Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.

FMCSA announces its decision to provisionally renew an exemption requested jointly by the Automobile Carriers Conference (ACC) of the American Trucking Associations and the Auto Haulers Association of America (AHAA) to relieve motor carriers operating stinger-steered automobile transporter equipment from the requirement to place warning flags on projecting loads of new and used motor vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) transporting a load which extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle be marked with a single red or orange fluorescent warning flag at the extreme rear if the projecting load is 2 feet wide or less and two warning flags if the projecting load is wider than 2 feet.\1\ The exemption is renewed for 5 years, unless revoked earlier.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is issuing this Notification to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) that neither DOT, nor the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), are seeking transfer of the Loran properties from the USCG. This notification is being given based on the fact there was no identification of a need for the USCG Loran properties in response to the DOT Request for Information (RFI) on a Commercial enhanced Long Range Navigation (eLoran) Capability, DOT-OST- 2023-0118.

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.

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 FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of heat damage on multiple engine inlets around the engine anti-ice (EAI) duct within the inlet aft compartment. This proposed AD would require doing a records check and updating the operator's existing minimum equipment list (MEL), inspecting the left and right engine inlet cowl assembly for signs of heat damage around the EAI duct, installing or replacing the EAI duct seals, repairing any damage, and replacing the engine inlet if necessary. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of engine inlets under certain conditions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to incorporate by reference the most recent edition of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Inc. (AAMVA) Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) State Procedures Manual (SPM), Version c.0. This would require all State driver's licensing agencies (SDLAs) to use this edition of the manual to provide guidance on the information systems procedures of the commercial driver's license (CDL) program. Such information includes, but is not limited to, CDL standards, State compliance with CDL programs, qualifications of drivers, and credentials and security threats assessments.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant an exemption to the State of Hawaii allowing the State to waive specific portions of the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test for CDL applicants who take the skills test on the islands of Lanai and Molokai and issue these drivers a restricted CDL. The Agency grants this exemption because the islands of Lanai and Molokai do not have the highway infrastructure to support a demonstration of certain on-road safe driving skills required by the CDL skills test requirements. FMCSA concludes that granting the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below is likely to maintain a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be maintained absent the exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for three 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.

The Board is instituting a proceeding to determine the railroad industry's cost of capital for 2023. The decision solicits comments on the following issues: the railroads' 2023 current cost of debt capital, the railroads' 2023 current cost of preferred equity capital (if any), the railroads' 2023 cost of common equity capital, and the 2023 capital structure mix of the railroad industry on a market value basis.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces a meeting of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Advisory Council (Council). During the meeting, the USMMA leadership will provide an update on programs and priorities, including: governance, sexual assault and sexual harassment, academics, culture and diversity, and facilities and infrastructure.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This notice invites comments on a proposed information collection titled Impact of Driver Detention Time on Safety and Operations. This research study will collect data on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver detention time representative of the major segments of the motor carrier industry, analyze that data to determine the frequency and severity of detention time, and assess the utility of existing intelligent transportation systems (ITS) solutions to measure detention time. Approximately 80 carriers and 2,500 CMV drivers will provide data in the study. The study will provide a better understanding of the impact of driver detention time on driver safety and CMV operations and inform strategies that may be used to mitigate driver detention time. The number of public comments received in response to the 60-day FR notice was 171.

FMCSA requests information from the public, including commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, to assist the Agency's Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF) in reviewing such leases to identify terms and conditions that may be unfair to drivers. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, (IIJA), or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), requires the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to establish TLTF to examine the terms, conditions, and equitability of common truck leasing arrangements, particularly as they impact owner-operators and trucking businesses subject to such agreements. TLTF will examine these issues and submit a report to the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Labor, and Congress on the TLTF's identified issues and conclusions regarding truck leasing arrangements, including recommended best practices. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be shared with the TLTF prior to its next public meeting.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to extend an existing ICR titled, ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.'' This ICR allows for ongoing, collaborative, and actionable communication between FMCSA and its customers and stakeholders. It also allows feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment before FMCSA submits its request to OMB.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that all six Integrated Display Units (IDUs) became blank when new flight plan data was entered in the Flight Management System (FMS), and by a determination that indication of decaying airspeed in certain scenarios is required. This AD requires installing updated software. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-16- 11, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A300 F4-605R and FR-622R airplanes. AD 2019-16-11 required repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the aft lower deck cargo door (LDCD) frame forks; a one-time check of the LDCD clearances; a one-time detailed visual inspection of hooks, eccentric bushes, and x-stops; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a determination that the threshold for the (repetitive) HFEC inspection needs to be corrected, and the LDCD frame forks modified. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2019-16-11, requires correcting the HFEC inspection threshold and modifying the LDCD frame forks, and prohibits the installation of affected LDCDs under certain conditions; 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.

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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the six information collection requests abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information collections was published on November 6, 2023.

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.

FMCSA announces its final decision to grant the exemption from the electronic logging device (ELD) requirements requested by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers providing transportation to or from a theatrical or television motion picture production site. This renewal of the exemption allows drivers to complete paper records of duty status (RODS) instead of using an ELD. FMCSA announced its decision to provisionally renew MPA's exemption on November 3, 2022, pending a review of any comments received in response to that notice. After reviewing the four comments submitted to the docket, which are discussed in this notice, the Agency believes that drivers who qualify for the exemption will likely maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved by complying with the ELD requirements.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The United States Department of Transportation is required to give notice in the Federal Register that it has issued an Order to Show Cause tentatively dismissing without prejudice the application of Delta Air Lines (``Delta'') and Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. (``Aeromexico'') (collectively the ``Joint Applicants'') to renew the Department's approval and grant of antitrust immunity (``ATI'') for their Joint Cooperation Agreement (``JCA'') and alliance agreements. Subsequently, upon motion of the Joint Applicants, the Department issued an Order extending the comment period. Interested stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the tentative decision.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and Model 737-9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a Boeing review of the standby power system control unit (SPCU) design where a single point of failure exists internal to the SPCU. This proposed AD would require the installation of four diodes and changing wire bundles in the P5 panel, as well as performing installation and power tests and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.