Opportunity to Comment on the Draft Advisory Circular 150/5360-14A, Access to Airports by Individuals With Disabilities, 27489-27491 [2016-10343]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 88 / Friday, May 6, 2016 / Notices Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at ‘‘WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.’’ Decided: May 3, 2016. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings. Brendetta S. Jones, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2016–10686 Filed 5–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. FD 36026] CaterParrott Railnet, LLC—Lease and Operation Exemption—Rail Line of Central of Georgia Railroad Company in Lamar and Upson Counties, GA asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES CaterParrott Railnet, LLC (CPR), a Class III rail carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to lease from Central of Georgia Railroad Company (CGR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway Company, and to operate 17.35 miles of rail line between milepost B– 234.00 at Barnesville, and milepost B– 251.35 at Thomaston, in Lamar and Upson Counties, Ga. (the Line),1 pursuant to a lease agreement dated April 12, 2016. CPR certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of this transaction will not result in CPR’s becoming a Class II or Class I rail carrier and that its projected annual revenue do not exceed $5 million. CPR states that the lease between CPR and CGR does not contain any provisions that prohibit, restrict, or would otherwise limit future interchange of traffic with any thirdparty carrier. The transaction may be consummated on or after May 20, 2016, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice of exemption was filed). If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than May 13, 2016 (at 1 CGR previously discontinued service over a 3.25-mile segment of the Line between milepost B– 248.10 and milepost B–251.35 in Upson County, Ga. Cent. of Ga. R.R. Co.—Discontinuance of Serv. Exemption—in Upson Cty., Ga., AB 290 (Sub-No. 372X) (STB served Nov. 28, 2014). In a letter filed on April 18, 2016, CGR notified the Board that it would reactivate service on the 3.25-mile segment and resume its common carrier obligation on the Line. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 May 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 least seven days before the exemption becomes effective). An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36026, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on Chris Parrott, CaterParrott Railnet, LLC, 3825 Aubrey Lane, Tifton, GA 31794. According to CPR, this action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c). Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at www.stb.dot.gov. Decided: May 3, 2016. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings. Tia Delano, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2016–10679 Filed 5–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 2016 Meetings of the Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Groups Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of meetings. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 More information on ADS–B Out can be found at https://www.faa.gov/ nextgen/equipadsb/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Meeting Procedures (a) Meeting attendance is by invitation only, and is generally limited to those that have participated in previous meetings or are a proxy from their organization. (b) All meetings start at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each meeting. (c) Equip 2020 meetings generally start with 2 hours of Plenary briefings/ discussion, 2–3 hours of working group meetings and 1–2 hours of Plenary for working group out briefs. Working groups are currently: Air Carrier Equipage, General Aviation Equipage and Engagement, Benefits and ADS–B In and Installation and Approvals. (d) Contact Elisabeth Auld (elisabeth.ctr.auld@faa.gov) to request an invitation. There are no plans for telecon/webex access to these meetings. (e) The meetings will not be formally recorded. However, minutes are posted approximately 2–3 weeks after the meeting on the Equip 2020 SharePoint site https://avssp.faa.gov/avs/afs400/ EQUIP2020/SitePages/Equip2020.aspx. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9665, 3 CFR, 1959–1963 Comp., p. 389. This notice announces the 2016 meetings of the Equip 2020 Plenary and Working Groups. Equip 2020 is a joint FAA and Industry group tasked with moving forward significantly on ADS–B Out implementation. Formed as a result of the Call to Action held October 28, 2014, Equip 2020 was given 32 tasks, reflecting barriers to implementation, which forms the basis of our agendas and discussions. DATES: Meeting 1 will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at 8:30 a.m.; meeting 2 will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at 8:30 a.m.; and meeting 3 will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: Meeting 1 will be held at RTCA, 1150 18th Street NW., Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036. Meetings 2 and 3 will be held at Helicopter Association International, 1920 Ballenger Ave., Alexandria, VA 22314. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elisabeth Auld, Program Support—FAA AVS Safety Technical Support Services Flight Technologies and Procedures Division; Email: Elisabeth.ctr.auld@ faa.gov, Phone: 202–267–4976. SUMMARY: 27489 Issued in Washington, DC, on May 2nd, 2016. Mark Steinbicker, Assistant Manager, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division. [FR Doc. 2016–10751 Filed 5–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No. FAA–4796] Opportunity to Comment on the Draft Advisory Circular 150/5360–14A, Access to Airports by Individuals With Disabilities Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of draft Advisory Circular, (AC) 150/5360–14A, Access to Airports by Individuals with Disabilities, for public review. This AC will provide guidance and recommendations for ensuring access to airports by SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1 27490 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 88 / Friday, May 6, 2016 / Notices individuals with disabilities. The draft AC substantially revises and incorporates regulatory updates and recommendations for Service Animal Relief Areas (SARA) at airports. The draft AC was rewritten to improve readability, and to simplify and clarify the regulations for airport operators regarding airport access by individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the FAA is interested in public input regarding the use of wayfinding technologies and other technology innovations at airports. