Transportation Safety


DOT, Maryland Partner to Boost Uptake of Recall Messages

Only about 70 percent of recalled vehicles are in fact repaired, and raising recall remedy rates is a priority for NHTSA, especially because the Takata airbag recall has affected as many as one-third of vehicles nationwide.

Maryland Agency Will Deploy Smart Traffic Signals

The system uses real-time traffic conditions and computer software that adjusts the timing of traffic signals, synchronizes the entire corridor, and effectively deploys artificial intelligence to keep traffic moving.

IOSH Rail Conference Set for Nov. 9

Speakers at the event will include George Bearfield, director of systems safety and health for the Rail Safety and Standards Board; Johnny Schute, deputy chief inspector of railways for the Office of Road and Rail; and Gary Cooper, director for planning, engineering and operations for the Rail Delivery Group.

GM Settlement Ends Multistate Investigation of Ignition Switch Problems

GM has agreed to complete all applicable recall repairs. The company in 2014 issued seven vehicle recalls, affecting 25 makes and models, in response to unintended key rotation-related and/or ignition switch-related issues that have affected more than 9 million vehicles in the United States

NTSB Meeting Nov. 14 on Fatal Amtrak Crash

The crash occurred about 7:50 a.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2016, and involved a train traveling on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. The train was moving at 106 mph at the time it struck the backhoe -- within the maximum authorized speed of 110 mph.

Texas on the Lookout for School Bus Passing Violators

During 2016 and so far in 2017, Texas Highway Patrol troopers have issued 1,100 citations and 573 warnings for passing a stopped school bus.

GM: Acquisition Speeds Driverless Cars' Development

"The successful deployment of self-driving vehicles will be highly dependent on the availability of LIDAR sensors," said Julie Schoenfeld, founder and CEO of Strobe, Inc. "Strobe's deep engineering talent and technology, backed by numerous patents, will play a significant role in helping GM and Cruise bring these vehicles to market sooner than many think."

Nine-Story Billboards Coming to Texas?

A proposed rule could be adopted later this year and allow billboards 85 feet tall in the state.



NTSB Sets Meeting on 2016 Collision Involving Casino Bus

The Oct. 23, 2016, collision on Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, Calif., occurred around 5:17 a.m. and killed 13 people, including the bus driver.

ATSB Releases Final Report on MH370

"Our deepest sympathies remain with those who lost loved ones on MH370. It remains a great tragedy, and we wish that we could have brought complete closure to the bereaved. I hope, however, that they can take some solace in the fact that we did all we could do to find answers," ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said.

Self-Driving Vehicle Bill Wins Committee's Approval

"Chairman Thune and I have worked closely together for months to craft this bipartisan legislation, and today's introduction is a momentous step toward ensuring that Michigan and the United States continue to lead the world in automotive innovation that keeps our country economically competitive," said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich.

New Warning Out on Bulk Bauxite Shipping

According to IMO, around 100 million tonnes of bauxite, one of the world's major sources of aluminum, are moved annually by sea. In 2015, the 10-year-old Bahamas flag Supramax bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter sank with the loss of 18 seafarers, a sinking referenced in the IMO circular.

Doctor Sentenced for Submitting Fraudulent Data to FMCSA

Dr. Anthony Lefteris pleaded guilty in a federal court in Atlanta on June 5 to federal false statement and false data entry charges. The DOT OIG conducted an undercover operation after receiving allegations during 2016 that he had not complied with DOT's medical examination protocols for applications and renewals for commercial drivers' licenses.

NSC Honors Road, Community, and Workplace Safety Achievers

The council's National Awards Celebration is an annual event at the NSC Congress & Expo, the largest U.S. annual gathering of safety and health professionals.

NTSB Sets Meeting on Fatal Bus Crash

The board will vote on the probable cause of the July 2016 crash at a meeting scheduled for Nov. 28 in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, investigators will review two other crashes involving migrant workers – a Nov. 6, 2015, crash in Little Rock, Ark., and a June 18, 2016, accident in Ruther Glen, Va.

Amendments to Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act Proposed

The most significant proposed amendments involve recalls of motor vehicles and equipment. One would authorize the Minister of Transport to be able to order a company to correct a defect or a non-compliance in a vehicle or equipment if the Minister considers it to be in the interest of public safety.

Coast Guard NY Security Zones in Effect This Week

The security zones scheduled to begin Sept. 18 and end Sept. 23 include all waters of the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge, according to the Coast Guard's posted announcement.

This screen shot is from underwater video of the sunken El Faro, discovered in 15,000 feet of water off the Bahamas in October 2015 after it sank during Hurricane Joaquin. (NTSB video)

December NTSB Meeting to Determine Why El Faro Sank

The U.S.-flagged cargo ship sank in October 2015 during Hurricane Joaquin, with the loss of all 33 crew members on board.

NSC's Hersman Welcomes NHTSA Guidance, Wants More from Automakers

"The new guidance supports further development of this important new technology, which has the potential to change the way we travel and how we deliver goods and services," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

Washington Metro Launching Abilities-Ride Program This Month

"The Abilities-Ride program is a win-win for Metro and our MetroAccess customers in Maryland, who will soon have the ability to choose a taxi trip, rather than MetroAccess, at a discounted rate without having to make an advance reservation," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld.

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