Transportation

Washington – A proposed $302 billion surface transportation funding bill sent to Congress April 29 by Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx would give federal transportation agencies increased enforcement authority over unsafe operators and carriers.

Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board hosted a forum on rail safety April 22-23 in response to a series of train derailments in 2013 that resulted in spills of flammable shipments – some leading to fatalities.

Arlington, VA – The study used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to retroactively justify changes to truck drivers’ hours-of-service regulations is flawed, claims an April 22 report from the American Transportation Research Institute.

Washington – To mark Workers Memorial Day on April 28, various government officials have reflected on what must be done to help create safer work environments.

Washington – Interstate truck drivers have until May 2 to complete an anonymous online survey about the availability of truck parking in the United States.

Washington – The rail industry will be unable to meet Congress’s 2015 deadline for installing positive train control – in part because of delays caused by the Federal Communications Commission, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is extending the comment period to May 21 for a proposal that would establish a national database of commercial truck and bus drivers’ drug and alcohol testing results.

San Diego – Most U.S. workplace deaths are preventable, and several approaches can be taken to reduce exposures to hazardous conditions, suggests a new report from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

Washington – The Federal Aviation Administration has extended to April 22, 2015, the deadline for certain provisions aimed at improving safety among commercial helicopter and helicopter air ambulance operations.

Washington – The Department of Transportation is scheduled to host a public outreach session on May 6 regarding its ongoing study of the safety and infrastructure impacts of increasing truck size and weight limits.