[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 71200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30430]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Notice of Public Hearing; The Union Pacific Railroad (Docket 
Number 2000-7912)

    The Union Pacific Railroad (UP) has petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) seeking a waiver of compliance with the 
requirements of 49 CFR 214.329. UP requests relief that will permit the 
use of a system described by UP as the automatic train approach warning 
system (TAWS). UP proposes that roadway work groups be permitted to 
substitute TAWS for watchmen/lookouts as the method of train approach 
warning when fouling a track within equipped interlockings and 
controlled points. UP also proposes that lone workers be permitted to 
use TAWS as a method of train approach warning within the limits of 
those interlockings and controlled points without a requirement to 
establish working limits. Technical details of the TAWS system, its 
developmental history, and its function were described in the Federal 
Register notice cited in the following sentence.
    The FRA issued a public notice (65 FR 57237, September 21, 2000) 
seeking comments of interested parties. After examining the railroad's 
proposal and the available facts, FRA has determined that a public 
hearing is necessary before a final decision is made on this proposal.
    Accordingly, a public hearing is hereby set for 9 a.m. CST, on 
Thursday, January 4, 2001, in Room 102-A (first floor) of the Peter 
Kiewit Building, 1313 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska. Interested 
parties are invited to present oral statements at the hearing.
    The hearing will be an informal one and will be conducted in 
accordance with Rule 25 of the FRA Rules of Practice (Title 49 CFR Part 
211.25), by a representative designated by the FRA.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 21, 2000.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 00-30430 Filed 11-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P