Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Table of Contents

Federal Aviation Administration

1. National Air Tour Safety Standards

 

2. Flight Crewmember Duty Limitations and Rest Requirements

 

3. Licensing and Safety Requirements for Launch

 

4. Revisions to Digital Flight Data Recorder Regulations for B-737 Airplanes and for Part 125 Operators

 

5. Transponder Continuous Operation

 

6. Revisions to Cockpit Voice Recorder and Digital Flight Data Recorder Regulations

 

7. Extended Operations (ETOPS) of Multi-engine Airplanes

 

8. Aging Aircraft Program (Widespread Fatigue Damage)

 

9. Flightdeck Door Monitoring and Crew Discreet Alerting System

 

10. Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area

 

11. Transport Airplane Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction

 

12. Enhanced Airworthiness Program for Airplane Systems (EAPAS) and SFAR 88

 

13. Drug Enforcement Assistance

 

14. Congestion and Delay Reduction at Chicago O'Hare International Airport

 

15. Part 145: Repair Stations--Ratings and Quality System

 

16. Experimental Permit for Suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicles

 

17. Human Space Flight Requirements for Crew & Space Flight Participants

 

18. Special Awareness Training for Washington, DC Metropolitan Area

 

19. Security Related Considerations in the Design and Operation of Transport Category Airplanes

 

20. Congestion Management Rule for LaGuardia Airport

 

21. Filtered Flight Data

 

Federal Highway Administration

22. National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Maintaining Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity

 

23. Express Lane Demonstration Project

 

24. Projects of National and Regional Significance

 

25. Metropolitan Transportation Planning

 

26. Design-Build Contracting

 

27. Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program

 

28. Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historical Sites

 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

29. Medical Certification Requirements as Part of the CDL

 

30. Unified Registration System

 

31. Application by Certain Mexico-Domiciled Motor Carriers to Operate Beyond U.S. Municipalities and Commercial Zones on the U.S.-Mexico Border

 

32. Safety Monitoring System and Compliance Initiative for Mexico-Domiciled Motor Carriers Operating in the United States

 

33. New Entrant Safety Assurance Process

 

34. Certification of Safety Auditors, Safety Investigators, and Safety Inspectors

 

35. Limitations on the Issuance of Commercial Driver Licenses with a Hazardous Materials Endorsement

 

36. Penalties, Inspection, and Decal Display Requirements for Mexico-Domiciled Motor Carriers

 

37. Hours of Service of Drivers; Supporting Documents

 

38. Enforcement of Operating Authority Requirements

 

39. Brokers of Household Goods Transportation by Motor Vehicle

 

40. Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating Intermodal Equipment

 

41. Electronic On-Board Recorders for Hours-of-Service Compliance

 

42. Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operations; Surge Brake Requirements

 

43. Qualifications of Drivers; Diabetes Standard

 

44. National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

 

45. Interstate Van Operations (Camionetas)

 

46. Revocation of Operating Authority

 

47. Patterns of Safety Violations by Carrier Management

 

Federal Railroad Administration

48. Locomotive Crashworthiness

 

49. Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees

 

50. Amendments to Design Standards for Pressurized Railroad Tank Cars

 

51. Passenger Train Emergency Systems

 

52. Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

 

53. Grant Program for Local Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Projects

 

54. Assessment of Fees on Commuter Railroads for Use of Northeast Corridor Infrastructure

 

Federal Transit Administration

55. Major Capital Investment Projects - New/Small Starts

 

56. Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning

 

57. Protection of Parks, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historical Sites

 

58. Public Transportation Security Grants--SAFETEA-LU

 

59. Charter Bus Operations

 

60. Emergency Procedures for Public Transportation Systems

 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

61. Rear Convex Cross-View Mirrors

 

62. Roof Crush Resistance

 

63. Upgrade Door Retention Performance

 

64. Event Data Recorders

 

65. 5th Percentile Dummy Belted Barrier Crash Test Requirements -- Standard 208

 

66. Side Impact Protection Upgrade - FMVSS No. 214

 

67. Reduced Stopping Distance Requirements for Truck Tractors

 

68. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

 

69. Motorcyclist Safety Grant Program

 

Office of the Secretary

70. Accessibility of Passenger Vessels to Individuals with Disabilities

 

71. Use of Oxygen by Air Carrier Passengers

 

72. Aviation Data Requirements Review and Modernization Program

 

73. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel

 

74. Review of Data Filed by Certificated or Commuter Air Carriers to Support Continuing Fitness Determinations Involving Citizenship Issues

 

75. Accomodations in Air Travel for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind Individuals

 

76. Price Advertising

 

77. Protection of Sensitive Security Information

 

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

78. Hazardous Materials: Transportation of Oxygen Cylinders and Oxygen Generators Aboard Aircraft

 

79. Hazardous Materials: Safety Requirements for External Product Piping on Cargo Tanks Transporting Flammable Liquids

 

80. Hazardous Materials; Transportation of Lithium Batteries

 

81. Hazardous Materials: Infectious Substances; Harmonization with the United Nations

 

82. Pipeline Safety: Protecting High Consequence Areas From Rural Petroleum Gathering Lines and Low Stress Lines

 

83. Hazardous Materials: Enhancing Rail Transportation Safety and Security for Hazardous Materials Shipments

 

84. Prohibition on the Transportation of Primary Lithium Batteries Aboard Passenger Aircraft

 

85. Hazardous Materials: Requirements for Storage of Explosives During Transportation

 

86. Hazardous Materials: Enforcement Regulations




Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Aviation Administration

1. 

