Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation's Request for Positive Train Control Safety Plan Approval and System Certification

AGENCY:

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of availability and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This document provides the public with notice that the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH) submitted to FRA its Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP), Revision 3.0, dated March 23, 2016. PATH asks FRA to approve its PTCSP and issue a Positive Train Control (PTC) System Certification for PATH's Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system, under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 236.1009, Procedural requirements, and 236.1015, PTC Safety Plan content requirements and PTC System Certification. This notice was assigned to Docket Number FRA-2010-0034.

DATES:

FRA will consider communications received by July 15, 2016 before taking final action on the PTCSP. FRA may consider comments received after that date if practicable.

ADDRESSES:

All communications concerning this proceeding should refer to Docket Number FRA-2010-0034 and may be submitted by any of the following methods:

• Web site: 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Mark Hartong, Senior Scientific and Technical Advisor at (202) 493-1332, or Mark.Hartong@dot.gov; or Mr. David Blackmore, Railroad Safety Program Manager for Applied Technology at (312) 835-3903, or David.Blackmore@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In its revised Positive Train Control Implementation Plan, referenced in its PTCSP, PATH asserts its CBTC system is a vital standalone PTC system as defined in 49 CFR 236.1015(e). The PTCSP describes PATH's CBTC implementation and the associated CBTC safety processes, safety analyses, and test, validation, and verification processes used during development of CBTC. The PTCSP also contains PATH's operational and support requirements and procedures.

PATH's PTCSP and the accompanying request for approval and system certification are available for review online at www.regulations.gov (Docket Number FRA-2010-0034) and in person at DOT's 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 comment on the PTCSP by submitting written comments or data. During its review of the PTCSP, FRA will consider any comments or data submitted. However, FRA may elect to not respond to any particular comment and, under 49 CFR 236.1009(d)(3), FRA maintains the authority to approve or disapprove the PTCSP at its sole discretion. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing regarding PATH's PTCSP because the circumstances do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, the party should notify FRA in writing before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for his or her request.

Privacy Act Notice

Anyone may 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 49 CFR 211.3, Participation by interested persons, 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 www.regulations.gov as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which you can review at www.dot.gov/privacy. See http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.