Department of Transportation 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application for exemption from the Automobile Carriers Conference (ACC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) requesting that motor carriers operating stinger steered automobile transporter equipment be relieved from the requirement to place warning flags on projecting loads of new motor vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) transporting a load that extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle to be marked with a single red or orange fluorescent warning flag at the extreme rear if the projecting load is 2 feet wide or less, and two warning flags if the projecting load is wider than 2 feet. The flags must be located to indicate the maximum width of loads which extend beyond the sides and/or rear of the vehicle. The ACC believes that the reflex reflectors that are required to be installed on the new motor vehicles being transported, in conjunction with the various marking and conspicuity requirements required on the trailer transporting the new vehicles, provide a level of safety that is greater than that achieved by the warning flags required by the FMCSRs.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for nine 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.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319-112, A319-115, A320-214, A320-232, and A321-211 airplanes. This AD was prompted by in-service experience and further analysis, which showed that the galley 5 without kick-load retainers, was unable to withstand the expected loading during several flight phases or in case of emergency landing. This AD requires modification of galley 5 trolley compartments by adding kick-load retainers. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document responds to petitions for reconsideration regarding NHTSA's December 2016 final rule which established new Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) No. 141, ``Minimum sound for hybrid and electric vehicles.'' The agency received submissions from three petitioners requesting six discrete changes to the final rule, and also received technical questions from the petitioners. After consideration of the petitions and all supporting information, NHTSA has decided to grant the petitions for four of the discrete changes, deny one, and request comment in a separate document for the sixth proposed change.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, Class E airspace designated as an extension (by removing NOTAM part-time status), and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Biloxi, MS, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, (formerly Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport), Gulfport, MS. The geographic coordinates for these airports and the Keesler TACAN navigation aid would be adjusted in the associated Class D and E airspace to match the FAA's aeronautical database. Also, an editorial change would be made to the Class E extension airspace legal descriptions replacing ``Airport/ Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' for these airports. This action would enhance the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports.

This action amends Class E surface airspace at Greenville, NC, by removing Pitt County Memorial Hospital Heliport from the Class E surface area airspace associated with Pitt-Greenville Airport. Helicopters departing from the heliport must now receive clearance. Consequently, the cut out from Class E surface airspace is no longer required. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport under Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth, to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-12- 09, for certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2016-12-09 requires removing fasteners, doing a rototest inspection of fastener holes, installing new fasteners, oversizing the holes and doing rototest inspections for cracks if necessary, and repairing any cracking that was found. Since we issued AD 2016-12-09, an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicates that certain fastener holes are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would add airplanes to the effectivity, add repetitive inspections of the fastener holes at frame (FR) 40, and, for certain airplanes, require a modification, which terminates the inspections. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Seventy Second RTCA SC-135 Environmental Testing Plenary Meeting.

The DOT invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by several incidents of electrical shorting and sparks caused by de-icing fluid leaks between flight deck windshields and side windows. This AD requires water spray tests and general visual inspections for water in the flight deck compartment, and water removal and sealant application if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-12-05, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2012-12-05 required repetitive inspections for cracking under the stop fittings and intercostal flanges and for cracking of the intercostal web, attachment clips, stringer splice channels, frame, reinforcement angle, shear web, frame outer chord and inner chord; a one-time inspection to detect missing fasteners; repetitive inspections of the cargo barrier net fitting for cracking; repetitive inspections for cracking of the stringer S-15L aft intercostal; and repair or corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD adds new repetitive inspections of certain areas of the frame inner chord, and applicable on-condition actions. This AD was prompted by reports of additional cracking in locations not covered by the inspections in AD 2012-12-05. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Hino Motors Sales USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hino Motors, Ltd. (collectively referred to as ``Hino''), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2014-2018 Hino heavy duty trucks do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, Controls and Displays. Hino filed a noncompliance report dated December 11, 2017, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on December 21, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a proposal from the Great Falls International Airport Authority to change certain portions of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use at the Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls, MT. The proposal consists of 5 acres of surplus property shown on the Airport's Exhibit ``A'' as the portion of Parcel 4 east of the airport's access road.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FHWA is finalizing one guidance document and issuing one interim guidance document: Transportation Asset Management Plan Development Processes Certification and Recertification Guidance, and Transportation Asset Management Plan Consistency Determination Interim Guidance. These documents provide implementation guidance on provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and the Asset Management Final Rule, which requires a State department of transportation (State DOT) to develop and implement a risk-based asset management plan. Under these authorities, FHWA must certify that Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) development processes established by a State DOT meet applicable requirements, and make an annual consistency determination, evaluating whether a State DOT has developed and implemented a State-approved TAMP that meets all applicable requirements. This notice finalizes the Transportation Asset Management Plan Development Processes Certification and Recertification Guidance, issues interim guidance on transportation asset management plan consistency determinations, and summarizes the comments received on the drafts of both guidance documents, FHWA's response to those comments, and any changes that were made to the guidance documents issued with this notice.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), is issuing this notice of intent to advise the public, agencies, and stakeholders that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared to study the effects of a highway project under consideration along the Route 220 corridor in Henry County, Virginia.

This notice details the application requirements and procedures to obtain grant \1\ funding for eligible projects under the Law Enforcement Strategies for Reducing Trespassing Pilot Grant Program. The opportunities described in this notice are available under Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 20.301, ``Rail Safety Grants.''

This notice details the application requirements and procedures to obtain grant \1\ funding for eligible projects under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. CRISI Program funding is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Div. K, Tit I, Public Law 115-31, (Appropriations Act). The opportunities described in this notice are available under Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 20.325, ``Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements.''

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) BTS published a 30-day comment period notice in the Federal Register Notice (82 FR 56116) on November 27, 2017 and a 60-day comment period Notice 82 FR 15787 on March 30, 2017. The notices were published using the wrong Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Number, 2139-0046. The correct OMB Number is 2138-0046. Therefore, BTS is reissuing the 30-day notice and extending the comment period accordingly. Comments submitted during the first notice will be considered.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and remove Class E airspace designated as an extension at Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), Lompoc, CA. This action also proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Lompoc Airport, Lompoc, CA, by enlarging the airspace and removing the part- time Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) status. This action would also amend the geographic coordinates of the airports to match the FAA's aeronautical database. This action is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at these airports. An editorial change would be made removing the city associated with the airport name in the airspace designator for Vandenberg AFB, as well as removing exclusionary language from the description. Additionally, this action would replace the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement''.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Hanford Municipal Airport, Hanford, CA, by enlarging the airspace to accommodate area navigation (RNAV) procedures at the airport, removing the Visalia VHF omnidirectional range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) from the airspace description, and amending the geographic coordinates of the airport. This action also removes Blair Airport from the airport description as the airport no longer exists. This action is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.