Federal Transit Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has published final guidance on FTA's Emergency Relief (ER) Program for states and transit agencies that may be affected by a declared emergency or disaster and that may seek Federal funding under FTA's ER Program. The guidance is contained in the newly revised Reference Manual for States & Transit Agencies on Response and Recovery from Declared Disasters and FTA's Emergency Relief Program, which replaces Response and Recovery from Declared Emergencies and Disasters: A Reference for Transit Agencies, last updated in June 2013. This final guidance addresses one public comment received in response to the proposed guidance published on February 4, 2015. In addition to guidance on the ER Program, this document provides information on other disaster relief resources available through FTA and from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This guidance is now available on FTA's Web site at www.fta.dot.gov/emergencyrelief.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for a Buy America non-availability waiver for the procurement of a proposed innovative electronic platform track intrusion system (PTIDS). LACMTA seeks to procure the PTIDS for research and testing purposes to determine whether such a system will help to increase rail safety by identifying obstacles in the right-of-way. PTIDS uses radar transponder technology, such as sensors, to detect intrusions on rail tracks. If an object is detected, the sensors immediately send notification to personnel who may then stop the train and take appropriate action. LACMTA seeks a waiver for the PTIDS because it contains twelve components, six of which only are available from a single source and currently are not manufactured in the United States. 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 only would apply to this one procurement of the specific PTIDS components identified in this waiver request, and not to any future procurement by LACMTA or others. FTA also is providing notice that it will conduct a supplier scouting search for domestic alternatives to the foreign components via the process described in this Notice.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $22.5 million of Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 funds for the deployment of low or no emission transit buses. Of that amount, a minimum of $3.0 million is available for supporting facilities and related equipment. If additional funding is appropriated for this program in FY 2016, FTA may, at its discretion, also make those funds available under this announcement.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of projects for Fiscal Year 2013 and 2014 funds under the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning, as authorized under Section 20005(b) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141. On September 4, 2014, FTA published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) (79 FR 171) announcing the availability of $19.98 million in funding for this program. This program supports comprehensive planning efforts associated with new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects to assist project sponsors in the development of information to address FTA's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program evaluation criteria.

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.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity and Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new National Public Transportation/TOD Technical Assistance Initiative, which supports the Ladders of Opportunity initiative of the President and the Secretary of Transportation by providing technical assistance for transit-oriented development activities around public transportation stations, including technical assistance to economically distressed communities across the country. FTA has budgeted up to $4,000,000 over a four-year period and seeks proposals that will demonstrate the ability to organize a technical assistance team with practical expertise in a range of disciplines including public transportation, transit-oriented development, land use, urban planning, affordable housing, environmental justice and community-based economic development. This announcement is available on the FTA's Web site at: www.fta.gov. This Notice of Funding Opportunity and RFP are posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at https:// www.grants.gov.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting proposals under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act's Section 5314 Technical Assistance and Standards Development Program from national non-profit organizations for a cooperative agreement to fund a National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). FTA is releasing this notice of funding availability to promote the availability and accessibility of transportation options that serve the needs of people with disabilities, seniors and caregivers with a focus on effectively leveraging MAP-21 Section 5310 (5310) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Formula Grants and other transit investments. The NADTC builds upon twenty-five years of investment in accessible transportation training and technical assistance that improves mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the country by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding community transportation mobility options.

By this notice, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is establishing an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2015 so that grantees and subgrantees affected by national or regional emergencies may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.

This notice conveys the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) response to comments received regarding proposed revisions to the Safety & Security Module in the National Transit Database (NTD) Reporting Manual for Safety Information Collection.

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:

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: 49 U.S.C. 5320 Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks Program.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $5 million in funding provided by the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit Program (TTP)), as authorized by 49 U.S.C. Section 5311(j), as amended by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-41 (July 6, 2012). This notice is a national solicitation for project proposals and includes the selection criteria and program eligibility information for Fiscal Year 2014 projects. FTA may choose to fund the program for more or less than the announcement amount, including applying any FY 2015 appropriations or other funding toward projects proposed in response to the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: https:// www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15926_3553.html. Additionally, a synopsis of the funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at https://www.grants.gov. FTA requires that all project proposals be submitted electronically through https://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on February 18, 2015. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files: (1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV) and (2) the Tribal Transit supplemental form found on the FTA Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/ grants/15926_3553.html. The Tribal Transit supplemental form provides guidance and a consistent format for applicants to respond to the criteria outlined in this NOFA. Once completed, the applicant must place the supplemental form in the attachments section of the SF-424 Mandatory form. Applicants must use the supplemental form designated for TTP and attach the form to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to complete the application process. A proposal submission may contain additional supporting documentation as attachments. Within 24-48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the applicant should receive three email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV; (2) confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV; and (3) confirmation of successful validation by FTA. If the applicant does not receive confirmations of successful validation and instead receives a notice of failed validation or incomplete materials, the applicant must address the reason for the failed validation or incomplete materials, as described in the notice, and resubmit the proposal before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any reason, the applicant must include all original attachments regardless of which attachments are updated and check the box on the supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission. Complete instructions on the application process can be found at https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/ 15926_3553.html. Important: FTA urges applicants to submit their project proposals at least 72 hours prior to the due date to allow time to receive the validation message and to correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification. FTA will not accept submissions after the stated submission deadline. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV Web site https://www.GRANTS.GOV. The deadline will not be extended due to scheduled maintenance or outages. Applicants may submit one proposal for each project or one proposal containing multiple projects. Applicants submitting multiple projects in one proposal must be sure to clearly define each project by completing a supplemental form for each project. Additional supplemental forms must be added within the proposal by clicking the ``add project'' button in Section II of the supplemental form. Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested, description of areas served, and other information may be requested in varying degrees of detail on both the SF 424 form and supplemental form. Applicants must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the forms. Applicants should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all required fields on the forms, and ensure that the Federal and local amounts specified are consistent.