Notice2026-08738
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Request for Approval To Begin Field Testing on Its Positive Train Control Network
Primary source
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Published
May 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
This document provides the public with notice that, on April 21, 2026, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), as the host railroad, submitted a request to permit CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSX) to conduct field testing of the Interoperable Train Control positive train control (PTC) system on two segments of MBTA's North Side Fitchburg and Haverhill Lines utilizing CSX locomotives and equipment. FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on MBTA's request to allow its tenant to test on its PTC system.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 24317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08738]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2010-0030]
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Request for Approval
To Begin Field Testing on Its Positive Train Control Network
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. 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 April
21, 2026, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), as the
host railroad, submitted a request to permit CSX Transportation, Inc.
(CSX) to conduct field testing of the Interoperable Train Control
positive train control (PTC) system on two segments of MBTA's North
Side Fitchburg and Haverhill Lines utilizing CSX locomotives and
equipment. FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on
MBTA's request to allow its tenant to test on its PTC system.
DATES: FRA will consider comments received by June 4, 2026. 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.
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
documents are hyperlinked on FRA's website at <a href="https://railroads.dot.gov/reserch-development/program-areas/train-control/ptc/railroads-ptc-dockets">https://railroads.dot.gov/reserch-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#6720060502492902060b2703081349000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d196b0b3b4ff9fb4b0bd91b5bea5ffb6bea7">[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. On June 30, 2020, FRA certified MBTA's
Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System PTC system under 49 CFR
236.1015 and 49 U.S.C. 20157(h). Pursuant to 49 CFR 236.1035, a
railroad must obtain FRA's approval before field testing an uncertified
PTC system, or a product of an uncertified PTC system, or any
regression testing of a certified PTC system on the general rail
system. See 49 CFR 236.1035(a). Please see MBTA's test request,
including a complete description of MBTA's Concept of Operations and
its specific test procedures, including the measures that will be taken
to ensure safety during testing, which is available for review online
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> in Docket No. FRA-2010-0030.
Interested parties are invited to comment on MBTA's Field Test
Request by submitting written comments or data. During its review of
the test request, FRA will consider any comments or data submitted
within the timeline specified in this notice and to the extent
practicable, without delaying testing of valuable or necessary
modifications to a PTC system. See 49 CFR 236.1035. FRA, however, may
elect not to respond to any particular comment, and under 49 CFR
236.1035, FRA maintains the authority to approve, approve with
conditions, or deny the test request at its 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 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. 2026-08738 Filed 5-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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