Department of Transportation 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for MARTA's I-20 East Transit Initiative project, which would extend the existing east-west rail line from the Indian Creek Station to the Mall at Stonecrest in eastern DeKalb County and an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along I-20 between downtown Atlanta and a new station at Wesley Chapel Road, east of I-285 in DeKalb County. The EIS and EA will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and will also address the requirements of other federal and state environmental laws. The extension of the existing MARTA east-west rail line and the new BRT service along I-20 were selected as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) based on a two year Detailed Corridor Analysis (DCA) completed in April 2012. The DCA revisited the analysis and conclusions of the I-20 East Corridor Study Alternatives Analysis (AA) completed in 2004 and complied with FTA's New Starts project development process. The purpose of this Notice of Intent (NOI) is to advise interested agencies and the public regarding the plan to prepare the EIS and EA, to provide information on the nature of the proposed transit project, to invite participation in the NEPA process, including comments on the scope of the EIS and EA proposed in this notice, and to announce where and when public scoping meetings will be conducted. Scoping meetings are an opportunity for government agencies, affected stakeholders, and the general public to provide input and feedback on the project Purpose and Need, the alternatives to be studied, as well as to identify any significant physical, cultural, natural, and social environmental issues within the study area.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces changes to the Carrier Safety Measurement System (SMS). A preview of the original improvements became available to motor carriers and law enforcement on March 27, 2012, and will remain available until the SMS changes become operational. The SMS improvements are now scheduled to be operational in December 2012. Comments to the preview were reviewed and considered. This notice explains the Agency's modifications to the changes announced in March and describes four additional changes that will be implemented in December.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that, effective immediately, the Notice of Intent (NOI) (Federal Register Vol. 72, No. 214; FR Doc. 07-5518) to prepare an EIS for the proposed Sheep Mountain Parkway Transportation Project, which includes highway, transit, and non-motorized trail components in Clark County, Nevada is being withdrawn. The NOI for the EIS was announced on November 6, 2007.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, October 10, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., at the National Housing Center, 1201 15th Street NW., Washington, DC, 20005. This will be the 56th meeting of the COMSTAC. The proposed agenda for October 9 features meetings of the working groups as follows:

The recently enacted Pilot's Bill of Rights (PBR) provides, among other things, that ``air traffic data'' should be made accessible to, or obtainable by, an airman in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigations when such data are in the FAA's possession and the data will facilitate the individual's ability to participate in a proceeding related to an FAA investigation. Some ``air traffic data'' are in the possession of government contractors providing operational services to the FAA. This notice specifies how and where an airman may request the FAA's assistance in seeking ``air traffic data'' from government contractors.

This action proposes special conditions for the Airbus Model A318-112 airplane. This airplane as modified by Fokker Services B.V. will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a cooktop installation. 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.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

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. FMCSA requests approval to revise an ICR entitled, ``Annual Report of Class I and Class II Motor Carriers of Property (formerly OMB 2139-0004),'' which is used to ensure that motor carriers comply with FMCSA's financial and operating statistics requirements at chapter III of title 49 CFR part 369 entitled, ``Reports of Motor Carriers.'' The agency invites public comment on this ICR. On April 20, 2012, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. One comment was received in responses to the above notice from the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc., (NMFTA) in support of continuing this ICR. FMCSA concurs with this comment.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 10 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

