Search Results for keywords:"transportation safety"

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Part of the Department of Transportation, plans to renew an Information Collection Request (ICR) concerning waiver and exemption requirements. This is part of their effort to estimate the time and effort applicants must invest to comply with reporting requirements. A prior notice published on December 6, 2024, did not receive any public comments. The agency is increasing the estimated annual burden hours, citing a rise in expected applications, and invites further comments to assess the necessity and burden of this information collection by May 16, 2025.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received applications from 12 individuals seeking exemptions from a rule that generally prohibits people with epilepsy or related conditions from driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. These individuals, who have had seizures but are currently under medication and seizure-free, want to be allowed to drive CMVs. The FMCSA is evaluating their qualifications and inviting public comments on these exemption requests by January 27, 2025. This notice reflects ongoing efforts to balance regulatory safety standards with opportunities for drivers managing medical conditions to legally operate CMVs.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a part of the Department of Transportation, has extended the comment period by 90 days for a proposed update to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, which deals with child restraint systems. This extension follows requests from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who needed more time due to COVID-19 related challenges and the necessity for in-depth evaluations of the new testing methods. The proposed changes include using a new test sled assembly and other modernized test procedures. The public can submit comments until April 5, 2021, through various methods such as an online portal or mail.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finalized a rule changing the 5.9 GHz band to support cellular-vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology, which is intended to improve transportation safety and efficiency. By 2027, existing systems using older technology known as Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) must transition to C-V2X, as the DSRC licenses will no longer be issued. The rule outlines technical guidelines for both roadside and vehicle units, emphasizes message priority for safety communications, and does not require compensation for entities transitioning to the new technology. The FCC expects these changes to enhance traffic safety while supporting the development of new transportation technologies.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to renew exemptions for nine individuals from the hearing requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers. These exemptions allow individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf to continue operating these vehicles across state lines. The exemptions are granted for a two-year period and come with specific conditions, such as reporting any crashes and carrying a copy of the exemption while driving. The renewal aims to maintain an equivalent or greater level of safety compared to those without such exemptions.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued an emergency order that mandates the wearing of face masks by railroad personnel to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as directed by the CDC. This order, effective March 1, 2021, applies to all freight rail operations and certain passenger rail operations under FRA’s jurisdiction, though not in areas already covered by the TSA’s mask requirements. The FRA’s decision follows inconsistent mask-wearing practices observed by inspectors and aims to protect railroad workers, inspectors, and public health. Non-compliance may result in penalties, and specific exemptions exist for certain situations and individuals.

Norfolk Southern Corporation has requested a waiver from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to operate trains without specific cab signal system equipment on a section of the Port Road Line in Pennsylvania. They wish to use locomotives equipped with a different technology called positive train control (PTC) in this area, covering up to 39.7 miles. The public can view the petition online and submit comments until April 5, 2021. The FRA is currently not planning a public hearing but will consider requests if provided reasons for holding one.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering an application for a medical exemption for a commercial motor vehicle driver named Matthew Wackt. The exemption would allow Wackt to operate a commercial vehicle despite his implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which is usually prohibited under safety regulations due to risks like syncope. The FMCSA seeks public comments on this exemption request to ensure that granting it would maintain or exceed current safety standards. Comments on this matter need to be submitted by March 11, 2021.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced an extension of the public comment period for their proposed rule change on the transportation of hazardous materials. Initially set to close on January 27, 2025, the comment period is now extended by 90 days, ending on April 28, 2025. This extension comes after requests from organizations like the Railway Supply Institute and acknowledges the challenges posed by the holiday season in allowing stakeholders adequate time to respond. This proposed rule aims to enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials by updating the Hazardous Materials Regulations.

The Sandersville Railroad Company (SAN) has asked the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver from certain safety regulations concerning bridge management. Specifically, SAN wants to keep using a scale inspector instead of a bridge inspector for checking its railroad bridge. This bridge functions as a weigh-in-motion scale and is used to weigh railcars, ensuring they do not exceed weight limits, and no hazardous material is transported over it. SAN argues that their current inspection method has been effective and more cost-efficient for the past twenty years. Interested parties can submit comments on this request until April 8, 2021.