Department of Transportation November 3, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the information collection of Rail Service Data, as described below. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 21 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C1 and AS332L1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that the affected helicopters use the same ``flight/ground'' logic signal, instead of independent redundant signals. This AD requires amending the emergency procedures of the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for your helicopter, a wiring modification of the ``flight/ground'' logic signal source of the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) 1, and then removal of the amendment to the existing RFM for your helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled Trucking Fleet Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for Managing Mixed Fleets. It is a survey study that will assess the self-reports of approximately 2,000 survey respondents, including commercial motor vehicle (CMV) fleet managers, CMV sales personnel, State and Federal government personnel, industry engineers, researchers, and CMV drivers. The questionnaire is designed to collect baseline opinions of automated driving systems (ADS) before and after hands-on demonstrations with ADS technologies.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. Model PZL M28 05 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as defective thermo-shrinkable tubes installed on the electrical harnesses located in the fuel tanks. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the electrical harnesses located in the fuel tanks and, depending on findings, replacement of the affected harness. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-04-22, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. AD 2020-04-22 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-04-22, 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, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule of particular applicability (RPA) establishes safety standards for the Texas Central Railroad (TCRR or the railroad) high-speed rail (HSR) system. These standards are not intended for general application in the railroad industry, but apply only to the TCRR system planned for development in the State of Texas. This rule takes a systems approach to safety, and so includes standards that address the aspects of the TCRR HSR system consistent with the regulatory framework for the general system, but in a manner appropriate to TCRR's technology and application, including signal and trainset control, track, rolling stock, operating practices, system qualifications, and maintenance. The TCRR HSR system is planned to operate from Houston to Dallas, on dedicated track, with no grade crossings, at speeds not to exceed 330 km/h (205 mph). The TCRR rolling stock, track, and core systems will replicate the Tokaido Shinkansen HSR system operated by the Central Japan Railway Company (JRC), and will be used exclusively for revenue passenger service.