Search Results for keywords:"safety regulations"

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has received exemption requests from seven individuals who have epilepsy or related conditions. Normally, people with such medical conditions are prohibited from driving commercial vehicles interstate because of risks like seizures. However, these individuals have been seizure-free for many years and are taking or have stopped taking anti-seizure medication. If the exemptions are granted, these individuals would be allowed to drive commercial motor vehicles across state lines. The agency is asking for public comments on these requests by March 25, 2021.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier airplane models, including all CL-600-1A11, CL-600-2A12, and some CL-600-2B16 airplanes. This move is due to the need for stricter airworthiness limitations to enhance safety. The proposal would require updates to existing maintenance or inspection programs to incorporate these new or more restrictive limitations, aiming to address safety concerns and prevent potential issues with these aircraft. The FAA is inviting public comments on this proposal, with the deadline for comments set as May 27, 2025.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on its plan to renew an information collection for agricultural aircraft operators. This involves completing FAA Form 8710-3 as part of their certification, as well as submitting certain operational plans and maintaining records. The agency is collecting information to assess the qualifications of the operators and ensure safety in operations over congested areas. Comments are requested to evaluate the necessity and efficiency of these processes by April 30, 2021.

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division has asked the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver from certain federal railroad safety regulations for its METRO Green Line Light Rail Transit Extension Project. This request aims to maintain their existing safety procedures which already comply with other federal standards, despite being potentially different from standard railroad safety regulations. The FRA is inviting public comments on this request until February 25, 2025, and these comments can be submitted online. The FRA does not expect to hold a public hearing but will consider requests for one if submitted within the comment period.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking public comments on a request from Grote Industries, LLC to renew an exemption that allows the use of amber pulsating brake lights on trailers and van body trucks. This exemption, which was granted in 2020 and is set to expire in 2025, aims to improve vehicle visibility and reduce accidents. Since the exemption was first granted, pulse lights have been installed on many vehicles, reportedly reducing rear-end crashes and crash severity. FMCSA invites the public to share their thoughts on renewing this exemption, which would continue to allow motor carriers to install these additional safety lights on their vehicles.

San Diego Trolley Incorporated (SDTI) has requested a five-year extension of its existing waiver from certain federal railroad safety regulations to continue operating safely with shared track arrangements. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is reviewing this petition, which is publicly available at regulations.gov, and is seeking comments from interested parties until February 22, 2021. If warranted, a public hearing may be requested in writing. This waiver allows SDTI to maintain its safety standards while operating in conjunction with other rail services in San Diego.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced that it is exempting 16 individuals from the hearing requirements normally needed to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) across state lines. These exemptions allow hard of hearing and deaf individuals to legally drive CMVs in interstate commerce and are valid for two years, starting December 24, 2024. The decision was made after determining that these drivers could maintain an equivalent or higher level of safety compared to those meeting the hearing requirements. The conditions of the exemption include specific reporting obligations and a prohibition on driving passenger buses across state lines.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has denied petitions requesting changes to the rules for adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlighting systems in vehicles. These petitions followed a final rule issued on February 22, 2022, that updated the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard to allow for the certification of ADB headlamps in the U.S. Despite industry concerns about technical complexities, testing standards, and the desire for more flexibility in the rules, NHTSA maintained its position that the existing standards balance safety with performance. The agency emphasized that ADB systems must meet both vehicle-level and component-level requirements to ensure they improve visibility without causing excessive glare to other drivers.

Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC has requested authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to abandon five injection and withdrawal wells and related facilities in Ohio. They are doing this under blanket authorization rules to comply with safety regulations and because the wells are not performing well and are costly to maintain. The public can participate by filing protests, motions to intervene, or comments by February 18, 2025, which can be done electronically or by mail. Once filed, documents related to this project can be tracked through the FERC's eSubscription service or viewed in their eLibrary.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced an update to the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT), which is related to the use of locomotive horns at public highway-rail grade crossings. This action helps communities establish quiet zones by providing a standard to assess risks when train horns are not routinely sounded. The NSRT has been increased from 13,811 to 15,488 based on recent collision data. This adjustment aims to ensure safety while allowing communities to manage noise levels effectively.