Federal Railroad Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document provides the public with notice that, on June 19, 2024, Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP) to support material modifications to its positive train control (PTC) system and Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) operations by modifying its PTC system software version 6.5.4.0, including changes to the PTC Penalty and Emergency Brake Output Change and Phase Break Function. As this RFA involves a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified PTC system, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on Caltrain's RFA to its PTCSP.

This document provides the public with notice that, on June 7, 2024, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system. FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on the railroad's RFA to its PTC system.

This document provides the public with notice that, on May 30, 2024, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP) in order to update its Positive Train Control (PTC) Onboard Computer (OBC) to Software Version 11.6. As this RFA involves a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified PTC system, including changes to address known software errors, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on MBTA's RFA to its PTCSP.

This document provides the public with notice that, on May 17, 2024, Metro-North Railroad (MNR) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP) in order to update its positive train control (PTC) Onboard Computer (OBC) to System Release 5.04.002. As this RFA may involve a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified PTC system, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on MNR's RFA to its PTCSP.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is issuing a waiver of its Buy America requirements to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for high-speed rail components that are not produced in the United States for use in the Brightline West High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail System between Las Vegas, NV and Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Project). FRA selected the Project for funding under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP Program), and therefore FRA's Buy America requirements apply to the Project. FRA's Buy America requirements include: FRA's statutory requirements, which require 100 percent of the manufactured products, steel, and iron used in an FRA-funded project to be produced in the United States; and the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), which requires all construction materials used in the FRA-funded project to be produced in the United States. FRA is not waiving the applicable BABA requirements for construction materials, and therefore this waiver does not apply to the construction materials used in the Project. Brightline West, the project sponsor, has selected Siemens as its preferred rolling stock vendor, and requested that FRA proceed with finalizing the Buy America waiver request for the Siemens trains and other components as included in the previously submitted documentation. Therefore, FRA is waiving its requirements for the first two Siemens trainsets, car shells, signal systems, high-speed rail turnout, and fire alarm systems based on the domestic nonavailability of these components, as described in the proposed waiver. NDOT and Brightline West estimate that more than 95 percent of the total direct dollar expenditures for the Project will be spent on domestically sourced products and labor, including 100 percent of the civil infrastructure costs.

FRA is establishing regulations for the certification of dispatchers, pursuant to the authority granted in section 402 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA).

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On February 21, 2024, FRA published a notice providing a 60- day period for public comment on the ICR.

This document provides the public with notice that, on April 19, 2024, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP). As this RFA involves a request for FRA's approval of proposed material modifications to an FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system, FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on the railroad's RFA to its PTCSP.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On February 21, 2024, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.

This notice announces that FRA has received and reviewed a renewal package from the State of California (State) acting through the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and California High- Speed Rail Authority (Authority) requesting renewed participation in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (Program). Under the Program, FRA may assign, and the State may assume, responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and all or part of FRA's responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, or other actions required under any Federal environmental laws with respect to one or more railroad projects within the State. FRA has determined the renewal package to be complete, and developed a draft renewal MOU with CalSTA and the Authority outlining how the State will implement the Program with FRA oversight. The public is invited to comment on the State's request, including its renewal package and the proposed renewal MOU, which includes the proposed assignments and assumptions of environmental review, consultation, and other activities.

FRA is establishing minimum safety requirements for the size of train crews depending on the type of operation. This final rule requires railroad operations to have a minimum of two crewmembers except for certain identified one-person train crew operations that do not pose significant safety risks to railroad employees, the public, or the environment. This final rule includes requirements for railroads seeking to continue certain existing one-person train crew operations and a special approval process for railroads seeking to initiate certain new one-person train crew operations. This final rule also requires each railroad receiving special approval for a one-person train crew operation to submit to FRA an annual report summarizing the safety of the operation.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA will seek approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On December 26, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On December 26, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the notice.

This document provides the public with notice that, on March 15, 2024, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system to install Automatic Train Control (ATC) on the final segment of MBTA's Needham Line. The construction zone will cover ATC implementation from the Need Interlocking at Milepost (MP) 11.9 to Control Point (CP) Land at MP 13.8, and is planned to occur from June 20, 2024, to July 22, 2024. FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on MBTA's RFA to its PTC system.