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 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.

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 Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced that the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is seeking to amend its Positive Train Control Safety Plan. Amtrak wants to increase the maximum speed of its trains from 150 miles per hour to 160 miles per hour. The FRA is inviting public comments on this request before December 23, 2024. The proposed changes involve Amtrak’s Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System II and may lead to modifications of existing train control systems.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new rule to amend the current Airworthiness Directive for specific CFM International, S.A. engines. This rule aims to replace more engine parts at risk due to issues with the material they were made from, which could lead to potential engine failure. The FAA is inviting public comments on this proposal by February 6, 2025, to ensure that new safety measures are properly evaluated and implemented.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received applications from 10 individuals seeking exemptions from the hearing requirements that are typically needed to operate commercial motor vehicles interstate. If approved, these exemptions would allow hard of hearing and deaf individuals to drive commercial vehicles across state lines. The public is invited to comment on these exemption requests by January 27, 2025, using various methods, such as online submission, mail, or fax. The FMCSA will review all submissions to determine if the exemptions maintain an equivalent or greater level of safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. engines, specifically the PW535E and PW535E1 models. This directive is in response to findings from a design review that showed some bolts on the engines might crack due to low-cycle fatigue, which poses a safety risk. The AD mandates routine inspections and potential replacements of these bolts to prevent any danger to the aircraft. Compliance with these rules is required by April 23, 2025, and aims to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft using these engines.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established a new rule for ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. This rule requires replacing faulty Angle of Attack (AoA) probes that may not activate the stick pusher, a safety mechanism, in a timely manner, especially at low airspeeds and when flaps are extended. This condition could potentially lead to a loss of airplane control. The rule, effective April 4, 2025, aligns with a directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and prohibits installing the affected parts in these aircraft.

FMCSA has decided to renew the exemption for McKee Foods Transportation, LLC (MFT) from certain hours-of-service regulations regarding sleeper berth use. This renewal allows MFT's team drivers to split their required 10 hours of rest into two periods, provided neither is shorter than two hours. The exemption is effective from April 20, 2025, to April 20, 2030, and follows MFT's successful safety track record under previous exemptions. Public comments on the exemption were mixed, but FMCSA found that the exemption could maintain or improve safety levels.