National Air Tour Safety Standards

Red

Popular Title: Air Tour Safety

RIN 2120-AF07

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 10/22/03; End of Comment Period 01/20/04; Extension of Comment Period 01/16/04; End of Extended Comment Period 04/19/04; Extension of Comment Period/2 04/20/04; End of Extended Comment Period/2 06/18/04.

Abstract: This rulemaking will consider new regulations for air tour and sightseeing operations that are currently allowed to operate under less stringent regulations than those applied to other types of commercial operations. Hot air balloons and gliders would not be included in this amendment.

Effects:

 

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 04/25/1994

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

05/26/2005 

04/26/2006 

04/27/2006 

To OMB

06/26/2005 

07/03/2006 

 

OMB Clearance

09/26/2005 

10/03/2006 

 

Publication Date

10/10/2005 

10/17/2006 

 

Explanation for any delay:

Unanticipated impacts requiring further analysis

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None



Federal Aviation Administration

2. 

Flight Crewmember Duty Limitations and Rest Requirements

Black

Popular Title: Flight Crewmember Duty Time

RIN 2120-AF63

Stage: Undetermined

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 12/20/1995; End of Comment Period 03/19/1996; Comment Period Extended 3/20/1996; End of Extended Comment Period 6/19/1996.

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the regulations on duty period limitations, flight time limitations, and rest requirements for flight crewmembers engaged in air transportation. The FAA proposes additional changes in response to comments received on the NPRM. The changes are necessary to ensure that the rules will continue to provide the minimum level of safety. This rulemaking responds to public and congressional interest in regulating flight crewmember rest requirements, NTSB Safety Recommendations, petitions for rulemaking, and scientific data. This action is considered significant because of substantial public interest.

Effects:

 

Economically Significant
Major
Unfunded Mandate
Regulatory Flexibility Act

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/28/1995

Dates for Undetermined:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

 

 

 

To OMB

 

 

 

OMB Clearance

 

 

 

Publication Date

 

 

 

End of Comment Period

 

 

 

Explanation for any delay:

N/A

Federal Register Citation for Undetermined: None



Federal Aviation Administration

3. 

Licensing and Safety Requirements for Launch

Red

Popular Title: Licensing Space Launches

RIN 2120-AG37

Stage: Final Rule

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 10/25/2000; End of Comment Period 2/22/2001. SNPRM: Publication Date 07/30/2002; End of Comment Period 10/28/2002.

Abstract: This action would establish requirements for licensing the conduct of a launch from a non-Federal launch site. The law requires anyone who proposes to conduct a launch within the United States, or a U.S. citizen proposing to conduct a launch from a site outside the United States, to obtain a license from DOT. This action would govern obtaining a license to conduct such a launch. Currently, commercial rocket launches take place from Federal Government installations operated by the Department of Defense and NASA. This action would also establish safety standards for launches from federal launch ranges and non-federal launch sites.

Effects:

 

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 01/17/1999

Dates for Final Rule:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

09/30/2005 

01/13/2006 

12/21/2005 

To OMB

10/31/2005 

05/05/2006 

04/17/2006 

OMB Clearance

01/31/2006 

08/07/2006 

 

Publication Date

02/17/2006 

08/21/2006 

 

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary

Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None



Federal Aviation Administration

4. 

Revisions to Digital Flight Data Recorder Regulations for B-737 Airplanes and for Part 125 Operators

Red

Popular Title: Digital Flight Data Recorder/B-737

RIN 2120-AG87

Stage: SNPRM

Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 11/18/1999; End of Comment Period 12/20/1999.

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the digital flight data recorder (DFDR) regulations for transport category airplanes to add a requirement for all Boeing 737 (B-737) series airplanes to record additional flight data parameters. It is based on safety recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following the investigation of the 1994 USAir FLight 427 accident. This rulemaking is significant because of substantial public interest. A final rule had been scheduled for August 11, 2000. Since publication of the NPRM, the FAA has mandated significant changes to the rudder system on 737s. Accordingly, the proposed rule would apply to a different set of airplanes than originally anticipated. The FAA is requesting comment on this change in applicability and is requesting updated economic information about the installation of the proposed monitoring equipment.

Effects:

 

None

Prompting action: None

Legal Deadline: 

None

Rulemaking Project Initiated: 02/15/1999

Dates for SNPRM:

Milestone

Originally
Scheduled
Date

New
Projected
Date

Actual
Date

To OST

07/22/2005 

 

07/22/2005 

Returned to Mode

 

09/06/2005 

08/18/2005 

Resubmitted to OST

 

10/28/2005 

11/23/2005 

To OMB

08/25/2005 

05/08/2006 

05/15/2006 

OMB Clearance

11/28/2005 

08/08/2006 

 

Publication Date

12/15/2005 

08/18/2006 

 

End of Comment Period

02/13/2006 

10/18/2006 

 

Explanation for any delay:

Additional coordination necessary
Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis