Department of Transportation April 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is issuing a final rule to strengthen protections for consumers by ensuring that they have access to fee information for transporting baggage and changing or canceling a flight before ticket purchase. Under the final rule, U.S. air carriers, foreign air carriers, and ticket agents must clearly disclose passenger-specific or itinerary- specific fees for these services to consumers whenever fare and schedule information is provided for flights to, within, and from the United States. The Department is further requiring that carriers provide useable, current, and accurate information regarding fees for these critical ancillary services to any entity that is required to disclose critical ancillary service fee information to consumers. This final rule is in response to the Executive order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, which directs the Department to take various actions to promote the interests of American workers, businesses, and consumers. The rule will ensure that consumers have the information they need to understand the true costs of air transportation that apply to them, which will create a more competitive market with better outcomes for consumers.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Lubbock, TX. The FAA is proposing this action to support new instrument procedures at this airport.

This document provides the public with notice that, on April 19, 2024, Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP). As this RFA may involve a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on the railroad's RFA to its PTCSP.

The FHWA, in coordination with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to solicit comments and advise the public, agencies, and stakeholders that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed NYS Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvements Project (the Project) located on NYS Route 17 between Exit 113, U.S. Route 209 in Sullivan County and Interstate 87 (I-87) in Orange County, New York (transportation corridor). The purpose of the Project is to address operational mobility deficiencies that exist on NYS Route 17 between U.S. Route 209 and Interstate 87 (transportation corridor). This NOI contains a summary of the information required in the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations. This NOI should be reviewed together with the NOI Additional Project Information document, which contains important details about the proposed project and compliments the information in this NOI. Persons and agencies who may be interested in or affected by the proposed project are encouraged to comment on the information in this NOI and the NOI Additional Project Information document. All comments received in response to this NOI will be considered and any information presented herein may be revised in consideration of the comments.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and DOT Order 1351.29A, this notice confirms the Department's intention to renew Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 2105-0576, concerning Traveling by Air with Service AnimalsU.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form, and U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation Form.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to maximize the use of American-made products and materials in all federally funded projects as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's implementation of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). In this notice, DOT is taking action to finalize a temporary general applicability waiver of the requirements of section 70914(a) of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), included in BIL, and related domestic preference statutes administered by DOT and its Operating Administrations (OAs) for federal financial assistance awarded by DOT and its OAs 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 waiver also applies to discretionary grant assistance provided by DOT and its OAs to the Freely Associated States (the Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia) in the Pacific that are subject to a domestic preference statute. As it applies to the Freely Associated States, the waiver does not include BABA, which only applies to infrastructure projects in the United States and its territories. The waiver will provide time for DOT to collect and analyze evidence to determine if a more targeted waiver of these requirements is in the public interest. The waiver allows time for DOT and its OAs to offer technical assistance to potential assistance recipients in the remote communities in the Pacific Island territories and Freely Associated States. The waiver will be reviewed prior to its expiration.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that torque wrenches used during production installation of bulkhead fittings on the oxygen lines of the flight crew oxygen mask stowage boxes and adapter fitting on the oxygen pressure gauge were out of calibration during production installation, which resulted in a higher torque level setting than required. This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected oxygen line 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.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace designated as a surface area, modify the airspace designated as an extension to a Class E surface area, modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and remove the Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Bishop Airport, Bishop, CA. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-18- 06, which applied to all GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes. AD 2010-18-06 required inspections and a minor design change to the forward slide of the cargo door with corrective action as necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2010-18-06, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the aviation authority for Australia, superseded the previous CASA Australia AD to incorporate more detailed inspections and additional modifications as specified in updated service information published by the manufacturer. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight cargo door separation. This AD requires inspections and rework (modifications) of the cargo door with corrective action as necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Britten-Norman Aircraft, Ltd. Model BN-2, BN-2A, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-3, BN- 2A-6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN-2A-27, BN-2B- 20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, BN-2B27, BN-2T, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S airplanes; and Model BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, and BN2A MK. III-3 airplanes. This AD is prompted by reports of electrical cable (Koiled Kord) and flight control cables interference with the control column. This AD requires inspecting for interference between the control column, rudder pedal adjuster cable, and any wiring (including the Koiled Kord) concurrently with performing a flight control full and free movement inspection, and taking corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 for a new information collection. The collection involves collecting feedback from participating school representatives to continuously improve the Adopt-a-School program. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary because satisfaction rating is a metric measured by the Adopt-a-School program for success.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B engines. This AD was prompted by a report of an aborted takeoff due to left engine failure caused by liberation of the interstage high- pressure turbine (HPT) rotor seal rim. This AD requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections (USIs) of the interstage HPT rotor seal for cracks and removal from service if necessary. As a mandatory terminating action to the repetitive USIs of the interstage HPT rotor seal, this AD also requires replacement of the interstage HPT rotor seal. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 for a new information collection. The collection involves collecting feedback from participating school representatives to continuously improve the Adopt-a-School program. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary because satisfaction rating is a metric measured by the Adopt-a-School program for success.

