Transportation Safety


Recovered Debris 'Almost Certainly' from MH370

ATSB confirmed two parts found on the Mozambique coast are a segment from a Boeing 777 flap track fairing and a horizontal stabilizer panel segment, and both are "almost certainly from the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO," which is the designation of the MH370 aircraft.

Corvallis, Ore.-based VDOS Global uses aerial robotics and remote sensing to provide oil and gas inspections, environmental research, aerial surveying and other services using for its clients around the world. (VDOS image)

Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill

Leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee said the bill reauthorizing FAA through FY2017 contains provisions to encourage the responsible use of drones. For example, Section 2134 of the bill would prohibit drone users from interfering with emergency response activities and would raise civil penalties to a maximum of $20,000 for violation of the law.

FAA Issues New Flight Simulator Regulations

The rules will improve pilots' response to unusual situations, as well as give more credit toward the requirements for an instrument rating.

FMCSA Issues Safety Advisory for Re-inspection of Certain Cargo Tank Vehicles

The tanks in question were tested by H&W Tank Testing and Christopher Humphries.

$20.5 Million Available via DOT to Improve Access to Transit

The grant funds are available for communities across the country looking to improve access to public transit.

Revised Driver Examination Forms Must Be Used Starting April 20, Says FMCSA

The agency is reminding medical examiners and commercial motor vehicle drivers.

Dispatcher Playing with Phone is at Fault for German Train Crash

Eleven people died with another 80 injured in the February 2016 accident.

PHMSA Releases Rail Incident Response Tool

DOT developed these resources to offer a flexible approach to training responders to prepare for rail incidents involving flammable liquids; the materials offer information on best practices related to rail incidents involving Class 3 flammable liquids, such as crude oil and ethanol.



Toyota Connected, Inc. Debuts, Building on Automaker's Microsoft Partnership

"Toyota is taking a bold step creating a company dedicated to bringing cloud intelligence into the driving experience," said Kurt DelBene, executive vice president of Corporate Strategy and Planning at Microsoft. "We look forward to working with Toyota Connected to harness the power of data to make driving more personal, intuitive, and safe."

Panama Canal Opens Scale-Model Training Facility

The training facility fills 35.3 acres and features two lakes connected by a channel modeled after the canal's Culebra Cut. It has docking bays, replicas of the new and existing locks, and gates, all at a 1:25 scale, and is equipped with scale-model tugboats and ships.

Amtrak Accident Reportedly Caused by Maintenance Mistake

Two construction workers were performing maintenance on an active line that was not the line on which they were supposed to be working, according to a report.

Auto Dealers Association and MyCarDoesWhat Partner to Educate Drivers

The partnership aims to close the consumer education gap, NADA President Peter Welch said.

Bus Company Withdraws Its Shutdown Order Appeal

The company illegally transported passengers to Philadelphia for the pope's visit, according to DOT.

Alaska Volcano Erupts, Prompting Aviation Red Warning

The Pavlof Volcano is about 4.4 miles in diameter and has active vents on the north and east sides close to the summit. With more than 40 historic eruptions, it is one of the most consistently active volcanoes in the Aleutian chain, with ash plumes as high as 49,000 feet generated by past eruptions.

Union Pacific Sets New Systemwide Safety Record

The Omaha-based company reported it is the safest Class 1 railroad in the United States, based on its 2015 reportable injury rate.

Cross-Border Truck Convoy Ready to Roll

The challenge is also backed by ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, with hopes to accelerate the development of convoy-driving corridors in Europe and pave the way for EU legislative changes.

NHTSA Sets Two Meetings on Self-Driving Cars

NHTSA will use them to gather information on issues related to safe operation of automated vehicles in order to provide operational guidance to vehicle manufacturers.

DC Metrorail System Shuts Down for Fire Safety Inspections

Inspections of approximately 600 "jumper cables" are being done along all tunnel segments on the 118-mile Metrorail system in the nation's capital after an electrical fire occurred in a tunnel.

Bus Leasing and Interchange Final Rule Compliance Date Extended to January 1, 2018

The original compliance date was initially set for January 1, 2017.

Vehicle Accident May Have Caused Amtrak Derailment

Authorities are investigating whether an unreported vehicle crash may have damaged the railroad tracks in Kansas.

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