Department of Transportation 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FRA is revising its regulations governing brake inspections, tests, and equipment. The 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 extending the time that freight rail equipment can be ``off-air'' before requiring a new brake inspection. In addition, FRA is making various modifications to the existing brake- related regulations to improve clarity and remove outdated or unnecessary provisions. FRA expects the revisions will 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 rule will reduce the overall regulatory burden on railroads.

This document announces the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receipt of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2012-2014 Mercedes Benz G500 and G500 Cabriolet Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 2012-2014 Mercedes Benz G500 and G500 Cabriolet MPVs) and are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GV airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by notification of corrosion present in floor beam support links. This proposed AD would require inspecting the right butt line 6 floor beam inboard support links and bushings for corrosion. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-16- 05, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. AD 2018-16-05 required repetitive inspections for skin cracking and shim migration at the upper link drag fittings, diagonal brace cracking, and fastener looseness; and applicable on-condition actions. This AD retains the actions required by AD 2018-16-05, reduces the compliance times for certain inspections, and adds repetitive inspections at certain fastener hole locations and applicable on-condition actions. This AD was prompted by reports of bolt rotation in the engine drag fitting joint and fastener heads; an inspection of the fastener holes revealed that cracks were found in the skin. This AD was also prompted by a report of multiple cracks in the drag fitting at fastener holes found during an inspection required by AD 2018-16-05. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-14- 02, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. AD 2018-14-02 required an inspection for foam insulation on the dripshield above the overhead panel support structure and replacement if necessary. For certain airplanes, AD 2018- 14-02 also required replacement of foam insulation on the overhead panel support structure. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2018-14-02, and, for certain airplanes, this AD requires an inspection of the foam insulation on the overhead panel support structure, and replacement if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports that additional areas of Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 flexible urethane foam were found on the overhead panel support structure in the flight compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NHTSA is issuing this ANPRM to seek public comment on whether any test procedures for any Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) may be a candidate for replacement, repeal, or modification, for reasons other than for considerations relevant only to automated driving systems (ADS). This document is a continuation of the Agency's efforts to improve the FMVSS and minimize burdens. The Agency takes this action in response to its review of the FMVSS and to public comments solicited by DOT in a 2017 notice on its regulatory reform efforts. The commenters requested that NHTSA amend test procedures for air brakes and occupant crash protection. NHTSA has also identified some possible additional test procedure issues and discusses them in this Notice. In addition, this ANPRM also seeks comments and supporting information relating to any other test procedures which may be a candidate for replacement, repeal or modification, not just those specifically discussed in this Notice.

This action proposes to establish Area Navigation (RNAV) route Q-437 in the northeastern United States in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project (NEC ACR) for improve efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) while reducing the dependency on ground based navigational systems.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-53, V-115, and V-140, and Area Navigation (RNAV) T-routes T- 215 and T-323; and removes VOR Federal airway V-339 in the vicinity of Hazard, KY. The Air Traffic Service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Hazard, KY, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected ATS routes. The Hazard VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4164, PW4164-1D, PW4168, PW4168-1D, PW4168A, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 model turbofan engines with a certain outer combustion chamber assembly and 3rd stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) duct segments installed. This AD was prompted by reports of damaged or failed 3rd stage LPT duct segments on PW engines with the Talon IIB outer combustion chamber assembly configuration installed. This AD requires removing and replacing certain 3rd stage LPT duct segments. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule streamlines and increases flexibility in the FAA's commercial space launch and reentry regulations, and removes obsolete requirements. It consolidates and revises multiple regulatory parts and applies a single set of licensing and safety regulations across several types of operations and vehicles. The rule describes the requirements to obtain a vehicle operator license, the safety requirements, and the terms and conditions of a vehicle operator license.

The FHWA on behalf of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft EIS will be prepared for the El Camino Real Roadway Renewal Project (Project), a proposed highway project on State Route 82 in San Mateo County, California.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1- Motor vehicle, 2-Rail freight, 3-Cargo vessel, 4-Cargo aircraft only, 5-Passenger-carrying aircraft.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection used to support the analysis of safety data as part of Safety Management Systems required for part 121 certificate holders. The information to be collected will be used to identify hazards and show ongoing compliance with part 5, Safety Management Systems. All collected data and records are maintained by the certificate holders and not submitted to the FAA.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-6, V-30, V-58, V-119, and V-226 in the vicinity of Clarion, PA. The VOR Federal airway modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Clarion, PA, VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID). The Clarion VOR/DME provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected ATS routes. The Clarion VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

FRA and FTA (together ``the Agencies'') are jointly issuing this notice to adopt the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) nationwide programmatic Section 4(f) evaluations for certain transportation projects having a net benefit to Section 4(f) properties (Nationwide Net Benefit Programmatic Evaluation) and for certain transportation projects that use historic bridges (Nationwide Historic Bridges Programmatic Evaluation). These nationwide Section 4(f) programmatic evaluations would provide the Agencies with an alternative to the individual Section 4(f) evaluation process for demonstrating compliance with Section 4(f) requirements, as applicable. For proposed projects that do not meet the criteria for Section 4(f) exceptions or the criteria contained in the Applicability sections of the programmatic evaluations, the Agencies will prepare an individual evaluation or make a de minimis impact determination.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from the Colorado Interstate Gas Company, L.L.C. (CIG). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-10, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; and 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). AD 2019-03-10 requires repetitive detailed visual inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) leg components and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-03-10, it was determined that additional actions (including inspections, modifications, and checks) are needed to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions required by AD 2019-03-10. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require modification of the MLG hinge arm by installing improved MLG hinge arm/barrel pins; an out-of- roundness check of removed pins; repetitive inspections of any affected pins and the associated connecting rod bushes, and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found; and installation of an improved spacer as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes; and Model ATR72 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by in-service data which revealed that the minimum operating airspeeds in severe icing conditions, computed to provide adequate stall margins, do not provide sufficient margins to stall speeds at high bank angle while exiting severe icing conditions. This proposed AD would require revising the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to provide emergency procedures and limitations for operating in severe icing conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 205B helicopters which proposed to require reducing the life limit of certain tail rotor (T/R) blades and re-identifying certain T/R blades with a new part number (P/N). The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was prompted by flight testing and fatigue analysis results. This action revises the NPRM by adding additional T/R part numbers (P/Ns) to the proposed applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace at Four Corners Regional Airport. This action also proposes to modify the Class E airspace designated as a surface area to match the modified Class D dimensions. Additionally, this action proposes to modify the Class E airspace, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. Further, this action proposes to remove the Class E airspace, extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. This action also proposed to remove the Four Corners Regional ILS Localizer and the Farmington VORTAC from the legal descriptions' text headers and airspace descriptions. Lastly, this action proposes several administrative corrections to the airspace legal descriptions. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.