[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 20 (Monday, February 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5172-5173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2011]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the Transit Rail 
Advisory Committee for Safety

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice to solicit nominees.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking 
nominations for individuals to serve on the Transit Rail Advisory 
Committee for Safety (TRACS). The Advisory Committee meets at least 
twice a year to advise FTA on transit safety issues. The 
recommendations of the TRACS will help FTA develop new policies, 
practices, and regulations for enhancing safety in rail transit should 
FTA be given authority to promulgate new transit safety requirements.

DATES: Applications must be submitted no later than February 26, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Flanigon, Director, Office of 
Safety and Security, Federal Transit Administration, 202-366-0235 or 
[email protected]. Applications should be submitted to 
[email protected] or mailed to the Federal Transit Administration, Office 
of Safety and Security, Room E46-338, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Nationwide, rail transit is considered one of the safest modes of 
transportation with more than seven million people boarding rail 
transit vehicles in the United States each day. Transit systems have 
fewer fatalities and injuries than does any other mode of 
transportation. Even so, major accidents in Chicago, Washington, DC, 
San Francisco, and Boston have captured the attention of the public and 
raised widespread

[[Page 5173]]

concern regarding the industry's commitment to the safety of its 
passengers and employees. For example, the 2006 derailment of a CTA 
Blue Line train in Chicago involved aging infrastructure that did not 
meet agency safety standards and yet remained in service.
    In response to this series of accidents, the Secretary of 
Transportation established TRACS for the purpose of providing a forum 
for the development, consideration, and communication of information 
from knowledgeable and independent perspectives regarding transit rail 
safety. The committee is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and became effective on December 8, 2009.
    In addition, the Secretary of Transportation transmitted to 
Congress in December proposed legislation outlining comprehensive 
transit safety reforms. While Congress debates this important piece of 
legislation, the Department has decided to move forward with the 
selection process for the TRACS. The Department acknowledges that FTA 
cannot promulgate final regulations without new safety legislation, but 
given the urgent need for reform in this area, convening affected 
parties now will only help strengthen FTA's decision-making process 
later.
    TRACS will be composed of no more than 25 voting members 
representing key constituencies affected by rail transit safety 
requirements. These key constituencies will include, but are not 
limited to: rail safety experts, labor unions, transit agencies, rider 
advocacy groups, State safety oversight agencies, and industry 
associations. Members are recommended for appointment by the FTA 
Administrator and appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the 
Secretary of Transportation. Terms of office will normally be two 
years, and members' terms of office will be staggered to assure 
adequate continuity of TRACS membership. Therefore, at least initially, 
some members may be appointed under this announcement to a one-year 
term of office.
    Qualified individuals interested in serving on this committee are 
invited to apply to FTA for appointment. Nominations are sought from 
highly qualified individuals and should possess demonstrable expertise 
in the field of safety and/or rail transit operations/maintenance or 
represent stakeholder interests that would be affected by rail transit 
safety requirements. Nominees will also be evaluated based on the 
following factors: policy experience, leadership and organizational 
skills, region of country represented, and diversity characteristics. 
Each nomination should include: proposed committee member's name and 
organizational affiliation, a cover letter describing the nominee's 
qualifications or interest in serving on the committee, a curriculum 
vitae or resume of the nominee's qualifications, and whether the 
nominee would like to be considered for a one year or two year term. 
Self-nominations are acceptable and each submission should include the 
following contact information: nominee's name, address, phone number, 
fax number, and e-mail address. FTA prefers electronic submission for 
all applications to [email protected]. Applications will also be accepted 
via U.S. mail at the address identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this notice. All applications must be submitted by 
February 26, 2010. Finally, in furtherance of the President's efforts 
to reduce the influence of special interests in Washington, we are 
interested in keeping TRACS free of individuals who currently are 
registered Federal lobbyists.
    The TRACS will meet approximately twice a year, usually in 
Washington, DC, but may meet more often if the need arises. Members 
serve at their own expense and receive no salary, or other compensation 
from the Federal Government. FTA retains authority to review the 
participation of any TRACS member and to recommend changes at any time. 
TRACS meetings will be open to the public and one need not be a member 
to attend. Interested individuals may view the charter for TRACS at 
http://fta.dot.gov. The Secretary of Transportation expects to make 
final decisions regarding committee membership by April 30, 2010.

    Issued this 27th day of January 2010 in Washington, DC.
Peter Rogoff,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-2011 Filed 1-29-10; 8:45 am]
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