[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 250 (Friday, December 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68328-68329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32945]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration


Maglev Study Advisory Committee; Notice of First Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of First Meeting of the Maglev Study Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: As required by Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), and 41 C.F.R. Sec. 101-6.1015(b), the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) gives notice of the first meeting 
of the Maglev Study Advisory Committee (``MSAC''). The purposes of the 
meeting are to address prerequisite organizational issues, to receive 
briefings on relevant FRA maglev studies and state of the art in maglev 
technology, and to discuss MSAC involvement in the DOT study to 
evaluate the near-term applications of maglev technology in the United 
States.

DATES: The first meeting of the MSAC is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. EST on 
Thursday, January 9, 1997. Decisions with respect to future meetings 
will be made at the first meeting and from time to time thereafter. 
Notice of future meetings will be published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: The first meeting of the MSAC will be held in the 7th floor 
Conference Room at FRA Headquarters, 1120 Vermont Avenue NW, 
Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public on a first-come, 
first-served basis and is accessible to individuals with disabilities. 
Those with special needs should inform Mr. Mongini 5 days in advance of 
the meeting so that appropriate facilities can be provided. Subsequent 
meetings will be held at locations and dates to be announced.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arrigo Mongini, Deputy Associate 
Administrator for Railroad Development, FRA RDV-2, 400 7th Street, 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590, (202)-632-3286.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), FRA is giving notice of the 
first meeting of the Maglev Study Advisory Committee. This notice is 
being published less than fifteen days prior to the date of the 
announced meeting due to scheduling conflicts. The meeting is scheduled 
for 10:00 a.m. EST on January 9, 1997, and will be held in the 7th 
floor Conference room at FRA Headquarters, 1120 Vermont Avenue NW (near 
Thomas Circle) in Washington, D.C.

[[Page 68329]]

Background

    Pursuant to Section 359(d) of the National Highway System 
Designation Act of 1995 (NHS Designation Act), (Public Law 104-59), the 
Secretary of Transportation will conduct a study to evaluate the near-
term applications of magnetic levitation ground transportation 
technology in the United States, with particular emphasis in 
identifying projects which would warrant immediate application of such 
technology.
    The study will also evaluate the use of innovative financing 
techniques for the construction and operation of such projects. The 
actual study will be conducted by the Federal Railroad Administration 
(FRA) within the Department of Transportation (DOT). The NHS 
Designation Act provides that the study be undertaken in consultation 
with an advisory committee, which will serve as advisor to DOT on the 
conduct of the study and on the drafting of study documents prepared by 
DOT staff. This committee, the Maglev Study Advisory Committee, has 
been established. As provided for in the NHS Designation Act, it 
consists of 8 people representing differing disciplines and interests 
relative to high speed ground transportation, who were chosen by the 
Secretary for their backgrounds in magnetic levitation transportation, 
design and construction, public and private finance, and infrastructure 
policy disciplines.
    It is the purpose of this notification to announce the date and 
place of the first (organizational) meeting of this Committee. At this 
meeting Federal Railroad Administrator, Jolene Molitoris will address 
the Committee, and FRA staff members and consultants will provide 
background for the study, including relevant prior studies performed at 
FRA and elsewhere, and a discussion of the state of maglev technology 
and its applications. The Committee may also elect a chair and discuss 
its involvement in the study. Adjournment is expected prior to 5:00 pm. 
Members of the public are entitled and encouraged to attend the meeting 
as observers.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 20, 1996.
Donald M. Itzkoff,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-32945 Filed 12-26-96; 8:45 am]
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