Ride the Ducks International, LLC, Denial of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Denial of petition.

SUMMARY:

Ride the Ducks International, LLC (RTDI), has determined that certain model year (MY) 1996-2014 Ride the Ducks International Stretch Amphibious passenger vehicles (APVs) do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 104, Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems. RTDI filed a noncompliance information report dated March 15, 2017. RTDI also petitioned NHTSA on April 12, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Neil Dold, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NHTSA, telephone: (202) 366-7352, facsimile (202) 366-5930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Overview: RTDI has determined that certain MY 1996-2014 RTDI Stretch APVs do not fully comply with paragraph S4.2.2 of FMVSS No. 104, Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems (49 CFR 571.104). RTDI filed a noncompliance information report dated March 15, 2017, pursuant to 49 CFR 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. RTDI also petitioned NHTSA on April 12, 2017, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and 49 CFR part 556, for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Notice of receipt of RTDI's petition was published in the Federal Register (82 FR 38993) with a 30-day public comment period on August 16, 2017. No comments were received. To view the petition and all supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at: http://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search instructions to locate docket number “NHTSA-2017-0038.”

II. Vehicles Involved: Approximately 105 MY 1996-2014 RTDI Stretch APVs, manufactured between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2014 are potentially involved.

III. Noncompliance: RTDI explained that the noncompliance is that the subject vehicles were manufactured without a windshield washing system, as required by paragraph S4.2.2 of FMVSS No. 104.

IV. Rule Requirements: Paragraph S4.2.2 of FMVSS No. 104 includes the requirements relevant to this petition. Each multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, and bus shall have a windshield washing system that meets the requirements of SAE Recommended Practice J942 (1965) (incorporated by reference, see § 571.5), except that the reference to “the effective wipe pattern defined in SAE J903, paragraph 3.1.2” in paragraph 3.1 of SAE Recommended Practice J942 (1965) shall be deleted and “the pattern designed by the manufacturer for the windshield wiping system on the exterior surface of the windshield glazing” shall be inserted in lieu thereof.

V. Summary of RTDI's Petition: As background, RTDI began to produce APVs in 1996 by performing extensive modifications to General Motors amphibious military trucks originally designated as DUKWs. The ability of the DUKW to transport troops, supplies or equipment across both land and water made them indispensable in World War II and the Korean War. The modifications performed by RTDI, which included replacement of the original drivetrain and enlarging the hull or body, were such that the end product was a newly manufactured vehicle employing donor parts. The resulting “Stretch” APVs were refurbished by RTDI in accordance with state and U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations. RTDI has not manufactured any vehicles since 2014.

RTDI described the subject noncompliance as the absence of a compliant windshield washer system and stated its belief that the noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

In support of its petition, RTDI submitted the following reasoning:

1. FMVSS No. 104 specifies, in relevant part, that “each . . . [vehicle] shall have a windshield washing system that meets the requirements of SAE Recommended Practice J942 (1965).” 49 CFR 571.104, S4(a), S4.2.2. This FMVSS is designed to ensure that when activated, the windshield washing system is capable of reaching a sufficient portion of the exterior surface of the windshield, as designed by the manufacturer. The standard establishes minimum performance requirements for the windshield wiping and washing systems so that the vehicle operator is able to sufficiently see through the windshield. The APVs have features installed that are designed to achieve the same purpose as the standard. If there is debris present on the windshield, the driver is able to engage the vehicle's windshield wipers to clear the windshield's exterior surface. Further, the windshield of the APVs have a unique design that allows the driver to fully lower and raise the windshield glass. In the event that the windshield wipers could not clear the surface of the windshield, the driver has the option of lowering the windshield. Under either option, the visibility of the operator would not be compromised.

2. In the water portion of the vehicles' tours, the APVs are required to have the windshield lowered during operation, per U.S. Coast Guard regulations. The Coast Guard has recognized that in the event of an accident on the water, a raised windshield could impede passenger egress. Consequently, the Coast Guard has issued guidance which provides that the windshields of APVs be “designed to fold down with minimal force to allow egress.” U.S. Coast Guard Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) 1-01, inspection of Amphibious Passenger Carrying Vehicles, p. 24. Further, the APV's exteriors, including the windshields, are washed after each tour, removing any debris that may have accumulated during the last tour.

3. From its inception, the Safety Act has included a provision recognizing that some noncompliances may pose little or no actual safety risk. The Safety Act exempts manufacturers from their statutory obligation to provide notice and remedy upon a determination by NHTSA that a noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. See 49 U.S.C. 30118(d). In applying this recognition to particular fact situations, the Agency considers whether the noncompliance gives rise to “a significantly greater risk than . . . in a compliant vehicle.” 69 FR 19897, 19900 (April 14, 2000). As described above, the specialized design of the APVs and the vehicles' pattern of use does not expose the vehicles to conditions that could create an increased safety risk when compared to a vehicle that has a windshield washing system installed.

