1. DOT OA:

FMCSA – Hazardous Materials Division

2.  Preliminary Title:

Crashworthiness of Cargo Tanks equipped w/Rollover Protection Devices

3.  Subject and Purpose:

Provide a brief description of the project.  The project summary in the e‑Portfolio system may be used providing the information is current.  Include: Topic, Specific Issues, Broad Goals, Potential Public Benefits.

1. Topic:  Performance of typical cargo tank design against rollover.

2. Specific Issues:  A 24-month research project to study crashworthiness of cargo tank and forces encountered during severe rollover events using crash simulation software and non-linear finite element code. 

3. Broad Goals:  Upon completion of this research, FMCSA should have sufficient information and technical support for the development of performance based rollover protection devices. 

4. Potential Public Benefits: Reduction in fatalities and crashes as a result of reducing cargo tank motor vehicle rollover crashes.

4.  Is this dissemination likely to be:

(check one)

Highly influential scientific information

Influential scientific information

5.  Peer Review Plan:

1) What is the schedule for peer review?

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2007.

2)  Will the review be conducted through a panel, individual letters, or will an alternative procedure be exercised?

The peer review will be conducted through a selected group that will submit written comments

3)  Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed, and if so, how and when will these opportunities be provided?

There is no plan to give the public an opportunity to comment.

4) Will the FMCSA provide significant and relevant public comments to the peer reviewers before conducting their review?

There is no plan to give the public an opportunity to comment.

5)  What is the anticipated number of reviewers (3 or fewer; 4-10; or more than 10)?

There will be 3 or fewer reviewers conducting the peer review.

6)  What are the primary disciplines or expertise needed to conduct the peer review?

The primary expertise needed to conduct the peer review will be experts with structural engineering, cargo tank transportation and HM transportation knowledge and experience.

7)  Will reviewers be selected from within DOT or from an outside organization?  And will reviewers be selected by an outside organization?

The reviewers will be selected by the Chief of Hazardous Materials and will be experts chosen from other DOT modes or the commercial vehicle industry.

8)  Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers?

There are no plans to ask scientific or professional societies to nominate potential peer reviewers

6.  Contact person:

Danny Shelton

E-mail:

danny.shelton@fmcsa.dot.gov

Phone:

202-366-0476