Department of Transportation February 1, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt twenty-nine individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 31 individuals for exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision standard.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Kobuk, AK. Two Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) are being developed for the Kobuk Airport at Kobuk, AK. Additionally, a textual departure procedure (DP) is being developed. Adoption of this proposal would result in establishment of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at the Kobuk Airport, Kobuk, AK.

FRA announces the 34th meeting of the RSAC, a Federal advisory committee that develops railroad safety regulations through a consensus process. The RSAC meeting topics will include opening remarks from the FRA Administrator, presentations on railroad bridge safety, the Volpe final report on private crossings, the FRA Research and Development Program, and the Risk Reduction Program. Status reports will be provided by the Passenger Safety, Locomotive Safety Standards, Medical Standards, Railroad Operating Rules, and Track Safety Standards Working Groups. The Committee will be asked to vote on recommendations on proposed Emergency Preparedness Rule text, a Vehicle Track Interaction Rule change, regulatory changes, and recommended practices related to the management of continuous welded rail, and station platform gap management guidance. Additionally, FRA may offer for RSAC vote a task on bridge safety. This agenda is subject to change.

FRA is updating its announcement of RSAC's working group activities to reflect its current status.

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Bettles, AK. Two Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) are being developed for the Bettles Airport at Bettles, AK. Additionally, two SIAPs and a textual departure procedure (DP) are being amended. Adoption of this proposal would result in revision of existing Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at the Bettles Airport, Bettles, AK.

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-26-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the tail rotor control rod (control rod) and adjoining ball pivot and replacing any unairworthy parts before further flight. This amendment is prompted by a report of a fatal accident involving the failure of a control rod. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a control rod and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This final rule is intended to further the safety of passenger train occupants through both enhancements and additions to FRA's existing requirements for emergency systems on passenger trains. In this final rule, FRA is enhancing existing requirements for emergency window exits and establishing requirements for rescue access windows for emergency responders to use to evacuate passenger train occupants. FRA is also enhancing passenger train emergency system requirements by expanding the application of existing requirements that are currently applicable only to passenger trains operating at speeds in excess of 125 mph (Tier II passenger trains) to cover passenger trains operating at speeds at or below 125 mph (Tier I passenger trains) as well; in particular, these enhancements require that Tier I passenger trains be equipped with public address (PA) and intercom systems for emergency communication and that passenger cars provide emergency roof access for use by emergency responders. FRA is applying certain of the requirements to both existing and new passenger equipment, while other requirements apply to new passenger equipment only.