Notice2024-24777
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Request To Amend Its Positive Train Control System
Primary source
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Published
October 24, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
This document provides the public with notice that, on October 11, 2024, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP) to install Construction Zone (CZ) Transponders to reconfigure its positive train control (PTC) system on the South Side Middleboro Main Line (MML) at the Pilgrim Interlocking at Milepost (MP) 34.86 to its final configuration in order to interface with the adjacent new South Coast Rail (SCR) Lines. The CZ will result in the suspension of portions of the PTC system on the MML from December 1, 2024, to December 15, 2024. 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 MBTA's RFA to its PTC system.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84998-84999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24777]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2010-0030]
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Request To Amend Its
Positive Train Control System
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document provides the public with notice that, on October
11, 2024, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-approved Positive
Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP) to install Construction Zone (CZ)
Transponders to reconfigure its positive train control (PTC) system on
the South Side Middleboro Main Line (MML) at the Pilgrim Interlocking
at Milepost (MP) 34.86 to its final configuration in order to interface
with the adjacent new South Coast Rail (SCR) Lines. The CZ will result
in the suspension of portions of the PTC system on the MML from
December 1, 2024, to December 15, 2024. 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 MBTA's RFA to its PTC system.
DATES: FRA will consider comments received by November 13, 2024. FRA
may consider comments received after that date to the extent
practicable and without delaying implementation of valuable or
necessary modifications to a PTC system.
[[Page 84999]]
ADDRESSES: Comments: Comments may be submitted by going to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> 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 number for this host
railroad is Docket No. FRA-2010-0030. For convenience, all active PTC
dockets are hyperlinked on FRA's website at <a href="https://railroads.dot.gov/research-development/program-areas/train-control/ptc/railroads-ptc-dockets">https://railroads.dot.gov/research-development/program-areas/train-control/ptc/railroads-ptc-dockets</a>. All comments received will be posted without change to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; this includes any personal information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabe Neal, Staff Director, Signal,
Train Control, and Crossings Division, telephone: 816-516-7168, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9addfbf8ffb4d4fffbf6dafef5eeb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e092f2c2b60002b2f220e2a213a60292138">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (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 49 CFR 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 or train control
system. Accordingly, this notice informs the public that, October 11,
2024, MBTA submitted an RFA to its PTCSP for its Advanced Civil Speed
Enforcement System II (ACSES II), which seeks FRA's approval to install
a CZ to reconfigure its PTC system on the MML at the Pilgrim
Interlocking at MP 34.86 to its final configuration in order to
interface with the adjacent new SCR Lines. The CZ will result in the
suspension of portions of the PTC system on the MML from December 1,
2024, to December 15, 2024. That RFA is available in Docket No. FRA-
2010-0030.
Interested parties are invited to comment on MBTA's RFA by
submitting written comments or data. During FRA's review of MBTA's RFA,
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 a PTC
system. 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 a railroad's RFA 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system of
records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>. See <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice">https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice</a> for the privacy notice of <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. 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. 2024-24777 Filed 10-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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