Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FRA is proposing to amend certain regulations governing positive train control (PTC) systems. Since December 31, 2020, by law, PTC systems have generally governed rail operations on PTC-mandated main lines, which encompass nearly 59,000 route miles today. Through FRA's oversight and continued engagement with the industry, FRA has found that its existing PTC regulations do not adequately address temporary situations during which PTC technology is not enabled, including after certain initialization failures or in cases where a PTC system needs to be temporarily disabled to facilitate repair, maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, or capital projects. FRA expects PTC systems to be reliable and robust, further reducing the occurrence of initialization failures and outages. This NPRM proposes to establish strict parameters and operating restrictions under which railroads may continue to operate safely in certain necessary scenarios when PTC technology is temporarily not governing rail operations. The purpose of this NPRM is to enable continued, safe operations and improve rail safety by facilitating prompt repairs, upgrades, and restoration of PTC system service.

On October 1, 2024, FRA published a final rule amending its Accident/Incident Regulations governing reporting, classification, and investigations to codify FRA's policy for gathering information from, and consulting with, stakeholders during an accident/incident investigation. The published final rule contains errors in the preamble text. FRA is correcting those errors so that the final rule conforms to FRA's intent.

This document announces a fact-finding informal airspace meeting regarding a plan to amend Class C Airspace at Palm Beach International Airport, FL (KPBI). The purpose of the meeting is to solicit aeronautical comments on the proposal's effects on local aviation operations. All comments received during the meeting, and the subsequent comment period, will be considered prior to the issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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 2133-0517 (Approval of Underwriters for Marine Hull Insurance) is used to provide approval of foreign underwriters on the basis of an assessment of their financial condition, the regulatory regime under which they operate, and a statement attesting to a lack of discrimination in their country against U.S. hull insurers. The regulations also require that American underwriters be given an opportunity to compete for every placement, thereby necessitating in some cases certification that such opportunity was offered. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the information collection and their expected burdens.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 12 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 operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 13 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-10-04 for certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (type certificate now held by Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc.) Model DA 40 and DA 40 F airplanes. AD 2009-10-04 required repetitively inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) leg for cracks and replacing the NLG leg if cracks are found. Since the FAA issued AD 2009-10-04, Transport Canada updated mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to correct this unsafe condition on these products. This AD results from changes made to the part replacement options and the repetitive inspections. This AD requires doing repetitive detailed inspections of the NLG leg pivot axle for cracking and if cracking is found replacing that part with a serviceable part. This AD also requires eventually replacing all NLG legs having certain part numbers with serviceable parts, if not already done, and prohibits installing affected parts. Replacing affected parts with serviceable parts is terminating action for the repetitive inspections specified in this AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance records by incorporating new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-07-13 which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-07-13 required repetitive detailed inspections of the lower attachment studs on the AFT galley complex and, depending on findings, replacement of the lower attachment studs. This AD was prompted by a determination that additional airplanes are affected, and that all affected parts must be replaced with serviceable parts. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-07-13, adds airplanes to the applicability, and requires the replacement of all affected parts; as specified in 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain DAHER AEROSPACE (DAHER) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by certain existing emergency procedures in the pilot's operating handbook (POH) that cannot be fully accomplished since certain equipment cannot be disconnected by the pilot(s) from the flight deck. This proposed AD would require revising the POH for your airplane to provide the flight crew with corrected emergency procedures. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule, in accordance with existing regulation, raises the liability limits for denied boarding compensation that U.S. and foreign air carriers may impose from the current figures of $775 and $1,550 to $1,075 and $2,150. Also, in accordance with existing regulation, this final rule raises the liability limit U.S. carriers may impose for mishandled baggage in domestic air transportation from the current amount of $3,800 to $4,700.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-492 and T-494 in the eastern United States. This action supports FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

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 a request for an extension without change to an existing information collection: Transit COVID-19 Response Program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent XWB-97 engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the existing engine time limits manual (TLM) to introduce new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts. This AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the operator's existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive instructions and associated thresholds and intervals for life-limited parts, 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.

This action revokes Jet Route J-179 in its entirety and amends United States Area Navigation Route (RNAV) Q-10 in the vicinity of Emmonak, AK. The FAA is taking this action due to the pending decommissioning of the Aniak, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) and the St Marys, AK, NDB.

This document provides the public with notice that, on October 11, 2024, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP) to install Construction Zone (CZ) Transponders to reconfigure its positive train control (PTC) system on the South Side Middleboro Main Line (MML) at the Pilgrim Interlocking at Milepost (MP) 34.86 to its final configuration in order to interface with the adjacent new South Coast Rail (SCR) Lines. The CZ will result in the suspension of portions of the PTC system on the MML from December 1, 2024, to December 15, 2024. As this RFA involves a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA- certified PTC system, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on MBTA's RFA to its PTC system.

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 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.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, Council on Environmental Quality NEPA-implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Written Re- Evaluation for the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program regarding updates to the forward heat shield interstage, sonic boom coverage, use of the deluge system during return to launch site landings, and use of US Coast Guard Safety Zones at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on the application from Casey's Services Company, USDOT No. 162449, (Casey) for an exemption from the requirement that lighting devices be steady burning. The exemption would allow the company to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) equipped with a module manufactured by Intellistop, Inc. (Intellistop), which pulses the rear clearance, identification, and brake lamps from low-level lighting intensity to high-level lighting intensity 4 times in 2 seconds when the brakes are applied. FMCSA requests public comment on the applicant's request for exemption.

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. Customer Interactions provide the Federal Aviation Administration valuable information and connect the agency to the public. The Federal Aviation Administration would utilized a Generic Clearance for Customer Interactions that support the Agency's mission to become more accessible and transparent.

NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently approved information collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB extension approval titled "Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety" and is identified by OMB Control Number 2127-0723, currently approved through February 28, 2025. The burden hour calculations have been adjusted to reflect a reduction in annual respondents resulting in a reduction in burden hours from 12,000 annually to 2,400 annually.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04-06 and AD 2024-04-07, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320 and A321 series airplanes. AD 2023-04-06 and AD 2024-04-07 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 certain actions in AD 2023-04-06 and AD 2024-04-07 and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations; as specified in the 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.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Gaylord, MI. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Gaylord very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and support instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.