Department of Transportation September 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-New York City Transit (MTA-NYCT) issue this early scoping notice for the Staten Island North Shore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project (Project). MTA-NYCT is exploring ways to improve transit time and reliability on the North and West Shores of Staten Island. The purpose of this early scoping notice is to advise other agencies and the public of the intent to further study the Project. The Project would improve regional transit service by addressing current and projected travel time and reliability issues for trips between the West Shore and St. George Terminal. Early scoping for the Project is occurring within the context of the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This notice invites public and agency input to ongoing planning efforts for the Project through commenting on the draft purpose and need, and potential impacts or concerns associated with the Project. The Proposed Project is being evaluated in an environmental impact statement under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and public scoping for the SEQRA process is taking place concurrently with this NEPA early scoping. Should the Project receive FTA funding, FTA intends to use this early scoping process to satisfy the formal NEPA scoping.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of structural cracks in the wing lower skin stringers on both half wings. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the lower skin stringers on both half wings for cracking or fuel leakage, and applicable related investigative and corrective actions, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) Brazilian AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On August 30, 2019, National Express Transit Corporation (National Express), an intrastate passenger motor carrier, filed an application for National Express to acquire control of Fox Bus Lines, Inc. (Fox), an interstate passenger motor carrier, from Fox's shareholders, Brian A. Fox, Stephen J. Fox, Catherine Fox, and William L. Fox, Jr. (collectively, Sellers). 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. Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the rules.

This action proposes to amend 12 high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes) in support of the Florida Metroplex Project. The proposed amendments would provide more efficient, streamlined options for users, and improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 directs NHTSA to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection,'' to require a seat belt use warning system for rear seats. NHTSA initiated a rulemaking proceeding in 2013, and as it continues with this proceeding NHTSA is seeking public comment on a variety of issues related to a requirement for a rear seat belt warning system. NHTSA seeks comment on, among other things, potential requirements for such systems, the vehicles to which they should apply, their effectiveness, the likely consumer acceptance, and the associated costs and benefits.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1524G, PW1525G, PW1521G-3, PW1524G-3, PW1525G-3, PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A model turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of the low-pressure compressor (LPC) inlet guide vane (IGV) and the LPC rotor 1 (R1) and, depending on the results of the inspections, possible replacement of the LPC. This AD was prompted by two recent in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs) that occurred as the result of failures of the LPC R1. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announce they have received an application from West Delta LNG LLC (Applicant) for the licensing of a deepwater port and that the application for the West Delta LNG deepwater port (West Delta LNG) contains information sufficient to commence processing. This notice summarizes the Applicant's plans and the procedures that will be followed in considering the application.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Aviation Administration Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 was enacted on July 15, 2016. Section 2307 of FESSA, Medical Certification of Certain Small Aircraft Pilots, directed the FAA to ``issue or revise regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft'' without having to undergo the medical certification process prescribed by FAA regulations if the pilot and aircraft meet certain prescribed conditions as outlined in FESSA. This collection enables those eligible airmen to establish their eligibility with the FAA.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the nose landing gear (NLG) locking in a partially extended position due to loose bushings on the lock link of the NLG locking mechanism. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the bushings and the lower lock link of the NLG for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires replacement of the lower lock link of the NLG, which terminates the repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170 airplanes; Model ERJ 190-100 STD, - 100 LR, -100 ECJ, and -100 IGW airplanes; and Model ERJ 190-200 STD, - 200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the ram air turbine (RAT) compartment door seal peeling off and tangling up on the RAT rotor during flight test. This AD requires a general visual inspection for peeling-off of the RAT compartment door seal, bonding if necessary, and the rework of the RAT compartment door seal attachment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NORA, An Association of Responsible Recyclers, has petitioned for an administrative determination that the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) preempts an Oregon hazardous waste regulation to the extent that Oregon interprets the regulation as imposing a strict liability standard on transporters of hazardous waste. Because the HMTA's preemption provisionsincluding the provision granting the Department the authority to make administrative preemption determinationsexpressly do not apply to a ``mental state . . . utilized by a State . . . to enforce a requirement applicable to the transportation of hazardous material,'' PHMSA lacks authority to act on NORA's petition. PHMSA therefore rejects the petition.

