[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 5294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2357]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2012-0008]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a
document dated December 20, 2011, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson
Corporation (PATH) 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 235. FRA assigned
the petition Docket Number FRA-2012-0008.
PATH seeks relief from the requirements of 49 CFR 235.5 to expedite
successful installation of Positive Train Control (PTC), mandated by
the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. In preparation for PTC, PATH
needs to install new microprocessor interlocking controls and digital
audio frequency track circuits, and add, relocate, remove, and/or
modify existing wayside signals, train stops, track circuits,
interlocking, and non-vital automatic train supervision controls.
This work initially includes certain tracks within PATH's Harrison
Yard and South Street Yard for testing purposes, but will eventually
include all mainline revenue tracks, other yard tracks, and terminals
as the Automatic Train Control (ATC, which is a type of PTC) system
installation progresses.
In conjunction with the request, PATH proposes to modify the
existing signal system while maintaining compliance with 49 CFR part
236 as provided for under 49 CFR 235.7(c)(24)(vi). This relief would
reduce the approval time while still providing FRA review and oversight
of the proposed changes in the same manner as pole line elimination
projects. PATH's request would be akin to adding the wording,
``modification of existing signal systems in preparation for the
installation and testing of PTC,'' or the first sentence in 49 CFR
235.7(c)(24)(vi).
The relief sought would allow for expedited modification of the
existing signal system directly associated with the installation and
testing of PTC. This would also reduce the administrative workload for
both FRA and PATH.
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 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:
Web site: 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 March 19, 2012 will be considered by FRA
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be
considered as far as practicable.
Anyone is able to 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 comment,
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages
19477-78), or online at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 30, 2012.
Michael W. Lestingi,
Acting Director for the Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2012-2357 Filed 2-1-12; 8:45 am]
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