ 0 |
Total |
$41,633 |
$46,133 |
$41,163 |
–$4,970 |
FY 2003
HIGHLIGHTS
IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION
- Analyze state enforcement project evaluations completed in five States,
and complete enforcement demonstrations in two additional States. Promote the
best practices that these evaluations produced.
- Develop strong support for enforcement of impaired driving laws and for
swift and severe sanctions for offenders, through work with national
organizations and the criminal justice system.
- Implement programs focusing on high risk groups: youth, 21-34 year olds,
and repeat and high BAC offenders.
- Support State legislative initiatives to reduce impaired driving, such as
0.08 BAC and graduated licensing.
- Continue research, program implementation and training on drug-impaired
driving.
OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
Occupant protection activities are guided by the
goals of increasing national seat belt use and reducing child-related
fatalities.
- Implement incentive and innovative grant programs and promote “best
practices” programs to States.
- Continue cooperative agreements with national organizations critical to
the Buckle Up America campaign including special outreach efforts to
high-risk populations, and expand occupant protection initiatives with
racially and ethnically diverse populations.
- Conduct semiannual Operation ABC mobilizations; design and promote
intensive enforcement programs to States through partnerships with enforcement
organizations.
- Conduct research and collect nationally representative data on the use of
occupant protection devices to guide development of occupant protection
countermeasures.
- Implement the Booster Seat Education Plan as required by the
Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD)
Act.
PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLE AND MOTORCYCLE
SAFETY
- Reinvigorate the Partnership for a Walkable America and implement
the National Strategies for Advancing Child Pedestrian Safety.
- Collaborate with National Bicycle Safety Network partners and others to
implement the National Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety.
- Implement recommendations from the National Agenda for Motorcycle
Safety in collaboration with diverse organizations.
TRAFFIC LAW
ENFORCEMENT
- Implement recommendations from Traffic Safety in the Next Millennium:
Law Enforcement Strategies, build support for traffic safety in diverse
communities, and emphasize general traffic enforcement approaches though law
enforcement in-service training to enhance traffic safety and improve domestic
security.
- Continue speed setting and enforcement demonstration projects.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES
- Promote the EMS Agenda for the Future to care for motor vehicle
crash victims.
- Support national implementation of wireless E9-1-1.
- Demonstrate strategies for EMS and public health, specifically with regard
to preparation for terrorism response.
HIGHWAY SAFETY
RESEARCH
- Provide the scientific basis for NHTSA’s national leadership in highway
safety through studies of driver, passenger, and pedestrian and cyclist
attitudes and behaviors, the circumstances and situations of crashes, and the
most effective ways they can be reduced.
- Determine the causes of crashes, identify target populations, acquire the
research for developing countermeasures, and evaluate the effectiveness of
programs that will reduce traffic deaths, injuries, and associated costs.
EMERGING ISSUES
- Address emerging traffic safety issues such as older drivers, fatigue,
distracted drivers and inattention, via public education initiatives.
TRAFFIC RECORDS, DRIVER LICENSING &
DRIVER EDUCATION
- Improve timeliness, accuracy, completeness, and accessibility of State
Transportation Safety Information System data.
NATIONAL DRIVER
REGISTER
- Maintain an index of individuals whose licenses to operate motor vehicles
have been suspended or who have been convicted of certain serious traffic
offenses. State licensing officials and authorized users query the NDR to
determine license eligibility.
There are four major programs in Research and Analysis. The
Crashworthiness Research Program includes Crashworthiness and the
National Transportation Biomechanics Research Center. Together they promote
transportation safety through continuing research on vehicle safety, vehicle
aggressivity and compatibility, human injury criteria, and by improving occupant
safety in crashes involving passenger cars, light trucks, and vans through
developing advanced air bags and other crash countermeasures and using a family
of dummies for safety performance evaluation. The Crash Avoidance Research
Program focuses on passenger and commercial vehicle research including
visibility, directional control and braking, and rollover stability. The program
also includes use of advanced technologies under the Intelligent Vehicle
Initiative (IVI) of the Department’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
program. The agency also undertakes driver-vehicle safety research including
human factors research to evaluate the safety potential and effectiveness of
various collision avoidance countermeasures. The National Center for
Statistics and Analysis collects and analyzes high quality, large-scale
vehicle crash databases that are used by both public and private sectors to
support critical highway traffic safety, vehicle regulatory, and safety recall
programs. The Vehicle Research and Test Center serves as NHTSA’s
in-house R&D test laboratory.
research and analysis
Program
Contract Program Summary
(Dollars in
Thousands)
PROGRAMS |
FY 2001 Enacted |
FY 2002 Enacted |
FY2003 Request |
+/- 02/03 |
Crashworthiness/NTBRC |
$23,453 |
$23,038 |
$23,038 |
$0 |
Crash Avoidance |
$11,214 |
$10,990 |
$9,673 |
–$1,317 |
National Center for Statistics and Analysis |
$21,721 |
$22,320 |
$22,320 |
$0 |
Vehicle Research and Test Center |
$950 |
$990 |
$990 |
$0 |
Total |
$57,338 |
$57,338 |
$56,021 |
–$1,317 |
FY 2003
HIGHLIGHTS
CRASHWORTHINESS
- Conduct research in support of upgrading safety standards for frontal
crash protection, side impact protection, roof crush protection, ejection
prevention, fuel system integrity, and child safety.
