Transportation Safety


PHMSA Announces Rule to Strengthen Safety for Lithium Batteries Transported by Aircraft

“This rule will strengthen safety for the traveling public by addressing the unique challenges lithium batteries pose in transportation,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao said.

National Strategy Developed to Prevent Trespassing on Railroad Property

National Strategy Developed to Prevent Trespassing on Railroad Property

The Federal Railroad Administration delivered the document to Congress. It identifies the 10 counties with the most trespasser casualties, not including suicides, from November 2013 to October 2017.

Revised ISO 26262 Standards Now Available from ANSI

ISO 26262 -- Road Vehicles Functional Safety was significantly revised in 2018, with the 10 parts of the family of standards existing then being revised from their 2011 editions and two new standards being added.

The two DOT agencies are conducting audits, and PHMSA is making unannounced inspections, to ensure railroads

DOT Agencies Requiring Spill Response Plans for HHFTs

The final rule requires railroads to develop and submit Comprehensive Oil Spill Response Plans for route segments traveled by High Hazard Flammable Trains that are transporting petroleum oil in a block of 20 or more loaded tank cars and also trains that have a total of 35 loaded petroleum oil tank cars.

2018 Third Consecutive Year of at Least 40,000 Motor Vehicle Deaths

The NSC estimates that in 2018, 40,000 people died in car crashes—a 1 percent decline from 40,231 deaths in 2017 and 40,327 deaths in 2016. An estimated 4.5 million people were seriously injured in car crashes in 2018, also a 1 percent decrease from 2017 figures.

Federal Grant Funds Available for Passenger Ferry Operations

The Passenger Ferry Grant Program is authorized by Congress for projects that develop and support ferry service on many of the nation's waterways, including the purchase, repair, and modernization of ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities that communities depend on.

California's Governor Scales Back High-Speed Rail

"I have nothing but respect for Governor Brown's and Governor Schwarzenegger's ambitious vision. I share it. And there's no doubt that our state's economy and quality of life depend on improving transportation," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his first State of the State address. "But let's be real. The project, as currently planned, would cost too much and take too long."

Some locations, operations, or hazmat personnel may require security awareness training that includes security risks associated with their specific tasks and methods designed to enhance security.

ANSI Wants Stakeholders to Have Input on DOT Guidance

DOT regulates safety of aviation, motor carriers, railroads, motor vehicles, commercial space, transit, and pipeline transportation areas, ANSI notes in a post asking its stakeholders "to submit feedback as an opportunity to demonstrate the value of standards in DoT guidance."



Legislators Introduce Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act

The bill would require U.S. transit-rail agencies to develop a rail operations worker assault risk reduction program within the next two years. Agencies would be required to conduct a risk analysis of assaults on rail employees, cooperate with labor representatives to develop their plans, and implement a plan to mitigate rail worker assaults.

Airbus to Add Robotic Assembly Line at Satellite Plant

Airbus will begin building an Industry 4.0 factory this month to automate and digitalize the production of solar arrays for satellites, an initiative that involves a complete revamp and expansion of the production building in Ottobrunn/Taufkirchen. A robotic assembly line will be introduced.

NYPD Demands Waze Stop Letting Users Log Police Checkpoints

"Individuals who post the locations of DWI checkpoints may be engaging in criminal conduct since such actions could be intentional attempts to prevent and/or impair the administration of the DWI laws and other relevant criminal and traffic laws," wrote NYPD acting Deputy Commissioner Ann Prunty in a Feb. 2 letter to Google.

IIHS Estimates More Than 800 Traffic Deaths in 2017 Linked to Cellphone Manipulation

IIHS noted that a 2018 national survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 64 percent of respondents consider distracted driving a much bigger problem now than it was three years ago.

Houston's Main Airports Set Passenger Records in 2018

George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport set new records for passenger numbers in 2018, topping 58 million passengers for the first time.

NTSB Issues Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements for 2019-2020

"The 2019–2020 Most Wanted List advocates for 46 specific safety recommendations that can and should be implemented during these next two years," said NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt. "It also features broad, longstanding safety issues that still threaten the traveling public."

Tunnel Under Downtown Seattle Opens to Traffic

The tunnel replaces the seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct, which will be demolished.

Agency Recommends Revamping Taxiways at Canada's Busiest Airport

The board's investigation found that all 27 runway incursions at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport between June 2012 and November 2017 happened on the inner runway after the flight crews involved had landed on the outer runway and were taxiing on a rapid-exit taxiway between the two runways. It found that several characteristics of the rapid exits in this area are different from almost every other major airport in North America.

Northern Virginia Highways Projects Announced

In all, Transurban has committed more than $1 billion over the next five years to fund enhancements to the regional transportation network.

WMATA Planning $1.4 Billion in Safety, Reliability Improvements

Metro says its $3.4 billion proposed capital and operating budget "prioritizes safety and compliance, investing $1.4 billion through Metro's Capital Improvement Program for safety and reliability improvements, rebuilding the Metro system and improving the effectiveness of the current rail and bus network."

What NTSB Couldn't Do During the Shutdown

The 35-day partial government shutdown prevented NTSB from dispatching investigators to 22 accidents. These were 15 aviation accidents resulting in 21 fatalities; three marine accidents; two railroad accidents resulting in two fatalities; and two highway accidents resulting in seven fatalities and 15 injuries.

Atlanta Declared 'No Drone Zone' During Super Bowl LIII Events

The FAA will establish a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) on game day that will prohibit drones within a 30-nautical-mile radius of the stadium, up to 17,999 feet in altitude.

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