Department of Transportation April 30, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document announces the scheduling of a teleconference by the National Safe Routes to School Task Force to the Secretary of Transportation. The purpose of the Task Force is to advise the Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety, on strategies to advance Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programs nationwide and to encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school pursuant to section 1404(h) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59, Aug. 10, 2005). During this teleconference, the Task Force will discuss their draft report to the Secretary.

This document announces the availability of the final rule entitled Flight Simulation Training Device Initial and Continuing Qualification and Use, which went on public inspection at the Office of the Federal Register April 30, 2008, and will be published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2008.

PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to permit certain fuel cell cartridges and fuel cell systems designed for portable electronic devices to be transported by passengers and crew in carry-on baggage on board passenger-carrying aircraft. Fuel cell cartridges and fuel cell systems are an emerging energy technology developed to provide a more efficient, longer-lasting, and renewable power source for electrically operated equipment. This final rule prescribes regulations for transporting fuel cells containing flammable liquids, including methanol; formic acid; certain borohydride materials; or butane that meet certain performance and consumer use standards. PHMSA is issuing this final rule in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Federal Aviation Administration published in the Federal Register of February 21, 2008 (73 FR 9448), a document establishing Class E airspace at Dover-Foxcroft, ME. This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule that establishes Class E Airspace at Dover-Foxcroft, ME to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the Mayo Regional Hospital Heliport and technically corrects the omission of the word ``heliport'' from the name of Mayo Regional Hospital Heliport.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 9440) that establishes Class E Airspace at Bridgton, ME to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the Bridgton Hospital.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 9447) that establishes Class E Airspace at Carrabassett, ME to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the Sugarloaf Regional Airport.

This document amends 49 CFR Part 565, Vehicle Identification Number Requirements, to make certain changes in the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) system so that the system will remain viable for at least another 30 years. This rule was initiated by a petition from SAE International (formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers), which was concerned that the available supply of VINs, and particularly the manufacturer identifier part of the VIN, might run out. This final rule will ensure that there will be a sufficient number of unique manufacturer identifiers and VINs to use for at least another 30 years.