Federal Railroad Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking an extension of the following currently approved information collection activities. On May 7, 2014, the Secretary of Transportation issued Emergency Order (EO) Docket No. DOT-OST-2014-0067 requiring affected railroad carriers to provide certain information to the State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) for each State in which their trains carrying 1 million gallons or more of Bakken crude oil travel. The information collection activities associated with the Secretary's Emergency Order originally received a six-month emergency approval from OMB on May 10, 2014. On July 10, 2015, OMB again approved the information collection activities associated with the Secretary's Emergency Order until March 31, 2016. FRA is now requesting to continue these information collection activities until the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) finalizes the Oil Spill Response Proposed Rule that it is currently working on and that will codify the requirements of the Secretary's Emergency Order. The Secretary's EO remains in full force and effect until that happens. FRA also hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the additional currently approved information collection activities described below for the maximum time period (3 years). Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Railroad Safety Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting
FRA announces the fifty-fourth meeting of the RSAC, a Federal Advisory Committee that develops railroad safety regulations through a consensus process. The RSAC meeting topics will include opening remarks from the FRA Acting Administrator and the Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer. Briefings will be provided on recent FRA-issued safety advisories, and recent Notices of Proposed Rulemakings and status reports will be provided by the Remote Control Locomotive and Risk Reduction Working Groups. A status report will also be provided by the Engineering Task Force. This agenda is subject to change, including the possible addition of further proposed tasks.
Northeast Corridor Safety Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting
FRA announces the fifth meeting of the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee, a Federal Advisory Committee mandated by section 212 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). The NECSC is made up of stakeholders operating on the Northeast Corridor, and the purpose of the NECSC is to provide annual recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation. NECSC meeting topics will include a presentation on recent FRA safety advisories and emergency orders, Amtrak derailment safety lessons learned, vehicle intrusions at other-than-grade crossings, NEC Positive Train Control implementation timeline/issues and challenges, and a general discussion of safety issues.
Positive Train Control Safety Plan for the Southern California Regional Rail Authority
This document provides the public notice that by a document dated September 19, 2015, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) submitted to FRA its Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP) Version 1.7 for approval under the Federal railroad safety regulations in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 236, Subpart I, Positive Train Control Systems. SCRRA asks FRA to approve its PTCSP and to provide PTC System Certification for SCRRA's implementation of its Interoperable-Electronic Train Management System (I-ETMS). In its PTCSP, SCRRA asserts that its I-ETMS is designed as a vital overlay PTC system in compliance with the PTCSP requirements. The PTCSP describes the SCRRA I-ETMS implementation and the associated I- ETMS safety processes; safety analyses; and test, validation, and verification processes used during development of I-ETMS. The PTCSP also contains SCRRA operational and support requirements and procedures. SCCRA's PTCSP and the accompanying request for approval are available for review online at www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FRA- 2010-0048) and in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Interested parties are invited to comment on the PTCSP by submitting written comments or data. During its review of the PTCSP, FRA will consider any comments or data submitted. However, FRA may not respond to any comment and, under 49 CFR 236.1009(d)(3), FRA maintains the authority to approve or disapprove the PTCSP at its sole discretion. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing regarding these proceedings because the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA in writing before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.
Risk Reduction Program
On February 27, 2015, FRA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require certain railroads to develop a Risk Reduction Program (RRP). On September 29, 2015, the RRP Working Group of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) held a meeting to review and discuss comments received in response to both the NPRM and an August 27, 2015, public hearing on the NPRM. FRA is reopening the comment period for this proceeding to allow interested parties to submit written comments in response to views or information provided at the RRP Working Group meeting.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requests (ICRs) for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the renewal Information Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on June 22, 2015.
Risk Reduction Program
On February 27, 2015, FRA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require certain railroads to develop a Risk Reduction Program (RRP). On August 27, 2015, FRA held a public hearing to provide interested persons an opportunity to provide oral comments on the proposal. FRA is reopening the comment period for this proceeding to allow additional time for interested parties to submit written comments in response to views or information provided at the public hearing.
Agency Request for Emergency Processing of Collection of Information by the Office of Management and Budget
FRA hereby gives notice that it is submitting the following Information Collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency processing under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. FRA requests that OMB authorize the collection of information identified below seven days after publication of this Notice for a period of 180 days.
