Search Results for agency_names:"Transportation Department"

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule that enables it to accept air operator certificates from Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) for foreign air carriers, as long as the State of the Operator is a member of that organization. This change eases the process for foreign airlines to gain operational specifications for flying to and from the United States. While some industry groups expressed concerns about safety and legal issues, the FAA assures that it will review and validate these certificates to ensure they meet international safety standards. The rule will become effective on January 16, 2025.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a summary of its research programs focused on civil aircraft noise, aiming to inform future aircraft noise policies. The FAA is seeking public feedback on these research initiatives, which cover areas such as the effects of noise on communities, noise modeling, and noise reduction strategies. While the research indicates a decline in noise exposure over the years, it also highlights concerns about increasing operations and the impacts of modern navigation procedures. The public's comments will help shape potential updates to the FAA's noise policies.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has finalized a rule to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, specifically its section 22425. This rule amends the Freight Car Safety Standards to enforce restrictions on new freight cars introduced in the U.S. It prohibits using sensitive technology and components originating from countries of concern or state-owned enterprises, as well as materials that infringe on U.S. intellectual property rights. From January 21, 2025, freight car manufacturers must certify compliance with these standards to operate their vehicles in the United States.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a notice inviting public comments on proposed revisions to the information collection process associated with the "Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety." This proposal seeks to extend and revise the currently approved collection, which helps entities demonstrate their safety practices concerning automated driving systems (ADS) through Voluntary Safety Self-Assessments (VSSA). NHTSA plans to keep the current framework, which allows entities flexibility in how they communicate safety information, without requiring changes to the existing information collection structure. They estimate approximately 2,400 total annual burden hours for four responses from entities developing and deploying ADS technology.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule to modify event data recorders (EDRs) requirements. The rule changes the duration and frequency at which EDRs record pre-crash data from 5 seconds at 2 Hz to 20 seconds at 10 Hz. These changes, effective by September 2027 for most manufacturers, aim to provide investigators with better data to understand vehicle crashes. The rule responds to a mandate by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and includes allowances for small-volume and limited-line manufacturers to comply by later dates.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, following updated safety limitations identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This proposed rule would require revisions to airworthiness limitations in the helicopters' maintenance manuals to prevent failure of critical parts, which could lead to loss of helicopter control. The FAA invites the public to comment on this proposal by May 5, 2025, and provides details on how to submit feedback. The proposed AD is part of ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety by ensuring compliance with updated international safety standards.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), part of the Department of Transportation, is seeking public comments on a new information collection related to the National Scenic Byway Program (NSBP). This program aims to recognize and enhance roads across the United States, offering grants to State Departments of Transportation and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Comments are invited on the necessity and accuracy of this information collection, as well as any suggestions to improve it or reduce the burden on applicants. The deadline for submitting comments is January 29, 2025.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new rule concerning Hélicoptères Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters due to a reported crack in a rotating scissor fitting. This directive requires initial and repeated inspections of the aircraft's rotating and non-rotating scissor fittings, with mandatory replacements if cracks are found. The rule also prohibits installing certain parts unless they have passed an initial inspection. These measures aim to prevent the potential unsafe condition that could lead to loss of helicopter control.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing changes to how airline passenger data is collected and processed in the Origin-Destination Survey. These changes aim to modernize data collection by aligning it with current airline business practices, increasing the sample size to enhance the accuracy of data on smaller markets, and reducing the time delay before data is released. The proposal also intends to reduce administrative burdens for airlines by moving data reporting to the airline that issues the ticket and improving data accuracy with additional details like dwell times and total tax amounts. The department is seeking public comment on these proposed changes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comments on its plan to collect information regarding the fit and comfort of motorcycle safety gear, such as helmets, gloves, and jackets, from riders across different motorcycle events. This collection aims to gather opinions on how comfortable and protective their gear is, contributing to improved motorcycle safety programs. Participants will include 625 motorcyclists who will provide data by using tablets and engaging with researchers at events. The public is invited to comment on various aspects of this information collection, including its necessity and potential ways to reduce the burden on those participating.