Transportation Safety


Michigan DOT Lifting Weight Restrictions May 13

Weight restrictions on state highways are implemented during the spring frost thaw period. The typical timeframe for the restrictions is from February to May.

DOT Forming Lithium Battery Advisory Committee

The panel is a statutorily mandated advisory committee intended to facilitate communication among manufacturers of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries, manufacturers of products containing them, air carriers, and the federal government about the safe transportation of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries.

Expert Panel to Issue Safety Recommendations for Autonomous Vehicles

"Autonomous vehicles and burgeoning safety technologies hold tremendous potential for saving lives on our roads, but public understanding of what these vehicles are – and aren't – capable of is paramount toward achieving these benefits," said Jonathan Adkins, GHSA's executive director.

Canada to Require TIH Railcars Be Made of Normalized Steel

The head and shell of tank cars transporting Toxic Inhalation Hazard substances will be required to be made of normalized steel, with the requirement taking effect on July 2, 2021.

Vehicular Homicide Charges Filed in I-70 Crash

The April 25 crash and fire killed four people and injured four others. Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos, who allegedly lost control of his truck and ran into stopped vehicles, has been charged with 40 counts.

DOT Announces Appointment of Maritime Advisory Committee Members

"The insights, experience, and perspectives of these committee members are essential to federal transportation decision-making," said federal Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby. "The MTSNAC is a strategic resource needed to strengthen and re-energize the maritime industry."

Commenters Back Association's Bid for Hours Exemption

Two of the waste & recycling industry's largest companies submitted comments in support and asserted that electronic logging devices are incompatible with their industry. "The end result is that ELDs will distract drivers by requiring constant interaction with the ELDs and potentially compromise safety," Waste Management's comments stated.

Guilty Plea Lodged in Texas Laser Pointing Case

The defendant admitted that on June 23, 2018, he pointed a green laser light at an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter while it was in the air. Texas Department of Public Safety agents were flying a the helicopter on a routine law enforcement patrol at the time.



Railroad Settles Transportation of Dangerous Goods Case

New Brunswick Southern Railway pleaded guilty to two of the 24 charges of violating Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. Through a settlement, New Brunswick Southern Railway agreed to pay $10,000 in fines and $40,000 to be invested in improving the safety of the transportation of dangerous goods in Canada.

New California Program Supports Clean Mobility Projects

The $17 million program focuses on the needs of smaller groups and communities to provide clean mobility solutions that include car- bike- or scooter-sharing projects and subsidies for transit or car-hailing companies.

DOT Agencies Relaunch Grade Crossing Campaign

During 2018 alone, 270 people died at railroad crossings, including 99 people who died after the driver went around lowered crossing gate arms. This was a 10-year high, according to DOT.

BMW Recall Affects 184,000 Cars

BMW is recalling certain 3 Series, 5 Series, and Z4 cars from the 2006 model year due to fire risk.

DOT Completes Review of Draft EA for DC-Baltimore Loop Project

The Boring Company's website for the project indicates the two tunnels would be constructed at least 30 feet below ground and the project initially would be a high-speed underground public transportation system in which passengers are transported in autonomous electric vehicles traveling at up to 150 miles per hour.

Transport Canada Investing $16.5 Million in Rail Safety Projects

"We have taken many steps to strengthen rail safety and will continue working on ways to make our railway system safer for Canadians. Our renewed commitment to the Rail Safety Improvement Program demonstrates our dedication to modernizing the railway system so that Canada continues to have one of the safest rail systems in the world," Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said.

Aircraft Laser Strikes Down Again in 2018, FAA Reports

Heightened public awareness of the serious safety risk posed by lasers is credited with reducing the total number of laser strikes on aircraft in 2018. This was the second consecutive year that the number declined.

Reconstruction of JFK International Runway Under Way

The project will widen the 13L-31R runway by 33 percent and also install new lights, signs, cables, and navigational aids. Once this is completed, the runway will meet new safety standards and will incorporate the latest landing technology.

Colorado DOT to Study Feasibility of Trucking Hazmats Through I-70 Tunnel

Gov. Jared Polis has signed bill SB19-032 into law. It requires CDOT to conduct the study of allowing transportation of hazardous materials through the Eisenhower-Edwin C. Johnson Memorial Tunnel.

South Dakota Highway Patrol to Graduate Nine New Troopers

The members of Class 61 have completed eight months of training, which included basic law enforcement training, attending the South Dakota Highway Patrol Recruit Academy, and, finally, field training.

Pace of Repairing Deficient Bridges Slows Down: ARTBA

"Since the 2016 election, leaders on both sides of the aisle have regularly cited upgrading America's infrastructure as an area for common ground. This report makes clear that it's about time Congress and the Trump administration stop talking and start solving this national problem," said ARTBA President Dave Bauer.

Drivers More Distracted Around Emergency Vehicles, Endangering First Responders: NSC

More than 1 in 10 respondents—16 percent—said they have either struck or almost struck a first responder or emergency vehicle stopped on or near the road. Despite these responses, 89 percent of drivers said they believe distracted drivers are a major source of risk to first responders.

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