Document ID: FRA-2020-0084-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Application: Approval of Discontinuance or  Modification of a Railroad Signal System
Posted Date: 2020-11-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 215 (Thursday, November 5, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70706-70707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24558]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0084]

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

    Under part 235 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that 
by a document dated September 11, 2020, CSX Transportation (CSXT) 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval 
to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition 
Docket Number FRA-2020-0084.
    Applicant: CSX Transportation, Mr. Carl A. Walker, Chief Engineer 
Communications & Signals, 500 Water Street, Speed Code J-350, 
Jacksonville, Florida 32202.
    Specifically, CSXT requests permission to discontinue the use of 
the automatic train control (ATC) segment of the cab signal systems 
(CSS) onboard equipped CSXT locomotives that operate on the RF&P 
subdivision, located between Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
    CSXT states that discontinuing the use of ATC when operating on the 
RF&P will provide a standardized operation across all CSS-equipped CSXT 
locomotives, enhancing reliability and safety. This standardization 
will enhance safety by reducing maintenance due to failures, train crew 
cutouts, and line of road equipment failure.
    CSS with the ATC segment removed will still stop the train if the 
locomotive operator does not acknowledge any signal downgrade, even if 
the positive train control (PTC) system is cutout. CSXT implemented the 
I-ETMS PTC system on the RF&P in October 2018. Wayside signal cab 
generators, locomotive cab signal equipment, and automatic train stop 
will remain.
    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 December 21, 2020 will be considered

[[Page 70707]]

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. 2020-24558 Filed 11-4-20; 8:45 am]
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