Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES); Northeast Corridor (NEC) Railroads, 33034-33035 [E6-8859]

Download as PDF rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES 33034 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 7, 2006 / Notices approval. 71 FR 16412. FRA received no comments after issuing this notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12(c). Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30 day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)–(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30 day notice informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. The summary below describes the nature of the information collection requirement (ICR) and the expected burden. The proposed requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by the PRA. Title: FRA Emergency Order No. 24. OMB Control Number: 2130–0568. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Railroads. Form(s): N/A. Abstract: The collection of information is due to a recent rash of railroad accidents caused by human failure to properly set hand-operated main track switches in non-signaled territory. FRA has determined that public safety compels the issuance of Emergency Order No. 24 and necessitates this collection of information in order that railroads modify their operating rules and take certain other actions necessary to ensure that their employees who operate handoperated main track switches in nonsignaled territory restore the switches to their proper (normal) position after use. The Emergency Order is intended to reduce the risk of serious injury or death both to railroad employees and the general public. Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 11,078 hours. Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:54 Jun 06, 2006 Jkt 208001 Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department’s estimates of the burden of the proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. Issued in Washington, DC on May 31, 2006. D.J. Stadtler, Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. E6–8785 Filed 6–6–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA 2001–9972; Formerly FRA Docket No. 87–2] [Notice No. 17] RIN 2130–AB20 Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES); Northeast Corridor (NEC) Railroads Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Amendment to Order of Particular Applicability Requiring ACSES Between New Haven, Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts—Rescission of Temporary Nighttime Operating Protocols. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In 1998, FRA issued an Order of Particular Applicability (Order) requiring all trains operating on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between New Haven, Connecticut, and Boston, Massachusetts (NEC—North End) to be equipped to respond to the new Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES). In 2002, CSXT Transportation (CSXT) requested, and FRA granted, permission to run its nighttime operations under temporary PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 operating protocols until further notice. In March 2006, both CSXT and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) requested that FRA rescind the 2002 CSXT nighttime operating protocols because advancements in the ACSES system had made them unnecessary. On May 1, 2006, FRA notified CSXT and Amtrak by letter that it had agreed to rescind the CSXT nighttime protocols as requested. This amendment conforms the Order accordingly. The amendments to the Order are effective June 7, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Weber, Railroad Safety Specialist, Signal and Train Control Division, Office of Safety, Mail Stop 25, FRA, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 493–6258) or Patricia V. Sun, Office of Chief Counsel, Mail Stop 10, FRA, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 493–6038). ADDRESSES: Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL– 401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Order, as published on July 22, 1998, set performance standards for cab signal/ automatic train control and ACSES systems, increased certain maximum authorized train speeds, and contained safety requirements supporting improved rail service on the NEC. 63 FR 39343. Among other requirements, the Order required all trains operating on track controlled by Amtrak on the NEC—North End to be controlled by locomotives equipped to respond to ACSES by October 1, 1999. FRA has subsequently amended the Order nine times to reset the implementation schedule and make technical changes. 64 FR 54410, October 6, 1999; 65 FR 62795, October 19, 2000; 66 FR 1718, January 9, 2001; 66 FR 34512, June 28, 2001; 66 FR 57771, November 16, 2001; 67 FR 6753, February 12, 2002; 67 FR 14769, March 22, 2002; 67 FR 47884, July 22, 2002; and 69 FR 12733, March 17, 2004. The tenth amendment to this Order is effective upon publication instead of 30 days after the publication date in order to realize the significant safety and transportation benefits afforded by the ACSES system at the earliest possible time. All affected parties have been notified. DATES: E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM 07JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 7, 2006 / Notices FRA is not reopening the comment period since the amendment to this Order is necessary to avoid disruption of rail service. Under these circumstances, delaying the effective date of the amendment to allow for notice and comment would be impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. Rescission of Temporary