🚗Request for Information on Automated Vehicle Research Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (U.S. DOT) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) is seeking information from the public, industry, infrastructure owner/operators, and other stakeholders to inform coordinated national research supporting Automated Driving Systems (ADS) transportation technology deployment and realizing safe efficient operations on our Nation's roadways. ADS-equipped vehicles have significant potential to transform safety and mobility but in order for national deployment to scale effectively, research questions relating to the challenges and opportunities of ADS, including understanding disengagements, identifying factors that contribute or detract from reliable and consistent operations and interactions, and facilitating interoperable data standardization and real-time analytics, among others, are important to investigate further to support deployment and broad public acceptance.
Learn More🚧Notice on Special Permits Modifications for Hazardous Materials
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
Learn More🏅Request for Comments on Merchant Marine Medals Information Collection
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request 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 2133-0506 (Merchant Marine Medals and Awards) is used to by MARAD personnel to process and verify requests for service awards. There are no changes to this collection since the last renewal. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.
Learn More🚚FMCSA Denies Bianco's Exemption Request for CDL Training
FMCSA announces its decision to deny the application from Bianco Trucking Services, LLC d.b.a. CDL and Operator Training ("Bianco") for an exemption to allow students between the ages of 18 and 20 holding a "K" restricted commercial learners permit (CLP) issued by another State to attend its driver training facility in Michigan. FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined that granting the exemption would not likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.
Learn More🛢️New Special Permits for Hazardous Materials Transportation
In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein.
Learn More✈️DOT Request for Comments on Renewal of Air Taxi Info Collection
The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about the agency's intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves a classification of air carriers known as air taxi operators and their filings of a one-page form that enables them to obtain economic authority from DOT. The information to be collected is necessary for DOT to determine whether an air taxi operator meets DOT's criteria for an economic authorization in accordance with DOT rules. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.
Learn More🌍DOT Updates NEPA Procedures for Environmental Impact Assessments
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is updating DOT Order 5610.1C "Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts," which establishes procedures for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Order was last updated in 1985. This update is necessary in light of the recent recission of the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ's) NEPA procedures, which DOT's procedures were designed to supplement. In addition, the update incorporates provisions from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21); the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA); and the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA 2023) related to the environmental review process. The updated Order promotes collaboration and efficiencies in the implementation of NEPA and modernizes the processes and procedures for environmental review. This update enables DOT to conduct coordinated, consistent, predictable, and timely environmental reviews, thus reducing unnecessary burdens and delays.
Learn More💻Proposed Rule for Electronic Payments in Hazardous Materials Registration
PHMSA proposes to modernize the payment system for hazardous materials registration to require electronic submissions via the Department of Transportation (DOT) e-Commerce internet site and eliminate the option to pay using a paper check. This revision is intended to increase government efficiency by eliminating the burdens associated with processing paper checks from the regulatory community.
Learn More🚛Proposed Rule on Hazardous Materials Regulations by DOT
This NPRM proposes adopting the provisions of Department of Transportation (DOT) Special Permit (SP) 12412 and DOT-SP 11646 into the hazardous materials regulations. These revisions would provide greater regulatory flexibility and eliminate the need for special permit renewal requests, reducing paperwork burdens and facilitating commerce while maintaining an equivalent level of safety.
Learn More🚂Updates to Brake System Safety Standards for Freight Trains
This rule makes administrative updates to FRA's brake system safety standards regulations, including updating addresses in those regulations.
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