The extension, originally granted in 2019, allows trucks equipped with MirrorEye to replace traditional rear-view mirrors with an integrated system of cameras and digital displays. Jim Zizelman, Stoneridge president and CEO, said that the company had been in active talks about an extension; the FMCSA was “very happy” with the results the company was getting from it’s testing of the camera tech in heavy-duty trucks.

“This exemption renewal reinforces the benefits of our MirrorEye system from both a fuel economy and safety perspective,” Zizelman said, announcing the regulatory extension. “MirrorEye provides enhanced, real-time visibility from nearly every angle of a commercial truck, which can reduce the frequency and severity of accidents, especially when turning, during lane changes and in close-corner maneuvers. In addition to its important safety benefits, MirrorEye-equipped trucks can achieve a 2-3% increase in fuel savings when traditional mirrors are removed, which translates to roughly 2.5 tons of CO2 reduction annually per vehicle.”

During a CES 2024 press conference at the House of Journalists in January, Stoneridge’s President and CEO, Jim Zizelman, had indicated the company’s ongoing discussions with FMCSA regarding the extension.

MirrorEye, the pioneer in receiving this exemption, has seen widespread adoption since its initial approval. Over 40 fleets in North America have partnered with Stoneridge for retrofit applications, while MirrorEye has also been seamlessly integrated into original equipment commercial truck and bus platforms in both North America and Europe.

“During the last five years, we’ve worked closely with our fleet and OEM partners to validate the benefits of MirrorEye and make it the leading camera mirror system on the market today,” Zizelman said.

Source: Trucking Info

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Tragically, the devastating wildfires that originated on Aug. 8 have already claimed the lives of at least 111 individuals, marking this as the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.

In light of these alarming circumstances, ensuring the safety and well-being of both the carriers and the community they serve is vital. This emergency waiver order is crucial in mitigating potential hazards and protecting lives during this critical time.

“Given the continuing impacts caused by the Hawaii wildfires, PHMSA’s Associate Administrator has determined that regulatory relief is in the public interest and necessary to ensure the safe transportation in commerce of hazardous material while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) execute their recovery and cleanup efforts in the State of Hawaii,” the order states.

The waivers issued to those conducting operations within the emergency areas mean that non-radioactive hazardous materials can be transported to staging areas within 50 miles, with alternative safety requirements enforced by the EPA and USGC.

This emergency waiver will be in effect for 60 days, allowing for an efficient and swift response to the disaster.

Furthermore, President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster, unleashing federal funding to provide assistance for those affected by the wildfires in Hawaii.

“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” the White House said in a statement.

Federal funds are now being offered to state and local governments and specific private non-profit organizations. These funds are intended to cover debris removal costs and emergency protective measures in both Maui County and Hawaii County.

Source: Land Line

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