Document ID: FRA-2017-0129-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Applications for Approval To Discontinue or Modify a Railroad Signal System
Posted Date: 2018-01-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 3048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01057]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2017-0129]

Notice of Application for Approval To Discontinue or Modify 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 provides the public notice that on 
December 19, 2017, 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-2017-0129.
    Applicant: National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Mr. Nicholas J. 
Croce III, PE, Deputy Chief Engineer C&S, Acting, 2995 Market Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 19104.
    Amtrak is installing new clear block signals at Oak and Bush 
interlockings to establish NORAC Rule 562 territory, cab signals 
without fixed automatic block signals. As a result, Amtrak seeks to 
retire the fixed wayside signals numbers 651, 652, 672, 673, 695, and 
696 on Tracks 2, 3, and 4 on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, Mid-Atlantic 
Division, Main Line, Philadelphia to Washington.
    All NORAC Rules will remain in effect. The existing advanced civil 
speed enforcement system (ACSES) will be modified to enforce a positive 
stop at Oak and Bush interlockings for a train with failed cab signal 
equipment unless the ``C'' signal is displayed allowing the failed 
train to enter the block.
    The reason for removal of the signals is to eliminate maintenance 
and operation of unnecessary hardware no longer needed, and to reduce 
delays to trains caused by failures of the signals. The signals are not 
required in NORAC Rule 562 territory.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    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, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by March 8, 2018 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.
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-01057 Filed 1-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P