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Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings

Table of Contents

Federal Highway Administration

21. National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Maintaining Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity

22. Express Lane Demonstration Project

23. Projects of National and Regional Significance

24. Design-Build Contracting

25. Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historical Sites

26. Real-Time System Management Information Program



Federal Highway Administration
Federal Highway Administration
21. 
National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Maintaining Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity Green
Popular Title: Retroreflectivity of Road Signs
RIN 2125-AE98
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 07/30/2004; End of Comment Period 10/28/2004; Extension of Comment Period 10/22/2004; End of Extended Comment Period 02/01/2005. SNPRM: Publication Date 05/08/2006;End of Comment Period 11/06/2006.
Abstract: This action would update the standards for retroreflectivity of traffic signs. Section 406(a) of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, requires the Secretary of Transportation to revise the MUTCD to include a standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity that must be maintained for traffic signs. The FHWA is interested in establishing standards for nighttime visibility of traffic signs. The FHWA will develop these standards by considering the results of research, engineering practices and comments received in response to this notice of proposed amendments.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 05/07/2003
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 07/09/2007  08/01/2007  07/27/2007 
To OMB 08/10/2007  09/03/2007   
OMB Clearance 11/09/2007  12/03/2007   
Publication Date 11/30/2007  12/14/2007   
Explanation for any delay: N/A
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None


Federal Highway Administration
22. 
Express Lane Demonstration Project Red
Popular Title: Tolling
RIN 2125-AF07
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: Pursuant to SAFETEA-LU, this rulemaking would establish requirements, standards, or performance specifications for automated toll collection systems implemented under the Express Lanes Demonstration Project.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  Complete rulemaking : 02/06/2006
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/10/2005
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 01/31/2006  10/04/2006  09/13/2006 
Returned to Mode     01/17/2007 
Resubmitted to OST     03/30/2007 
Returned to Mode/2     04/03/2007 
Resubmitted to OST/2   05/11/2007  05/11/2007 
To OMB 03/02/2006  06/01/2007  06/01/2007 
OMB Clearance 06/02/2006  09/03/2007   
Publication Date 06/09/2006  09/14/2007   
End of Comment Period 08/09/2006  11/14/2007   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None


Federal Highway Administration
23. 
Projects of National and Regional Significance Red
Popular Title: PNRS
RIN 2125-AF08
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 7/24/2006; End of Comment Period 9/24/2006.
Abstract: This rulemaking would, pursuant to SAFETEA-LU, establish the manner in which the Secretary will evaluate and rate the transportation infrastructure projects based on the results of preliminary engineering, project justification, and the degree of non-Federal financial commitment.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final rule : 02/06/2006
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/10/2005
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 10/04/2007  12/19/2007   
To OMB 11/05/2007  01/25/2008   
OMB Clearance 02/04/2008  04/25/2008   
Publication Date 02/18/2008  04/30/2008   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None


Federal Highway Administration
24. 
Design-Build Contracting Red
Popular Title: Design-Build
RIN 2125-AF12
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 05/25/2006;End of Comment Period 07/24/2006.
Abstract: Pursuant to SAFETEA-LU, this rulemaking would eliminate the prohibition on States issuing requests for proposals, proceeding with awards of design-build contracts, or issuing notices to proceed with preliminary design work under design-build contracts prior to compliance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and requiring State Departments of Transportation or local transportation agencies to receive approval from the Secretary of Transportation before carrying out such activity. This rulemaking would also preclude a design-build contractor from proceeding with final design or construction of any permanent improvement prior to completion of the section 102 NEPA process.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  Complete rulemaking by : 11/08/2005
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/10/2005
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 01/18/2007  02/15/2007  01/30/2007 
Returned to Mode     02/20/2007 
Resubmitted to OST   04/06/2007  03/28/2007 
To OMB 02/18/2007  04/27/2007  04/27/2007 
OMB Clearance 05/18/2007  07/27/2007  07/19/2007 
Publication Date 06/07/2007  09/27/2007  08/14/2007 
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: 72 FR 45392


Federal Highway Administration
25. 
Parks, Recreation Areas, Wildlife and Waterfowl Refuges, and Historical Sites Red
Popular Title: 4(f) Parks
RIN 2125-AF14
Stage: Final Rule
Previous Stage: NPRM: Publication Date 7/27/2006; End of Comment Period 9/26/2006.
Abstract: This FHWA/FTA joint rulemaking would clarify the factors to be considered and the standards to be applied in determining the prudence and feasability of alternatives under section 4(f) (138 of title 23, U.S. Code, and section 303 of title 49, U.S. Code). Section 4(f) properties include certain parks, recreation areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites described in section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-670). Section 4(f) generally prohibits the use of such properties for transportation projects unless the Secretary of Transportation finds there is no feasible and prudent alternative and all possible planning to minimize the harm is undertaken.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  Final rule by : 08/10/2006
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 08/10/2005
Dates for Final Rule:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 05/03/2007  08/31/2007   
To OMB 05/31/2007  10/01/2007   
OMB Clearance 08/29/2007  01/02/2008   
Publication Date 09/10/2007  01/16/2008   
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for Final Rule: None


Federal Highway Administration
26. 
Real-Time System Management Information Program Red
Popular Title: Real-Time Management
RIN 2125-AF19
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This action would establish a real-time system management information program to provide, in all States, the capability to monitor, in real-time, the traffic and travel conditions of the major highways of the United States. Section 1201 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) provides that the purpose of this program would be to improve the security of the surface transportation system, to address the congestion problems facing motorists, to support improved response to weather events and surface transportation incidents and to facilitate national and regional highway traveler information.
Effects:
  None
Prompting action: Statute
Legal Deadline:  None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 10/31/2006
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date		 New
Projected
Date		 Actual
Date
To OST 01/11/2007  08/17/2007  08/07/2007 
To OMB 02/11/2007  09/17/2007   
OMB Clearance 05/11/2007  12/17/2007   
Publication Date 05/31/2007  12/31/2007   
End of Comment Period 07/31/2007  02/29/2008   
Explanation for any delay: Unanticipated issues requiring further analysis
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None