Alcohol and Drug Testing: Reporting Positive Results for Tramadol as a Controlled Substance
This document announces that FRA will begin reporting post- accident toxicological test results for tramadol to the employee and the railroad Medical Review Officers. FRA will also begin including post-accident toxicological test results for tramadol in its post- accident toxicology reports. Because tramadol was not a controlled substance when FRA began testing for it, FRA has kept post-accident toxicological test results for tramadol confidential.
Notice of Intent To Grant a Buy America Waiver to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for the Purchase of Two Turnouts and One Crossover
FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that it intends to grant the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), a waiver from FRA's Buy America requirement under 49 U.S.C. 24405(a)(2)(B) for the purchase of one No. 20 RH 136RE Turnout, one No. 20 LH 136RE Turnout, and one No. 20 LH Crossover 136RE (Turnouts and Crossover) manufactured by VAE Nortrak North America, Inc. at its plant in Birmingham, Alabama, for use in the Kingston Track Capacity and Platform Improvements Project (Kingston Project). Nortrak will manufacture the Turnouts and Crossover at its plant in Birmingham, Alabama. The Turnouts and Crossover will contain four components (ZU1-60 steel left and right switch point rail sections and Schwihag roller assemblies and plates) not produced in the U.S. The roller assemblies and plates are manufactured in Switzerland, and the ZUl-60 steel switch point rail sections are manufactured in Austria. The total amount of foreign material under this waiver request amounts to approximately $126,000. The foreign material comprises approximately 8 percent of the Turnouts' $350,000 cost or approximately $56,000 and 10 percent of the Crossover's $700,000 cost or approximately $70,000. FRA believes a waiver is appropriate under 49 U.S.C. 24405(a)(2)(B) for the ZUI-60 steel switch point rail sections and roller assemblies and plates because domestically-produced components meeting the specific needs of RIDOT and Amtrak are not currently produced in the U.S.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting the information collection requests (ICRs) below for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Notice of Intent To Grant a Buy America Waiver to the City of Sacramento, California, Department of Public Works, for the Purchase of a Variable Refrigerant Flow Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning System
FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that it intends to grant the City of Sacramento, California, Department of Public Works (Sacramento), a waiver from FRA's Buy America requirement under 49 U.S.C. 24405(a)(2)(B) for the purchase of a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for use in the Sacramento Valley Station Phase II intermodal project. The $30 million project is partially funded with a $15 million 2012 Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery grant. The cost of the non-domestic material in the VRF system is approximately $202,500. FRA believes a waiver is appropriate under 49 U.S.C. 24405(a)(2)(B) for the VRF system because VRF systems are not currently produced in the U.S.
Operational and Signal Modifications for Compliance With Maximum Authorized Passenger Train Speeds and Other Speed Restrictions
FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2015-03 to stress to passenger railroads and railroads that host passenger service and their employees the importance of compliance with Federal regulations and applicable railroad rules governing applicable passenger train speed limits. This safety advisory makes recommendations to these railroads to ensure that compliance with applicable passenger train speed limits is addressed by appropriate railroad operating policies and procedures and signal systems.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the renewal Information Collection Requests (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on March 30, 2015.
Environmental Impact Statement for Port Bienville Railroad Project
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is issuing this NOI to advise the public that the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to evaluate the impacts of construction and operation of the Port Bienville Railroad Project (Project). The EIS will evaluate route alternatives for freight rail service from the Port Bienville Short Line Railroad in Hancock County, Mississippi to Nicholson in Pearl River County, Mississippi.
Agency Request for Emergency Processing of Collection of Information by the Office of Management and Budget
FRA hereby gives notice that it is submitting the following Information Collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency processing under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. FRA requests that OMB authorize the collection of information identified below by May 26, 2015, for a period of 180 days.
Systems for Telephonic Notification of Unsafe Conditions at Highway-Rail and Pathway Grade Crossings
The purpose of this document is to update the current schedule of civil penalties for violations of FRA's grade crossing safety regulations by adding recommended civil penalty amounts for violations of specific requirements contained in a recently added subpart. That subpart prescribes requirements that certain railroads establish emergency notification systems (ENS) for receiving toll-free telephone calls reporting various unsafe conditions at highway-rail grade crossings and pathway grade crossings, and for taking certain actions in response to those calls.
