Safety Advisory 21-1; Fleet-Wide Inspection of Wheel Gauging on Rail Rolling Stock, 60331-60332 [2021-23721]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 208 / Monday, November 1, 2021 / Notices collection. The collection involves information on voluntary airport noise compatibility programs. The information to be collected is necessary because noise compatibility program measures are eligible for Federal grants in- aid if they are provided to FAA for review and approval in advance. The respondents are airport sponsors that voluntarily submit noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs to the FAA for review and approval. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the FAA’s request for OMB’s approval to renew this information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. Comments may also be submitted via electronic mail to susan.staehle@faa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Staehle by electronic mail at: susan.staehle@faa.gov or by phone at: 202–267–7935. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA’s performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. OMB Control Number: 2120–0517. Title: Airport Noise Compatibility Planning. Form Numbers: There are no FAA forms associated with this collection. Type of Review: Renewal of an Information Collection. Background: The voluntarily submitted information from the collection process pursuant to Tile 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 150, (e.g., airport noise exposure maps and airport noise compatibility programs, or their revisions) is used by the FAA to conduct reviews of the submissions to determine if an airport sponsor’s noise compatibility program is eligible for Federal grant funds. If airport sponsors did not voluntarily submit noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs for FAA review and approval, the airport sponsor would not be eligible for the set aside of VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:03 Oct 29, 2021 Jkt 256001 discretionary grant funds. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day review period soliciting comments on this information collection of information was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2021 (86 FR 18586) and no public comments were received. Respondents: Approximately 15 airport sponsors. Frequency: Information is collected on occasion. Estimated Average Burden per Response: 2,080 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 31,200 hours. Issued in: Washington, DC, October 26, 2021. Susan Staehle, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Airports, Planning and Environmental Division, APP–400. [FR Doc. 2021–23680 Filed 10–29–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Safety Advisory 21–1; Fleet-Wide Inspection of Wheel Gauging on Rail Rolling Stock Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory. AGENCY: As a result of the derailment of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail train on October 12, 2021, FTA has issued Safety Advisory 21–1 to direct State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs) to report information to FTA regarding out-oftolerance wheel gauges on all rail transit rolling stock in revenue service. The Safety Advisory also advises SSOAs to require fleet-wide inspections of wheel gauges at rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RTAs) in their jurisdiction. A copy of Safety Advisory 21–1 can be found on the FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/ regulations-and-guidance/safety/ftasafety-advisories. DATES: FTA is requesting SSOA program managers to submit data on the rail transit fleets in revenue service at each RTA in its jurisdiction by December 1, 2021 and to report on the results of wheel gauge inspections conducted by each RTA in its jurisdiction by January 3, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail Lyssy, Acting Associate Administrator for Transit Safety and Oversight and Chief Safety Officer, FTA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00134 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60331 20590, telephone (202) 366–1783 or gail.lyssy@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On October 12, 2021, at about 4:50 p.m. local time, outbound Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail train 407 derailed between the Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery stations. The train was traveling southbound on track No. 2 of WMATA’s Blue Line toward FranconiaSpringfield with 187 passengers onboard. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating this safety event, focusing on the pressed wheel/ axle interface and widening wheel gauge on wheels and axles. In accordance with 49 CFR part 674, SSOAs are responsible for overseeing the safety of the rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RTAs) within their State. Each SSOA has investigative and enforcement authority with respect to the safety of all RTAs within their State (§ 674.13(a)(5)). Action Required Within 30 days of November 1, 2021, the SSOA must submit the following information to FTA, for the rail transit fleet in revenue service at each RTA in its jurisdiction: • Total fleet size, by mode; • Wheel gauge inspection protocols (specifically, the routine periodicity of inspections), by mode; and • The number of vehicles that failed wheel gauge tolerance levels, based on the RTA’s internal and approved procedures, from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, by mode. FTA seeks to collect this information as a periodic request for information under OMB control number 2132–0558. Equipment subject to Federal Railroad Administration safety oversight is excluded from this reporting requirement. Recommended Action FTA advises the SSOA to direct each RTA in its jurisdiction to conduct a wheel gauge inspection of its rail transit fleet in revenue service, which may include inspections conducted on or after October 1, 2021. Within 60 days of November 1, 2021, the SSOA should submit to FTA, for the rail transit fleet in revenue service at each RTA in its jurisdiction: • The time frame during which these inspections were conducted (starting no earlier than October 1, 2021); • The total number of revenue service vehicles inspected; and • The total number of revenue service vehicles that failed wheel gauge E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 60332 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 208 / Monday, November 1, 2021 / Notices tolerance levels based on the RTA’s internal and approved procedures, by mode. Equipment subject to Federal Railroad Administration safety oversight is excluded from this inspection advisory. Nuria I. Fernandez, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2021–23721 Filed 10–29–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–57–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [FTA Docket No. FTA 2021–0016] Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of request for comments. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection: Nondiscrimination as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs. DATES: Comments must be submitted before January 3, 2022. ADDRESSES: To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by only one of the following methods: 1. Website: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. (Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) electronic docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered comments. 2. Fax: 202–366–7951. 3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. 4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number for this lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:03 Oct 29, 2021 Jkt 256001 notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has received your comments, include a selfaddressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received, including any personal information, will be posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita Heard (202) 493–0318 or email: Anita.Heard@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection. Title: Nondiscrimination as It Applies to FTA Grant Programs. (OMB Number: 2132–0542). Background: The Federal Transit Laws, 49 U.S.C. 5332(b), provide that ‘‘no person in the United States shall on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or age be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any project, program or activity funded in whole or in part through financial assistance under this Act.’’ This applies to employment and business opportunities and is considered to be in addition to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Any FTA applicant, recipient, sub-recipient, and contractor who employ 100 or more transit-related employees and requests or receives PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 capital or operating assistance in excess of $1 million in the previous Federal fiscal year, or requests or receives planning assistance in excess of $250,000 in the previous Federal fiscal year must implement all of the EEO Program elements. Agencies that have between 50–99 transit-related employees are required to prepare and maintain an EEO Program that includes the statement of policy, dissemination plan, designation of personnel, assessment of employment practices, and a monitoring and reporting system. Respondents: Transit agencies, States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Estimated Annual Respondents: 53. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,575. Frequency: Annual. Nadine Pembleton, Director Office of Management Planning. [FR Doc. 2021–23781 Filed 10–29–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. MARAD–2019–0094] Deepwater Port License Application: Bluewater Texas Terminal LLC Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of virtual public meeting; request for comments. AGENCY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announce the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Bluewater Texas Terminal SPM (Bluewater) Deepwater Port License Application for the export of crude oil from the United States to nations abroad. Additionally, MARAD and USCG announce a virtual public meeting and informational open house website for the Bluewater DEIS. Publication of this notice announces availability of the DEIS, initiates a 45day comment period, requests public participation in the environmental impact review process, provides information on how to participate in the environmental impact review process, and announces the virtual informational open house and public meeting that will take place online to best comply with Coronavirus Disease 2019 safety guidelines. Previously, a notice of application summarizing the original SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 208 (Monday, November 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60331-60332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23721]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Safety Advisory 21-1; Fleet-Wide Inspection of Wheel Gauging on 
Rail Rolling Stock

