Transportation

Washington — In response to a petition for rulemaking, the Federal Railroad Administration is seeking to further delay by 16 months the implementation dates of its proposed Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees regulation.

Washington — Commercial motor vehicle inspectors will not observe a “soft enforcement” grace period for drivers still using automatic onboard recording devices to track their hours of service after Dec. 16, and such drivers will be placed out of service for violating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance warns in a Dec. 2 press release.

Washington — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, in conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is calling on the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to begin enforcing a year-old law that mandates airlines provide flight attendants with a rest break of 10 consecutive hours between periods of duty lasting up to 14 hours.

Arlington, VA — The American Trucking Associations is calling on state and federal governments to consider the impact of legalized marijuana on roadway safety, in a new set of policies and recommendations endorsed by the organization.

Atlanta — Drivers of passenger vehicles have a considerable misunderstanding of the safety performance of commercial motor vehicle operators, results of a recent survey show.

Washington — An update on the implementation of Positive Train Control – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error – is on the preliminary agenda for the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee’s next meeting, set for Nov. 26.

Washington — OSHA’s Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to meet Nov. 19-20 in Washington.

San Diego — For the second straight year, a driver shortage and hours-of-service rules are the top two issues affecting the trucking industry, according to the results of an annual survey conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment as it considers a trucking industry petition to preempt Washington state’s meal and rest break rules for commercial motor vehicle drivers, less than a year after granting a similar request in California.

London — Professional drivers in congested cities should take measures to lower their exposure to air pollution, a team of British researchers is warning after its recent study showed that these workers, particularly taxi drivers, are exposed to elevated levels of black carbon – an indicator of diesel engine fumes.