Transportation

Washington — Robert Sumwalt has been reconfirmed as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, days before his term was set to expire and ahead of Congress’ five-week recess.

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial motor vehicle inspectors throughout North America will perform brake system examinations Sept. 15-21 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking input on whether it should clarify or revise the definitions of “agricultural commodity” or “livestock” in its hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking a two-year extension for the compliance date of two provisions in its final rule on minimum training requirements for entry-level commercial motor vehicle drivers, according to a proposed rule published in the July 18 Federal Register.

Washington — In response to a request from the American Trucking Associations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has pushed to Aug. 14 the deadline for comment on a potential pilot program that would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to operate commercial motor vehicles interstate.

Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the Senate is aimed at limiting the speed of heavy commercial trucks to 65 mph by requiring new trucks to be equipped with speed-limiting devices.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is asking for stakeholder input on how detention – the time a commercial motor vehicle driver spends during loading and unloading – affects roadway safety.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is now eyeing July 31 as the publication date for a proposed rule the agency says would add flexibility to hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers, according to a Department of Transportation regulatory update released in June.

Washington — Nearly two years after the Federal Railroad Administration first published a final rule requiring commuter and intercity passenger railroads to develop and implement system safety programs, the process has hit another hurdle.

Washington — The publication of a proposed rule intended to add flexibility to hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers is expected soon, on the heels of a recent delay, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration head Raymond Martinez said during a June 19 hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.