Establishment of the Federal Transit Administration Advisory Committee for Transit Safety, 62630-62631 [E9-28532]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Notices
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VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:58 Nov 27, 2009
Jkt 220001
Issued on: November 17, 2009.
Johnny M Gerbitz,
Field Operations Engineer, Federal Highway
Administration, Madison, Wisconsin.
[FR Doc. E9–28452 Filed 11–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Establishment of the Federal Transit
Administration Advisory Committee for
Transit Safety
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to establish a
Federal Advisory Committee.
SUMMARY: On November 23, 2009, the
Secretary of Transportation authorized
the establishment of a Federal Advisory
Committee to address transit safety
issues. The Transit Rail Advisory
Committee for Safety (TRACS) will
consist of up to 25 voting members and
will provide recommendations to the
Secretary of Transportation through the
Federal Transit Administrator regarding
transit safety and other issues.
DATES: This charter is effective on
December 8, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Flanigon, Director, Office of Safety
and Security, Federal Transit
Administration, 202–366–0235 or
Mike.Flanigon@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. Background
Nationwide, rail transit is considered
one of the safest modes of transportation
with more than 7 million people
boarding rail transit vehicles in the
United States each day. Transit agencies
have fewer fatalities and injuries than
does any other mode of transportation.
Over the last five years, however, the
industry’s safety record, while still low,
has deteriorated. Rates per million
passenger miles between 2003 and 2008
on rail transit systems, not regulated by
Federal Railroad Administration are as
follows:
Derailment rates are up from 0.23 to 0.38.
Collision rates are up from 0.2 to 0.8 .
Passenger Fatality rates are up from 0.43 to
0.60 (all causes except suicide).
Passenger fatality rates from train
collisions have held steady at 1 per year (9
in 2009).
Employee right of way fatalities are steady
at 3 per year (double the average number
during the previous 15 years).
Major accidents in Chicago,
Washington, DC, San Francisco, and
Boston have captured the attention of
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the public and raised widespread
concern regarding the industry’s
commitment to the safety of its
passengers and employees. For example,
the 2006 derailment of a CTA Blue Line
train in Chicago involved aging
infrastructure that did not meet agency
safety standards and yet remained in
service.
In response to this series of accidents,
the Secretary of Transportation
established the Rail Transit Safety Work
Group, an internal Departmental work
group with representatives from several
administrations, to evaluate the Federal
role in transit safety. After deliberating,
the work group recommended that the
Secretary establish an advisory
committee for transit safety. The
Secretary accepted the recommendation
and authorized the establishment of an
advisory committee for the purpose of
analyzing transit safety issues and
developing recommendations for
minimum, national transit safety
standards.
The establishment of an advisory
committee for transit safety serves the
public interest by providing a forum for
the development, consideration, and
communication of information from
knowledgeable and independent
perspectives. The level of expertise and
balanced viewpoints of this committee
will enable early identification of
potential problem areas and accelerate
corrective actions, thereby creating
greater safety and public confidence in
the Nation’s public transportation
systems.
In accordance with the requirements
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act,
5 U.S.C. App. 2 (FACA), the Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) is
publishing this notice to announce the
Secretary’s intent to establish an
advisory committee. The Transit Rail
Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS)
will have the objective to provide advice
and recommendations to the
Administrator of FTA regarding transit
safety issues.
No determination of fact or policy
will be made by the TRACS. The
TRACS will meet as necessary to carry
out its duties, but is expected to meet at
least twice a year. Meetings of
subcommittees or work groups may
occur more frequently. The FTA
Administrator on behalf of the Secretary
of Transportation will name an
Executive Director for the committee
who will also serve as the Designated
Federal Official responsible for ensuring
compliance with the requirements of
FACA. Members of the public may
review the draft charter for TRACS at
FTA’s Web site located at https://
fta.dot.gov.
E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 228 / Monday, November 30, 2009 / Notices
Issued this 24th day of November, 2009, in
Washington, DC.
Peter M. Rogoff,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9–28532 Filed 11–24–09; 4:15 pm]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) has
received a request for a waiver of
compliance from certain requirements
of its safety standards. The individual
petition is described below, including
the party seeking relief, the regulatory
provisions involved, the nature of the
relief being requested, and the
petitioner’s arguments in favor of relief.
Mohawk Adirondack and Northern
Railroad Corporation
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
[Waiver Petition Docket Number FRA–2009–
0063]
The Mohawk Adirondack and
Northern Railroad (MHWA), a Class III
railroad, seeks a waiver of compliance
from the requirements of 49 CFR 223.11
Requirements for existing locomotives.
Specifically, MHWA has petitioned FRA
for a waiver for one 80-ton, 470
horsepower diesel electric locomotive
numbered 1670. This locomotive was
built for the United States Air Force by
General Electric in March 1952.
MHWA operates this locomotive on a
terminal/switching railroad at the
former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome,
New York, presently called the Griffiss
Industrial Park. MHWA operates at
speeds of 10 miles per hour (or less) and
hauls 1–3 cars on a twice weekly basis.
The locomotive is equipped with safety
laminate glass (AS–1, AS–2) and is
serviced & maintained by MHWA at
Rome, New York. MHWA states that the
railroad is private and will occasionally
interchange to the general system which
is accomplished with CSX Railroad
interchange tracks at Rome, NY.
