[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8507-8508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4613]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Maglev Study Advisory Committee; Notice of Third Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of third meeting of the Maglev Study Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: As required by Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (1988) and 41 C.F.R. Part 101-6, 
section 101-6, 1015(a), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) gives 
notice of the third meeting of the Maglev Study Advisory Committee 
(``MSAC''). The purpose of the meeting is to advise DOT/FRA on the 
Congressionally mandated study of the near-term applications of maglev 
technology in the United States.

DATES: The third meeting of the MSAC is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. EST on Monday and Tuesday, March 24 and 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The third meeting of the MSAC will be held in the 9th 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 appropriate facilities can be provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arrigo Mongini, Deputy Associate 
Administrator for Railroad Development, FRA RDV-2, 400 Seventh Street 
S.W., Washington D.C. 20590 (mailing address only) or by telephone at 
(202) 632-3286.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The third meeting of the Maglev Study 
Advisory Committee (MSAC) will be held on March 24 and 25 from 8:30 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 
headquarters, 1120 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, in the 9th 
floor conference room. The meeting is open to the public.
    The MSAC was created by the National Highway System Designation Act 
to advise the Secretary of Transportation in the preparation of a 
report to be submitted by the Secretary to the Congress evaluating the 
near term applications of magnetic levitation transportation technology 
in the U.S. ``with particular emphasis on identifying projects 
warranting immediate application of such technology.'' The Act further 
specifies that the study also ``evaluate the use of innovative finance 
techniques for the construction and operation of such projects.'' The 
eight committee members collectively have experience in magnetic 
levitation transportation, design and construction, public and private 
finance, and infrastructure policy disciplines. The conference report 
on the National Highway System Designation Act specifies that ``[t]he 
Committee should identify and analyze specific magnetic leviation 
projects, such as a connector from New York City to its airports, the 
transportation project under development between Baltimore, Maryland 
and Washington, DC , and technology transfer efforts underway in 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so that Congress can better assess how near-
term magnetic levitation technology could complement existing modes of 
transportation * * *.'' The Secretary has assigned responsibility for 
preparing the report to the Federal Railroad Administrator, working 
closely with the MSAC. The Secretary's report to the Congress will 
discuss the extent to which the above and other potential magnetic 
levitation projects warrant immediate application, taking into account 
such factors as ability to be financed, benefits vs costs, extent of 
public commitment and support, and national significance.

[[Page 8508]]

    The period from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 1:30 p.m., with 
appropriate breaks, will be set aside on Tuesday, March 25 to hear 
presentations from sponsors or proponents of maglev projects such as 
those mentioned in the conference report. Any such project, in order to 
be considered, should be based on full scale high-speed maglev 
technology capable of near term application. Sponsors or proponents of 
projects representing low speed applications, or projects where there 
is no evidence of public sector interest, should not apply for 
permission to give a presentation. Sponsors or proponents of projects 
representing tests of technologies that are not yet fully developed may 
contact Mr. Harding to discuss whether a presentation would be 
appropriate.
    Persons interested in giving a presentation should contact John 
Harding, of the Federal Railroad Administration (phone: 202 632-3387/ 
fax: 202 632-3854) in order to be given a time on the scheduled 
program. Presentations will not be accepted on a ``walk in'' basis, 
although, if there is sufficient time, there may be opportunity for 
comments from the public other than in the scheduled presentations.
    Presentations should contain information describing the project, 
public and private sponsorship, any studies of revenues, costs, and 
benefits, proposed means of financing, and national significance. 
Facilities for overhead and 35mm slide projection will be provided. 
Twelve hard copies of the presentation and accompanying literature 
should be provided by the presenter for use of the MSAC and staff.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on February 14, 1997.
Jolene M. Molitoris,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-4613 Filed 2-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P