Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws, 60862-60863 [2010-24693]

Download as PDF 60862 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 190 / Friday, October 1, 2010 / Notices not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. Issued on: September 28, 2010. Charles A. Horan III, Director, Office of Bus and Truck Standards and Operations. [FR Doc. 2010–24726 Filed 9–30–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–1999–5748; FMCSA– 1999–6156; FMCSA–1999–6480; FMCSA– 2001–11426; FMCSA–2002–12294; FMCSA– 2005–22194; FMCSA–2006–24015; FMCA– 2008–0106; FMCSA–2008–0174] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Renewals; Vision Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 18 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained, Director, Medical Programs, (202) 366– 4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W64–224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Background FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding. Conclusion The Agency has not received any adverse evidence on any of these drivers that indicates that safety is being compromised. Based upon its evaluation of the 18 renewal applications, FMCSA renews the Federal vision exemptions for Juan D. Adame, Frank R. Berritto, Daniel K. Davis, III, Timothy J. Droeger, Robert E. Engel, James H. Facemyre, James M. Fairman, Gregory L. Farrar, Jeffrey M. Hall, Victor B. Hawks, Oskia D. Johnson, Richard W. O’Neill, Larry A. Priewe, Robert J. Szeman, Patrick D. Talley, Loren R. Walker, Kris Wells and Timothy J. Wilson. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, each renewal exemption will be valid for 2 years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. Issued on: September 21, 2010. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development. [FR Doc. 2010–24724 Filed 9–30–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. MARAD–2010–0083] Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel HAWK. AGENCY: As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD–2010– SUMMARY: Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption for a 2year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The comment period ended on September 16, 2010 (75 FR 50799). VerDate Mar<15>2010 Discussion of Comments 17:34 Sep 30, 2010 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00152 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 0083 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter’s interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in § 388.4 of MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part 388. DATES: Submit comments on or before November 1, 2010. ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD–2010–0083. Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. You may also send comments electronically via the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. All comments will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection and copying at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An electronic version of this document and all documents entered into this docket is available on the World Wide Web at https:// www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joann Spittle, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W21–203, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202– 366–5979. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As described by the applicant the intended service of the vessel HAWK is: INTENDED COMMERCIAL USE OF VESSEL: ‘‘Day charter, eco/historic tourism.’’ Geographic Region: ‘‘Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.’’ Privacy Act Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM 01OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 190 / Friday, October 1, 2010 / Notices 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). By Order of the Maritime Administrator. Dated: September 21, 2010. Christine Gurland, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. 2010–24693 Filed 9–30–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–81–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Safety Advisory 2010–02 Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory; Signal Recording Devices for HighwayRail Grade Crossing Active Warning Systems that are Interconnected with Highway Traffic Signal Systems. AGENCY: FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2010–02 to address Safety Recommendations I–96–10 and I–96–11, issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that relate to railroad and highway signal recording devices at highway-rail grade crossings equipped with active warning systems that are interconnected with highway traffic signal systems. This safety advisory recommends that States, local highway authorities, and railroads install, maintain, and upgrade railroad and highway traffic signal recording devices at these types of grade crossings. This safety advisory also recommends that States, local highway authorities, and railroads conduct comprehensive periodic joint inspections of highway traffic signal pre-emption interconnections and use information obtained from any railroad and highway traffic signal recording devices during those inspections. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Ries, Staff Director, Highway-Rail Grade Crossing & Trespasser Prevention Division, FRA, RRS–23, Mail Stop 25, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6285); Thomas McFarlin, Staff Director, Signal & Train Control Division, FRA, RRS–13, Mail Stop 25, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6203); or Kathy Shelton, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, RCC–11, Mail Stop 10, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:34 Sep 30, 2010 Jkt 220001 Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6063). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Safety Recommendation I–96–10, the NTSB recommended that DOT require the use and maintenance of railroad and highway traffic signal recording devices at all new and improved highway-rail grade crossings equipped with active warning systems that are interconnected with highway traffic signal systems. These devices should be capable of recording sufficient parameters to allow railroad and highway personnel to readily determine that the highway traffic signals and railroad active warning systems are operating properly and in a coordinated manner. The NTSB further recommended that DOT require the use of information obtained from these railroad and highway traffic signal recording devices during comprehensive and periodic joint inspections. In Safety Recommendation I–96–11, the NTSB recommended that DOT require the retention or upgrading of existing recording devices installed at highway-rail grade crossings equipped with active railroad warning systems that are interconnected with highway traffic signal systems. In addition, the NTSB recommended that DOT require maintenance of these recording devices