Search Results for agency_names:"Transportation Department"

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking comments on a new information collection for the Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program offers funding to state transportation departments for bridge projects in certain states with low population density and specific bridge conditions. The FHWA estimates that each application will take around 100 hours to complete and that the total annual burden for all respondents will be about 3,780 hours. Comments are invited on the necessity of the collection, accuracy of estimated burdens, and ways to minimize the burden while maintaining data quality, with a deadline for comments set for January 30, 2025.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed a rule change to allow individuals with vision impairments in one eye to operate commercial motor vehicles without needing an exemption. Currently, these individuals need an exemption to drive interstate. The new rule suggests using a standard that includes a road test instead of requiring three years of intrastate driving experience. This change aims to simplify the qualification process and improve employment opportunities for drivers while maintaining safety standards.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking public comments on a new information collection request that has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. This effort is part of complying with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information will be collected annually from state and local governments, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, focusing on data like motor-vehicle registration and motor-fuel use. The total estimated burden for this data collection is about 29,574 hours annually. Public input is invited to assess the necessity, accuracy, clarity, and ways to minimize the burden of this information collection.

PHMSA is asking the public to comment on a second set of draft Frequently Asked Questions (Batch-2 FAQs) related to the "Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines" rule. This rule involves reconfirming Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) and expanding assessment requirements for gas transmission pipelines. The FAQs are designed to help explain the rule and how to implement necessary changes, but they are not legally binding. Interested individuals can submit their comments via the Federal Register or by mail, and once reviewed, the final version of the FAQs will be available online.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has approved a test program by Georgia Central Railway and Heart of Georgia Railroad. These companies will test innovative self-propelled, zero-emission, battery-electric rail vehicles, focusing on their operational efficiency and safety. The test is divided into seven phases, and the FRA has granted temporary exemptions from some safety regulations to allow for these trials. This exemption is intended to foster the development of new and environmentally friendly rail technology that could increase competition in the short-haul transport of freight containers.

CSX Transportation, Inc. has requested approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for its Product Safety Plan (PSP) related to the Trip Optimizer Air Brake Control, an energy management system installed on locomotives. This system helps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by allowing more miles of automatic operation, though a qualified train crew remains in charge. The FRA is accepting public comments on this proposal until March 17, 2025. Interested parties can submit their feedback through the regulations.gov website, using the docket number FRA-2024-0126.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a new airworthiness directive for certain Airbus SAS Model A319 airplanes due to findings of widespread fatigue damage around their potable water and wastewater service panels. These cracks, if not addressed, could impact the structural integrity of the planes. To fix this, the proposal mandates specific modifications, following guidelines from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The FAA invites public comments on this proposal by March 10, 2025, to potentially amend it based on feedback.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued special conditions for the Airbus A350-941 airplane, which has been modified to include a Lower Lobe Crew Rest (LLCR) compartment by Aerocon Engineering. These special conditions are necessary because the existing safety regulations do not cover this novel design feature. The LLCR, located under the passenger cabin floor, will be used only during flight, and it must meet additional safety standards set by the FAA to ensure the crew's safety. This includes requirements for evacuation routes, communication systems, smoke detection, and fire safety equipment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a rule to establish Class E airspace for MSP GHQ Heliport in Framingham, Massachusetts. This newly designated airspace would begin at 700 feet above the ground to support advanced GPS-based navigation and ensure safe control of aircraft operations in the area. The change is part of routine updates to air traffic procedures and is expected to have minimal economic impact. Public comments on the proposal are welcome until March 5, 2021.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This action was prompted by concerns over certain retaining rings that can cause damage to airplane parts. The AD requires regular inspections of cargo door areas for any damage and offers an optional modification to terminate these inspections, aligning with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's guidelines. The rule is effective from March 30, 2021, aiming to enhance the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft.