Document ID: FRA-2020-0097-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Application: Approval of Discontinuance or  Modification of a Railroad Signal System
Posted Date: 2020-12-28T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84459-84460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28557]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0097]

Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System

    Under part 235 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 
U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that on 
December 14, 2020, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval 
to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition 
Docket Number FRA-2020-0097.

Applicant: National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Nicholas J. Croce 
III, PE, Deputy Chief Engineer, C&S, 2995 Market Street, Philadelphia, 
PA 19104

    Specifically, Amtrak requests permission to convert approximately 
13 miles of its cab signal and fixed automatic block signal system to a 
signal system having cab signals without fixed automatic block signals, 
operated under NORAC Rule 562, on Amtrak's New York Division, Main Line 
New York to Philadelphia, Northeast Corridor, between County 
Interlocking located at milepost (MP) 32.8 in New Brunswick, New 
Jersey, and Union Interlocking located at MP 19.7 in Rahway, New 
Jersey. Amtrak is the owner and operator of this line, but Conrail and 
New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJTRO) both operate on portions of 
this line as tenants with trackage rights. Both Conrail and NJTRO have 
concurred with the application.
    Amtrak's proposed changes are to remove 34 fixed automatic block 
signals between County Interlocking and Union Interlocking; convert 
each of the former signal locations to block points on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 
and 4; and install Clear to the Next Interlocking ``C'' lights, per 
NORAC Rule 280a, on interlocking signals at County Interlocking 
(eastward) and Edison, Lincoln, and Union Interlockings (westward).
    Amtrak states removing the signals will eliminate maintenance and

[[Page 84460]]

operation of unnecessary hardware and reduce delays to trains caused by 
failures of the signals.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate 
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since 
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested parties 
desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they 
should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the 
appropriate docket number and may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Website: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by February 11, 2021 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered if practicable. Anyone can search the electronic 
form of any written communications and comments received into any of 
our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its processes. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-28557 Filed 12-23-20; 8:45 am]
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