Search Results for keywords:"transportation safety"

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 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced new guidelines for State Highway Safety Offices to follow in their Highway Safety Plans. These guidelines outline updated performance measures aimed at improving traffic safety. The performance measures are categorized into universal, strategic core, and state-developed, allowing states flexibility to address their specific safety concerns while focusing on national issues like fatalities and injuries. These changes aim to enhance transparency, improve program outcomes, and reduce burdens on states.

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 is hosting a virtual meeting of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) on December 17-18, 2024, via videoconference. The meeting aims to discuss topics such as ethics training, truck parking solutions, and commercial motor vehicle crash data and seatbelt usage. Public participation is encouraged, and advance registration is required. Interested individuals can submit written comments in advance or speak during the meeting's public comment period.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new airworthiness directive focused on certain models of Airbus Helicopters, including AS350B2, AS350B3, and EC130B4. This proposal is in response to reports of broken cargo swing frames, which could lead to unsafe conditions during flight. The directive would require regular inspections of the cargo swing installations and frames, with necessary corrective actions if issues are found, to prevent potential in-flight load loss and maintain helicopter safety. The public can submit comments on this proposal until April 11, 2025.

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 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 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.

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.