RTDI concluded by expressing the belief that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety, and that its petition to be exempted from providing notification of the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118, and a remedy for the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120, should be granted.

VI. Supplemental Information: On October 10, 2017, RTDI, per a request from NHTSA's Office of Chief Counsel, provided the following supplemental information: Regarding FMVSS No. 104, RTDI asserted that:

a. As per U.S. Coast Guard NVIC 1-01 “Guidelines for the Certifications of Amphibious Vessels,” for the purposes of emergency egress the windshields of APVs should be designed to fold down with minimum force. The RTDI vehicles' front windshields are hinged at the bottom and there is a mechanical lever linked to the windshield frame. To quickly and safely lower or open the windshield, the driver simply lifts upward or pulls downward on the mechanical lever. The action of lowering and raising the windshield takes little effort as there are gas springs incorporated into the hinge which minimizes the weight and force involved in operating the windshield. Testing revealed the highest peak measurement at 22.6 lbs. of force. RTDI drivers often open the windshield when the vehicle is stopped or in slow moving heavy traffic and at a low rate of speed to allow fresh air into the driver and passenger space. The U.S. Coast Guard inspects and tests the windshield opening feature annually.

b. RTDI has established operational safety guidelines for the use of the drivers open/close feature. RTDI's guidelines states that an operator should not open the windshield “unless the visibility through the windshield becomes obstructed, the opening and closing of the front windshield should only take place when the vehicle is traveling at a slow rate of speed ( i.e., slow moving traffic conditions) and/or when the vehicle comes to a complete stop.”

VII. NHTSA's Analysis: NHTSA has considered RTDI's arguments and has determined that RTDI has not met its burden of demonstrating that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential. The Agency responds to RTDI's arguments below.

The burden of establishing the inconsequentiality of a failure to comply with a performance requirement in a standard—as opposed to a labeling requirement —is more substantial and difficult to meet. Accordingly, the Agency has not found many such noncompliances inconsequential. Potential performance failures of safety- critical equipment, like seat belts or air bags, are rarely deemed inconsequential.

An important issue to consider in determining inconsequentiality based upon NHTSA's prior decisions on noncompliance issues was the safety risk to individuals who experience the type of event against which the recall would otherwise protect. NHTSA also does not consider the absence of complaints or injuries to show that the issue is inconsequential to safety. “Most importantly, the absence of a complaint does not mean there have not been any safety issues, nor does it mean that there will not be safety issues in the future.” “[T]he fact that in past reported cases good luck and swift reaction have prevented many serious injuries does not mean that good luck will continue to work.”

Arguments that only a small number of vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment are affected have also not justified granting an inconsequentiality petition. Similarly, NHTSA has rejected petitions based on the assertion that only a small percentage of vehicles or items of equipment are likely to actually exhibit a noncompliance. The percentage of potential occupants that could be adversely affected by a noncompliance does not determine the question of inconsequentiality. Rather, the issue to consider is the consequence to an occupant who is exposed to the consequence of that noncompliance.

For safe viewing through the front windshield, FMVSS No. 104 requires both a windshield wiping system and a washing system. The Agency believes that both systems are critical, and at times must work together, to ensure a clear view through the windshield. The purpose of the washing system is to aid the wiping system in the event that dust, dirt, mud, or other obstructions occur and the wipers are not sufficient to quickly and properly clear the windshield.

RTDI stated that the features of the APVs achieve the same purpose as the standard without a windshield washing system. According to RTDI, if debris is present on the windshield the driver can engage the windshield wiping system to clear the windshield exterior surface. RTDI also explained that in the event the windshield wipers could not clear the surface of the windshield the driver has the option of lowering the windshield.

The Agency does not agree with RTDI's assessment that the subject APVs are designed to achieve the same purpose as the standard without a windshield washing system. The Agency understands that these vehicles can be operated on public roadways at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. It is not uncommon while traveling at posted speeds to encounter conditions where the windshield wipers and the washing system must be used together to maintain forward visibility through the windshield. One good example of such a condition occurs shortly after a rain shower has ended, the roads are still wet, and other vehicles operating on the roadway are throwing up water spray and road dirt that can accumulate on following vehicle windshields. In this situation, both the windshield wipers and windshield washing systems would be required for safe operations.

Furthermore, in a follow-up response to a request from the Agency, RTDI informed the Agency that its safety guidelines only permit the driver to open and close the windshield should visibility become obstructed, and only when the vehicle is traveling at a slow rate of speed or is stopped. Thus, if the vehicle is moving at higher speeds under conditions as mentioned above, the Agency believes it would present a safety concern to lower the windshield.

VIII. NHTSA's Decision: In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA finds that RTDI has not met its burden of persuasion that the subject FMVSS No. 104 noncompliance in the subject vehicles is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Accordingly, RTDI's petition is hereby denied and RTDI is consequently obligated to provide notification of, and a free remedy for, that noncompliance under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120.

(Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8)