Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS) Inspections; Extension of Comment Period, 104509 [2024-30595]

Agencies

• Federal Railroad Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 104509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30595]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 213

[Docket No. FRA-2024-0032]
RIN 2130-AC96


Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS) Inspections; Extension 
of Comment Period

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: On October 24, 2024, FRA published an NPRM proposing to revise 
its regulations governing the minimum safety requirements for railroad 
track. The proposed changes would require all Class I and II railroads, 
as well as intercity passenger railroads and commuter railroads, to 
operate a qualifying Track Geometry Measurement System (TGMS), a type 
of automated track inspection (ATI) technology, at specified 
frequencies on all Class 1 through 5 mainline and controlled siding 
track that transports: annual tonnage greater than 10 million gross 
tons (MGT), regularly scheduled passenger rail service, or trains 
containing hazardous materials. FRA also proposed increasing the 
required frequency of TGMS inspections on Class 6 track. By this 
notification, FRA is extending the NPRM's comment period, which will 
close on December 23, 2024, by 15 days.

DATES: The comment period for the NPRM published on October 24, 2024, 
at 89 FR 84845, is extended. Comments should be received on or before 
January 7, 2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    Comments: Comments related to Docket No. FRA-2024-0032 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, docket 
name, and docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for 
this rulemaking (2130-AC96). Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document for Privacy Act 
information related to any submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the 
online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yu-Jiang Zhang, Staff Director, Track 
and Structures Division, Office of Railroad Safety, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W33-302, Washington, DC 
20590, telephone: 202-493-6460; or Aaron Moore, Senior Attorney, Office 
of the Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone: 202-853-4784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a November 13, 2024, letter, the American 
Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) requested a 60-
day extension of the NPRM's comment period.\1\ ASLRRA stated it needs 
additional time to consult with members regarding the potential impact 
of the proposed rule. ASLRRA's letter cited the fact that FRA issued 
three NPRMs \2\ during a short timeframe, did not consult with Railroad 
Safety Advisory Committee regarding the proposed rules, and that the 
publication of the NPRMs and the comment deadlines are impacted by the 
fall and winter holiday season.
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    \1\ 89 FR 84845 (Oct. 24, 2024).
    \2\ 89 FR 84845 (Oct. 24, 2024); 89 FR 85462 (Oct. 28, 2024); 89 
FR 85895 (Oct. 29, 2024).
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    In a November 25, 2024, letter, the Association of American 
Railroad (AAR) made a similar request, also seeking a 60-day extension. 
AAR's letter cited similar concerns as ASLRRA's letter.
    The comment period for this NPRM is scheduled to close on December 
23, 2024. As FRA is granting an extension in response to the requests 
from ASLRRA and AAR, the comment period is now extended to January 7, 
2025, which is a total of 15 days. Although ASLRRA and AAR requested a 
60-day extension, FRA believes that a 15-day extension will provide 
sufficient time for ASLRRA, AAR, and other interested parties to review 
the NPRM.

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, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the 
system of records notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible through 
www.dot.gov/privacy. To facilitate comment tracking and response, we 
encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their 
organization; however, submission of names is completely optional. 
Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely comments will 
be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments containing 
proprietary or confidential information, please contact the agency for 
alternate submission instructions.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20102-20114 and 20142; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; 
and 49 CFR 1.89.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Allison Ishihara Fultz,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2024-30595 Filed 12-20-24; 8:45 am]
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