Adjustment of Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold, 70623 [2013-28298]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 26, 2013 / Notices F2308–1 Certification Regarding Lobbying for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements. ACTION: SIGNED CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS The statements must say that they, or members of their immediate families, do not have a personal, business or financial interest in any DOT-funded transportation projects, nor any relationships with local or state transportation agencies that may have the appearance of a conflict of interest. SUMMARY: [FR Doc. 2013–28363 Filed 11–25–13; 8:45 am] Background BILLING CODE 4910–9X––P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–1999–6439, Notice No. 24] Adjustment of Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Applying the fatality rate and injury rate to the probable number of fatalities and casualties predicted to occur at each of the 42,544 identified crossings and the predicted cost of the associated injuries and fatalities, FRA calculates the NSRT to be 14,347. Accordingly, this updated NSRT value will serve as one threshold of permissible risk for quiet zones established across the nation pursuant to 49 CFR part 222. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:04 Nov 25, 2013 In accordance with appendix D to title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 222, Use of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings, FRA is updating the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT). This action is needed to ensure that the public has the proper threshold of permissible risk for calculating quiet zones established in relationship to the NSRT. This is the sixth update to the NSRT, which is increasing from 13,722 to 14,347. DATES: The effective date of this notice is November 26, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ronald Ries, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493–6299, Ronald.Ries@dot.gov; or Kathryn Shelton, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493–6038, Kathryn.Shelton@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Jkt 232001 The NSRT is an average of the risk indexes for gated public crossings nationwide where train horns are routinely sounded. FRA developed this risk index to serve as one threshold of permissible risk for quiet zones established across the nation under 49 CFR part 222, Use of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings. Thus, a community that is trying to establish and/or maintain its quiet zone, pursuant to 49 CFR part 222, can compare the Quiet Zone Risk Index calculated for its specific crossing corridor to the NSRT to determine whether sufficient measures have been taken to compensate for the excess risk that results from prohibiting routine sounding of the locomotive horn. (In the alternative, a community can establish its quiet zone in comparison to the Risk Index With Horns, which is defined in 49 CFR 222.9 as a measure of risk to the motoring public when locomotive horns are routinely sounded at every public highway-rail grade crossing within a quiet zone.) FRA has been updating the NSRT since 2006, when it was calculated to be 17,030 (71 FR 47614, August 17, 2006). In 2007, FRA recalculated the NSRT to be 19,047 (72 FR 14850, March 29, 2007). In 2008, FRA recalculated the NSRT to be 17,610 (73 FR 30661, May 28, 2008). In 2009, FRA recalculated the NSRT to be 18,775 (74 FR 45270, September 1, 2009). In 2010, FRA recalculated the NSRT to be 14,007 (75 FR 82136, December 29, 2010). FRA’s last update to the NSRT was made in 2012, when it was calculated to be 13,722 (77 FR 546, January 5, 2012). New NSRT Using collision data over a five-year period from 2008 to 2012, FRA has recalculated the NSRT based on formulas identified in appendix D to 49 CFR part 222. In making this recalculation, FRA noted that the total number of gated crossings nationwide where train horns are routinely sounded was 42,544. Issued in Washington, DC on November 21, 2013. Robert C. Lauby, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [FR Doc. 2013–28298 Filed 11–25–13; 8:45 am] [Docket No. PHMSA–2009–0203] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P PO 00000 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee and the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT. AGENCY: Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26NON1.SGM 26NON1 EN26NO13.204</GPH> 12. STANDARD FORM 424 Complete Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance. Note: All forms can be downloaded from U.S. Department of Transportation Web site at https://www.dot.gov/gsearch/424%2Bform. PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL FORMS HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL WHO CAN LEGALLY REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION. Issued in Washington, DC on November 18, 2013. Brandon Neal, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation . Notice of adjustment of Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold. 70623

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 70623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28298]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-1999-6439, Notice No. 24]


Adjustment of Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold

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

ACTION: Notice of adjustment of Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with appendix D to title 49 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) part 222, Use of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-
Rail Grade Crossings, FRA is updating the Nationwide Significant Risk 
Threshold (NSRT). This action is needed to ensure that the public has 
the proper threshold of permissible risk for calculating quiet zones 
established in relationship to the NSRT. This is the sixth update to 
the NSRT, which is increasing from 13,722 to 14,347.

DATES: The effective date of this notice is November 26, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ronald Ries, Office of Railroad 
Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 
493-6299, Ronald.Ries@dot.gov; or Kathryn Shelton, Office of Chief 
Counsel, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 
493-6038, Kathryn.Shelton@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The NSRT is an average of the risk indexes for gated public 
crossings nationwide where train horns are routinely sounded. FRA 
developed this risk index to serve as one threshold of permissible risk 
for quiet zones established across the nation under 49 CFR part 222, 
Use of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings. Thus, a 
community that is trying to establish and/or maintain its quiet zone, 
pursuant to 49 CFR part 222, can compare the Quiet Zone Risk Index 
calculated for its specific crossing corridor to the NSRT to determine 
whether sufficient measures have been taken to compensate for the 
excess risk that results from prohibiting routine sounding of the 
locomotive horn. (In the alternative, a community can establish its 
quiet zone in comparison to the Risk Index With Horns, which is defined 
in 49 CFR 222.9 as a measure of risk to the motoring public when 
locomotive horns are routinely sounded at every public highway-rail 
grade crossing within a quiet zone.)
    FRA has been updating the NSRT since 2006, when it was calculated 
to be 17,030 (71 FR 47614, August 17, 2006). In 2007, FRA recalculated 
the NSRT to be 19,047 (72 FR 14850, March 29, 2007). In 2008, FRA 
recalculated the NSRT to be 17,610 (73 FR 30661, May 28, 2008). In 
2009, FRA recalculated the NSRT to be 18,775 (74 FR 45270, September 1, 
2009). In 2010, FRA recalculated the NSRT to be 14,007 (75 FR 82136, 
December 29, 2010). FRA's last update to the NSRT was made in 2012, 
when it was calculated to be 13,722 (77 FR 546, January 5, 2012).

New NSRT

    Using collision data over a five-year period from 2008 to 2012, FRA 
has recalculated the NSRT based on formulas identified in appendix D to 
49 CFR part 222. In making this recalculation, FRA noted that the total 
number of gated crossings nationwide where train horns are routinely 
sounded was 42,544.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN26NO13.204

    Applying the fatality rate and injury rate to the probable number 
of fatalities and casualties predicted to occur at each of the 42,544 
identified crossings and the predicted cost of the associated injuries 
and fatalities, FRA calculates the NSRT to be 14,347. Accordingly, this 
updated NSRT value will serve as one threshold of permissible risk for 
quiet zones established across the nation pursuant to 49 CFR part 222.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 21, 2013.
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-28298 Filed 11-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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