Department of Transportation March 29, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from PJ Helicopters, Inc. (PJH) requesting an exemption from two provisions of the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for its ground support equipment operators. PJH requested relief from the 14-hour rule and the requirement that drivers have 10 consecutive hours off-duty at the end of the work shift. The exemption would allow PJH's ground support equipment operators a 16-hour window within which to complete all driving, and enable these operators to use an 8-consecutive hour off duty break, combined with at least two other off duty hours during the 16-hour window within which driving would be completed, in lieu of taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. If granted, the exemption would cover PJH's CMV operators only when they are responding to or returning from an active incident as requested by an officer of a public agency or public utility. PJH believes that granting these exemptions will have no adverse safety impacts while its ground support equipment operators are responding to said incidents. FMCSA requests public comment on PJH's application for exemptions.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting proposals under the Department of Transportation's Public Transportation Innovation Program to select an eligible project or projects that will identify innovative solutions to reduce or eliminate human trafficking occurring on transit systems, protect transit operators from the risk of assault, and reduce crime on public transit vehicles and in facilities. The awarded projects will be referred to as the Innovations in Transit Public Safety projects, and the available funding is $2,000,000 in research funds.

On February 27, 2019, National Express LLC (National Express) and Sodrel Holding Company, Inc. (Sodrel Holding) (collectively, Applicants), both noncarriers, jointly filed an application for National Express to acquire control of Free Enterprise System/Royal, LLC (Royal) from Sodrel Holding. The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and the other Federal agencies that are final. The actions relate to a proposed new crossing of Currituck Sound along the North Carolina Coast in Currituck and Dare Counties, North Carolina. This project, known as the Mid- Currituck Bridge Project, is also known as State Transportation Improvement Program Project R-2576. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.