Transportation

Hartford, CT – Railroads need to be held accountable if – as expected – they miss a Dec. 31 deadline to implement Positive Train Control systems, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Greenbelt, MD – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week is scheduled for Sept. 6-12.

Washington – President Barack Obama has nominated T.F. Scott Darling III to head the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Washington – The American Trucking Associations is taking issue with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s interpretation of a new Government Accountability Office report on FMCSA’s research into the federal hours-of-service rule for commercial motor vehicle drivers.

Washington – A new final rule from the Federal Railroad Administration is aimed at preventing unattended trains carrying crude oil and other highly flammable contents from rolling away.

Chicago – A major aircraft manufacturer has joined the effort to keep large quantities of highly flammable lithium-ion batteries out of cargo holds in passenger planes.

Washington – The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has established new review criteria for state excavation damage prevention programs, under a final rule published in the July 23 Federal Register.

Washington – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has spelled out plans to require rear-impact guards on single-unit vehicles such as dump trucks, garbage haulers, concrete mixers and delivery trucks, according to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking released July 17.

Washington – Marie Therese Dominguez promised to make safety the No. 1 priority as head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, during her nomination hearing in front of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Washington – A group of senators is proposing to lower to 18 the minimum age for driving commercial motor vehicles across state lines.