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.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:58 Nov 27, 2009
Jkt 220001
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver
Petition Docket Number FRA–2009–
0063) and may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
• Web site: https://
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 within 45
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://www.regulations.gov.
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
document (or signing the document, 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 (65 FR
19477) or at https://www.dot.gov/
privacy.html.
Issued in Washington, DC on November 23,
2009.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E9–28483 Filed 11–27–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) has
received a request for a waiver of
compliance from certain requirements
of its safety standards. The individual
petition is described below, including
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Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
62631
the party seeking relief, the regulatory
provisions involved, the nature of the
relief being requested, and the
petitioner’s arguments in favor of relief.
Association of American Railroads
[Waiver Petition Docket Number FRA–2009–
0102]
The Association of American
Railroads (AAR) has petitioned, on
behalf of its member railroads, for a
temporary waiver of compliance from
the requirements of 49 CFR
232.109(g)(2), which state that
locomotives placed into service for the
first time on or after October 1, 2007,
shall display in real-time in the cab of
the controlling (lead) locomotive the
total train dynamic brake retarding force
available in the train. AAR petition
seeks relief due to conflicts found in the
common communication channel,
known as ‘‘C–Band’’ shared by the
dynamic brake system reporting (DBSR)
and Electronic Controlled Pneumatic
(ECP) brake systems. AAR requests this
relief until January 1, 2011, to allow it
the time to have conversion modules
manufactured and installed on its
members’ locomotives.
AAR states that when locomotives
equipped with ECP brakes were placed
in service, it was discovered that
operation of the ECP systems and DBSR
conflicted due to the sharing of a
common communications band, the
C–Band. Consequently, AAR developed
a standard (S–5509) in February 2008,
providing for using the A–Band for
DBSR. During the period of
modification and conversion of its
members’ locomotives, there will be
times when the total train dynamic
brake retarding force required by 49 CFR
232.109(g)(2) cannot be displayed in the
controlling locomotive because some
locomotives will be equipped to
transmit on A–Band and some on C–
Band. AAR further states that during the
period of conversion, the engineer shall
be provided with a record of dynamic
brake operational status as required by
49 CFR 232.109(a).
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–2009–
E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 228 (Monday, November 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62630-62631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28532]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Establishment of the Federal Transit Administration Advisory
Committee for Transit Safety
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to establish a Federal Advisory Committee.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On November 23, 2009, the Secretary of Transportation
authorized the establishment of a Federal Advisory Committee to address
transit safety issues. The Transit Rail Advisory Committee for Safety
(TRACS) will consist of up to 25 voting members and will provide
recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation through the Federal
Transit Administrator regarding transit safety and other issues.
DATES: This charter is effective on December 8, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Flanigon, Director, Office of
Safety and Security, Federal Transit Administration, 202-366-0235 or
Mike.Flanigon@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. Background
Nationwide, rail transit is considered one of the safest modes of
transportation with more than 7 million people boarding rail transit
vehicles in the United States each day. Transit agencies have fewer
fatalities and injuries than does any other mode of transportation.
Over the last five years, however, the industry's safety record, while
still low, has deteriorated. Rates per million passenger miles between
2003 and 2008 on rail transit systems, not regulated by Federal
Railroad Administration are as follows:
Derailment rates are up from 0.23 to 0.38. Collision rates are
up from 0.2 to 0.8 .
Passenger Fatality rates are up from 0.43 to 0.60 (all causes
except suicide).
Passenger fatality rates from train collisions have held steady
at 1 per year (9 in 2009).
Employee right of way fatalities are steady at 3 per year
(double the average number during the previous 15 years).
Major accidents in Chicago, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and
Boston have captured the attention of the public and raised widespread
concern regarding the industry's commitment to the safety of its
passengers and employees. For example, the 2006 derailment of a CTA
Blue Line train in Chicago involved aging infrastructure that did not
meet agency safety standards and yet remained in service.
In response to this series of accidents, the Secretary of
Transportation established the Rail Transit Safety Work Group, an
internal Departmental work group with representatives from several
administrations, to evaluate the Federal role in transit safety. After
deliberating, the work group recommended that the Secretary establish
an advisory committee for transit safety. The Secretary accepted the
recommendation and authorized the establishment of an advisory
committee for the purpose of analyzing transit safety issues and
developing recommendations for minimum, national transit safety
standards.
The establishment of an advisory committee for transit safety
serves the public interest by providing a forum for the development,
consideration, and communication of information from knowledgeable and
independent perspectives. The level of expertise and balanced
viewpoints of this committee will enable early identification of
potential problem areas and accelerate corrective actions, thereby
creating greater safety and public confidence in the Nation's public
transportation systems.
In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (FACA), the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) is publishing this notice to announce the
Secretary's intent to establish an advisory committee. The Transit Rail
Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) will have the objective to
provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator of FTA
regarding transit safety issues.
No determination of fact or policy will be made by the TRACS. The
TRACS will meet as necessary to carry out its duties, but is expected
to meet at least twice a year. Meetings of subcommittees or work groups
may occur more frequently. The FTA Administrator on behalf of the
Secretary of Transportation will name an Executive Director for the
committee who will also serve as the Designated Federal Official
responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of FACA.
Members of the public may review the draft charter for TRACS at FTA's
Web site located at https://fta.dot.gov.
[[Page 62631]]
Issued this 24th day of November, 2009, in Washington, DC.
Peter M. Rogoff,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-28532 Filed 11-24-09; 4:15 pm]
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