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 6, 2016. The FAA will also consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: You may also submit comments identified by Docket Number FAA–2016–4796 using any of following methods: • Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Mail: Docket Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– 140, Routing Symbol M–30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. • Hand Delivery: To Docket Operations, Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • The FAA invites interested persons, airport operators, guide dog trainers and handlers, consultants, industry representatives, and all other interested parties to review and comment on the draft, at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/ resources/advisory_circulars/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lillian Miller, Program Analyst, Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Airports, Airport Engineering Division (AAS–100) 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591; Telephone (202) 267–3367. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Introduction and Background Under 49 U.S.C. 47108(a) the Secretary may impose terms on the grant offer that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This provision includes uniform design standards for airports, which are included in the FAA Advisory Circulars. FAA updated the Advisory Circular, Access to Airports by Individuals with Disabilities (AC 150/5360–14) to assists VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 May 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 airport operators in complying with the laws and regulations regarding individuals with disabilities by: (1) Identifying the relevant statutes and regulations affecting airports; (2) presenting the main features of each of the statutes and regulations; and (3) listing sources of assistance or additional information. Draft AC 150/ 5360–14A was rewritten to improve readability, and to simplify and clarify the regulations for airport operators regarding airport access by individuals with disabilities. Due to the new format, FAA recommends readers review the document in its entirety. Draft AC 150/5360–14A presents and reconciles the federal accessibility regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (ACAA); the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (RA); and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (ABA). Additionally, the draft provides guidance regarding service animal relief areas in airport terminals. Service Animal Relief Areas On August 5, 2015, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule addressing service animal relief areas amending 49 CFR 27.71(h). (See 80 FR 46508) Under that final rule, primary airports must provide at least one service animal relief area in each airport terminal. This service animal relief area, with limited exceptions, must be located in the sterile area of each airport terminal to ensure that individuals with service animals are able to access service animal relief areas when traveling, particularly during layovers. DOT decided that it will not adopt specific requirements with respect to dimensions, design, materials, and maintenance of SARAs. However, the final rule requires airports to consult with service animal training organizations regarding design and dimensions. DOT uses airport terminals as the standard upon which airports must determine the number of required SARA, rather than using the amount of time required for an individual with a disability to reach a service animal relief area from a particular gate. DOT recognizes that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may prohibit an airport from locating the SARA in the sterile area of a terminal for security reasons. Therefore, the rule provides airports with an exception to the final rule requirement to locate the SARA within the sterile area of each airport terminal. DOT also realizes that, based on an airport’s configuration, a relief area in PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the non-sterile area of an airport may be more desirable to relief area users. As such, DOT gives airports the option of placing a relief area in a location other than the sterile area of a terminal if a service animal training organization, the airport, and carriers in the terminal in which the relief area will be located agree that a relief area would be better placed outside the terminal’s sterile area instead of inside the sterile area. For all these exceptions, the airport must, however, document and retain a record of this agreement, including when TSA prohibits location of the SARA in a sterile area. To better understand the needs of SARA users, the FAA held a public meeting on April 10, 2014, to receive input from airport operators, service animal trainers, and service animal handlers on service animal relief areas at airports. As a result of that meeting, the FAA included service animal relief area standards and technical recommendations in the AC addressing size and surface materials of the relief area, maintenance methods, and time/ distance between gates and relief areas. Since the FAA is aware that service dog training schools do not offer standardized training, the AC recommends that airport operators consider installing two types of surfaces when designing relief areas. The draft AC’s recommendations for SARAs will generally apply to primary airports with 10,000 or more enplanements and operated by public entities, but will be helpful for all airport operators. The draft AC will serve as a guide for airport operators in complying with requirements regarding individuals with disabilities