Federal Transit Administration 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew the following information collection:

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for a Buy America waiver for Voith Turbo Schneider Propeller GmbH (Voith) 21/R5 propulsion units based on non-availability. Voith, located in Germany, is the sole manufacturer of the required propulsion units. VDOT is procuring the propulsion units as part of an engine and drive system replacement for the Ferry Boat Pocahontas, which is operated by VDOT. There are no domestic manufacturers of equivalent propulsion units. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA published a notice of the waiver request and sought public comment in deciding whether to grant the request. Having received no comments opposing the waiver, FTA is hereby granting a non-availability waiver for this one procurement of the specific Voith Turbo Schneider Propeller GmbH identified in this waiver request, and not to any future procurement by VDOT or others.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by FHWA and FTA that are final within the meaning of Federal transportation law. The actions relate to a proposed transportation project, the Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock Project, located in the City of Seattle, Washington. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This NPRM provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on proposed revisions to the FHWA and FTA joint regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act. The revisions are prompted by the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which requires rulemaking to address programmatic approaches. This NPRM proposes to revise the FHWA/FTA Environmental Impact and Related Procedures and Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historic Sites regulations due to MAP-21 changes to the environmental review process that FHWA and FTA have not previously captured in other rulemakings, such as the use of programmatic agreements and the use of single final environmental impact statement/record of decision documents. In addition, FHWA and FTA propose changes to the regulatory text to improve readability and to reflect current practice, consistent with an Executive order to improve regulations and regulatory review. The FHWA and FTA seek comments on the proposals contained in this notice.

This notice responds to comments on a proposed expansion of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) National Transit Database (NTD); requests comments on additional proposed reporting; and requests comments on updating the NTD's approval to collect information under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for projects in Albuquerque, NM, Chicago, IL, and Tempe, AZ. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject projects and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed Red Line Project in Baltimore County and City in Maryland is being rescinded.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site, guidance in the form of a Circular to assist grantees in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The purpose of this Circular is to provide recipients of FTA financial assistance with instructions and guidance necessary to carry out the U.S. Department of Transportation's ADA regulations.

The proposed rule would establish a National Transit Asset Management System to monitor and manage public transportation capital assets to achieve and maintain a state of good repair, improve safety, and increase reliability and performance. In addition, this notice includes proposed amendments to the National Transit Database regulations to conform to the proposed reporting requirements for transit asset management.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for a Buy America waiver for Voith Turbo Schneider Propeller GmbH (Voith) 21/R5 propulsion units based on non-availability. Voith, located in Germany, is the sole manufacturer of the required propulsion units. VDOT is procuring the propulsion units as part of an engine and drive system replacement for the Ferry Boat Pocahontas, which is operated by VDOT. There are no domestic manufacturers of equivalent propulsion units. FTA is providing notice of the non-availability waiver request and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the request. If granted, the waiver would apply to the purchase of two (2) Voith 21/R5 propulsion units. FTA is also providing notice that it will be conducting a supplier scouting search to determine whether there are domestic alternatives to the propulsion units via the process described at the end of this Notice.

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about its intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to extend the approval of the following information collection:

This notice announces a public meeting of the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS). TRACS is a Federal Advisory Committee established by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on matters relating to public transportation safety.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve as members for two-year terms on the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS). The TRACS provides information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) and the FTA Administrator in response to tasks assigned to the committee. The TRACS does not exercise program management responsibilities and makes no decisions directly affecting the programs on which it provides advice. The Secretary may accept or reject a recommendation made by TRACS and is not bound to pursue any recommendation from TRACS.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the revision of the currently approved information collection: Fixed Guideway Capital Investment GrantsNew Starts Section 5309

On June 17, 2015, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued Safety Advisory 15-1 to advise rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RFGPTS) with subway tunnel environments of forthcoming audits to be conducted by State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs) with oversight jurisdiction in the assessment of tunnel ventilation systems, emergency procedures for fire and smoke events, training programs to ensure compliance with those emergency procedures, and application of industry best standards in maintenance and emergency procedures. Additionally, FTA instructed all State Safety Oversight Agencies to conduct inspections of the rail transit agencies' tunnel ventilation systems, and to audit the rail transit agencies within their jurisdiction for the purpose of determining the mileage and characteristics of subway tunnels, assessing the adequacy of the rail transit agencies' emergency procedures, ensuring compliance with those emergency procedures, and determining compliance with industry best standards in maintenance and emergency procedure. The FTA issued Safety Advisory 15-1 in response to an urgent safety recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The FTA Safety Advisory 15-1, ``Audit All Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation Systems (RFGPTS) with Subway Tunnel Environments,'' is available on the FTA public Web site, https://www.fta.dot.gov/tso.html.

