Department of Transportation 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has received multiple requests for a Buy America waiver for battery electric minibuses based on the non-availability of Buy America-compliant vehicles. FTA is proposing a general non-availability waiver of limited duration for vehicles in this class that meet certain criteria. FTA seeks public and industry comment on whether FTA should grant the waiver or a modified version of the waiver.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an investigation of an in- service hydraulic fluid leakage event that indicated the potential use of an uncalibrated torque wrench when tightening the union fittings at the pressure and return interfaces of all three rudder hydraulic power control units (PCUs). This proposed AD would require properly torquing the rudder PCU hydraulic fittings and applying the torque seal on the rudder PCU hydraulic fittings, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Consistent with a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle safety, NHTSA is establishing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 305a to replace FMVSS No. 305, "Electric-powered vehicles: Electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection." Among other improvements, FMVSS No. 305a applies to light and heavy vehicles and includes performance requirements for the propulsion battery. NHTSA is also establishing a new regulation, part 561, "Documentation for Electric-powered Vehicles," that requires manufacturers to compile risk mitigation documentation and to submit standardized emergency response information to assist first and second responders handling electric vehicles.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces a public meeting of the Peer Review Group (PRG). The PRG was established pursuant to the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations to plan for the decommissioning and disposition of the Nuclear Ship Savannah (NSS). PRG membership is comprised of officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, MARAD, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and the Maryland State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and other consulting parties. The public meeting affords the public an opportunity to participate in PRG activities, including reviewing and providing comments on draft deliverables. MARAD encourages public participation and provides the PRG meeting information below.

This action proposes to amend Jet Routes J-83 and J-85, and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-415 and V-605 in the eastern United States. These actions support the Spartanburg, SC (SPA), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) relocation project.

FRA is amending the Freight Car Safety Standards (FCSS) to implement section 22425 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Act). The Act places certain restrictions on newly built freight cars placed into service in the United States (U.S.) including limiting content that originates from a country of concern (COC) or is sourced from a state-owned enterprise (SOE) and prohibiting sensitive technology that originates from a COC or is sourced from a SOE. The Act mandates that FRA issue a regulation to monitor and enforce industry's compliance with the Act's standards.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Challis Airport, Challis, ID, in support of the airport's transition from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

This final rule requires certificated repair stations located outside the territory of the United States (U.S.) whose employees perform safety-sensitive maintenance functions on certain air carrier aircraft to conduct alcohol and controlled substance testing in a manner acceptable to the Administrator and consistent with the applicable laws of the country in which the repair station is located. The final rule directs the repair station to comply with the requirements of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program published by the FAA and the Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug Testing Programs published by the Department of Transportation, as proposed. However, this final rule also allows foreign governments, on behalf of certificated repair stations within their territories, and individual foreign repair stations subject to the rule to obtain the Administrator's recognition of a compatible alternative that contains minimum criteria in lieu of compliance with certain components of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

This amendment will allow the FAA to review and, if acceptable to the Administrator, recognize as valid air operator certificates issued by a Regional Safety Oversight Organization to foreign air carriers when the State of the Operator is a member of that Regional Safety Oversight Organization, for purposes of evaluating foreign applicants for operating specifications.

This final rule addresses an important source of motor vehicle safety information and fulfills a requirement in the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act (Whistleblower Act) that NHTSA promulgate regulations on the requirements of the Act, in complement to NHTSA's existing whistleblower program. The Whistleblower Act authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to pay an award, subject to certain limitations, to eligible whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information relating to any motor vehicle defect, noncompliance, or any violation or alleged violation of any notification or reporting requirement, which is likely to cause unreasonable risk of death or serious physical injury, if the information provided leads to the successful resolution of a covered action. This final rule defines certain terms important to the operation of the whistleblower program, outlines the procedures for submitting original information to NHTSA and applying for awards, discusses NHTSA's procedures for making decisions on award applications, and generally explains the scope of the whistleblower program to the public and potential whistleblowers.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-02-14, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2015-02-14 requires repetitive inspections for cracking, damage, correct installation, and correct adjustment of the main landing gear (MLG) door hinge and actuator fittings on the keel beam, corrective actions if necessary, and revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-02-14, a new design of the MLG door keel beam hinge and actuator fitting was developed. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2015-02-14, add an optional terminating action, and revise the applicability, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 series airplanes modified by a certain supplemental type certificate (STC). This proposed AD was prompted by a discovery that certain pitot-static tubing of the first officer's pitot-static system was installed incorrectly in the main and mid equipment center during the airplane conversion from passenger to freighter. This proposed AD would require a visual inspection of certain pitot-static rigid tubes and flexible hoses to determine whether low points exist, and if necessary, related investigative and corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The impacts of flooding affect the environment, economic prosperity, and public health and safety across the Nation. The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) seeks to improve the resilience of communities and Federal assets against the impacts of flooding from extreme events and climate change. DOT has developed these FFRMS Interim Guidelines to advance the goals of the FFRMS and to outline the steps DOT is taking to implement the FFRMS across the Department.

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 Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking comments on a proposed general applicability public interest waiver of the requirements of section 70914(a) of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) and related domestic preference statutes administered by DOT and its Operating Administrations (OAs) for Federal financial assistance awarded for infrastructure projects located in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and American Samoa, collectively referred to as the Pacific Island territories. The proposed waiver would also apply to discretionary grant assistance provided by DOT to the Freely Associated States (the Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia) in the Pacific that is subject to a domestic preference statute (which does not include BABA, as that statute only applies to the United States and its territories). The waiver will remain in effect for five years after the effective date of the final waiver.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-161, V-163, and V-568; and to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-545. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Three Rivers, TX (THX), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Three Rivers VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0032 (Application for Construction Reserve Fund (CRF) and Annual Statements) is used to evaluate an applicant's eligibility for CRF program benefits. There was a reduction in the public burden since the last renewal. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

The FHWA, on behalf of UDOT, issuing this notice to announce the availability of the Revised Record of Decision (ROD) and actions taken by UDOT that are final. The actions relate to the proposed 1800 North (SR-37); 2000 West to I-15 project, in the cities of Clinton and Sunset, Davis County, Utah. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and/ or approvals for the project.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, - 114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of jamming of, or inability to open, the main landing gear (MLG) door during maintenance operations. This AD requires repetitive inspection of the MLG doors, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, and prohibits the installation of affected parts 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.

Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA) has determined that certain Michelin TEX T195/65R22 T-type spare tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 109, New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles Manufactured from 1949 To 1975, Bias Ply Tires, and T-Type Spare Tires. MNA filed a noncompliance report dated May 1, 2024, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA (the "Agency") on May 29, 2024, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of MNA's petition.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces the schedule for the 2025 Peer Review Group (PRG) public meetings and periodic site visits. The PRG was established pursuant to the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations to plan for the decommissioning and disposition of the Nuclear Ship Savannah (NSS). PRG membership is comprised of officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, MARAD, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the Maryland State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and other consulting parties. The public meetings afford the public an opportunity to participate in PRG activities, including reviewing and providing comments on draft deliverables. The site visits provide interested parties an opportunity to learn more about the NSS to assist in determining if they may wish to consider acquiring the ship for preservation purposes. MARAD encourages public participation and provides the PRG meeting and site visit information below.

These special conditions are issued for the Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R66 helicopter. This helicopter, as modified by Skyryse, will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for normal category helicopters. This design feature is a novel control input and fly-by-wire (FBW) system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.