[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19388-19389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10237]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Maglev Study Advisory Committee; Notice of Fifth Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of fifth 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 CFR Part 101-6, 
section 101-6, 1015(a), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) gives 
notice of the fifth 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 fifth meeting of the MSAC is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. PST on Monday May 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The fifth meeting of the MSAC will be held in conjunction 
with the 1997 High Speed Ground Transportation Association Convention 
at Bally's Casino Resort at 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South in Las 
Vegas, Nevada. 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 fifth meeting of the Maglev Study 
Advisory Committee (MSAC) will be held on May 5, 1997 from 8:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m. PST at Bally's Casino Resort at 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard 
South in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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.
    This meeting will focus on reviewing the draft of the final report 
to the Secretary of Transportation and

[[Page 19389]]

discussing recommendations. It is planned to have a break-out meeting 
in the late afternoon as part of the convention to brief attendees on 
the Committee's progress to date.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on April 16, 1997.
S. Mark Lindsey,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 97-10237 Filed 4-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P