Department of Transportation January 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant Daimler Trucks North America LLC's (DTNA) application for a limited 5-year exemption allowing motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) manufactured by the company to use an Attention Assist and Lane Departure Warning system camera mounted lower in the windshield than is currently permitted. The Agency has determined that lower placement of the Attention Assist and Lane Departure Warning system camera would not have an adverse impact on safety and that adherence to the terms and conditions of the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation.

FMCSA announces that Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. (Old Dominion) has requested an exemption from the electronic logging device (ELD) requirements. Old Dominion request this exemption to allow the company to install ELD devices running on automatic on-board recording device (AOBRD) software in commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) added to the company's fleet for up to one year from the December 18, 2017, ELD mandate compliance date. If granted, this modified ELD phase-in period will allow Old Dominion's AORBD/ELD provider, PeopleNet, to complete the development of the software necessary to integrate ELD data with the company's fleet management and safety systems to fully meet the ELD mandate. FMCSA considers the request to be on behalf of all motor carriers in similar situations concerning the integration of PeopleNet's ELD software into fleet management systems.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from seven individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) by persons with a current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive heart failure. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for six individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 10 individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that it is changing the open season enrollment procedures for U.S.-flag vessel operators wishing to enroll their vessels in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program. Specifically, MARAD will no longer announce an annual open season for enrollment. MARAD invites interested U.S.-flag vessel operators that are not currently in the program to apply at any time throughout the year. The open enrollment change will be in line with new requirements in the Department of Defense (DOD) VISA contingency contract. Any U.S.-flag vessel operator organized under the laws of a state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and who is able and willing to commit militarily useful sealift assets and assume the related consequential risks of commercial disruption, may be eligible to participate in the VISA program. The mission of VISA is to provide commercial sealift and intermodal shipping services and systems, including access to vessels, vessel space, intermodal systems and equipment, terminal facilities, and related management services, to the DOD, as necessary, to meet national defense contingency requirements or national emergencies. Carriers enrolled in the VISA program provide DOD with assured access to such services during contingencies. In return for their VISA commitment, DOD gives VISA participants priority for peacetime cargos.

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 a previously approved information collection. The information collected is used by the FAA to register aircraft or hold an aircraft in trust. The information required to register and prove ownership of an aircraft is required from any person wishing to register an aircraft.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-20- 06, which applies to certain Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) AS907-1-1A turbofan engines. AD 2017-20-06 requires a one-time inspection of the second stage low-pressure turbine (LPT2) blades and, if the blades fail the inspection, the replacement of the blades with a part eligible for installation. Since we issued AD 2017-20-06, we determined the need to clarify the Applicability and Compliance sections of AD 2017-20-06. This proposed AD would continue to require a one-time inspection of the LPT2 blades and, if the blades fail the inspection, the replacement of the blades with a part eligible for installation. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change parcel 41 (15.144 acres) and parcel 45 (1.704 acres) of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of airport property located at Cable Union Airport, Cable, WI. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use. The Cable Union Airport is owned by the Towns of Cable, Drummond and Namakagon, WI, and operated by the Cable Union Airport Commission. The airport is located off Telemark Road approximately 2.5 miles east of the Town of Cable. The parcels of airport property that this notice is addressing are described as parcel 41 and 45. The parcels are located near the west end of turf runway 8/26 at the Airport. Parcels 41 and 45 are not serving aeronautical purposes for the airport. Pending the release from aeronautical obligations of parcels 41 and 45 the sponsor anticipates disposing of the land and using the proceeds for aeronautical purposes.

A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was published in the Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 65, April 6, 2015 to advise the public that FHWA and WisDOT would prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed freeway interchange improvement project on Interstate I-39/90 at the I-39/90 and US 12/18 interchange (Beltline Interchange) and adjacent local road systems in the City of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FHWA and WisDOT will no longer prepare an EIS for this interchange improvement project. FHWA and WisDOT will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed improvement project with reduced scope and impacts.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Thirty Eighth RTCA SC-216 Aeronautical Systems Security Plenary.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that operation of fuselage doors was interrupted due to corrosion in certain door roller bearings. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the bearings for corrosion, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Twenty Third Meeting of the NextGen Advisory Committee. The NAC is a subcommittee to RTCA.

This document denies a petition for rulemaking submitted by Mr. William H. Thompson III requesting NHTSA amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Specifically, Mr. Thompson requested we revise the activation process for red and amber signal warning lamps on school buses to require a new intermediate step during which both colors are activated simultaneously and flash in an alternating pattern and that we decouple the process by which lamps transition to the red-only configuration from the opening of the bus entrance door. NHTSA is denying this petition because Mr. Thompson has not identified a safety need to justify making changes he requested, and Mr. Thompson did not provide persuasive quantitative data to show adopting his requested changes would result in a net benefit to safety.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 60 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirements in one eye.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-02-01, which applied to certain Airbus Model A320-211, -212, and -231 airplanes. AD 2016-02-01 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks of the pressurized floor fittings at a certain frame, and renewal of the zone protective finish or replacement of fittings with new fittings if necessary. AD 2016-02-01 also provided an optional modification that was terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-02-01, and requires accomplishment of the modification that was optional in AD 2016-02-01. This AD was prompted by the results of an additional fatigue analysis of cracking of the pressurized floor fittings and a determination that the optional modification should become a required action. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 212, Model 412, and Model 412EP helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the emergency flotation system (EFS) tube assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of an EFS tube assembly failure. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

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

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