Search Results for agency_names:"Transportation Department"

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing to update more than 20 incorporated consensus standards in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This proposed rulemaking involves incorporating newer versions of technical standards, clarifying regulatory language, and making minor corrections to improve clarity without imposing new initiatives on pipeline operators. The changes will allow operators to use the latest technologies and practices in pipeline safety, while also aligning with federal policies to incorporate voluntary consensus standards. Public comments on the proposal are invited until March 16, 2021.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing a new rule that would allow states to waive the hazardous materials endorsement requirement for drivers with a Class A commercial driver's license who transport up to 1,000 gallons of aviation jet fuel for agricultural operations. This change aims to help agricultural aviation companies, especially those in remote areas, by making it easier to find drivers to deliver jet fuel, thus supporting these businesses' efficiency. The proposal may lead to cost savings for both drivers and agricultural operators, without reducing safety, as these operations typically occur in low-traffic rural areas. Public comments on the proposal are being accepted until February 3, 2025.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing to update an existing Airworthiness Directive for Robinson Helicopter Company's R44 and R44 II models. This proposed rule aims to clarify inspections of certain parts due to potential fatigue cracking that could lead to loss of control. The FAA seeks public comments by March 17, 2025, and estimates the inspection and potential replacement efforts will impact 1,725 helicopters. The rule ensures the safety of these helicopters by improving maintenance procedures.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comments on its plan to continue collecting information for the National Driver Register (NDR). This register helps states exchange information about drivers who have had their licenses suspended or revoked or who have been convicted of severe driving offenses. All 50 states and the District of Columbia participate in this program, which is intended to improve traffic safety by keeping problem drivers off the roads. Comments on this proposal must be submitted by May 27, 2025.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the Department of Transportation is asking for public comments on its Information Collection Request (ICR) concerning railroad accident and incident reports. These reports are crucial for understanding collisions, derailments, and injuries involving railroads, which are submitted monthly by 765 railroads. The FRA aims to ensure the collection process is necessary, practical, and efficient, and is also seeking ways to reduce the burden on businesses. The public can submit their feedback by April 19, 2021, as part of the approval process with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced updates to its regulations regarding aircraft registration and recordation. These changes aim to ease administrative requirements by allowing the submission of non-original documents electronically and ending the practice of stamping documents. The new Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES) system will be used to enhance online registration processes, providing users with more efficient and flexible options than traditional methods. The amendments are expected to save costs for both the FAA and users while streamlining the registration process.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced a waiver of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act's requirements for certain natural gas products like gas service risers, meters, and regulators because these are not available in large enough quantities domestically. This waiver, which applies to projects funded by the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) Grant Program, aims to ensure timely project completion while maintaining safety. It is based on public feedback indicating supply issues and will last for three years starting January 22, 2025. PHMSA has emphasized the importance of having enough compliant products to avoid delaying critical safety construction projects.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for specific Bombardier airplane models, prompted by the need for stricter safety measures. This directive requires updates to maintenance and inspection programs to include new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The aim is to address issues that could potentially affect the stability and control of the aircraft during landing, which might lead to damage. The proposal invites public comments until March 21, 2025, and estimates that the directive will impact 484 U.S.-registered aircraft, with a cost of $7,650 per operator for compliance.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new rule that would require changes to maintenance programs for certain MHI RJ Aviation airplanes, previously certified under Bombardier. The rule stems from Canada's findings that new, stricter maintenance tasks are needed to ensure the airplanes remain safe. The FAA is asking for public comments on the proposal by April 21, 2025. This proposed rule aims to prevent reduced structural integrity and airplane controllability by updating the maintenance programs based on Canadian regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive for certain Leonardo helicopter models, specifically AB139 and AW139. This directive mandates the removal of specific engine mounting rods that do not conform to standards and prohibits their installation on any helicopter, as these rods could potentially fail and cause loss of control of the aircraft. The directive is effective from April 1, 2021, and operators are expected to ensure compliance by replacing the non-conforming rods with approved ones. This action was initiated due to a report of non-conforming parts and aims to enhance the safety of these helicopters.