- Develop test devices and test procedures for compliance testing under the
above standards.
- Conduct research to address the issue of vehicle compatibility by
analyzing the crash data and fleet characteristics, developing test procedures
to evaluate a vehicle’s compatibility within the fleet, and by testing and
evaluating the effectiveness of developed countermeasures.
- Conduct research on advanced occupant protection systems utilizing
promising new technologies and state-of-the-art hardware developments.
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION BIOMECHANICS
RESEARCH CENTER
- Conduct research to develop suitable injury criteria for upgrades of
existing safety standards or any future standards in frontal crash protection,
side crash protection, rollover protection, and improved child safety.
- Collect and analyze human injury data by conducting in-depth
investigations of vehicle crashes and develop injury measures and correlate
them to the risk of injury in crashes.
- Develop, test and evaluate a family of dummies for safety evaluations of
vehicles and federalize them for incorporation into safety regulations.
CRASH AVOIDANCE RESEARCH
- Conduct analyses of crash data with the objective of identifying causal
factors and for the development of suitable countermeasures for crash
prevention.
- Conduct research in support of upgrading standards to improve vehicle
braking, directional and rollover stability, tires, and vehicle lighting and
signaling.
- Conduct driver-vehicle safety research related to driving performance,
driver work load demands, driver distraction issues, the safety impact of
in-vehicle devices on safe driving, and driver behavioral research including
driver alertness, driver distraction, and driver work load management.
- Conduct research into the measurement of driver cognitive distraction
while using a variety of in-vehicle technologies and determine the
consequences for driver behavior and performance.
- Conduct research using intelligent technologies (such as pre-crash
sensors, and sensors for proximity and relative speed for crash prevention) to
develop countermeasures for enhancing crash avoidance capabilities of light
and heavy vehicles.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATISTICS AND
ANALYSIS
- Collect data related to fatalities and injuries (Fatality Analysis
Reporting System) in vehicle crashes and analyze vital information related to
automobile crashes, occupant injuries and injury mechanism (National
Automotive Sampling System), especially as they relate to newly introduced
technologies, such as advanced occupant restraint systems to minimize risks to
out-of-position and small statured occupants, and identify crash causal
factors.
- Collect data used extensively by other parts of NHTSA to develop overall
policies and priorities, target risk reduction programs, shape and support
regulations, and investigate defects.
- Use Crash Outcome Data Evaluation Systems (CODES) grants to link crash and
health care data to study crash outcomes.
- Use the latest technologies to improve the efficiency in data collection
and to improve the quality and quantity of data collected.
- Maintain a national network of analysts and crash investigators, which
allows NHTSA to mount special studies quickly and cost-effectively.
- Collect, analyze, and report on all of the metrics used to track NHTSA’s
performance under GPRA.
There are three programs in General Administration. The Program
Evaluation Program determines the effectiveness of vehicle regulations
and highway safety programs. The Strategic Planning Program
develops, updates, and publishes the agency’s Strategic Plan and studies of
emerging problems as a basis for setting agency policy, in addition to providing
a wide range of planning support to agency programs. The Economic Analysis
Program develops methods to quantify the economic consequences of motor
vehicle injuries in forms suitable for agency use in problem identification and
evaluation, regulatory analysis, priority setting, and policy analysis.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Program
Contract Program Summary
(Dollars in
Thousands)
PROGRAMS |
FY 2001 Enacted |
FY 2002 Enacted |
FY2003 Request |
+/- 02/03 |
Program Evaluation |
$468 |
$468 |
$478 |
+$10 |
Strategic Planning |
$89 |
$89 |
$91 |
+$2 |
Economic Analysis |
$86 |
$86 |
$88 |
+$2 |
Total |
$643 |
$643 |
$657 |
+$14 |
FY 2003
HIGHLIGHTS
PROGRAM
EVALUATION
Evaluations provide objective quantitative information
to aid in making decisions on present and future rulemakings and programs. This
information helps to determine if the objectives of regulations and programs are
being achieved, and if not, the information can help identify changes in the
rule or program that may result in the achievement of the intended goals and
objectives. To determine the cost effectiveness of regulations, as called for in
Executive Order 12866, cost studies of motor vehicle equipment are performed.