Nighttime Operating Protocols rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES In 2002, CSXT requested that FRA extend a June 2001 exception that allowed it to run under modified temporary operating protocols until field testing of Amtrak software on freight operations had been completed. FRA agreed to this request, and on July 22, 2002, published Notice No. 15 (67 FR 47884), which amended the Order by allowing CSXT to operate trains along the NEC—North End between the hours of 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. with ACSES cut out, without prior notification to the Amtrak dispatcher, to reduce the number of penalty brake applications experienced during switching operations. In a series of joint meetings, Amtrak, CSXT, and FRA agreed that upgrades to the ACSES system’s wayside and onboard hardware and software components had improved their reliability to the point where CSXT could now safely operate on the NEC— North End with its on-board ACSES apparatus cut in and without unexpected penalty brake applications. On May 1, 2006, FRA notified CSXT and Amtrak by letter that it had granted their requests to rescind the 2002 CSXT temporary nighttime operating protocols. The amendment to this Order rescinds those protocols only; the positive stop requirement providing entrance to track 4 at Attleboro remains in place. Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Final Order of Particular Applicability published at 63 FR 39343, July 22, 1998 (Order) is amended as follows: 1. The authority for the Order continues to read as follows: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20501–20505 (1994); and 49 CFR 1.49(f), (g), and (m). 2. Subparagraph (a)(1) of paragraph 13 is removed and reserved. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2006. Joseph H. Boardman, Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–8859 Filed 6–6–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Surface Transportation Board Bureau of the Public Debt [STB Finance Docket No. 34876] Proposed Collection: Comment Request BNSF Railway Company—Temporary Trackage Rights Exemption—Norfolk Southern Railway Company Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) has agreed to grant temporary trackage rights to BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) between milepost S241.9, at C.A. Junction, MO, and milepost S250.6, at Maxwell, MO, NSR’s Kansas City District, a distance of 8.7 miles. The transaction was scheduled to be consummated on May 28, 2006. The temporary trackage rights were to expire on May 30, 2006. The purpose of this transaction is for bridging BNSF’s train service while the BNSF main lines are out of service. As a condition to this exemption, any employees affected by the acquisition of temporary trackage rights will be protected by the conditions imposed in Norfolk and Western Ry. Co.—Trackage Rights—BN, 354 I.C.C. 605 (1978), as modified in Mendocino Coast Ry., Inc.— Lease and Operate, 360 I.C.C. 653 (1980), and any employees affected by the discontinuance of these temporary trackage rights will be protected by the conditions set out in Oregon Short Line R. Co.—Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). This notice is filed under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(8). If it contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB Finance Docket No. 34876, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423– 0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on Sidney L. Strickland Jr., Sidney Strickland and Associates, PLLC, 3050 K Street, NW., Suite 101, Washington, DC 20007. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at https:// www.stb.dot.gov. Decided: June 1, 2006. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–8849 Filed 6–6–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:54 Jun 06, 2006 Jkt 208001 33035 PO 00000 Frm 00123 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice and request for comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently the Bureau of the Public Debt within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning the Request by owner or person entitled to payment or reissue of United States Savings Bonds/Notes deposited in safekeeping when original custody receipts are not available. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before August 7, 2006, to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Bureau of the Public Debt, Vicki S. Thorpe, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg, WV 26106–1328, or Vicki.Thorpe@bpd.treas.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Vicki S. Thorpe, Bureau of the Public Debt, 200 Third Street, Parkersburg, WV 26106–1328, (304) 480–6553. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Request by Owner or Person Entitled to Payment or Reissue of United States Savings Bonds/Notes Deposited in Safekeeping When Original Custody Receipts Are Not Available. OMB Number: 1535–0063. Form Number: PD F 4239. Abstract: The information is requested to establish ownership and request reissue or payment when original custody receipts are not available. Current Actions: None. Type of Review: Extension Affected Public: Individuals. Estimated Number of Respondents: 200. Estimated Time per Respondent: 10 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 34. Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will E:\FR\FM\07JNN1.SGM 07JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33034-33035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8859]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2001-9972; Formerly FRA Docket No. 87-2]
[Notice No. 17]
RIN 2130-AB20


Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Advanced Civil Speed 
Enforcement System (ACSES); Northeast Corridor (NEC) Railroads

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Amendment to Order of Particular Applicability Requiring ACSES 
Between New Haven, Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts--Rescission of 
Temporary Nighttime Operating Protocols.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In 1998, FRA issued an Order of Particular Applicability 
(Order) requiring all trains operating on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) 
between New Haven, Connecticut, and Boston, Massachusetts (NEC--North 
End) to be equipped to respond to the new Advanced Civil Speed 
Enforcement System (ACSES). In 2002, CSXT Transportation (CSXT) 
requested, and FRA granted, permission to run its nighttime operations 
under temporary operating protocols until further notice. In March 
2006, both CSXT and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation 
(Amtrak) requested that FRA rescind the 2002 CSXT nighttime operating 
protocols because advancements in the ACSES system had made them 
unnecessary. On May 1, 2006, FRA notified CSXT and Amtrak by letter 
that it had agreed to rescind the CSXT nighttime protocols as 
requested. This amendment conforms the Order accordingly.

DATES: The amendments to the Order are effective June 7, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Weber, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, Signal and Train Control Division, Office of Safety, Mail 
Stop 25, FRA, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 
493-6258) or Patricia V. Sun, Office of Chief Counsel, Mail Stop 10, 
FRA, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 493-6038).

ADDRESSES: Docket: For access to the docket to read background 
documents or comments received, go to https://dms.dot.gov at any time or 
to Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Order, as published on July 22, 1998, 
set performance standards for cab signal/automatic train control and 
ACSES systems, increased certain maximum authorized train speeds, and 
contained safety requirements supporting improved rail service on the 
NEC. 63 FR 39343. Among other requirements, the Order required all 
trains operating on track controlled by Amtrak on the NEC--North End to 
be controlled by locomotives equipped to respond to ACSES by October 1, 
1999. FRA has subsequently amended the Order nine times to reset the 
implementation schedule and make technical changes. 64 FR 54410, 
October 6, 1999; 65 FR 62795, October 19, 2000; 66 FR 1718, January 9, 
2001; 66 FR 34512, June 28, 2001; 66 FR 57771, November 16, 2001; 67 FR 
6753, February 12, 2002; 67 FR 14769, March 22, 2002; 67 FR 47884, July 
22, 2002; and 69 FR 12733, March 17, 2004.
    The tenth amendment to this Order is effective upon publication 
instead of 30 days after the publication date in order to realize the 
significant safety and transportation benefits afforded by the ACSES 
system at the earliest possible time. All affected parties have been 
notified.

[[Page 33035]]

    FRA is not reopening the comment period since the amendment to this 
Order is necessary to avoid disruption of rail service. Under these 
circumstances, delaying the effective date of the amendment to allow 
for notice and comment would be impracticable, unnecessary, and 
contrary to the public interest.

Rescission of Temporary Nighttime Operating Protocols

    In 2002, CSXT requested that FRA extend a June 2001 exception that 
allowed it to run under modified temporary operating protocols until 
field testing of Amtrak software on freight operations had been 
completed. FRA agreed to this request, and on July 22, 2002, published 
Notice No. 15 (67 FR 47884), which amended the Order by allowing CSXT 
to operate trains along the NEC--North End between the hours of 12 a.m. 
to 5 a.m. with ACSES cut out, without prior notification to the Amtrak 
dispatcher, to reduce the number of penalty brake applications 
experienced during switching operations.
    In a series of joint meetings, Amtrak, CSXT, and FRA agreed that 
upgrades to the ACSES system's wayside and on-board hardware and 
software components had improved their reliability to the point where 
CSXT could now safely operate on the NEC--North End with its on-board 
ACSES apparatus cut in and without unexpected penalty brake 
applications. On May 1, 2006, FRA notified CSXT and Amtrak by letter 
that it had granted their requests to rescind the 2002 CSXT temporary 
nighttime operating protocols. The amendment to this Order rescinds 
those protocols only; the positive stop requirement providing entrance 
to track 4 at Attleboro remains in place.
    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Final 
Order of Particular Applicability published at 63 FR 39343, July 22, 
1998 (Order) is amended as follows:
    1. The authority for the Order continues to read as follows: 49 
U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20501-20505 (1994); and 49 CFR 1.49(f), (g), and 
(m).
    2. Subparagraph (a)(1) of paragraph 13 is removed and reserved.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2006.
Joseph H. Boardman,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E6-8859 Filed 6-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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