[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 64191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30737]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Notice of Safety Bulletin

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of safety bulletin.

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SUMMARY: The FRA is issuing a Safety Bulletin addressing recommended 
safety practices for Direct Train Control (DTC) operations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Taylor, Staff Director, Operating 
Practices Division, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, FRA, 400 
Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 (telephone 202-632-3346).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preliminary investigatory findings following 
the head-on collision of two CSX freight trains at Smithfield, West 
Virginia, on August 20, 1996, indicate that existing carrier Direct 
Train Control 1 rules and procedures should be enhanced in order 
to reduce the risk of similar collisions. Therefore, the following 
three safety practices are recommended in DTC territory:
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     1 This is an umbrella term and refers to methods of 
operation known variously as Direct Traffic Control (DTC), Track 
Warrant Control (TWC), Track Permit Control Systems (TPCS), Form D 
control system (DCS), and similar methods of authorizing train 
movements.
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    In non-signalled DTC territory--when a train holds an ``after 
arrival of'' block authority:
    1. After the train to be met has been visually identified by engine 
number and the rear end marker has passed the point of restriction, the 
train being restricted shall establish positive radio contact with the 
train to be met in order to confirm the identity of the passing train. 
If radio contact cannot be established, the train dispatcher shall be 
contacted to provide the required confirmation. The train 
identification information received from the train to be met or from 
the dispatcher shall be recorded in writing by both the conductor and 
engineer, i.e., Engine (number) has passed (location) at (time).
    In all DTC territory:
    2. Once a movement authority is in effect, no alterations may be 
made other than those specifically prescribed by carrier operating 
rules.
    3. Conductors and engineers should retain for seven days copies of 
all en route movement authorities transmitted by radio. These records 
should be periodically inspected by carrier officials.
    In addition to these recommended safety practices, FRA emphasizes 
that strict adherence to existing FRA safety regulations will enhance 
safety of these rail operations. Railroad officials and employees 
should be particularly aware of the following regulations and their 
effect on the safety of DTC operations:
    FRA regulations at 49 CFR 220.61(b)(5) require that both the 
conductor and engineer shall have a copy of all movement authorities 
transmitted by radio. FRA has traditionally interpreted this to mean 
that the conductor and the engineer shall each have a copy. Both 
crewmembers having their own copy of all movement authorities will, in 
accordance with the purpose of the rule, provide needed safety checks 
on unauthorized train movements.
    FRA regulations at 49 CFR 217.9(b)(1) require that a carrier's 
program of operational tests and inspections provide for operational 
testing and inspection under the various operating conditions on the 
railroad. Consequently, operational tests and inspections conducted in 
accordance therewith must include a representative number of tests and 
inspections specifically covering operations in DTC territory.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on November 25, 1996.
Bruce Fine,
Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-30737 Filed 12-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P