Department of Transportation 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action is an administrative change to rename restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C, Fort Bragg, NC, and to update the using agency description to reflect the change. Additionally, geographic coordinate technical amendments for two boundary points listed in the restricted areas are made to accurately align the existing boundary with the Little River referenced in the descriptions. This action partially implements recommendations of the Commission on the Naming of Items (Naming Commission) of the Department of Defense (DoD) as established by section 370 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro), Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), and the City of Austin (the City), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Blue Line light rail transit (LRT) project as part of Project Connect in Austin, Texas is rescinded.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project on State Route 99 at Caldwell Avenue in Tulare County, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of a new (periodic) information collection. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on May 26, 2023. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Since the beginning of 2021, 123 rail accidents/incidents have been reported to FRA as having been caused, in whole or in part, by severe weather conditions or weather-related events (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, flooding, mudslides, and summer heat). These extreme weather conditions and events not only present hazards to railroad workers, operations and infrastructure but can also severely impact the customers and communities relying on the railroads for travel and transportation of critical goods. To reduce weather-related accidents/incidents and improve the efficiency of the national rail network during severe weather events, FRA is issuing this Safety Advisory to recommend that railroads review existing policies, procedures, and operating rules related to predicting, monitoring, communicating, and operating during severe weather conditions or subsequent to extreme weather events. FRA also recommends that railroads collaborate to develop best practices for utilizing weather forecasting technologies, predictive weather models, and weather- related action plans throughout the industry.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application from one individual who requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) prohibiting operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce by persons with either a clinical diagnosis of narcolepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by incidents related to throttle malfunctions during a balked landing with the auto-throttle (A/T) engaged, potential erroneous readings from the low range radio altimeter (LRRA), and possible deficiencies in low airspeed protections and crew alerting systems. This proposed AD would require updating the thrust management (TM) and displays and crew alerting (DCA) operational program software (OPS). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe conditions on these products.

This action establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-440, T-455, T-457, T-459, and T-476, and amends RNAV routes T- 358, T-416, and T-445 in support of the FAA's Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The purpose is to enhance the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by transitioning from ground-based navigation aids to a satellite-based navigation system.

This action is an administrative change to rename restricted areas R-2103A and R-2103B, Fort Rucker, AL, and to update the using agency description to reflect the change. This action partially implements recommendations of the Commission on the Naming of Items (Naming Commission) of the Department of Defense (DoD) as established by section 370 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This action proposes to revoke Colored Federal airways A-3, A- 17, and G-16 in Alaska due to the pending decommissioning of the Put River, Evansville, Chandalar Lake, Nuiqsut Village, Browerville, and Wainwright Village Nondirectional Radio Beacons (NDB).

This document announces an extension of the comment period for the referenced NPRM, which proposed the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003 Corporation, Piper, and Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) airplanes. This NPRM invited comments concerning the proposed requirement of replacing any rudder equipped with a rudder post made from a certain carbon steel with a rudder equipped with a rudder post made from a certain low-alloy steel. This extension of the comment period is necessary to provide all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed requirements of this NPRM.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of missing insulation in the engine pylon area. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, inspecting the engine pylon structure for discrepancies and repair if necessary. This AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new certification maintenance requirement (CMR) task. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NHTSA published a request for information on October 13, 2023, seeking comments from all sources (public, private, government, academic, professional, public interest groups, and other interested parties) on the planned re-envisioning of the 2000 EMS Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach. Due to the limited comments received and some informal feedback indicating that the initial comment period was too short, NHTSA is announcing the reopening of the comment period for the RFI in order to solicit additional comments and request responses to specific questions provided in the document. The comment period for the RFI was originally scheduled to end on October 31, 2023. It will now be reopened and will end on March 31, 2024.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of finding cracks in fuselage frames (FR) 24 and FR26. This AD requires a one-time detailed and eddy current inspection of fuselage FR24 and FR26 (left and right sides), performing corrective actions if necessary, and reporting the inspection results, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-23- 10, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2020-23-10 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-23-10 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-02- 10, which applied to certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines. AD 2018-02-10 required performing repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) to detect cracks in the outer diffuser case (ODC), removal of any ODC that fails inspection, and updating the mandatory inspections in the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). Since the FAA issued AD 2018-02-10, PW developed a modification to reduce the susceptibility of ODC cracking. This AD retains the ALS update requirement from AD 2018-02-10, requires replacing certain ODC part numbers with parts eligible for installation, expands the applicability to all ODC part numbers, and adjusts the compliance threshold of the FPIs of the ODC. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration withdraws a previous proposal to create a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications in new light vehicles. After the advent of new V2V communications protocol, and after a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision regarding the regulations governing the 5.850-5.895 gigahertz (5.9 GHz) band, the agency has decided to withdraw its V2V proposed rule.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-08-02 for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) (type certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model Arriel 2D and Arriel 2E engines. AD 2021-08-02 required replacing certain critical parts before reaching their published in-service life limits, performing scheduled maintenance tasks before reaching their published periodicity, and performing unscheduled maintenance tasks when the engine meets certain conditions. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-08-02, Safran has revised the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the existing maintenance and overhaul manuals, introducing new and more restrictive instructions and maintenance tasks, which prompted this AD action. This AD requires updating the ALS of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA amends its regulations by making technical corrections throughout the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The Agency makes minor changes to correct inadvertent errors and omissions, remove or update obsolete references, and improve the clarity and consistency of certain regulatory provisions. The Agency also makes a change to its rules of organization, procedures, and practice.

The FAA has determined that the minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates for the period January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, will remain at 25 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random drug testing and 10 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random alcohol testing.