Department of Transportation March 27, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 27 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board or STB), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3519 (PRA), is submitting a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of the information collections required under 49 U.S.C. 11301 and 49 CFR 1177 (rail or water carrier equipment liens (recordations)); under 49 U.S.C. 10747 and 49 CFR 1313 (rail agricultural contract summaries); and under 49 U.S.C. 13702(b) and 49 CFR 1312 (water carrier tariffs). The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on October 19, 2012, at 77 Fed. Reg. 64376. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. The relevant information collections are described in more detail below. For each collection, comments are requested concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate; and (4) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board's request for OMB approval.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describes the nature of the information collection and their expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on January 9, 2013.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the fire barrier seal on the external baggage door does not seal the surrounding door structure due to incorrect positioning of the barrier. This proposed AD would require modifying the fire seal on the baggage door, including doing inspections of the fire seal for correct contact and corrective action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent improper sealing of the baggage door, which could increase the risk of an uncontained fire in the baggage compartment.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a high-speed rejected takeoff caused by all four main landing gear (MLG) tires blowing out during the takeoff roll. This proposed AD would require installing new rigid hydraulic tube assemblies to the MLG struts, installing a new MLG squat switch bracket, modifying the MLG squat switch wire harness, modifying the MLG anti-skid wheel transducer electrical wire harnesses, routing and securing the anti-skid wheel and squat switch electrical wire harnesses to the MLG strut assembly; installing outboard bracket assemblies, anti-skid shield, forward electrical cover on the forward stiffener, upper and lower inboard bracket assemblies, and clamps that support the electrical wire harness; modifying the aft stiffener for the new electrical wire harness support; installing the aft electrical cover and strap on the aft stiffener; installing a new flat landing light lamp if necessary; and, for certain airplanes; installing a new wheel speed detect box assembly, nutplates, and brackets and a new thrust reverser interface box, and modifying the wiring for the new thrust reverser interface box. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the braking system or adverse operation of the spoiler and thrust reverser system due to external damage, particularly from tire failure, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is providing notice of request for public comment on its draft strategic plan, U.S. Department of Transportation, Research, Development and Technology Strategic Plan FY 2013-2018. The new five-year strategic plan will guide the Department's research, development, and technology activities as required by Section 52013 of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141; July 6, 2012. The new plan places its focus on the U.S. DOT Strategic Goals: Safety; State of Good Repair; Economic Competitiveness; Livable Communities and Environmental Sustainability, along with MAP-21 RD&T critical issues: Promoting safety; reducing congestion and improving mobility; preserving the environment; preserving existing transportation systems; improving the durability and extending the life of transportation infrastructure; and improving goods movement. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration's (RITA's) Office of Research, Development and Technology (RD&T), has coordinated this effort in collaboration with partner modal administrations and offices across the U.S. DOT. As recommended by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the National Research Council (NRC), RITA and its partners are seeking public stakeholder comment to ensure RD&T resources are invested wisely to achieve measurable improvements in our Nation's transportation system.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501- 3519 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice that it is requesting from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the information collectionRail Depreciation Studies further described below. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on July 30, 2012, at 77 FR 44710. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. Comments may now be submitted to OMB concerning (1) whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate.