Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236, 75535-75536 [E5-7570]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 243 / Tuesday, December 20, 2005 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Title 49 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 211.9
and 211.41 notice is hereby given that
the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) has received a request to expand
an existing waiver of compliance from
certain requirements of Federal railroad
safety regulations. The individual
petition is described below, including
the parties seeking the extension, the
nature of the extension being requested
and the petitioner’s arguments in favor
of relief.
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe
Railway Company
[Docket Number FRA–2003–15432]
The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe
Railway Company (BNSF) seeks
permission to expand the current
Electronic Train Management System
(ETMS) waiver granted on June 23,
2004, into another area of their rail
network. The extension of this pilot will
allow BNSF to further demonstrate the
objectives of ETMS on different track
configurations and operational
scenarios. This extension will also allow
BNSF to demonstrate the ETMS
technology with denser traffic patterns
and give BNSF the potential to test
interoperability with other railroads.
The ETMS pilot project on the
Beardstown subdivision is currently in
the third phase of the FRA waiver that
was granted on June 23, 2004. To date,
BNSF has operated nearly 1700 ETMSactivated trains over this pilot test area.
BNSF has conducted over five hundred
tests in cooperation with the FRA Office
of Safety that have successfully
demonstrated the objectives that are
feasible in the first pilot test area. BNSF
is prepared to continue the testing and
demonstration of the ETMS technology
in other areas of their rail network that
will allow them to further demonstrate
the safety and operational benefits that
the rail industry can derive from this
technology.
The ETMS expansion will be tested
and demonstrated on the BNSF’s Fort
Worth subdivision between Fort Worth,
Texas, milepost 346.67 and Gainesville,
Texas, milepost 411.3. In addition, the
system will be tested and demonstrated
on the Red Rock subdivision between
Gainesville, Texas, milepost 411.3X and
Arkansas City, Kansas, milepost 264.11.
The combined distance of the test
territory is 329 miles. The present
method of operation on the BNSF is
Centralized Traffic Control. The total
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19:23 Dec 19, 2005
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trains are approximately 25 per day, 21
BNSF trains, 2 Amtrak trains, and 2
Union Pacific Railroad trains.
BNSF is currently developing an
installation, test, and implementation
plan for this second pilot test area.
BNSF’s present implementation
guidelines would follow the same
methodologies as previously used in the
Beardstown test area with regards to
personnel training and the testing of the
test area’s unique components such as
grade, track configuration, and track
database. In addition, BNSF’s plan for
this area would include a phased
methodology as was done in the
Beardstown test area where Phase 1
included no enforcement with ETMS
active, Phase 2 included enforcement
with ETMS active, and Phase 3 is a
continuance of Phase 2 with some relief
from detail reporting. This approach has
proven to be productive and
comprehensive.
The expansion would begin with
wayside and locomotive equipment
installation in the beginning of 2006.
Upon completion of the wayside
installation, the track database
verification and locomotive testing
would commence. Finally, the phased
revenue demonstration would begin
upon the successful completion of the
verification and validation testing.
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 (e.g., Waiver
Petition Docket Number FRA–2003–
15432) and must be submitted to the
Docket Clerk, DOT Central Docket
Management Facility, Room PL–401,
Washington, DC, 20590–0001.
Communications received within 30
days of the date of this notice will be
considered by FRA before final action is
taken. Comments received after that
date will be considered as far as
practicable. All written communications
concerning these proceedings are
available for examination during regular
business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.). At the
above facility. All documents in the
public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the Internet
at the docket facility’s Web site at https://
dms.dot.gov.
PO 00000
Frm 00091
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
75535
Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of all 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). The
Statement may also be found at https://
dms.dot.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC on December 15,
2005.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E5–7565 Filed 12–19–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA–2005–23226]
Notice of Application for Approval of
Discontinuance or Modification of a
Railroad Signal System or Relief From
the Requirements of Title 49 Code of
Federal Regulations Part 236
Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Part 235 and 49
U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroad
has petitioned the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) seeking approval
for the discontinuance or modification
of the signal system or relief from the
requirements of 49 CFR part 236 as
detailed below.
Applicant: Burlington Northern and
Santa Fe Railway, Mr. Ralph E. Young,
Director Signal Engineering, 4515
Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas
66106–1199.
