Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This document announces the acceptance of a means of compliance with FAA regulations for small unmanned aircraft (sUA) Category 3 operations over human beings. The Administrator finds that Wingtra AG's "Proposed Means of Compliance for Operations Over People (OOP)," dated April 30, 2024, provides an acceptable means, but not the only means, of showing compliance with FAA regulations.

NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval on Occupant Anthropometry and Seating.

Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA), has determined that certain Michelin Primacy Tour A/S replacement passenger car tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. MNA filed an original noncompliance report dated March 25, 2021, and subsequently, MNA petitioned NHTSA on April 7, 2021, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces the grant of MNA's petition.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is providing notice to the public of the delay in issuing the Record of Decision for the proposed Texas GulfLink Deepwater Port, as the agency continues to process and consider public submissions on the proposed project.

This notice proposes to clarify FTA's policy on the applicability of FTA's drug and alcohol testing program to transportation network companies. FTA proposes to update the Shared Mobility frequently asked questions, published in 2016 on FTA's website, to correct an error that has resulted in the misapplication of what is commonly known as the taxicab exception and clarify when the exception applies. FTA seeks comment from all interested parties. After review and consideration of the comments, FTA will issue a final notice announcing the policy statement and the revised FAQs.

This document responds to the petitions for reconsideration of the February 22, 2022, final rule that amended Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment," to enable certification of adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlighting systems on vehicles sold in the United States. This document denies all petitions for reconsideration received in response to the final rule.

This action extends the prohibition against certain flight operations in specified areas of the Sanaa Flight Information Region (FIR) (OYSC) by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier, for an additional three years, from January 7, 2025, until January 7, 2028. The FAA finds this action necessary to address significant, unacceptable safety-of-flight risks to U.S. civil aviation operations in the specified areas of the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) stemming from heightened regional tensions associated with Houthi weapons employment and operational activities. Most recently, Houthi forces have engaged in increased weapons employment and operational activities related to the Israel-Gaza Conflict, leading in some cases to air defense responses. The FAA also takes into account the Houthis' recent history of having conducted long-range attacks emanating from the Sanaa FIR (OYSC) in other directions, notably against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022. The FAA also republishes the approval process and exemption information for this Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs.

This final rule provides the statutorily prescribed 2025 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations.

The Surface Transportation Board has adopted the first quarter 2025 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Dubois Airport, Dubois, WY, in support of the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-14-04, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. AD 2016-14-04 requires replacing the potable waterline couplings above the forward and aft electronics equipment (EE) bays with new, improved couplings. AD 2016-14-04 also requires sealing the main cabin floor areas above the aft EE bay, installing drip shields and foam blocks, and rerouting the wire bundles near the drip shields above the equipment in the aft EE bay. Since the FAA issued AD 2016-14- 04, it was determined that sealant, moisture barrier tape and tape dam requirements above the EE bays may not have been installed on production airplanes. This proposed AD continues to require the actions in AD 2016-14-04 and would require an inspection of seat tracks above the EE bays for missing, damaged, or deteriorated sealant, moisture barrier tape, or tape dams, as applicable, and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is a single-occupant oblique seat with an airbag and 3-point or pretensioner restraint system positioned at a 49-degree angle from the cabin centerline. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-03-07, which applies to all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. AD 2024-03-07 requires a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-03-07, the FAA determined that repetitive inspections are necessary. This proposed AD continues to require the actions in AD 2024-03-07 and would require repetitive inspections of the affected part as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to renew the ICR titled "Road Test Requirement." This ICR estimates the information burden incurred by motor carriers associated with the road test requirements in two circumstances. The first is when the motor carrier hires a new driver. The second is when the road test is required for individuals physically qualified under the Agency's alternative vision standard for the first time. In each circumstance, motor carriers are required to rate the performance of the driver during the test on a road test form provided by the motor carrier. If the road test is successfully completed, the motor carrier completes a certificate of driver's road test and provides a copy to the driver. The motor carrier retains the original signed road test form and the original, or a copy, of the signed certificate in the driver qualification file.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Austin Airport, Austin, NV. The airport is transitioning from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR), and these actions support the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

This action modifies Class D airspace and revokes Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area at Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, CO. Additionally, this action amends the text associated with Centennial Airport's legal description. This action supports instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.

On October 29, 2024, FRA published an NPRM proposing to update FRA's procedures for waivers and safety-related proceedings to define the two components of the statutory waiver and suspension standard, "in the public interest" and "consistent with railroad safety." By this notice, FRA is extending the NPRM's comment period by 15 days.

On October 28, 2024, FRA published an NPRM proposing to amend certain regulations governing positive train control (PTC) systems. Through oversight and continued engagement with the industry, FRA has found that its existing PTC regulations do not adequately address temporary situations during which PTC technology is not enabled, including after certain initialization failures or in cases where a PTC system needs to be temporarily disabled to facilitate repair, maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, or capital projects. FRA expects PTC systems to be reliable and robust, further reducing the occurrence of initialization failures and outages. The NPRM proposes to establish strict parameters and operating restrictions under which railroads may continue to operate safely in certain necessary scenarios when PTC technology is temporarily not governing rail operations. By this notice, FRA is extending the NPRM's comment period, which will close on December 27, 2024, by 15 days.

Consistent with a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle safety, NHTSA is establishing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 305a to replace FMVSS No. 305, "Electric-powered vehicles: Electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection." Among other improvements, FMVSS No. 305a applies to light and heavy vehicles and includes performance requirements for the propulsion battery. NHTSA is also establishing a new regulation, part 561, "Documentation for Electric-powered Vehicles," that requires manufacturers to compile risk mitigation documentation and to submit standardized emergency response information to assist first and second responders handling electric vehicles.

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.

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.