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory.

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

SUMMARY: As a result of the derailment of a Washington Metropolitan 
Area Transit Authority Metrorail train on October 12, 2021, FTA has 
issued Safety Advisory 21-1 to direct State Safety Oversight Agencies 
(SSOAs) to report information to FTA regarding out-of-tolerance wheel 
gauges on all rail transit rolling stock in revenue service. The Safety 
Advisory also advises SSOAs to require fleet-wide inspections of wheel 
gauges at rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RTAs) in 
their jurisdiction. A copy of Safety Advisory 21-1 can be found on the 
FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/safety/fta-safety-advisories.

DATES: FTA is requesting SSOA program managers to submit data on the 
rail transit fleets in revenue service at each RTA in its jurisdiction 
by December 1, 2021 and to report on the results of wheel gauge 
inspections conducted by each RTA in its jurisdiction by January 3, 
2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail Lyssy, Acting Associate 
Administrator for Transit Safety and Oversight and Chief Safety 
Officer, FTA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, 
telephone (202) 366-1783 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On October 12, 2021, at about 4:50 p.m. local time, outbound 
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail train 
407 derailed between the Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery stations. The 
train was traveling southbound on track No. 2 of WMATA's Blue Line 
toward Franconia-Springfield with 187 passengers onboard. The National 
Transportation Safety Board is investigating this safety event, 
focusing on the pressed wheel/axle interface and widening wheel gauge 
on wheels and axles.
    In accordance with 49 CFR part 674, SSOAs are responsible for 
overseeing the safety of the rail fixed guideway public transportation 
systems (RTAs) within their State. Each SSOA has investigative and 
enforcement authority with respect to the safety of all RTAs within 
their State (Sec.  674.13(a)(5)).

Action Required

    Within 30 days of November 1, 2021, the SSOA must submit the 
following information to FTA, for the rail transit fleet in revenue 
service at each RTA in its jurisdiction:
     Total fleet size, by mode;
     Wheel gauge inspection protocols (specifically, the 
routine periodicity of inspections), by mode; and
     The number of vehicles that failed wheel gauge tolerance 
levels, based on the RTA's internal and approved procedures, from 
October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, by mode.
    FTA seeks to collect this information as a periodic request for 
information under OMB control number 2132-0558. Equipment subject to 
Federal Railroad Administration safety oversight is excluded from this 
reporting requirement.

Recommended Action

    FTA advises the SSOA to direct each RTA in its jurisdiction to 
conduct a wheel gauge inspection of its rail transit fleet in revenue 
service, which may include inspections conducted on or after October 1, 
2021. Within 60 days of November 1, 2021, the SSOA should submit to 
FTA, for the rail transit fleet in revenue service at each RTA in its 
jurisdiction:
     The time frame during which these inspections were 
conducted (starting no earlier than October 1, 2021);
     The total number of revenue service vehicles inspected; 
and
     The total number of revenue service vehicles that failed 
wheel gauge

[[Page 60332]]

tolerance levels based on the RTA's internal and approved procedures, 
by mode.
    Equipment subject to Federal Railroad Administration safety 
oversight is excluded from this inspection advisory.

Nuria I. Fernandez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-23721 Filed 10-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.