The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe
Railway (BNSF) seeks relief from the
requirements of the Rules, Standard and
Instructions, Title 49 CFR, Part 236,
Section 236.312, on the Hannibal
Bridge, milepost 0.95, in Kansas City,
Missouri, on the Nebraska Division, St.
Joseph Subdivision, as follows:
1. BNSF requests relief to the extent
that they be allowed to use a modified
easer bar inspection and test procedure
to determine compliance with the rail
surface and alignment requirements.
The modified procedure uses 5/8 inch
as the acceptable tolerance for the
amount of easer bar/casting play.
2. BNSF requests relief from the
requirement that bridge locking
members must be detected within one
inch of their proper positions, to the
extent that they be permitted to
continue using an alternate method of
E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM
20DEN1
75536
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 243 / Tuesday, December 20, 2005 / Notices
detecting proper swing span seating
than that described in the FRA’s
Technical Manual.
Applicant’s justification for relief:
BNSF fully expects the actual rail
surface and alignment to be maintained
within the 3/8 inch required by 236.312;
however, BNSF’s Bridge Engineers feel
that additional easer bar clearance is
needed to reliably operate this bridge
because of its particular design. The
Hannibal Bridge does not have wedges
or rollers, and instead has end lifts on
each corner of the swing span. BNSF
has installed, at great expense, a rather
elaborate mechanical proximity sensor
device, near the deck level at each of the
four corners of the bridge, to detect that
the bridge is properly seated. While this
approach to detecting locking is not the
same as described in the FRA’s
Technical Manual, BNSF’s Bridge
Engineers believe it accurately detects
when the swing span is properly seated,
clearly the intent of the rule. These
devices are designed to detect that all
four corners are within 3/8 inch of the
proper seated position vertically and, on
two of the corners, within 3/8 inch of
proper horizontal alignment. BNSF
respectfully submits that while the
method of detecting bridge locking and
rail surface/alignment on their Hannibal
Bridge might not be conventional or
familiar, it is completely safe and
complies with the intent of 49 CFR
236.312.
Any interested party desiring to
protest the granting of an application
shall set forth specifically the grounds
upon which the protest is made, and
include a concise statement of the
interest of the party in the proceeding.
Additionally, one copy of the protest
shall be furnished to the applicant at the
address listed above.
All communications concerning this
proceeding should be identified by the
docket number and must be submitted
to the Docket Clerk, DOT Central Docket
Management Facility, Room PI–401,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
Communications received within 45
days of the date of this notice will be
considered by the FRA before final
action is taken. Comments received after
that date will be considered as far as
practicable. All written communications
concerning these proceedings are
available for examination during regular
business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the
above facility. All documents in the
public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the internet
at the docket facility’s Web site at https://
dms.dot.gov.
FRA wishes to inform all potential
commenters that anyone is able to
search the electronic form of all
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:23 Dec 19, 2005
Jkt 208001
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 you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
FRA expects to be able to determine
these matters without an oral hearing.
However, if a specific request for an oral
hearing is accompanied by a showing
that the party is unable to adequately
present his or her position by written
statements, an application may be set
for public hearing.
Issued in Washington, DC on December 15,
2005.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E5–7570 Filed 12–19–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Notice of Application for Approval of
Discontinuance or Modification of a
Railroad Signal System or Relief From
the Requirements of Title 49 Code of
Federal Regulations Part 236
Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) part 235 and 49
U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroad
has petitioned the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) seeking approval
for the discontinuance or modification
of the signal system or relief from the
requirements of 49 CFR Part 236 as
detailed below.
[Docket Number FRA–2005–23065]
Applicant: Canadian Pacific Railway,
Mr. Robert R. Otis, Manager Signal
and Communication, Metro 94
Business Center, 425 Etna Street—
Suite 38, St. Paul, Minnesota 55106.
The Canadian Pacific Railway seeks
approval of the proposed modification
of the traffic control system, at milepost
3.22, just west of Lyndale Avenue, on
the Paynesville Subdivision, near
Minneapolis, Minnesota, consisting of
the discontinuance and removal of the
power-operated derail. The proposed
change is associated with a plan to
install a new stand-a-lone remotecontrolled derail, just outside the actual
yard tracks, at milepost 3.65.
The reason given for the proposed
changes is due to safety concerns about
the derail’s location and operation.
Any interested party desiring to
protest the granting of an application
PO 00000
Frm 00092
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
shall set forth specifically the grounds
upon which the protest is made, and
include a concise statement of the
interest of the party in the proceeding.
