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

This notice announces an extension of the comment period on an NPRM that proposes to modify Class D airspace and establish Class E airspace at San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino, CA. This action is being taken in response to interest by local airspace users in the San Bernardino area, a higher than usual amount of public comment since the initial publication of the NPRM, and the expectation of future comments.

This notice supersedes a previously published notice on this topic. This notice provides information regarding FHWA's finding that it is appropriate to grant a non-availability Buy America waiver to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) for procurement and installation of 16 suspended explosive charge remote avalanche control systems (RACS), which contain non-domestic iron and steel components, along Mount Superior overlooking SR-210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. The waiver relates specifically to iron and steel components that are part of the tower, deployment box, and charges of the RACS.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is publishing a final rule for minimum safety standards for rail transit roadway worker protection (RWP) to ensure the safe operation of public transportation systems and to prevent safety events, fatalities, and injuries to transit workers who may access the roadway in the performance of work. This final rule applies to rail transit agencies (RTAs) covered by the State Safety Oversight (SSO) program, SSO agencies (SSOAs), and rail transit workers who access the roadway to perform work. This final rule sets minimum standards for RWP program elements, including an RWP manual and track access guide; requirements for on-track safety and supervision, job safety briefings, good faith safety challenges, and reporting unsafe acts and conditions and near-misses; development and implementation of risk-based redundant protections for workers; and establishment of RWP training and qualification and RWP compliance monitoring activities. RTAs are expected to comply with these Federal standards as a baseline and use their existing Safety Management System (SMS) processes to determine any additional mitigations appropriate to address the level of RWP risk identified. This final rule requires SSOAs to oversee and enforce implementation of the RWP program requirements.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-04- 11, which applied to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. AD 2024-04-11 required modifying the variable frequency generator (VFG) power-feeder harness routing. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-04-11, the FAA received a report of damage to a VFG power-feeder harness, resulting in the loss of the associated VFG and the posting of the L GEN FAIL (Caution) message. This AD continues to require modifying the VFG power-feeder harness routing, and also requires inspecting the VFG power-feeder harnesses for damage and clearance, repairing or replacing the VFG power-feeder harnesses if necessary, modifying and adjusting the VFG power-feeder harnesses if necessary, and prohibiting dispatch of certain airplanes under certain master minimum equipment list (MMEL) items; as specified in a Transport Canada emergency AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

This proposed rule would update FRA's procedures for waivers and safety-related proceedings to define the two components of the statutory waiver and suspension standard, "in the public interest" and "consistent with railroad safety." By defining these terms, FRA intends to clarify the standard the agency will apply when evaluating petitions for regulatory relief. FRA also proposes to require petitions for relief to include evidence of meaningful consultation with appropriate stakeholders. Additionally, FRA proposes to make minor updates to agency rules of practice.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Model Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000- P3, Trent 1000-Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 7000-72, and Trent 7000-72C engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) shaft assembly front air seals. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the affected IPC shaft assembly for cracking and, depending on the results of the inspection, repetitive inspections or replacement of the IPC shaft assembly front air seals, 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.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Mission Hospitals, Asheville, NC, as new instrument approach procedures have been designed for Mission Hospitals. Additionally, this action updates the coordinates for Mission Hospitals and Asheville Regional Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

PHMSA proposes to revise the Hazardous Materials Regulations to adopt several modal-specific amendments that would enhance the safe transportation of hazardous materials in commerce. PHMSA, in consultation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the United States Coast Guard, proposes amendments identified during Departmental review and from industry petitions for rulemaking.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-161 and amend RNAV Routes Q-97, Q-133, Q-437, Q-439, Q-445, and Q-481 in the eastern United States. This action supports the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) Optimization Project to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action corrects a final rule correction published in the Federal Register of September 19, 2024, that amends Jet Route J-133 and establishes Area Navigation Route (RNAV) Q-801 in the vicinity of Anchorage, AK. This action corrects a typographical error in the regulatory text for J-133.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) established the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program that allows a State to assume FHWA's environmental responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, and compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Federal highway projects. When a State assumes these Federal responsibilities, the State becomes solely responsible and liable for carrying out the responsibilities it has assumed, in lieu of FHWA. This program mandates annual audits during each of the first 4 years of State participation to ensure compliance with program requirements. This is the fourth audit of the responsibilities assigned to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) under the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (NEPA Assignment Program). This notice announces and solicits comments on the fourth audit report for ADOT.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 10 individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have "no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV." The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 15 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under Supplementary Information. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-01- 11, which applied to all helicopters with certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assemblies (buckles) installed. AD 2024-01-11 required inspecting the buckle screws and, depending on the results, reidentifying the buckle, replacing the screws and reidentifying the buckle, or replacing the buckle. AD 2024-01-11 also prohibited installing certain buckles. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2024-01-11, expands the applicability, and updates the referenced material. As an option to the actions required by this AD, this AD allows removing the male side from the lap of the restraint system assembly and installing a placard stating that use of the seat is prohibited; use of that crewmember seat or passenger seat is then prohibited until the actions required by the AD are accomplished and the male side from the lap of the restraint system assembly is reinstalled. This AD was prompted by a manufacturing defect in the screws used inside the buckle. 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 Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that engine nacelle anti-icing (NAI) forward bulkheads have been found with elongated locating holes. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the engine NAI forward bulkhead locating holes for elongation and loose fasteners and applicable corrective actions, and prohibits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. This AD was prompted by a manufacturing quality escape concerning certain overheat detection system (ODS) sensing elements. This AD requires inspecting the ODS sensing elements and performing applicable corrective actions, and prohibits the installation of affected parts, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FRA is proposing to revise its regulations governing the minimum safety requirements for railroad track. The proposed changes would require all Class I and II railroads, as well as intercity passenger railroads and commuter railroads, to operate a qualifying Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS), a type of automated track inspection (ATI) technology, at specified frequencies on all Class 1 through 5 mainline and controlled siding track that transports: annual tonnage greater than 10 million gross tons (MGT); regularly scheduled passenger rail service; or trains containing hazardous materials. FRA also proposes increasing the required frequency of TGMS inspections on Class 6 track.

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-1, Canadian RNAV Route Q-902, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-495, and Jet Route J-502; revokes Jet Route J-589; and establishes United States RNAV Route T-487 in Northwestern United States. The FAA is taking these airspace actions due to the pending decommissioning of the Victoria, British Columbia (BC), Canada, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The establishment of Canadian RNAV Route T-895 is being dropped from this action.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal agency, and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency, issue this notice to advise the public that they intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Ballard Link Extension Project (Project) located in the City of Seattle, King County, Washington.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson Helicopter) Model R22 Beta, R22 Mariner, R44, and R44 II helicopters with a certain governor controller installed. This AD was prompted by reports of engine governor failure, which was a result of water intrusion inside of the governor controller. This AD requires replacing certain governor controllers and prohibits installing those governor controllers on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends restricted area R-6611A, R-6611B, R-6613A, and R-6613B, Dahlgren Complex, VA, by amending the internal altitude sub-divisions to match daily mission requirements and updates the using agency description to conform to current formatting standards.