Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System, 28434-28435 [2021-11123]

Download as PDF 28434 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 26, 2021 / Notices ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366– 9317 or (202) 366–9826 before visiting Dockets Operations. B. Privacy Act In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.transportation.gov/privacy. II. Background On April 6, 2021, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision to renew exemptions for 15 individuals from the hearing standard in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (86 FR 17882). The public comment period ended on May 6, 2021, and no comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing these exemptions would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by complying with § 391.41(b)(11). The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding hearing found in § 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person first perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard (formerly ASA Standard) Z24.5—1951. This standard was adopted in 1970 and was revised in 1971 to allow drivers to be qualified under this standard while wearing a hearing aid, 35 FR 6458, 6463 (April 22, 1970) and 36 FR 12857 (July 3, 1971). III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received no comments in this proceeding. IV. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the 15 renewal exemption applications, FMCSA announces its decision to exempt the following drivers from the hearing requirement in § 391.41(b)(11). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:00 May 25, 2021 Jkt 253001 As of April 21, 2021, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following 15 individuals have satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the hearing requirement in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (86 FR 17882): Maurice N. Abenchuchan (FL) Ron Adkins (MO) Prince K. Bempong (TX) Keith Byrd (TN) Perry Cobb (TN) Kevin Dent (MS) Nathaniel Godfrey (KY) Daniel Grossinger (MD) Dwayne Johnson (IL) Paul Langlois (OH) Reynaldo Martinez (TX) Floyd McClain (OH) Brian Peek (GA) Lon E. Smith (MS) John Turner, III (CO) The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA–2013–0121, FMCSA– 2014–0103, FMCSA–2014–0105, FMCSA–2014–0106, FMCSA–2014– 0107, FMCSA–2014–0385, FMCSA– 2015–0327, FMCSA–2015–0329, FMCSA–2016–0002, or FMCSA–2018– 0137. Their exemptions were applicable as of April 21, 2021, and will expire on April 21, 2023. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid for 2 years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (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 prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b). Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2021–11110 Filed 5–25–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2021–0022] Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or Modification of a Railroad Signal System Under part 235 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that on January 31, 2021, the Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2021–0022. Specifically, BRC requests permission to make permanent modifications to multiple locations on its 59th Street Line between milepost (MP) 3.10F, Narragansett, and MP 0.0F, 55th Street. The modifications will include the removal of an interlocking plant, modification of an interlocking’s configuration, and installation of new intermediate signals located on BRC’s Kenton Line at MP 6.7. BRC states that the removal of these signals will eliminate superfluous signals with a commensurate reduction in the cost of maintenance. A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov. 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 parties desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, 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 and may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Website: https://www.regulations. gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12– 140, Washington, DC 20590. Communications received by July 12, 2021 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable. Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https:// E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 26, 2021 / Notices www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/ privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–11123 Filed 5–25–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Numbers FRA–2010–0028, –0029, –0039, –0042, –0043, –0045, –0048, –0051, –0054, –0056, –0057, –0058, –0059, –0060, –0061, –0062, –0064, –0065, and –0070] Railroads’ Requests To Amend Their Positive Train Control Safety Plans and Positive Train Control Systems Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. AGENCY: This document provides the public with notice that, during March, April, and early May of 2021, nineteen host railroads submitted requests for amendments (RFA) to their FRAapproved Positive Train Control Safety Plans (PTCSP). As these RFAs may involve requests for FRA’s approval of proposed material modifications to FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) systems, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on railroads’ RFAs to their PTCSPs. DATES: FRA will consider comments received by June 7, 2021. FRA may consider comments received after that date to the extent practicable and without delaying implementation of valuable or necessary modifications to PTC systems. ADDRESSES: Comments: Comments may be submitted by going to https:// www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions for submitting comments. