[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37710-37711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2017-0082]


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 
by a document dated July 22, 2019, the Denver Regional Transportation 
District Commuter Rail (RTDC) petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) seeking approval for amendments to FRA-2017-0082.
    Applicant: Regional Transportation District Commuter Rail, Mr. 
Allen W. Miller, Deputy Assistant Senior Manager, Commuter Rail, 1560 
Broadway, Suite 650, Denver, CO 80202.
    Regional Transportation District (RTD) is the owner of the line 
segment and BNSF Railway (BNSF) and the National Railroad Passenger 
Corporation (Amtrak) are the operators. RTDC seeks to modify the 
Automatic Block Signal (ABS) and Traffic Control System (TCS) on the 
BNSF and RTDC line segment between the 41D and 43D derails, switch 29, 
and the 8S signal, on the East and West Yard Track segments near Denver 
Union Station (DUS) Interlocking, between milepost (MP) 0.00 and MP 
0.49.
    BNSF uses this 500-foot line segment between the 41D and 43D 
derails, switch 29, and the 8S signal primarily for locomotive 
switching moves and Amtrak operates on this line segment to move in and 
out of DUS Tracks #4 and #5 for passenger operations.
    The current signal system design uses the 41D, East Yard Track, and 
43D West Yard Track, switch indication lights to govern traffic in 
advance of the derails on the yard tracks and in approach to the 8S 
signal at DUS Interlocking. The 41D and 43D derails and switch 29 are 
interlocked with the 8S signal at DUS Interlocking. The violation of 
the 8S signal, toward DUS, is safeguarded by the 49D derail.
    The application states that disconnecting the circuitry of the 41D 
and 43D derail and switch 29 from 8S signal at DUS Interlocking 
complies with 49 CFR part 236. All existing home signals are retained. 
The 41D and 43D derails, switch 29, and associated switch indication 
lights remain powered but are controlled and monitored independently 
from the DUS Interlocking. The movement of switch 29 is electrically 
tied to the 41D and 43D derails. Positioning of switch 29 is determined 
by the position of the corresponding derail, aligning to the derail 
which is in the non-derailing position and locked. Although the switch 
and derails are removed from the DUS Interlocking logics, a minimum of 
two indications from switch 29, one being switch position and the other 
being the locked indication, are established to provide safe routing 
through DUS between the platform and beyond the 41D and 43D derails in 
both directions.
    The July 22, 2019, request states that to protect against incursion 
into the RTDC tracks, the 100 feet of center gauge restraining rail 
which was to be installed south of the 49D derail, toward DUS, will be 
replaced, as an additional safety measure, with a minimum of 50 feet of 
double guard rail. RTDC contends the safety of the operation is 
maintained by the 8S signal and associated 49D derail, along with the 
double guard rail, both part of the DUS Interlocking; as well as the 
independent 41D and 43D derails, switch 29 and associated switch 
indication lights, providing additional protection of unauthorized yard 
movements. The reasons for the proposed changes are to improve 
reliability and safety, expedite train movements, and warrant 
compliance with 49 CFR part 236 for present train operations.
    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 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 party 
desires an opportunity for oral comment, 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:
     Website: 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

[[Page 37711]]

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 September 16, 2019 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 www.dot.gov/privacy. See also 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of 
regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Safety Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2019-16377 Filed 7-31-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P