[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 6, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 54410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26035]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration
[FRA Docket No. 87-2, Notice. No. 8]
RIN 2130-AB20


Automatic Train Control (ATC) and Advanced Civil Speed 
Enforcement System (ACSES); Northeast Corridor (NEC) Railroads

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

ACTION: Informational Notice--ACSES Requirements between New Haven, 
Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts Postponed to March 21, 2000

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SUMMARY: FRA postpones from October 1, 1999 to March 21, 2000, the date 
on which all trains operating on the Northeast Corridor between New 
Haven, Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts (NEC--North End) must be 
equipped to respond to the new ACSES system.

DATES: This Informational Notice is relevant to the compliance 
responsibilities of affected Railroads as of October 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    W.E. Goodman, Staff Director, Signal and Train Control Division, 
Office of Safety, Mail Stop 25, FRA, 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 493-6325), Paul Weber, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, Signal and Train Control Division, Office of Safety, Mail 
Stop 25, FRA, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 493-
6268), or Patricia V. Sun, Office of Chief Counsel, Mail Stop 10, FRA, 
400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 493-6060).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 22, 1998, FRA published an Order of 
Particular Applicability (Order) (63 FR 39343), which set performance 
standards for cab signal/automatic train control and ACSES systems, 
increased certain maximum authorized train speeds, and contained safety 
requirements supporting improved rail service on the NEC. Among other 
requirements, the Order required all trains operating on track 
controlled by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) on 
the NEC--North End to be controlled by locomotives equipped to respond 
to ACSES by October 1, 1999.
    Although Amtrak has continued work on a major improvement project 
between New Haven and Boston to facilitate train service at speeds up 
to 150 miles per hour, and has taken delivery of prototype high-speed 
trains expected to qualify for operation through curves at higher 
levels of unbalance and at higher speeds than conventional trains, 
FRA's acceptance of Amtrak's final program and timetable, and of the 
results of pre-qualification and pre-service tests, will not occur by 
the Order's original compliance date of October 1, 1999.
    Based on information from Amtrak, FRA is setting a new date for 
compliance with the Order. Trains operating on the NEC--North End will 
be required to respond to ACSES on and after March 21, 2000. FRA 
appreciates the cooperation of all parties on implementation of this 
important safety system and will publish further notice when all 
required approvals have been completed.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on September 30, 1999.
Jolene M. Molitoris,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-26035 Filed 10-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P