This action proposes to amend two high altitude United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes (Q-13 and Q- 15), establish one high altitude RNAV ATS route (Q-174), and establish five low altitude RNAV ATS routes (T-338, T-357, T-359, T-361, and T- 363) in the western United States. The proposed Q and T routes will facilitate the movement of aircraft to, from, and through the Las Vegas terminal area. Additionally, the routes will promote operational efficiencies for users and provide connectivity to current and proposed RNAV enroute procedures while enhancing capacity for adjacent airports.

The Board approves the fourth quarter 2019 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The fourth quarter 2019 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.075. The fourth quarter 2019 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.454. The fourth quarter 2019 RCAF-5 is 0.427.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-19-25 and AD 2014-03-12, which apply to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 airplanes. Those ADs require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-19-25, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-17- 14, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4- 605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2005-17-14 required repetitive tests to detect desynchronization of the rudder servo actuators, and adjustment or replacement of the spring rods of the rudder servo actuators, if necessary. AD 2005-17-14 also required repetitive tests/inspections/analyses of the rudder servo actuators, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD retains some requirements of AD 2005-17-14 and revises the inspection procedures and compliance times, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by reports of desynchronization of the rudder servo actuators. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify the Lansing, MI, Class C airspace area by amending the effective hours to coincide with the associated radar approach control facility hours of operation. The designated boundaries and altitudes of the Lansing, MI, Class C airspace area would not change. Class C airspace areas are predicated on an operational air traffic control tower serviced by a radar approach control facility. Additionally, this proposed action would establish Class D airspace at Capital Region International Airport, MI, when the associated radar approach control facility is not in operation.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-7 in the vicinity of Sheboygan, WI. The modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Falls, WI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected air traffic service (ATS) route. The Falls VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action arises out of a statutory mandate in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 that requires the FAA to increase the minimum rest period for flight attendants in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations who are scheduled for a duty period of 14 hours or less. Consistent with the statutory mandate, the FAA plans to amend its regulations to ensure that flight attendants scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less are given a scheduled rest period of at least 10 consecutive hours and that the rest period is not reduced under any circumstances. This document seeks input from the public to obtain more information about current domestic, flag, and supplemental operations with flight attendants and the potential benefits and costs to inform the rulemaking.

This notice announces a meeting of the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-16-04 for all Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines. AD 2019-16-04 required a visual inspection of the 1st-stage low- pressure compressor (LPC) rotor assembly, referred to after this as the ``engine fan hub assembly,'' for damage, a one-time eddy current inspection (ECI) of the engine fan hub blade slot bottom and blade slot front edge for cracks; and removal of parts if damage or defects are found. AD 2019-16-04 also required replacement of the engine fan hub blade lock assembly for certain GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines. This AD, for certain GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines, reduces the compliance time for the initial ECI and requires repetitive ECIs of the engine fan hub blade slot bottom and blade slot front edge for cracks. This AD also retains the visual inspection requirements of the engine fan hub assembly for all GP7270 and GP7277 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an uncontained failure of the engine fan hub. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces that Daimler Trucks North America (Daimler) has requested an exemption for one commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver from the Federal requirement to hold a U.S. commercial driver's license (CDL). Daimler request an exemption for Mr. Thomas Passegger, Project Engineer in Autonomous Trucks for Daimler. Mr. Passegger holds a valid German commercial license and wants to test drive Daimler vehicles on U.S. roads to better understand product requirements in ``real world'' environments, and verify results. Daimler states that the requirements for a German commercial license ensure that operation under the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption. FMCSA requests public comments on Daimler's application for exemption.

This notice is to inform the interested public that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will hold a public Research and Development (R&D) Roundtable on October 24, 2019, in Washington, DC OHMS will host the meeting to provide an overview of its next Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) which will help the agency meet its goals of promoting safety and fostering innovation. The meeting will provide an overview of OHMS' R&D program; internal and external processes behind the BAA; limits of the BAA; and the results of the 2017 BAA. All participants will have an equal chance to provide input for future consideration.

The FHWA, on behalf of UDOT, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by UDOT that are final Federal agency actions. The final agency actions relate to a proposed highway project, improvements to Washington Parkway, from North Green Springs Drive to Interstate 15 (I-15) in Washington City, Washington County, State of Utah. Those actions grant licenses, permits and/or approvals for the project.