FMCSA withdraws its June 27, 2012, direct final rule eliminating the quarterly financial reporting requirements for certain for-hire motor carriers of property (Form QFR) and for-hire motor carriers of passengers (Form MP-1). After reviewing the adverse comment received from SJ Consulting Group in response to the direct final rule, the agency has determined that it would be inappropriate to allow the direct final rule to take effect. The FMCSA intends to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the near future proposing the elimination of the quarterly financial reporting requirements for Form QFR and Form MP-1.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Honeywell International Inc. TFE731-20R, -20AR, -20BR, -40, -40AR, - 40R, -50R, and -60 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a quality escape of about 8,000 2nd stage low-pressure turbine (LPT2) rotor blades, manufactured by Honeywell Chihuahua Manufacturing Operation since 2009. This AD requires removing and inspecting certain LPT2 rotor blades. We are issuing this AD to correct an unsafe condition caused by these blades installed on these engines.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by incorrect wire support clamps installed within the left environmental cooling systems (ECS) bay, which could allow wiring to come in contact with the exposed metal of the improper clamp. This proposed AD would require inspections to identify the part number of the wire support clamp, related investigative actions, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent electrical arcing and a potential ignition source, which in combination with flammable fuel vapors could result in a fuel tank explosion, and consequent loss of the airplane.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites comments on two information collections that we will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The information collections relate to the program for Control Room Management/Human Factors and the Integrity Management Program for Gas Distribution Pipelines.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that revealed the wheel axles of the main landing gear (MLG) were machined with a radius as small as 0.4 millimeters. This proposed AD would require replacing the wheel axle of the MLG with a serviceable part. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue of the wheel axle of the MLG, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Pursuant to the recently enacted Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the Department of Transportation (DOT) announces the availability of funding authorized in the amount of $17.525 million in Federal fiscal year (FY) 2013 funds to provide grants to States for enacting and enforcing distracted driving laws. The FY 2013 funds are subject to an annual obligation limitation that may be established in appropriations law. Therefore, the amount available for the grants in FY 2013 may be less than the amount identified above. A State's distracted driving law must meet statutorily-specified criteria in order for the State to receive a grant. States that are awarded grants also must follow post-award grant requirements. This notice describes the statutorily-specified criteria, the application requirements and the administrative requirements for the Distracted Driving Grant Program. The Department is publishing this notice to give States an opportunity to submit applications for the newly authorized distracted driving grants as soon as possible in FY 2013. Funds for this grant program are authorized beginning on October 1, 2012.

This action extends the closing and award dates for a Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center in the Mid-Atlantic Region that was published on July 20, 2012, 77 FR 42790. USDOT OSDBU is extending the closing date to allow eligible entities time to adequately submit a proposal.

The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) is denying the petition of Plant Oil Powered Diesel Fuel Systems, Inc. (``POP Diesel'') to amend the final rules establishing fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. NHTSA does not believe that POP Diesel has set forth a basis for rulemaking. The agency disagrees with the petitioner's assertion that a failure to specifically consider pure vegetable oil, and technology to enable its usage, as a feasible technology in heavy-duty vehicles, led to the adoption of less stringent standards. NHTSA also disagrees with POP's assertion that the agency failed to adequately consider the rebound effect in setting the standards.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 18, 2012, vol. 77, no. 97, page 29748-29749. The information will determine if applicant proposals for conducting commercial space launches can be accomplished according to regulations issued by the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BRP- Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912 S3; and 912 S4 reciprocating engines. This AD requires replacing the pressure side fuel hose on certain fuel pumps and inspecting the carburetors connected to those fuel pumps for contamination within 5 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. This AD was prompted by reports of fuel pumps having pressure side fuel hoses not meeting the design specification. We are issuing this AD to prevent pressure side fuel hose deterioration and contamination of the carburetor, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown, forced landing and damage to the airplane.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Westside Subway Extension project, Los Angeles, CA. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject project and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application for exemption from Transecurity LLC to allow the placement of an onboard safety monitoring system (OBMS) at the bottom of windshields on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) currently require antennas, transponders, and similar devices to be located not more than 6 inches below the upper edge of the windshield, outside the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals. Transecurity is coordinating device development and the installation of camera-based monitoring systems for FMCSA in up to 500 CMVs. The exemption would enable motor carriers to participate in a field operation test to evaluate the system and allow for on-road data collection. Transecurity believes this mounting position would maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety achieved without the exemption.