The following activities in FY 2003 contribute to the evaluation of regulations
and programs:
- Evaluate the public response to child passenger safety measures, including
how people use Universal Child Restraint Anchorages, and use of booster seats
and belts by children age 5-9.
- Continue to measure the effects of changes to improve air bag technology
and reduce their risks to children and other occupants. Evaluate public
awareness of air bag safety warnings.
- Continue to analyze the effectiveness of the antilock brake systems in
reducing crashes of heavy trucks, and the maintenance costs and durability of
these systems.
- Continue to evaluate the effectiveness of rear-impact guards for truck
trailers in reducing harm to passenger vehicles that collide with the
trailers.
- Analyze the cost of upper-interior head injury protection (FMVSS 201) and
upper-interior air bags.
- Continue the evaluation of side impact protection upgrade (FMVSS 214).
STRATEGIC PLANNING
The
role of Strategic Planning within NHTSA is to help set organizational direction,
provide agency leadership in cross-cutting program planning, and lead the agency
in organizational improvement initiatives. For FY 2003, Strategic Planning
objectives are:
- Serve as the agency lead for coordinating and developing plans to support
agency initiatives requiring total agency participation.
- Study, recommend, and implement organizational improvement activities to
improve agency efficiency.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
The
Economic Analysis program develops and modifies scientifically sound methods for
quantifying the economic and social consequences of injury and fatality
resulting from motor vehicle crashes. The Economic Analysis program plans to
conduct the following activities in FY 2003:
- Research and develop methods for quantifying economic and societal injury
outcomes.
- Adapt findings from the updated report on the overall cost to society of
motor vehicle injuries to focus on determining the societal burden for
specific traffic safety problems and issues.
- Streamline the complex economic calculations used to develop the societal
burden report, so that estimates of societal burden can be updated more
frequently.
The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) authorized
funding for numerous highway safety grant programs for the States in FY 2003,
including the following programs under the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration: the Section 402 State and Community Grant Program
provides for a coordinated national highway safety program. All States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Trust Territories,
and Indian Nations are provided with formula grants to encourage and facilitate
implementation of effective programs to improve highway safety. The
Section 405 Occupant Protection Incentive Grant Program awards
grants to States that adopt or demonstrate specific laws and programs, such as
primary safety belt use laws and special traffic enforcement programs, to
increase seat belt and child safety seat use. The Section 410
Alcohol-Impaired Driving Incentive Grant Program encourages States to
enact stiffer laws and implement stronger programs to detect and remove impaired
drivers from the roads. The Section 411 State Highway Safety Data
Improvements Incentive Grant Program encourages States to take effective
actions to improve the timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, and
accessibility of their highway safety data.
highway traffic safety
grants
Program Summary
(Dollars in
Thousands)
PROGRAMS |
FY 2001 Enacted |
FY 2002 Enacted |
FY2003 Request |
+/- 02/03 |
Section 402 State and Community Formula Grant
Program |
$154,659 |
$160,000 |
$165,000 |
+$5,000 |
Section 405 Occupant Protection Incentive Grant
Program |
$12,971 |
$15,000 |
$20,000 |
+$5,000 |
Section 410 Alcohol-Impaired Driving
Incentive Grant Program |
$35,921 |
$38,000 |
$40,000 |
+$2,000 |
Section 411 State Highway Safety Data
Improvements |
$8,980 |
$10,000 |
$0 |
–$10,000 |
Total |
$212,531 |
$223,000 |
$225,000 |
+$2,000 |
FY 2003
HIGHLIGHTS
SECTION 402
STATE AND COMMUNITY
GRANTS
- Provide formula grants to support performance-based highway safety
programs in every State, territory, and the Indian Nations for the purpose of
reducing highway crashes, deaths, and injuries.
- Support programs, developed and managed by the States, to address their
highway safety goals, performance measures, and strategic plans.
- Support national priority programs, such as encouraging proper use of
occupant protection devices; reducing alcohol and drug-impaired driving;
reducing motorcycle crashes; improving police traffic services; improving
emergency medical services and trauma care systems; increasing pedestrian and
bicyclist safety; improving traffic record systems; and improving roadway
safety.
SECTION 405
OCCUPANT PROTECTION
INCENTIVE GRANTS
- Provide grants that will encourage States to pass stronger laws and
implement effective measures to increase safety belt and child safety seat
use, such as passing primary enforcement laws; minimum fines or penalty points
for seat belt and child protection law violations; and stepped-up police
enforcement of occupant protection laws.
SECTION 410
ALCOHOL-IMPAIRED DRIVING
INCENTIVE GRANTS
- Provide grants that will encourage States to pass stronger laws and
implement effective measures to reduce safety problems stemming from driving
while impaired by alcohol, such as administrative driver license actions
within stated time frames; graduated licensing systems; and young adult
drinking and driving prevention programs. Supplemental grants are given for
meeting additional criteria.
Overview | Programs |
Miscellaneous
Table
of Contents