[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4495]


[Federal Register: February 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

49 CFR Part 659

[Docket No. 92-D]
RIN 2132-AA39


Rail Fixed Guideway Systems; State Safety Oversight

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of hearing; extension of the comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: On December 9, 1993, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 
issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for its Rail Fixed 
Guideway Systems State Safety Oversight program. FTA has decided to 
hold a public hearing in conjunction with an American Public Transit 
Association meeting which occurs after the close of the comment period 
announced in the NPRM. This document accordingly reopens the comment 
period and announces the public hearing.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be submitted by March 22, 
1994. The public hearing will be held at 8 a.m. (EST) on March 8, 1994. 
For further information see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 
this preamble.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the NPRM should be sent, in duplicate, to Docket 
No. 92-D, Docket Clerk, room 9316, Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal 
Transit Administration, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. 
Those wishing the agency to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
should include a self-addressed stamped postcard with their comments. 
All comments will be available for review by the public at this address 
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 
The public hearing will be held at 8:00 a.m. (EST) on March 8, 1994 at 
the J. W. Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20004. For further information see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this preamble.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For program issues: Franz Gimmler, 
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety, or Roy Field, Transit Safety 
Specialist, both of the Office of Safety and Security, Federal Transit 
Administration, (202) 366-2896 (telephone) or (202) 366-3765 (fax). For 
legal issues: Nancy Zaczek or Daniel Duff, Office of the Chief Counsel, 
Federal Transit Administration, (202) 366-4011.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    FTA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal 
Register on December 9, 1993, at 58 FR 64856, concerning the creation 
of a State oversight agency that would develop certain procedures for 
overseeing the safety of rail fixed guideway systems. FTA has 
determined that a public hearing would help in the development of the 
final rule. FTA accordingly will hold the hearing in conjunction with a 
conference sponsored by the American Public Transit Association (APTA), 
which will be attended by State and local transit representatives. The 
hearing will be held on March 8, 1994. Because of this action, FTA is 
extending the comment period.

Information on the Public Hearing

    The hearing will be held on March 8, 1994, in the Grand Ballroom--
Salon D at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20004. It will begin at 8 a.m. (EST).
    Those interested in providing comments on the NPRM may respond in 
writing to the docket or participate in the public hearings and are 
encouraged to do both.
    FTA has established the following procedures to facilitate the 
hearings. Those wishing to participate in the public hearings should 
contact either Mr. Franz Gimmler or Mr. Roy Field by telephone at (202) 
366-2896, by fax at (202) 366-3765, or in writing at the address in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section at least three business days 
before the hearing is to be held or register with the FTA on the day of 
the hearing. Those contacting FTA at least three business days before 
the hearing is scheduled may request a particular time to testify. FTA 
will try to accommodate those requests. -
    For those who have not contacted FTA at least three business days 
in advance, a registration desk will be available at the hearing site 
on the day of the hearing. Individuals may register beginning one hour 
before the hearing is scheduled to start. The registration desk will 
remain open until the hearing begins, after which FTA staff will try to 
accommodate late registrants. Time permitting, individuals will testify 
in the order in which they have registered.
    Those who request to testify may be given ten minutes to make a 
statement or present other relevant documents which will be included in 
the docket. FTA encourages those individuals to submit a written 
statement which will also be included in the docket.
    Those individuals in need of an oral interpreter should inform Mr. 
Gimmler or Mr. Field of that need also at least three business days 
before the hearing is to be held. Unless requested three business days 
before the hearing, an oral interpreter will not be provided.
    A hearing officer will preside over the hearing. The hearing 
officer may make a statement to clarify issues or facilitate discussion 
during the hearing . Any statements the hearing officer makes during a 
hearing are not intended to be and should not be construed as a 
position of the FTA with respect to the NPRM or any future rulemaking.
    The hearing will be recorded by a court reporter. A transcript of 
the hearing will be included in the official rulemaking Docket 92-D and 
be available for inspection. Any individual interested in a copy of the 
transcript of a hearing may contact the court reporter directly.
    The hearing is designed to solicit public views and information on 
the NPRM. Therefore, the hearing will be conducted in an informal and 
nonadversarial manner. However, the hearing officer may ask questions 
in order to clarify statements made at the hearing. To facilitate 
comment and get a broad cross-section of views, the FTA may ask some of 
those who register in advance to participate on a panel during the 
hearing.

    Issued on: February 23, 1994.
Gordon J. Linton,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-4495 Filed 2-25-94; 8:45 am]
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