Additionally, one copy of the protest
shall be furnished to the applicant at the
address listed above.
All communications concerning this
proceeding should be identified by the
docket number and must be submitted
to the Docket Clerk, DOT Central Docket
Management Facility, Room PL–401
(Plaza Level), 400 7th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
Communications received within 45
days of the date of this notice will be
considered by the FRA before final
action is taken. Comments received after
that date will be considered as far as
practicable. All written communications
concerning these proceedings are
available for examination during regular
business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the
above facility. All documents in the
public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the internet
at the docket facility’s Web site at https://
dms.dot.gov.
FRA wishes to inform all potential
commenters that anyone is able to
search the electronic form of all
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 you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
FRA expects to be able to determine
these matters without an oral hearing.
However, if a specific request for an oral
hearing is accompanied by a showing
that the party is unable to adequately
present his or her position by written
statements, an application may be set
for public hearing.
Issued in Washington, DC on December 15,
2005.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E5–7566 Filed 12–19–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–04–18765]
Frontal New Car Assessment Program
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM
20DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75535-75536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7570]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2005-23226]
Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or
Modification of a Railroad Signal System or Relief From the
Requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236
Pursuant to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 235 and
49 U.S.C. 20502(a), the following railroad has petitioned the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval for the discontinuance
or modification of the signal system or relief from the requirements of
49 CFR part 236 as detailed below.
Applicant: Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, Mr. Ralph E.
Young, Director Signal Engineering, 4515 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City,
Kansas 66106-1199.
The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) seeks relief
from the requirements of the Rules, Standard and Instructions, Title 49
CFR, Part 236, Section 236.312, on the Hannibal Bridge, milepost 0.95,
in Kansas City, Missouri, on the Nebraska Division, St. Joseph
Subdivision, as follows:
1. BNSF requests relief to the extent that they be allowed to use a
modified easer bar inspection and test procedure to determine
compliance with the rail surface and alignment requirements. The
modified procedure uses 5/8 inch as the acceptable tolerance for the
amount of easer bar/casting play.
2. BNSF requests relief from the requirement that bridge locking
members must be detected within one inch of their proper positions, to
the extent that they be permitted to continue using an alternate method
of
[[Page 75536]]
detecting proper swing span seating than that described in the FRA's
Technical Manual.
Applicant's justification for relief: BNSF fully expects the actual
rail surface and alignment to be maintained within the 3/8 inch
required by 236.312; however, BNSF's Bridge Engineers feel that
additional easer bar clearance is needed to reliably operate this
bridge because of its particular design. The Hannibal Bridge does not
have wedges or rollers, and instead has end lifts on each corner of the
swing span. BNSF has installed, at great expense, a rather elaborate
mechanical proximity sensor device, near the deck level at each of the
four corners of the bridge, to detect that the bridge is properly
seated. While this approach to detecting locking is not the same as
described in the FRA's Technical Manual, BNSF's Bridge Engineers
believe it accurately detects when the swing span is properly seated,
clearly the intent of the rule. These devices are designed to detect
that all four corners are within 3/8 inch of the proper seated position
vertically and, on two of the corners, within 3/8 inch of proper
horizontal alignment. BNSF respectfully submits that while the method
of detecting bridge locking and rail surface/alignment on their
Hannibal Bridge might not be conventional or familiar, it is completely
safe and complies with the intent of 49 CFR 236.312.
Any interested party desiring to protest the granting of an
application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which the
protest is made, and include a concise statement of the interest of the
party in the proceeding. Additionally, one copy of the protest shall be
furnished to the applicant at the address listed above.
All communications concerning this proceeding should be identified
by the docket number and must be submitted to the Docket Clerk, DOT
Central Docket Management Facility, Room PI-401, Washington, DC 20590-
0001. Communications received within 45 days of the date of this notice
will be considered by the FRA before final action is taken. Comments
received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All
written communications concerning these proceedings are available for
examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the above
facility. All documents in the public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the internet at the docket facility's Web
site at https://dms.dot.gov.
FRA wishes to inform all potential commenters that anyone is able
to search the electronic form of all 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 you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
FRA expects to be able to determine these matters without an oral
hearing. However, if a specific request for an oral hearing is
accompanied by a showing that the party is unable to adequately present
his or her position by written statements, an application may be set
for public hearing.
Issued in Washington, DC on December 15, 2005.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. E5-7570 Filed 12-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