by identifying relevant statutes and regulations affecting airports, and by listing sources of assistance and additional information. Accordingly, the FAA is seeking public input regarding SARAs. The FAA also recognizes that relief areas must be accessible for people who use wheelchairs, that some service animals will only relieve themselves when off leash and others on leash, and that some service animals are trained to relieve themselves only outdoors. For the SARA located outdoors, the AC recommends fencing an area large enough to address safety, sanitation, and maintenance considerations. For accessibility, the AC recommends accessible doors/gates with accessible door opening/closing mechanisms, or the removal of gates that may present obstacles for people who use wheelchairs. The SARA located outside the terminal may also present difficulties for service animal handlers during E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 88 / Friday, May 6, 2016 / Notices severe weather conditions such as rain, snow, and extreme heat. The AC therefore recommends that airport operators consider protecting the outdoor SARA and the pathways to the SARA from the elements. For the indoor SARA, the AC recommends natural lighting whenever possible. The FAA is also aware that it may be difficult for people with visual impairments to navigate within the SARA. To allow these people to familiarize themselves with the SARA’s layout before entering, the AC recommends placing special signs, maps, and other orienting cues at the entrance to the SARA. In addition, this AC defines the airport terminal for the purpose of helping airports decide on the number and locations of required SARA. To enhance SARAs, the FAA is seeking input on new concept cleaning technology; like nano technology as a potential for self-cleaning SARA. Way-Finding Technologies asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The FAA understands that wayfinding is necessary for safe and efficient mobility in a complex airport terminal. The FAA recognizes that wayfinding in a complex airport terminal might be a challenge for people who are blind or have vision impairments. Additionally, the FAA recognizes escorting is time consuming and diminishes independence for individuals with disabilities. Accordingly, the FAA specifically seeks comments about: • RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems for possible use in wayfinding and mobility in the airport terminal for people with visual impairments; • Audio-haptic systems designed for enhancing orientation and mobility skills in people with visual impairments; and • Other technology innovations to enhance wayfinding is interested in public input regarding the use of wayfinding technologies and other technology innovations at airports. Issued in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2016. Michael J. O’Donnell, Director of Airport Safety and Standards. [FR Doc. 2016–10343 Filed 5–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 May 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA–2016–0013] Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: 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 published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on February 10, 2016. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by June 6, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may send comments within 30 days to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention DOT Desk Officer. You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. All comments should include the Docket number FHWA–2016–0013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Woodruff, 202–366–1607, Office of Civil Rights, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Federal-Aid Highway Construction Equal Employment Opportunity. Background: Title 23, Part 140(a), requires the FHWA to ensure equal opportunity regarding contractors’ employment practices on Federal-aid highway projects. To carry out this requirement, the contractors must submit to the State Transportation Agencies (STAs) on all work being SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27491 performed on Federal-aid contracts during the month of July, a report on its employment workforce data. This report provides the employment workforce data on these contracts and includes the number of minorities, women, and nonminorities in specific highway construction job categories. This information is reported on Form PR– 1391, Federal-Aid Highway Construction Contractors Summary of Employment Data. The statute also requires the STAs to submit a report to the FHWA summarizing the data entered on the PR–1391 forms. This summary data is provided on Form PR– 1392, Federal-Aid Highway Construction Contractors Summary of Employment Data. The STAs and FHWA use this data to identify patterns and trends of employment in the highway construction industry, and to determine the adequacy and impact of the STA’s and FHWA’s contract compliance and on-the-job (OJT) training programs. The STAs use this information to monitor the contractorsemployment and training of minorities and women in the traditional highway construction crafts. Additionally, the data is used by FHWA to provide summarization, trend analyses to Congress, DOT, and FHWA officials as well as others who request information relating to the Federal-aid highway construction EEO program. The information is also used in making decisions regarding resource allocation; program emphasis; marketing and promotion activities; training; and compliance efforts. Respondents: 11,077 annual respondents for form PR–1391, and 52 STAs annual respondents for Form PR– 1392, total of 11,129. Frequency: Annually. Estimated Average Burden per Response: FHWA estimates it takes 30 minutes for Federal-aid contractors to complete and submit Form PR–1391 and 8 hours for STAs to complete and submit Form PR–1392. Estimated Total Amount Burden Hours: Form PR–1391– 5,539 hours per year; Form PR–1392– 416 hours per year, total of 5,955 hours annually. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27489-27491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10343]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-4796]