Emergency Order Under 49 U.S.C. 20104 Establishing Requirements for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation To Control Passenger Train Speeds at Certain Locations Along the Northeast Corridor
FRA is issuing this emergency order (EO or Order) to require that the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) take actions to control passenger train speed at certain locations on main line track in the Northeast Corridor (as described by 49 U.S.C. 24905(c)(1)(A)). Amtrak must immediately implement code changes to its Automatic Train Control (ATC) System to enforce the passenger train speed limit ahead of the curve at Frankford Junction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where a fatal accident occurred on May 12, 2015. Amtrak must also identify each main track curve on the Northeast Corridor where there is a significant reduction (more than 20 miles per hour (mph)) from the maximum authorized approach speed to those curves for passenger trains. Amtrak must then develop and comply with an FRA- approved action plan to modify its existing ATC System or other signal systems (or take alternative operational actions) to enable enforcement of passenger train speed limits at the identified curves. Amtrak must also install additional wayside passenger train speed limit signage at appropriate locations on its Northeast Corridor right-of-way.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting the information collection request (ICR) below for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking an extension of the following currently approved information collection activities. On April 23, 2015, FRA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) jointly published in the Federal Register a Safety Advisory titled Hazardous Materials: Information Requirements Related to the Transportation of Trains Carrying Specified Volumes of Flammable Liquids (FRA Safety Advisory 2015-02; Docket No. PHMSA-2015-0118, Notice 15-11). See 80 FR 22778. The information collection activities associated with the Joint Safety Advisory received a six-month emergency approval from OMB on April 30, 2015. FRA seeks a regular clearance (extension of the current approval for three years) so that its personnel and PHMSA personnel can continue to collect certain information that is essential during the course of an investigation immediately following a train accident. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking an extension of the following currently approved information collection activities. On April 27, 2015, FRA published in the Federal Register its Safety Advisory titled Mechanical Inspections and Wheel Impact Load Detector Standards for Trains Transporting Large Amounts of Class 3 Flammable Liquids (FRA Safety Advisory 2015-01). See 80 FR 23318. The information collection activities associated with FRA Safety Advisory 2015-01 received a six- month emergency approval from OMB on April 30, 2015. FRA seeks a regular clearance (extension of the current approval for three years) to continue this effort to enhance the mechanical safety of tank cars in high hazard flammable trains transporting large quantities of Class 3 flammable liquids. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking an extension of the following currently approved information collection activities. On April 27, 2015, FRA published in the Federal Register its Emergency Order No. 30 titled Emergency Order Establishing a Maximum Operating Speed of 40 mph in High-Threat Urban Areas for Certain Trains Transporting Large Quantities of Class 3 Flammable Liquids. See 80 FR 23321. The information collection activities associated with the Joint Safety Advisory received a six-month emergency approval from OMB on April 30, 2015. FRA seeks a regular clearance (extension of the current approval for one year) so that it can continue to receive and evaluate special petitions of approval from railroads requesting relief from this Emergency Order. In these petition requests, railroads must state their proposed alternative action that will provide at least an equivalent level of safety to that provided by this Emergency Order. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.
Notice of Intent to Grant a Buy America Waiver to the Long Island Rail Road for the Purchase of Seven U.S.-Made Turnouts Containing Four Non-Domestic Components
FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that it intends to grant the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a waiver from FRA's Buy America requirement under 49 U.S.C. 24405(a)(2)(B) for the purchase of seven (7) turnouts manufactured by VAE Nortrak North America, Inc. at its plant in Birmingham, Alabama, for use in the LIRR North East Corridor Congestion Relief Project at Harold Interlocking. The turnouts will contain four components (ZU1-60 steel left and right switch point rail sections and Schwihag roller assemblies and plates) not produced in the U.S. The roller assemblies and plates are manufactured in Switzerland, and the ZUl-60 steel switch point rail sections are manufactured in Austria. The foreign material comprises approximately 11.9 percent of the turnouts' $3.1 million cost or approximately $367,000. FRA believes a waiver is appropriate under 49 U.S.C. 24405(a)(2)(B) for the ZUI-60 steel switch point rail sections and roller assemblies and plates because domestically-produced components meeting the specific needs of LIRR are not currently ``produced in sufficient and reasonably available amount or are not of a satisfactory quality.''
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