[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 222 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57771-57772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28731]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2001-9972; Formerly FRA Docket No. 87-2, Notice No. 12]
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: Amendment to Order of Particular Applicability Requiring ACSES 
Between New Haven, Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts--Extension of 
Time Within Which CSX Transportation (CSXT) is Required to Complete 
Software Testing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FRA amends its Order of Particular Applicability requiring all 
trains operating on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between New Haven, 
Connecticut and Boston, Massachusetts (NEC--North End) to be equipped 
to respond to the new Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES) 
system. This amendment extends the date by which CSXT must complete 
testing of new Amtrak operational software on three CSXT ACSES-equipped 
locomotives from September 16, 2001, to March 16, 2002. This action is 
necessary because of delays in the development of the software, which 
will be used to support more efficient operations.

DATES: The amendments to the Order are effective November 16, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: W. E. Goodman, Staff Director, Signal 
and Train Control Division, Office of Safety, Mail Stop 25, FRA, 1120 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 493-6325); Paul Weber, 
Railroad Safety Specialist, Signal and Train Control Division, Office 
of Safety, Mail Stop 25, FRA, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20590 ((202) 493-6258); or Patricia V. Sun, Office of Chief Counsel, 
Mail Stop 10, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590 ((202) 
493-6038).
    For instructions on how to use this system, visit the Docket 
Management System Web Site and click on the ``Help'' menu. This docket 
is also available for inspection or copying at room PL-401 on the plaza 
level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, during regular business 
hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Order of Particular Applicability, as 
published on July 22, 1998, 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. 63 FR 39343. 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. In four later notices, FRA amended the 
Order to reset the implementation schedule and make technical changes. 
64 FR 54410, October 6, 1999; 65 FR 62795, October 19, 2000; 66 FR 
1718, January 9, 2001; and 66 FR 34512, June 28, 2001.

Background

    FRA is making the amendment to this Order effective upon 
publication instead of 30 days after the publication date in order to 
realize the significant safety and transportation benefits afforded by 
the ACSES system at the earliest possible time. All affected parties 
have been notified.
    FRA is not reopening the comment period since the sole amendment to 
this Order is to extend temporary operating protocols for CSXT that had 
expired on September 16, 2001. The amendment allows these protocols to 
remain effective until March 16, 2002. This amendment will be effective 
for fewer than six months and is necessary to avoid disruption of rail 
service. Under these circumstances, delaying the effective date of the 
amendment to allow for notice and comment would be impracticable, 
unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. FRA will continue to 
monitor the progress of CSXT towards equipping and maintaining 
sufficient units to run all trains with operative ACSES.

[[Page 57772]]

Extension of CSXT Software Testing Requirement

    On June 28, 2001, in Notice No. 11, FRA granted CSXT a relief 
period from the implementation schedule specified in the Order. During 
this relief period, which expired on September 16, 2001, CSXT was 
expected to test new Amtrak operational software on three CSXT ACSES-
equipped locomotives. The testing's purpose was to help CSXT adapt 
Amtrak's control software system to the needs of freight service. CSXT 
was then required to monitor the performance of these locomotives for 
mechanical and operational problems and, once the software had been 
approved, to install the approved software on the remaining CSXT 
locomotives.
    The production, delivery and testing of the software have been 
delayed, and the relief period for CSXT must be extended. FRA is 
therefore extending the date by which CSXT must complete software 
testing to March 16, 2002 since Amtrak is still in the process of 
developing its new operational software.
    Other than the extension for software testing explained above, the 
temporary operating protocols specified in Notice No.11 remain in 
effect without change. Including this amendment, FRA has granted five 
requests for relief from the Order's original timetable. FRA therefore 
expects all affected parties to commit fully to the extended deadlines 
set out in the amended implementation schedule. Any additional requests 
for relief must be thoroughly documented and justified.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 9, 2001.
Allan Rutter,
Federal Railroad Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-28731 Filed 11-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P