NHTSA Tests Drivers on Novel Car Interface Designs Experiment
Published Date: 8/27/2026
Notice
Summary
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. This ICR is for a new collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval for a one-time voluntary experiment on drivers' interactions with commercially available vehicles with different human machine interface (HMI) features/designs. A Federal Register notice with a 60- day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on April 3, 2026. Five comments were received.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Agency-estimated opportunity cost for participants
NHTSA used an Arizona average hourly wage of $30.31 to calculate participant time costs and states that the annual opportunity cost is approximately $2,019.55 for the collection.
Voluntary Phoenix driver HMI study
NHTSA plans a one-time voluntary research study of up to 35 licensed drivers aged 18 through 55 in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. If you join, you will drive three commercially available vehicles (each on an approximately 20-minute route) and complete the related setup, familiarization, questionnaires, and debrief described in the notice (15-minute introduction/informed consent; for each vehicle a 15-minute eye-tracker setup, 15-minute familiarization, 20-minute drive, and 10-minute post-drive questionnaire; plus a 10-minute exit questionnaire and 10-minute final debrief).
Travel costs offset by compensation
The notice says participation is voluntary and there are no costs to respondents beyond time and travel, and that travel costs are minimal and are expected to be offset by compensation provided to research participants.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated safety rules that clean up old, outdated side-impact protection standards and fix related rules for electric and hydrogen vehicles. These changes make the rules clearer without adding new costs or big changes for manufacturers. If anyone wants to challenge the updates, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
2026-08144, Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-05023, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporation by Reference
NHTSA is updating rules for windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing to better fit self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or pedals. These cars won’t have to follow old rules meant for human drivers, cutting costs and unnecessary requirements without hurting safety. The changes kick in about six months after the final rule, and manufacturers can still add these features if they want.
2026-05024, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles
NHTSA wants to update a safety rule to help self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or gear shifts. They’re proposing to remove the need for a gear position display in these automated vehicles, cutting costs without hurting safety. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 15, 2026!
2025-22674, Public Hearing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
The government is holding a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026, about new fuel economy rules for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031. These rules aim to keep vehicles safer and more affordable while improving fuel efficiency. If you care about how much gas your car uses or how much you pay at the pump, this is your chance to speak up before the rules are finalized.
2026-17472, Michelin North America, Inc., Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-17514, Sunshine Act Meetings
Next: 2026-17516, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.