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about its intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to extend the approval of the following information collection:

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site, guidance in the form of a circular, to assist recipients in their implementation of the Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Program (Bus Program). The purpose of this circular is to provide recipients of FTA financial assistance with instructions and guidance on program administration and the grant application process. This circular is a result of the new Bus Program enacted through the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) invites public comment on interim policy guidance the agency is proposing for the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. The proposed interim guidance has been placed in the docket and posted on the FTA Web site. If adopted, this proposed interim policy guidance will complement FTA's regulations that govern the CIG program by providing a deeper level of detail about the methods for applying the project justification and local financial commitment criteria for rating and evaluating New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity Improvement projects, and the procedures for getting through the steps in the process required by law.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration announces the selection of research projects funded in support of three Notice of Funding Availability, as authorized under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, and prior legislation. Innovative Safety, Resiliency, and All-Hazard Emergency Response and Recovery Program: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of Innovative Safety, Resiliency, and All-Hazard Emergency Response and Recovery Program (SRER) Program projects (see Table 1) with Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 and FY 2013 appropriations for FTA's Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment Program. The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012, Public Law 112-55 made $25,000,000 available to carry out innovative research and demonstrations of national significance under 49 U.S.C. 5312. Of that amount, $20,800,000 was made available for innovative safety, resiliency, and all-hazards emergency response and recovery demonstration projects of national significance. An additional $8,200,000 in Section 5312 FY 2013 Research funds was made available for the same purpose for a combined amount of $29,000,000 in funds was made available from Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. On October 1, 2013, FTA published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) (78 FR 60369) announcing the availability of funding for SRER. These competitive research program funds will strengthen operational safety of public transportation, help transit systems better withstand natural disasters and other emergencies, and improve emergency response capabilities. Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment Program: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of Low or No Emissions Vehicle Deployment Program (LONO) projects (see Table 2) with Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 and FY 2014 appropriations for deployment of low or no emission transit buses. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141, July 6, 2012, amended 49 U.S.C. 5312 to add a new paragraph (d)(5) authorizing FTA to make grants to finance eligible projects under the LONO Program. The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, (also referred to as the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013) Public Law 113-6, March 26, 2013, made available $24,900,000 in FY 2013 (after sequestration) funds to carry out the LONO Program. Of that amount, $21,600,000 was made available for transit buses and $3,300,000 was made available for supporting facilities and related equipment. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law 113-76, January 17, 2014, made available $30,000,000 in FY 2014 to carry out the LONO Program. Of that amount, a minimum of $4,000,000 was made available for supporting facilities and related equipment. On January 9, 2014, FTA published a NOFA (79 FR 1668) announcing the availability of funding for the LONO program. The main purpose of the LONO Program is to deploy the cleanest and most energy efficient U.S.-made transit buses that have been largely proven in testing and demonstrations but are not yet widely deployed in transit agency fleets. The LONO Program provides funding for transit agencies for capital acquisitions and leases of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities such as recharging, refueling, and maintenance facilities. Bus Efficiency Enhancements Research and Demonstrations: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of five projects totaling $3,000,000 for Bus Efficiency Enhancements Research and Demonstrations (BEERD) program (see Table 3). On June 28, 2013, FTA published a Request for Proposals (RFP) on www.grants.gov and FTA's Web site announcing the availability of $3,000,000 of FY 2012 Section 5312/5314 National Research Program discretionary funds for innovative research, development, and demonstration projects targeting bus efficiency enhancements, specifically enhanced electrification of accessories, and improvements in thermal management of transit bus bodies. These projects will reduce energy use by transit buses and will have favorable impacts on meeting the needs of the riding public, public transportation operators, and the American bus industry and its supplier base. They will advance the DOT's research goals, which include but are not limited to improving safety, enhancing the state of good repair of public transit systems, providing more effective and efficient public transportation service, increasing capital and operating efficiencies, developing and deploying advanced vehicle designs and technology, reducing harmful emissions, and increasing energy efficiency. These projects also support an overarching FTA goal of developing and deploying new and innovative ideas, practices, and approaches for transit buses.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a 30-Day Notice of Request for Comments in the Federal Register on March 17, 2015 Vol. 80 No. 51 entitled; ``49 U.S.C. 5335(a) and (b) National Transit Database Program.'' The notice contained an incorrect estimated total annual burden on respondents. This document corrects that error.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) issue this Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and an evaluation per 49 U.S.C, 303 and 23 CFR 774 (``Section 4(f)'') for the extension of high capacity, rapid transit in the Georgia (GA) 400 corridor in north Fulton County, GA from Dunwoody to Alpharetta. The EIS and Section 4(f) Evaluation will be prepared in accordance with regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508, Section 4(f), as well as FTA's regulations and guidance implementing NEPA (23 CFR 771). The purpose of this NOI is to: (1) Advise the public and agencies that MARTA in coordination with the FTA is preparing an EIS for the proposed project; (2) provide information including previous planning studies and decision, purpose and need, and alternatives being considered; and, (3) invite public and agency participation in the EIS process, which includes a review and written comments on the scope of the EIS.

This notice announces the 2015 random testing rates for employers subject to the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) drug and alcohol rules.

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about its intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew the following information collection:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announce the availability of its revised Section 139 Environmental Review Process guidance (previously referred to as the SAFETEA-LU Environmental Review Process Final Guidance), which was amended to reflect provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The document provides guidance on environmental review process requirements and best management practices for transportation projects funded or approved by the FHWA, FTA, or both agencies. The revisions to the joint guidance reflect the FHWA and FTA's proposed implementation of the MAP-21 changes within their statutory environmental review process requirements, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other Federal laws. The FHWA and FTA request public comments on the proposed guidance.

This notice seeks public comment on proposed rules that would transform and strengthen State Safety Oversight (SSO) of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems. FTA will issue a final rule and response to comments following the close of the comment period. Once FTA issues a final rule, the agency will rescind its current regulations.