Department of Transportation January 15, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA seeks information on how best to design and conduct a study to identify factors contributing to all FMCSA reportable large truck crashes (towaway, injury and fatal). Methodologically, the Agency seeks information on how best to balance sample representativeness, comprehensive data sources, ranges of crash types, and cost efficiency. The methodology should also address the use of on-board electronic systems which can generate information about speeding, lane departure, and hard braking. The study should be designed to yield information that will help FMCSA and the truck safety community to identify activities and other measures likely to lead to significant reductions in the frequency, severity, and crash rate involving commercial motor vehicles. As practicable, the study shall rank such activities and measures by the reductions each would likely achieve, if implemented. This RFI supports a two-part process to gather information for the development of a Large Truck Crash Causal Factors Study (LTCCFS) and to promote transparency and innovation by enabling the public, academics, experts, and industry to comment on how best to conduct this study. This study will help improve FMCSA and its State partners' ability to: 1. Evaluate crashes involving large trucks and identify emerging trends; 2. Monitor crash trends and identify causes and contributing factors; and 3. Develop effective safety improvement policies and programs.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from eight individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

By this notice, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is establishing an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2020, so that grantees and subgrantees affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.

This action amends Class D at the Eagle County Regional Airport in Eagle, CO. It also amends the Class E airspace area designated as a surface area. Additionally, it amends Class E airspace by adding an area designated as an extension to the Class D and Class E2 surface areas. Further, it amends the Class E airspace extending from 700 feet above the surface of the earth. Lastly, it updates the geographic coordinates of the airport to match the FAA's database.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Mountain Home Municipal Airport, Mountain Home, ID. The first area is proposed to extend upward from 700 feet above the surface. The second area is proposed to extend upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. The establishment of the Class E airspace will support a new area navigation (RNAV) approach procedure and provide properly sized airspace for the airport's current RNAV approach and IFR departures. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace by establishing a designated surface area at the Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, OR. This airspace area is designed to enhance safety at the airport by providing controlled airspace to the surface. This action also proposes to establish an airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area. This area is designed to contain aircraft on instrument approaches when they descend below 1,000 feet above the surface. Additionally, this action proposes to amend the airspace area extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface. Amendments to this airspace area are designed to properly contain arriving and departing IFR aircraft. This action would ensure the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

FRA is proposing to revise its regulations governing brake inspections, tests, and equipment. The proposed changes include the incorporation of relief from various provisions provided in long- standing waivers related to single car air brake tests, end-of train devices, helper service, and brake maintenance. FRA is also proposing to extend the time that freight rail equipment can be ``off-air'' before requiring a new brake inspection. In addition, FRA is proposing various modifications to the existing brake related regulations for clarity and to remove outdated or unnecessary provisions. The proposed revisions would benefit railroads and the public by reducing unnecessary costs, creating consistency between U.S. and Canadian regulations, and incorporating the use of newer technologies demonstrated to maintain or increase safety. The proposed rule would reduce the overall regulatory burden on railroads.