Transportation

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

Washington – A senator has introduced legislation that would require sweeping safety measures for commercial motor vehicles.

Washington – Pipeline operators may be required to notify the National Response Center no later than one hour after an incident involving natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, under a recently proposed rule from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Washington – The American Trucking Associations is seeking motor carriers to take part in a survey that would help form a better idea of how much time and money motor carriers devote to safety every year.

Washington – The Federal Aviation Administration, in partnership with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, has established a program intended to allow certain agency workers to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation.

Washington – The vast majority of railroads will not be able to complete the implementation of Positive Train Control systems by Dec. 31, 2015 – a deadline that Congress mandated in 2008. What happens next is a matter for debate.

Washington – Cargo pilots would receive the same legal protections against fatigued flying as passenger aircraft pilots under legislation recently introduced in the Senate.

Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for collision avoidance systems to be standard in all new passenger and commercial vehicles.

Washington – The Department of Transportation says it needs more data to determine the safety ramifications of allowing longer, heavier trucks and buses on the nation’s roads.