and the use of information obtained from the devices during comprehensive and periodic joint inspections. Highway traffic signal pre-emption interconnections, when present, play a critical role in the proper functioning of a highway-rail grade crossing active warning system. By changing the sequence of the traffic signal to allow highway traffic to exit the crossing prior to the arrival of a train, they can prevent vehicle entrapment on the highway-rail grade crossing. Also, the changed traffic signal sequence prevents conflicting visual traffic control messages for motorists approaching highway-rail grade crossings located in close proximity to highway traffic control signals (i.e., a proceed highway traffic signal display into a nearby highwayrail grade crossing active warning system which is activated to indicate the approach or occupancy of a train). In order to facilitate the proper functioning of the highway traffic signal pre-emption interconnection, 49 CFR 234.261 requires that railroads test each highway traffic signal pre-emption interconnection at least once each month. Therefore, States, local highway authorities, and railroads should identify which highway-rail grade crossings are equipped, or intended to be equipped, with a highway traffic PO 00000 Frm 00153 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60863 signal pre-emption interconnection. If so equipped, railroads should ensure that the circuit plan shows the actual interconnection and the designed preemption time. Railroads should also ensure that the interconnection is in place and the train detection device (or equivalent) is programmed or equipped to provide the appropriate designed preemption function. While FRA regulations require the testing of highway traffic signal preemption interconnections at least once a month, this requirement has historically only been applicable to the proper functioning of the railroad’s control circuit to the highway traffic controller. While inspecting the highway traffic signal pre-emption interconnection, the actual operation of the highway traffic signal should be observed. Railroads should not rely solely on the operation of a relay or the opening of a control circuit to the traffic signal control housing. In fact, the preferred method of testing highway traffic signal preemption is by observation of a train movement and of the actual preemption function. Therefore, FRA recommends that railroads conduct comprehensive joint inspections of the highway traffic signal pre-emption interconnection with State and local highway authorities. These comprehensive joint inspections should be conducted when the highway-rail grade crossing active warning system is placed in service, whenever any portion of the system which may affect the proper function of the interconnection is modified or disarranged, and at least once every 12 months, during which observation of the actual pre-emption function and its effect on the highway traffic signal system can be made. These comprehensive periodic joint inspections should also include an inspection of the timing and operation of highway traffic signal systems that are interconnected with highway-rail grade crossing active warning devices, in order to ensure that the highway traffic signal system responds appropriately to the railroad control circuit and as designed. By conducting comprehensive periodic joint inspections, the railroad and State and local highway authorities can work together to observe and verify proper functioning of all necessary components of the highway traffic signal preemption upon activation of the highway-rail grade crossing active warning system. Neither the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) nor FRA require the retention or installation of railroad or highway signal recording devices at highway-rail grade crossings E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM 01OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60862-60863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24693]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket No. MARAD-2010-0083]


Requested Administrative Waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Invitation for public comments on a requested administrative 
waiver of the Coastwise Trade Laws for the vessel HAWK.

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

SUMMARY: As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of 
Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 
is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the 
coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver 
has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the 
proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in 
DOT docket MARAD-2010-0083 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested 
parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel 
builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD 
determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations 
at 46 CFR part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of 
the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder 
or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver 
will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this 
notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the 
comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the 
waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec.  
388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 1, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD-2010-0083. 
Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket 
Clerk, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590. You may also send comments electronically via the 
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. All comments will become part 
of this docket and will be available for inspection and copying at the 
above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. An electronic version of this document and all 
documents entered into this docket is available on the World Wide Web 
at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joann Spittle, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Room W21-203, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202-366-5979.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As described by the applicant the intended 
service of the vessel HAWK is: INTENDED COMMERCIAL USE OF VESSEL: ``Day 
charter, eco/historic tourism.''
    Geographic Region: ``Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New 
York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Georgia, Florida.''

Privacy Act

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the

[[Page 60863]]

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).

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.

    Dated: September 21, 2010.
Christine Gurland,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-24693 Filed 9-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.