Opportunity to Comment on the Draft Advisory Circular 150/5360-
14A, Access to Airports by Individuals With Disabilities

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the 
availability of draft Advisory Circular, (AC) 150/5360-14A, Access to 
Airports by Individuals with Disabilities, for public review. This AC 
will provide guidance and recommendations for ensuring access to 
airports by

[[Page 27490]]

individuals with disabilities. The draft AC substantially revises and 
incorporates regulatory updates and recommendations for Service Animal 
Relief Areas (SARA) at airports. The draft AC was rewritten to improve 
readability, and to simplify and clarify the regulations for airport 
operators regarding airport access by individuals with disabilities. 
Additionally, the FAA is interested in public input regarding the use 
of wayfinding technologies and other technology innovations at 
airports.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 6, 2016. The FAA 
will also consider comments received after that date to the extent 
practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may also submit comments identified by Docket Number 
FAA-2016-4796 using any of following methods:
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Routing 
Symbol M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: To Docket Operations, Room W12-140 on the 
ground floor of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
     The FAA invites interested persons, airport operators, 
guide dog trainers and handlers, consultants, industry representatives, 
and all other interested parties to review and comment on the draft, 
at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lillian Miller, Program Analyst, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Airports, Airport 
Engineering Division (AAS-100) 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 
DC 20591; Telephone (202) 267-3367.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction and Background

    Under 49 U.S.C. 47108(a) the Secretary may impose terms on the 
grant offer that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the 
Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This provision includes uniform 
design standards for airports, which are included in the FAA Advisory 
Circulars.
    FAA updated the Advisory Circular, Access to Airports by 
Individuals with Disabilities (AC 150/5360-14) to assists airport 
operators in complying with the laws and regulations regarding 
individuals with disabilities by: (1) Identifying the relevant statutes 
and regulations affecting airports; (2) presenting the main features of 
each of the statutes and regulations; and (3) listing sources of 
assistance or additional information. Draft AC 150/5360-14A was 
rewritten to improve readability, and to simplify and clarify the 
regulations for airport operators regarding airport access by 
individuals with disabilities. Due to the new format, FAA recommends 
readers review the document in its entirety.
    Draft AC 150/5360-14A presents and reconciles the federal 
accessibility regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990 (ADA); the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (ACAA); the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (RA); and the Architectural 
Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (ABA). Additionally, the draft 
provides guidance regarding service animal relief areas in airport 
terminals.

