Petition for Waiver of Compliance
| Published date | 28 February 2019 |
| Citation | 84 FR 6861 |
| Record Number | 2019-03451 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Federal Railroad Administration,Transportation Department |
6861
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2019 / Notices
Authority No. 236–25 of February 13,
2019.
Jennifer Z. Galt,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department
of State.
[FR Doc. 2019–03520 Filed 2–27–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA–2018–0101]
Notice of Application for Approval of
Discontinuance or Modification of a
Railroad Signal System
Under part 235 of Title 49 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49
U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides
the public notice that on November 16,
2018, the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation (Amtrak) petitioned the
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
seeking approval to discontinue or
modify a signal system. FRA assigned
the petition Docket Number FRA–2018–
0101.
Applicant: National Railroad
Passenger Corporation, Mr. Nicholas J.
Croce III, PE, Deputy Chief Engineer
C&S, 2995 Market Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104.
Amtrak seeks approval to remove all
automatic wayside signals on Tracks
No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4, at automatic
block points between interlockings
Paoli, milepost (MP) 19.9 and Park MP
45.5 on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor,
Mid-Atlantic Division, Harrisburg Line,
Philadelphia to Harrisburg, PA.
Automatic Block Signals (ABS) 218,
219, 254, 273, 274, 295, 296, 390, 391,
413, 414, 443, and 494, will be removed
with the signal locations remaining in
service as block points without wayside
signals. These signals will be removed
due to Amtrak upgrading the ABS
Sections from NORAC Rule 251/261
territory, cab signals and fixed
automatic block signals, to NORAC Rule
562 territory, cab signals, without fixed
automatic block signals. In addition to
the NORAC Rule 562 upgrades, Amtrak
will install Clear Block Signals (C) to
existing interlocking signals at Paoli
(MP 19.9), Frazier (MP 23.9), Glen (MP
25.3), Downs (MP 32.1), Thorn (MP
35.0), Caln (MP 36.6), and Park (MP
45.5) interlockings through its capital
improvement program. Until C signals
are installed, movement through the
block will be governed by NORAC Rules
550, 554 and 556. Amtrak’s overall goal
is to eliminate the maintenance and
safety concerns associated with the
ABS.
The existing automatic train control
and Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement
System (ACSES) will continue to
enforce train speed and positive train
stop. ACSES will enforce a positive stop
at each interlocking and will also
enforce a stop to a train with failed cab
signal equipment unless the C signal is
displayed allowing the failed train to
enter the block.
The reason for removal of the signals
in addition to upgrading the ABS
Sections is to eliminate maintenance
and operation of unnecessary hardware
no longer needed, and to reduce delays
to trains caused by failures of the
signals.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania
Transportation Authority and the
Norfolk Southern Railway operate on
portions of this line as tenants with
trackage rights.
The project will begin immediately
upon receiving permission for removal
and will be completed within five years
of receiving the authority to proceed.
The project will begin with the section
of track from Park to Thorn Interlocking
and will progress eastward until
completion.
A copy of the petition, as well as any
written communications concerning the
petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov and in person at
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
(DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590. The Docket
Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested parties desire
an opportunity for oral comment and a
public hearing, they should notify FRA,
in writing, before the end of the
comment period and specify the basis
for their request.
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number and may be
submitted by any of the following
methods:
•Website: http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
•Fax: 202–493–2251.
•Mail: Docket Operations Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590.
•Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
Communications received by April
15, 2019 will be considered by FRA
before final action is taken. Comments
received after that date will be
considered if practicable.
Anyone can search the electronic
form of any written communications
and comments received into any of our
dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the
document, if submitted on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc.).
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better
inform its processes. DOT posts these
comments, without edit, including any
personal information the commenter
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as
described in the system of records
notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can
be reviewed at https://
www.transportation.gov/privacy. See
also https://www.regulations.gov/
privacyNotice for the privacy notice of
regulations.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety,
Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2019–03454 Filed 2–27–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA–2019–0016]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Under part 211 of Title 49 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR), this
document provides the public notice
that by a document dated October 30,
2018, the Consolidated Rail Corporation
(Conrail) has petitioned the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) for a
waiver of compliance from certain
provisions of the Federal railroad safety
regulations contained at 49 CFR part
236. FRA assigned the petition Docket
Number FRA–2019–0016.
Specifically, Conrail seeks relief from
the requirements of § 236.109, Time
Releases, Timing Relays, and Timing
Devices, § 236.377, Approach Locking,
§ 236.378, Time Locking, §236.379,
Route Locking, § 236.380, Indication
Locking, and § 236.381, Traffic Locking,
on vital microprocessor-based systems.
