[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 67 (Monday, April 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17326-17327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07018]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2017-0021]


Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or 
Modification of a Railroad Signal System

    Under part 235 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice that 
on March 2, 2017, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval 
for the discontinuance or modification of a signal system. FRA assigned 
the petition Docket Number FRA-2017-0021.
    Applicant: National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Mr. Nicholas J. 
Croce III, PE, Deputy Chief Engineer C&S, Acting, 2995 Market Street, 
Philadelphia, PA 19104.
    Amtrak seeks to remove the wayside signals on both Main Tracks No. 
1 and No. 2 at automatic block points 1572 and 1607 on Amtrak's 
Northeast Corridor, New England Division, in Rhode Island. Signals 
1572-1 and 1572-2 at block point 1572 will fall within the limits of 
the future Liberty interlocking. These signals will be removed due to 
the installation of the new Liberty interlocking. The westbound distant 
signals to Kingston interlocking at block point 1607, signals 1607-1 
and 1607-2 are not required in NORAC Rule 562 territory and cab signals 
without fixed automatic block signals will be removed from service. 
Block point 1607 will remain in service as a block point without 
wayside signals.

[[Page 17327]]

    The existing automatic train control and Advanced Civil Speed 
Enforcement System (ACSES) designs will be modified to support the 
modifications to the block design with the addition of the new Liberty 
interlocking. ACSES will enforce a positive stop at each interlocking 
and a stop to a train with failed cab signal equipment unless the ``C'' 
signal is displayed allowing the failed train to enter the block.
    The reason for removal of the signals is to eliminate maintenance 
and operation of unnecessary hardware no longer needed, and to reduce 
delays to trains caused by failures of the signals.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate 
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since 
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested parties 
desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they 
should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the 
appropriate docket number and may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by May 25, 2017 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.
    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better 
inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including 
any personal information the commenter provides, to 
www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-07018 Filed 4-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P