Transportation Safety


A nuclear waste cask is loaded onto a barge during the Sandia National Laboratories "triathlon." (Photo courtesy Sandia National Laboratories)

Sandia Details 'Transport Triathlon' Results

The eight-month test involved a waste transportation and storage cask fresh off the assembly line being loaded with three surrogate fuel rod assemblies from the United States, Spain, and South Korea and then traveling from Spain to Colorado and back again by truck, ship, and train.

PennDOT Announces New Motorcycle Training Clinics

"The short amount of time spent in training translates into many safe miles of riding by helping riders sharpen reflexes and hone the split-second decision making required to safely operate a motorcycle," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards.

FRA's Latest PTC Update Shows Progress

Following meetings with all 41 railroads required to implement Positive Train Control technology, FRA reported it is now meeting with PTC suppliers to learn more about their capacity to meet the demands for railroads' implementation of PTC systems.

GHSA Still Accepting Nominations for 2018 Safety Awards

The association presents awards each year at its annual meeting to recognize organizations and individuals for achievements in highway safety. The 2018 meeting is taking place Aug. 25-29 in Atlanta, and nominations are being accepted through April 11.

On March 13, 2018, Harald Reichel, an aerospace engineer with NTSB’s Office of Aviation Safety, examines the engine of the  Liberty Helicopters helicopter that crashed in the East River on March 11. (NTSB Photo by Chris O’Neil)

Urgent NTSB Safety Recommendation Follows Liberty Helicopters Crash

The agency's March 19 recommendation seeks an FAA ban on flights using unsafe passenger harness systems.

Six Dead in Bridge Collapse at FIU

A new pedestrian bridge under construction near the campus of Florida International University collapsed Thursday, crushing eight cars underneath the concrete slabs.

Three New Members Added to Hydrographic Advisory Panel

They and two reappointed members joined the panel's 10 current members in February, according to the NOAA announcement, which said the panel still is seeking five new members for a four-year term that starts Jan. 1, 2019, and runs through 2022.

Beta Test Set for FAA Drone Authorizing System

For drone operators, using LAANC can get them near real-time airspace authorizations, far less time that the manual authorization process requires. Also, air traffic controllers can see where planned drone operations will take place.



Miami International Opens Facial Recognition Passport Screening Facility

The Concourse E facility opened Feb. 27 after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Since launching a facial recognition pilot program in November, the facility has been screening as many as 10 passengers per minute.

New Caltrans Leaders Sworn In

Laurie Berman is the transportation department's new director and Ryan Chamberlain its new chief deputy director. Gov. Jerry Brown, who appointed both, said they are a strong leadership team for the department, which is an $8.5 billion organization with nearly 20,000 employees.

Australian Safety Standards to be Relaxed for Trains Too Wide to Fit Tunnels

The new intercity trains, which are being built in South Korea, will be about 3.1 meters across, making them too wide to travel on the Blue Mountains Line to Katoomba and Lithgow without a rail line upgrade.

New FMCSA, FRA Administrators Sworn In

FMCSA's Raymond P. Martinez is a former commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. FRA's Ronald L. Batory was president and chief operating officer of Conrail, the eighth-largest freight railroad in America, from 2004 until his retirement in April 2017.

NTSB Issues Brief on 2016 Tanker Accident

Two pilots aboard the vessel suffered minor burns in the fire. The accident caused an estimated $1.5 million in property damage.

Preparing for Automated Driving Systems

Weighty questions about the technologies include how the current standard for stability control testing can be amended for ADS vehicles that have no steering wheel.

Driverless Vehicle Testing, Use OK in California

"This is a major step forward for autonomous technology in California," DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said. "Safety is our top concern, and we are ready to begin working with manufacturers that are prepared to test fully driverless vehicles in California."

Red Light Enforcement Funds Going to 35 Pennsylvania Cities

The state's Automated Red Light Enforcement program works to improve safety at signalized intersections by providing automated enforcement at locations where data shows red light running has been a problem. Total funding since 2010 has reached $62.87 million for 366 safety projects.

DC Earns Certification for Streetcar Oversight Program

The clock is ticking toward an April 2019 deadline for 30 states with rail transit systems that must obtain certification of their State Safety Oversight Programs.

Dropped Objects Standard Comments Due By March 26

"This initiative is a direct effort to fill the void in guidance on dropped object incidents, which have continued to rise in recent years," Boake Paugh, president of West Coast Corporation and a member of ISEA's Dropped Object Prevention Group.

EASA Publishes First Opinion on Safe Drone Operations in Europe

The formal opinion is a step toward keeping drone operations safe and secure and the adoption of concrete regulatory proposals by the European Commission.

Florida Drivers Reminded: Stay at the Scene of a Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol is recognizing Hit and Run Awareness Month in February and reminding all motorists to stay at the scene when involved in a crash.

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