Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs

The Department of Transportation (the Department or DOT) is amending certain provisions of its drug testing procedures dealing with laboratory testing of urine specimens. Some of the changes will also affect the training of and procedures used by Medical Review Officers. The changes are intended to create consistency with many, but not all, of the new requirements established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

If you have any questions, please contact Diana Byrnes, C-SAPA, Substance Abuse Management Specialist, Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, 813-426-6980 byrnes@cutr.usf.edu

Blue Tooth and Cell Phones: Bus Operators

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Office of General Council, had determined that 341.061 F.S. grants FDOT the authority to create safety standards regulating the use of wireless devices by operators of mass transit vehicles who meet the qualifications of this statute. The suggestion is to place these standards in F.A.C 14-90.   FDOT and Florida Public Transportation Association will be discussing this issue next month at the FPTA meeting.

We would love to include your  comments, concerns, opinions, and suggestions during this process.  Please forward your correspondence to the address below.
 
Thank you, Victor B. Wiley

Based on motor vehicle accident investigations, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has made several recommendations over the last 6 years to ban the use of wireless devices, hand held and hands free, while operating a motor vehicle, especially passenger carrying vehicles.   NTSB held hearings earlier this month concerning the rail crash in California that killed 25 people and injured at least 130.  During this hearing federal investigators released the transcript of 43 text messages sent and received by the engineer of the train.  Four calls were also made during the engineers shift. Shortly after the wreck, the Federal Railroad Administration issued an emergency order banning use of cell phones and other electronic devices by rail workers on duty.  

Full story in the Associated Press

Florida Clean Car Emission Rule, Adoption of California Motor Vehicle Emission Standards

The rule as approved by the Environmental Regulation Commission on December 2, 2008, was adopted by filing with the Florida Secretary of State on January 26, 2009, thereby completing the rulemaking process under Chapter 120, F.S.  The rule now goes to the Florida Legislature for ratification.  Two things must happen prior to implementation of the rule:  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must grant a waiver to California allowing it (and other adopting states) to enforce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards, and the Florida Legislature must ratify the department’s rule.  Implementation will begin no sooner than the 2013 vehicle model year according to provisions in the rule itself.

The department has posted a copy of the final rule, associated reference material, and fact sheet at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/air/rules/ghg/california.htm along with other materials submitted by the department and other parties into the rulemaking record.

Questions on this rule may be directed to Greg DeAngelo (Gregory.DeAngelo@dep.state.fl.us).

Please e-mail Lynn Scearce (lynn.scearce@dep.state.fl.us) or call 850-921-9551 to add, remove or update any e-mail address for future distribution of greenhouse gas rulemaking updates.

Biodiesel the Fuel of Choice for Orlando Public Transit
ORLANDO, Florida, August 4, 2008 (ENS) - A $2.5 million agreement signed at the Farm to Fuel Summit Thursday in Orlando creates a private-public partnership to help green Orlando's public transportation.

Governor Charlie Crist joined Linda Watson, chief executive officer of LYNX Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, to sign the agreement that awards $2.5 million to use biodiesel to fuel public transportation in three counties. Read More

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
Heavy Duty Vechicle Idling Reduction Pending Rule Adoption

Florida Administrative Code
Adoption of California Motor Vehicle Emissions Standards