Transportation Safety


R/V Bay Hydro II, a NOAA research ship

NOAA Christens New Ship to Survey Chesapeake Bay's Seafloor

Shown here, the R/V Bay Hydro II and other NOAA ships quickly can determine "if obstructions caused by hurricanes, ice, or sunken vessels are blocking the shipping channels," aiding navigation and ensuring access to major ports, including Baltimore, said Capt. Eric Nielsen of the Association of American Pilots.

DriveCam Wins Exemption for Event Recorder Placement

Until April 15, 2011, no state may enforce a law or regulation that conflicts with the exemption, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The California Highway Patrol had commented that the proposal does conflict with its regulations.

Union Pacifics logo

Union Pacific, Dow Cite Major Rail Safety Gains

Their report on progress toward achieving eight major goals by 2017 shows how the industry as a whole is improving the safety of toxic inhalation hazard and flammable chemical shipments by rail.

Acting FAA Assistant Administrator for International Aviation Dorothy Reimold

China US Aviation Cooperation Expands

The latest agreement in a 15-year relationship commits China and the United States to share environmental best practices at airports of both countries. Acting FAA Assistant Administrator for International Aviation Dorothy Reimold, shown here, said collaboration is essential to achieve "a truly seamless global aviation system and the highest level of safety possible."

UPS Ordered to Rehire, Compensate Driver Fired after Raising Safety Concerns

"This order reaffirms both the right of drivers to refuse to operate vehicles when they reasonably believe it is unsafe and the Labor Department's commitment to taking the necessary steps to protect that right," said Ken Nishiyama Atha, OSHA's regional administrator in San Francisco.

Amtrak to Test GE Locomotives for Cascades Route

The two new locomotive types have been dynamically tested at speeds in curves that generate up to 6 inches of cant deficiency; two end-to-end tests are planned to confirm the results.

EPA to Participate in Ethanol Emergency Response Training

The training covers the characteristics of ethanol tank cars, so that responders can quickly identify this equipment. Responders also are given information to help them interpret railway manifests.

MADD CEO Chosen for Top NHTSA Post

President Obama announced he will nominate Charles A. Hurley, the chief executive officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Hurley previously worked for both the National Safety Council and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.



Air Cargo Carrier Ordered to Pay $7.9 Million+ in Whistleblower Lawsuit

Former flight crew members complained they suffered retaliation after raising air carrier safety concerns with the company.

text mesaging with a cellphone

Latest IIHS Maps Show Spread of Cellphone, Texting Laws

Nine states ban text messaging by all drivers, and nine ban the practice by novice drivers. Several states ban cellphone use by bus drivers.

ATA wants fleet members to share their 2009 safety experience so FMCSA can see how the current hours rule is working.

Applications Due April 17 for Top Trucking Safety Awards

The American Trucking Associations' Safety Management Council will present awards in September for best vehicle accident and worker injury incidence, as well as national safety director and HR professional of the year.

Yamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair for 450, 660 Model Rhino Vehicles

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., of Cypress, Calif., is announcing a free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450 and 660 model off-highway recreational vehicles. Yamaha has also agreed to voluntarily suspend sale of these models immediately until repaired. Consumers should immediately stop using these recreational vehicles until the repair is installed by a dealer.

DOT Posts Fuel Economy Standards for Model Year 2011 Cars, Light Trucks

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced recently that the Department of Transportation has posted the new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks for the 2011 model year.

ATA Publishes Large Truck Safety Book

The book is written for safety managers, fleet managers and executives, government and industry officials, researchers and other transportation safety professionals.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley

State Settles Last Civil Suits in Big Dig Roof Collapse

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, shown here, announced a total of $611 million has been recovered in connection with the partial collapse of the highway tunnel's ceiling, which killed a woman in a car.

Flight Charter Firm Fires Worker for Raising Aircraft Safety Concerns

The employee had repeatedly informed the company of suspected violations of federal aviation regulations, including ordering an unqualified pilot to perform a test flight while carrying passengers.

NTSB Hearing on Buffalo Crash May Hinge on Pilot's Stall Action

Yesterday's notice said fatigue will be one factor addressed and seemed to downplay ice accumulation as the likely cause of the Dash 8-Q400 crash near Buffalo, N.Y.'s airport on Feb. 12, killing 50 in all.

Tewksbury Post Office Delivers Safety, Health

Among the site's areas of excellence are proactive efforts to identify and correct hazards to carriers encompassing community involvement, analysis of route hazards, and implementation of a motor vehicle logbook system for vehicle safety.

MSHA Fines Hiawatha Coal Co. Nearly $342,800 for Rollover Accident

MSHA recently announced it has issued penalties totaling $342,800 to Hiawatha Coal Co. for a powered haulage accident last year at the Bear Canyon Mine in Huntington, Utah. A miner was seriously injured in that accident.

Port Security Program Reaches One Million Enrollment Mark

Department of Homeland Security reports that one million port and longshore workers, truckers, and others at ports across the nation have enrolled in its Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The program's goal is to ensure that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a known security threat.

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