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and the applicable docket number. The relevant PTC docket numbers for the host railroads that filed RFAs to their PTCSPs are cited above and in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. For convenience, all active PTC dockets are hyperlinked on FRA’s website at https://railroads.dot.gov/ train-control/ptc/ptc-annual-andquarterly-reports. All comments received will be posted without change SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:00 May 25, 2021 Jkt 253001 to https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabe Neal, Deputy Staff Director, Signal, Train Control, and Crossings Division, telephone: 816–516–7168, email: Gabe.Neal@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In general, Title 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 20157(h) requires FRA to certify that a host railroad’s PTC system complies with 49 CFR part 236, subpart I, before the technology may be operated in revenue service. Before making certain changes to an FRA-certified PTC system or the associated FRA-approved PTCSP, a host railroad must submit, and obtain FRA’s approval of, an RFA to its PTCSP under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 236.1021. Under 49 CFR 236.1021(e), FRA’s regulations provide that FRA will publish a notice in the Federal Register and invite public comment in accordance with 49 CFR part 211, if an RFA includes a request for approval of a material modification of a signal and train control system. Accordingly, this notice informs the public that host railroads’ March 2021 and April 2021 RFAs to their PTCSPs are available in their respective public PTC dockets, and this notice provides an opportunity for public comment on these RFAs. On March 3, 2021, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSX) submitted an RFA to its PTCSP for its Interoperable Electronic Train Management System (I–ETMS), and that RFA is available in Docket No. FRA–2010–0028. On March 12, 2021, Union Pacific Railroad (UP) submitted an RFA to its I–ETMS PTCSP, and that RFA is available in Docket No. FRA–2010–0061. On March 14, 2021, and April 20, 2021, respectively, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) submitted an RFA to its I– ETMS PTCSP and an RFA to FRA’s Type Approval and PTC System Certification of Amtrak’s Incremental Train Control System, and those RFAs are available in Docket No. FRA–2010– 0029. On March 16, 2021, Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS) submitted an RFA to its I–ETMS PTCSP, and that RFA is available in Docket No. FRA– 2010–0059. On March 22, 2021, Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) submitted an RFA to its I–ETMS PTCSP, and that RFA is available in Docket No. FRA– 2010–0060. In addition, on April 23, 2021, the following 19 host railroads jointly submitted an RFA to their I–ETMS PTCSPs: Alaska Railroad Corporation, Amtrak, The Belt Railway Company of Chicago, BNSF Railway, Caltrain, Canadian National Railway, Canadian PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 28435 Pacific Railway (CP), Consolidated Rail Corporation, CSX, Kansas City Terminal Railway, KCS, New Mexico Rail Runner Express, Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (Metra), Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, NS, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, and UP. Their joint RFA is available in Docket Numbers FRA–2010–0028, –0029, –0039, –0042, –0043, –0045, –0048, –0051, –0054, –0056, –0057, –0058, –0059, –0060, –0061, –0062, –0064, –0065, and –0070. Finally, on May 5, 2021, CP submitted an RFA to its I–ETMS PTCSP, and that RFA is available in Docket No. FRA–2010– 0058. Interested parties are invited to comment on any RFAs to railroads’ PTCSPs by submitting written comments or data. During FRA’s review of railroads’ RFAs, FRA will consider any comments or data submitted within the timeline specified in this notice and to the extent practicable, without delaying implementation of valuable or necessary modifications to PTC systems. See 49 CFR 236.1021; see also 49 CFR 236.1011(e). Under 49 CFR 236.1021, FRA maintains the authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny railroads’ RFAs to their PTCSPs at FRA’s sole discretion. Privacy Act Notice In accordance with 49 CFR 211.3, FRA solicits comments from the public to better inform its decisions. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to https:// www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See https://www.regulations.gov/ privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. To facilitate comment tracking, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely optional. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact FRA for alternate submission instructions. Issued in Washington, DC. Carolyn R. Hayward-Williams, Director, Office of Railroad Systems and Technology. [FR Doc. 2021–11125 Filed 5–25–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28434-28435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11123]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2021-0022]


Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System

    Under part 235 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 
U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that on 
January 31, 2021, the Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) petitioned 
the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval to 
discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket 
Number FRA-2021-0022.
    Specifically, BRC requests permission to make permanent 
modifications to multiple locations on its 59th Street Line between 
milepost (MP) 3.10F, Narragansett, and MP 0.0F, 55th Street. The 
modifications will include the removal of an interlocking plant, 
modification of an interlocking's configuration, and installation of 
new intermediate signals located on BRC's Kenton Line at MP 6.7. BRC 
states that the removal of these signals will eliminate superfluous 
signals with a commensurate reduction in the cost of maintenance.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    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 parties 
desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, 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 and may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Website: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
    Communications received by July 12, 2021 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.
    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better 
inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including 
any personal information the commenter provides, to 
www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://

[[Page 28435]]

www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-11123 Filed 5-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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