Service Animal Relief Areas

    On August 5, 2015, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 
published a final rule addressing service animal relief areas amending 
49 CFR 27.71(h). (See 80 FR 46508) Under that final rule, primary 
airports must provide at least one service animal relief area in each 
airport terminal. This service animal relief area, with limited 
exceptions, must be located in the sterile area of each airport 
terminal to ensure that individuals with service animals are able to 
access service animal relief areas when traveling, particularly during 
layovers.
    DOT decided that it will not adopt specific requirements with 
respect to dimensions, design, materials, and maintenance of SARAs. 
However, the final rule requires airports to consult with service 
animal training organizations regarding design and dimensions. DOT uses 
airport terminals as the standard upon which airports must determine 
the number of required SARA, rather than using the amount of time 
required for an individual with a disability to reach a service animal 
relief area from a particular gate. DOT recognizes that the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may prohibit an airport 
from locating the SARA in the sterile area of a terminal for security 
reasons. Therefore, the rule provides airports with an exception to the 
final rule requirement to locate the SARA within the sterile area of 
each airport terminal.
    DOT also realizes that, based on an airport's configuration, a 
relief area in the non-sterile area of an airport may be more desirable 
to relief area users. As such, DOT gives airports the option of placing 
a relief area in a location other than the sterile area of a terminal 
if a service animal training organization, the airport, and carriers in 
the terminal in which the relief area will be located agree that a 
relief area would be better placed outside the terminal's sterile area 
instead of inside the sterile area. For all these exceptions, the 
airport must, however, document and retain a record of this agreement, 
including when TSA prohibits location of the SARA in a sterile area.
    To better understand the needs of SARA users, the FAA held a public 
meeting on April 10, 2014, to receive input from airport operators, 
service animal trainers, and service animal handlers on service animal 
relief areas at airports. As a result of that meeting, the FAA included 
service animal relief area standards and technical recommendations in 
the AC addressing size and surface materials of the relief area, 
maintenance methods, and time/distance between gates and relief areas. 
Since the FAA is aware that service dog training schools do not offer 
standardized training, the AC recommends that airport operators 
consider installing two types of surfaces when designing relief areas.
    The draft AC's recommendations for SARAs will generally apply to 
primary airports with 10,000 or more enplanements and operated by 
public entities, but will be helpful for all airport operators. The 
draft AC will serve as a guide for airport operators in complying with 
requirements regarding individuals with disabilities by identifying 
relevant statutes and regulations affecting airports, and by listing 
sources of assistance and additional information. Accordingly, the FAA 
is seeking public input regarding SARAs. The FAA also recognizes that 
relief areas must be accessible for people who use wheelchairs, that 
some service animals will only relieve themselves when off leash and 
others on leash, and that some service animals are trained to relieve 
themselves only outdoors. For the SARA located outdoors, the AC 
recommends fencing an area large enough to address safety, sanitation, 
and maintenance considerations. For accessibility, the AC recommends 
accessible doors/gates with accessible door opening/closing mechanisms, 
or the removal of gates that may present obstacles for people who use 
wheelchairs.
    The SARA located outside the terminal may also present difficulties 
for service animal handlers during

[[Page 27491]]

severe weather conditions such as rain, snow, and extreme heat. The AC 
therefore recommends that airport operators consider protecting the 
outdoor SARA and the pathways to the SARA from the elements. For the 
indoor SARA, the AC recommends natural lighting whenever possible.
    The FAA is also aware that it may be difficult for people with 
visual impairments to navigate within the SARA. To allow these people 
to familiarize themselves with the SARA's layout before entering, the 
AC recommends placing special signs, maps, and other orienting cues at 
the entrance to the SARA. In addition, this AC defines the airport 
terminal for the purpose of helping airports decide on the number and 
locations of required SARA. To enhance SARAs, the FAA is seeking input 
on new concept cleaning technology; like nano technology as a potential 
for self-cleaning SARA.

Way-Finding Technologies

    The FAA understands that way-finding is necessary for safe and 
efficient mobility in a complex airport terminal. The FAA recognizes 
that wayfinding in a complex airport terminal might be a challenge for 
people who are blind or have vision impairments. Additionally, the FAA 
recognizes escorting is time consuming and diminishes independence for 
individuals with disabilities.
    Accordingly, the FAA specifically seeks comments about:
     RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems for possible 
use in wayfinding and mobility in the airport terminal for people with 
visual impairments;
     Audio-haptic systems designed for enhancing orientation 
and mobility skills in people with visual impairments; and
     Other technology innovations to enhance wayfinding is 
interested in public input regarding the use of wayfinding technologies 
and other technology innovations at airports.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2016.
Michael J. O'Donnell,
Director of Airport Safety and Standards.
[FR Doc. 2016-10343 Filed 5-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.