Department of Transportation 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces that Connell High School (CHS) of Connell, WA, has applied for an exemption beginning September 2024 to allow students under the age of 18 who are enrolled in CHS's Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program to obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Students participating in the program would obtain a CLP at the age of 17 and receive 180 hours of classroom, field, and drive time instruction before obtaining a CDL at the age of 18. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

The FHWA, on behalf of the FDOT, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by FDOT and other Federal agencies that are final agency actions. These actions relate to the proposed Interstate 75 (I-75) Improvements Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study (Financial Management Number 452074-1). The proposed I-75 Improvements project will reduce congestion and improve reliability on I-75 from S.R. 200 to S.R. 326, a distance of approximately 8 miles. Improvements consist of adding auxiliary lanes between interchanges, bridge overpass replacement and widening, and the construction of stormwater management facilities. These actions grant licenses, permits, or approvals for the project.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposes a new system of records titled "DOT/ FMCSA 014 Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Records". This system of records is used to facilitate the retrieval, transfer, and collection of hours-of-service (HOS) data from electronic ELD files submitted by motor carriers and the review of HOS data by authorized safety officials. The system retrieves data recorded by a motor carrier's ELD via an ELD output file. Upon receipt of this ELD output file, the system analyzes the data, identifies instances of potential non- compliance, and notifies the authorized safety official of these instances. FMCSA maintains ELD data for use in investigations and enforcement actions and to determine compliance with HOS requirements. The primary purpose of the ELD system is to allow authorized safety officials to assess electronic ELD files rapidly and accurately at roadside and during reviews and safety audits to determine whether the driver is in compliance with the HOS regulations. The ELD system will also be used to assess whether ELDs meet certain technical specifications that are set forth in the HOS regulations. Additionally, the Agency may use ELD data internally to inform research efforts related to enforcement of safety regulations, including driving hours, as such research may ultimately improve compliance with HOS requirements.

This action establishes Class C airspace and removes Class D airspace at the Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), PA. The Class C airspace created is larger than the existing Class D airspace at MDT and is described as areas A through F. In addition, the non-regulatory Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) is removed. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the efficient management of air traffic operations and reduce the potential for midair collision in the MDT terminal area.

This notification announces a limited, conditional policy for prioritizing returned operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) due to a construction-related runway closure at SFO for purposes of establishing a carrier's operational baseline in the next corresponding scheduling seasons. In addition, the FAA will provide similar limited, conditional relief at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) under the FAA's Level 2 schedule facilitation process as well as a limited, conditional waiver of minimum usage requirements at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for impacted flights between SFO and the listed airports.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. Model BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-3, BN-2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN- 2A-27, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, BN-2B-27, BN-2T, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S airplanes; and Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that in order to ensure the continued structural integrity of certain landing gear and associated components, it is necessary to require removal of these components from service prior to exceeding established fatigue lives. This proposed AD would require determining the number of landings on affected main landing gears (MLGs), nose landing gears (NLGs), and associated components; removing from service any part that has reached or exceeded the established fatigue life and installing a replacement part; and prohibiting the installation of any affected part unless the number of landings for that part is below the established fatigue life. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-258 and V-519, and Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-426; and revoke Jet Routes J-213 and J-526, and VOR Federal Airway V-59. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beckley, WV (BKW), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Beckley VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-216 and V-380, and to revoke VOR Federal Airways V-549 and V-551. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Mankato, KS (TKO), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Mankato VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A321neo XLR airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the applicable airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is flight-envelope protections, in icing and non- icing conditions, that use high-incidence protection and an alpha-floor system to automatically advance throttles when the airplane angle of attack reaches a predetermined value. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-44, V-128, and V-493, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-315 and T-323. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the York, KY (YRK), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The York VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of water in the oil of a main gearbox (MGB). This AD requires replacing certain main rotor (M/R) mast upper stops assembly screws. This proposed AD would also require inspecting certain M/R mast cover plates and accomplishing MGB oil analyses and, depending on the results, replacing the M/R mast cover plate, accomplishing an additional inspection, or replacing the MGB. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain M/R mast upper stops assembly screws, M/R masts with an affected M/R mast upper stops assembly screw installed, or used M/R mast cover plates on any helicopter. Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit installing affected M/R masts unless the inspections are done. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice details the application requirements and procedures to obtain grant funding for projects located on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP Program) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. This notice solicits applications for FSP Program funds made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, and Division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The opportunity described in this notice is made available under Assistance Listings Number 20.326, "Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail."

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace, which is designated as an extension to a Class D surface area at Capital City Airport, Harrisburg, PA. In addition, this action makes administrative updates.

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Lake Charles, LA. This action is the result of airspace reviews conducted due to the decommissioning of the Beaumont very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of various airports. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) operations and procedures.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Thomaston-Upson County Airport, Thomaston, GA, as the YATES Non-directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and associated instrument approaches canceled. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

This action amends the Class D and Class E airspace at Saginaw, MI. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Mount Pleasant very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) Program. The names and geographic coordinates of various airports are being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations and procedures.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.

This notice announces action taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final. The actions relate to the Brent Spence Bridge (BSB) Corridor Project (Project) proposed by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, consisting of 7.8 total miles of I-71 and I-75 from south of Dixie Highway (US-25) in Kentucky to north of the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio. The actions grant licenses, permits, or approvals for the Project. The supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other documents in the Project file provide details on the Project and FHWA's actions.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a main rotor gearbox (MGB) flange assembly coupling (coupling) that was incorrectly assembled. This proposed AD would require a one-time visual inspection to determine correct assembly of each sliding flange installed on each MGB coupling, and if necessary, further corrective actions. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain MGB couplings or any MGB equipped with certain MGB couplings on any helicopter. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemption currently held by CRST The Transportation Solution (CRST) (formerly known as CRST Expedited, Inc.) from the requirement that a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder with the proper CDL class and endorsements be seated in the front seat of the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) at all times while the commercial learner's permit (CLP) holder is engaged in behind-the-wheel training on public roads or highways. FMCSA announced its decision to provisionally renew CRST's exemption on August 7, 2023, pending a review of any comments received in response to that notice. Two comments opposing the exemption were submitted to the docket and are discussed below. The Agency believes that CRST and its drivers covered by the exemption will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved by complying with the regulatory requirement.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-07-06, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. AD 2012-07-06 requires revising the maintenance program to update inspection requirements to detect fatigue cracking of principal structural elements. Since the FAA issued AD 2012-07-06, the FAA has determined that new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2012- 07-06 until the new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are incorporated. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.