The FAA is updating requirements for safety management systems and requiring certain certificate holders and commercial air tour operators to develop and implement a safety management system (SMS). This rule extends the requirement for an SMS to all certificate holders operating under the rules for commuter and on-demand operations, commercial air tour operators, production certificate holders that are holders or licensees of a type certificate for the same product, and holders of a type certificate that license out that type certificate for production. The FAA is publishing this rule in part to address a Congressional mandate as well as recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and two aviation rulemaking committees. Additionally, the rule more closely aligns the United States with Annex 19 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. This rule will improve aviation safety by requiring organizations to implement a proactive approach to managing safety.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department or DOT) is requiring automatic refunds to consumers when a U.S. air carrier or a foreign air carrier cancels or makes a significant change to a scheduled flight to, from, or within the United States and the consumer is not offered or rejects alternative transportation and travel credits, vouchers, or other compensation. These automatic refunds must be provided promptly, i.e., within 7 business days for credit card payments and within 20 calendar days for other forms of payment. To ensure consumers know when they are entitled to a refund, the Department is requiring carriers and ticket agents to inform consumers of their right to a refund if that is the case before making an offer for alternative transportation, travel credits, vouchers, or other compensation in lieu of refunds. Also, the Department is defining, for the first time, the terms "significant change" and "cancellation" to provide clarity and consistency to consumers with respect to their right to a refund. The Department is also requiring refunds to consumers for fees for ancillary services that passengers paid for but did not receive and for checked baggage fees if the bag is significantly delayed. For consumers who are unable to or advised not to travel as scheduled on flights to, from, or within the United States because of a serious communicable disease, the Department is requiring that carriers provide travel vouchers or credits that are transferrable and valid for at least 5 years from the date of issuance. Carriers may require consumers to provide documentary evidence demonstrating that they are unable to travel or have been advised not to travel to support their request for a travel voucher or credit, unless the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publishes guidance declaring that requiring such documentary evidence is not in the public interest.

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. The collection involves the FAA's administration of the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) program. The information to be collected will be used to authorize public agencies to impose PFCs and use PFC revenue on airport-related projects and to ensure compliance with PFC program requirements.

This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-132 and revokes VOR Federal Airways V-131, V- 307, and V-350. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Chanute, KS (CNU), VOR/ Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Chanute VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action proposes to amend Jet Routes J-35 and J-101; amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-9, V- 48, V-69, V-227, and V-313; and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-586. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Pontiac, IL (PNT), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Pontiac VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various helicopters modified by certain supplemental type certificates (STCs) that approve the installation of an emergency float kit or an emergency float with liferaft kit. This proposed AD was prompted by the results of an accident investigation and subsequent reports of difficulty pulling the emergency float kit float activation handle installed on the pilot cyclic. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the pull force on the float activation handle and, depending on the results, accomplishing corrective actions. For certain model helicopters, this proposed AD would also require removing from service and replacing certain part-numbered float inflation reservoirs (reservoirs) and pull cable assemblies (cables) with certain other part-numbered reservoirs and cables. Finally, this proposed AD would prohibit installing certain part-numbered reservoirs and cables on certain helicopters. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of a Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transit Projects (Programmatic Assessment). On September 25, 2023, FTA announced in the Federal Register the availability of the draft Programmatic Assessment and requested public comment. FTA received six comment letters and presents its responses to those comments in this notice.

This notice announces that PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety will host three public meetings during 2024 in advance of certain international meetings. The first meeting will be held in preparation of the 64th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) scheduled for June 24-July 3, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. The second meeting will be held in preparation of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) Working Group 24 (WG/ 24) tentatively scheduled for October 2024 in Montreal, Canada. The third meeting will be held in preparation of the 65th session of the UNSCOE TDG scheduled for November 25-December 3, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. For each of these meetings, PHMSA will solicit public input on current proposals. Time and Location: Each public meeting will take place approximately two weeks preceding the international meeting at DOT Headquarters, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. A remote participation option will also be available. Specific information for each meeting will be posted when available on the PHMSA website at www.phmsa.dot.gov/international-program/ international-program-overview under "Upcoming Events." This information will include the public meeting date, time, remote access login, conference dial-in number, and details for advance registration.