Auto and Moto Голосов: 1 Адрес блога: http://auto-i-moto.ru Добавлен: 2012-07-21 07:14:54 блограйдером bescom

What we think we know about Chrysler’s plug-in hybrid minivan, CUV

2014-05-07 22:57:00 (читать в оригинале)

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chrysler, AutoblogGreen Exclusive When the 2016 Town & Country comes to Chrysler dealerships, it will sport something no production minivan has ever had: a plug. That was on bit of news hidden in the massive Fiat C...

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First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive

2014-05-07 20:58:00 (читать в оригинале)

Filed under: Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, New Car Reviews, Electric Mercedes-Benz has made reviewing the B-Class Electric Drive pretty darn easy. They included the grade the car deserves right in the name: A nice, solid B. For an electric ...

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DOT may mandate speed limiters and 68 mph max for big rigs

2014-05-07 20:01:00 (читать в оригинале)

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety, Work

With the debate about how to fund the US interstate system already raging, there may be another big highway controversy on the horizon. The US Department of Transportation might slow down some of the vehicles on the nation's roads by mandating speed governors on semi trucks.

According to insurance industry magazine Claims Journal, the proposal appeared in the DOT's March 2014 "Report of Significant Rulemaking." It would force big rigs weighing over 26,000 pounds to use speed governors with an unspecified limit. ​Many trucking companies already fit their tractor trailers with limiters, but they aren't obligated to. This isn't the first attempt at putting a max speed on semis. Organizations like the American Trucking Association previously suggested a 68 mph max for new trucks.

Other truckers aren't so happy about the possible change. According to Claims Journal, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association has come out against the new rule. It argues that speed differential is the dangerous factor, not outright velocity, and believes that it's better to keep all traffic traveling at a roughly equal rate. Also, if all tractor trailers are governed to the same speed, it makes passing very difficult, the association argues.

By lowering the semis' speed, the DOT hopes to curb accidents by reducing the trucks' stopping distance. There is currently a big push to make big rigs safer. The National Transportation Safety Board and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have recently published independent sets of suggested regulations for them. NHTSA also wants to mandate stability control on tractor trailers. Other countries that require limiters note that slower speeds also improve fuel economy.

Keep in mind, this is still a proposal and in the earliest stages. Claims Journal says the rule first has to be approved by Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and then cleared by Office of Management and Budget in the White House. If it makes it that far, it could be published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in October. According to the DOT's website, there would likely be about 60 days of public comment. From there, if published, it couldn't go into effect for a minimum of 30 days. That is a lot of time for things to change and a lot of hurdles to jump over before any tractor trailer is fitted with a mandated governor.

DOT may mandate speed limiters and 68 mph max for big rigs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 May 2014 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: New Smart Fortwo and Forfour teased in promo video

2014-05-07 18:31:00 (читать в оригинале)

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Europe, Videos, Smart Smart is just about ready to launch the all-new generations of the Fortwo and Forfour. It might be hard to get excited for a car with such a mixed reputation, but the company has high expectations for t...

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Report: Brazil tests suggest more ethanol means more local smog

2014-05-07 17:01:00 (читать в оригинале)

Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, South/Latin America One recent report from Nature Geoscience will have ethanol advocates convinced that Big Oil's political influence goes far beyond the reach of US borders. That publication, according to...