Many of Conrail’s interlockings, control
points, and other locations are
controlled by solid-state vital
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6862
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2019 / Notices
microprocessor-based systems. These
systems utilize programmed logic
equations in lieu of relays or other
mechanical components for control of
both vital and non-vital functions. The
logic does not change once a
microprocessor-based system has been
tested and locking tests are documented
on installation. Conrail proposes to
verify and test signal locking systems
and non-configurable timers controlled
by microprocessor-based equipment by
use of alternative procedures every 4
years after initial baseline testing or
program change as follows:
•Verifying the Cyclic Redundancy
Check/Check Sum/Universal Control
Number of the existing location’s
specific application logic to the
previously-tested version.
•Testing the appropriate
interconnection to the associated
signaling hardware equipment outside
of the processor (switch indication,
track indication, searchlight signal
indication, approach locking (if
external) to verify correct and intended
inputs to and outputs from the
processor are maintained.
•Analyze and compare the results of
the 4-year alternative testing with the
results of the baseline testing performed
at the location and submit the results to
FRA.
A copy of the petition, as well as any
written communications concerning the
petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov and in person at
the Department of Transportation’s
Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New
Jersey Ave. SE, W12–140, Washington,
DC 20590. The Docket Operations
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
Holidays.
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested party desires
an opportunity for oral comment, they
should notify FRA, in writing, before
the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number and may be
submitted by any of the following
methods:
•Website: http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
•Fax: 202–493–2251.
•Mail: Docket Operations Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590.
•Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
Communications received by April
15, 2019 will be considered by FRA
before final action is taken. Comments
received after that date will be
considered as far as practicable.
Anyone can search the electronic
form of any written communications
and comments received into any of our
dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the
document, if submitted on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc.).
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT
solicits comments from the public to
better inform its processes. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including
any personal information the
commenter provides, to
www.regulations.gov, as described in
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–
14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.dot.gov/privacy. See also http://
www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice
for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC.
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety,
Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2019–03451 Filed 2–27–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Notice of Early Scoping for the Capital
Metro Orange Line High Capacity
Transit Corridor in Austin, Texas
AGENCY
: Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION
: Notice of early scoping meeting.
SUMMARY
: The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) and the Capital
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(Capital Metro) of Austin, Texas issue
this early scoping notice to advise other
agencies and the public that they intend
to conduct early scoping for the Orange
Line High Capacity Transit (HCT)
Corridor. The Orange Line HCT Corridor
is the 21-mile corridor used for Capital
Metro’s MetroRapid 801 from Tech
Ridge to Southpark Meadows. The
entire 21-mile corridor is being
proposed for HCT dedicated pathways.
This notice invites public input to
ongoing planning efforts for the Orange
Line HCT Corridor by commenting on
the project’s purpose and need, the
project study area, alternatives being
considered, public participation and
outreach methods, relevant
transportation and community impacts
and benefits being considered, potential
environmental impacts, and the
projected capital and operating costs of
the project.
DATES
: The public may learn more about
the Orange Line HCT Corridor and
provide comments at an early scoping
meeting scheduled for: Monday, April 8,
2019, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central Time at
Austin Central Library, 710 W Cesar
Chavez St., Austin, TX 78701.
Capital Metro is also providing notice
of this early scoping meeting on Capital
Metro’s website (capmetro.org) and in
the following publications:
•Austin American Statesman
•Community Impact Newspaper
•The Villager Newspaper
•The LaPrensa Newspaper
ADDRESSES
: Public comments will be
accepted at the early scoping meeting.
In addition, comments may be sent
electronically to: orangelinefeedback@
projectconnect.com. Comments may be
mailed to: Capital Metro Project Connect
Office, Orange Line HCT Corridor
Comments, 607 Congress Avenue,
Austin, TX 78701. All comments are
requested by May 24, 2019.
The meeting location is accessible to
persons with disabilities. If translation,
signing services, or other special
accommodations are needed, please
contact Courtney Black at (512) 457–
1244 via email at courtney.black@
capmetro.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
:
Terence Plaskon, FTA, phone: (817)
978–0573, email: terence.plaskon@
dot.gov or Joe Clemens, AICP, Capital
Metro, phone: (512) 369–6515, email:
joe.clemens@capmetro.org.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
: The
Orange Line HCT Corridor is included
in Capital Metro’s Project Connect Long-
Term Vision Plan. Project Connect
developed specifically targeted
solutions that address existing service
deficiencies and identified HCT
investments that would add mobility
options for the Central Texas region.
Early scoping for the Orange Line HCT
Corridor builds on previous Project
Connect planning efforts and will
examine potential alternatives to
provide HCT in the Central Texas
region.
The early scoping process is intended
to support the formal National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
scoping process. In addition, early
scoping supports FTA planning
requirements associated with the
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