[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 107 (Thursday, June 5, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 23989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10207]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2025-0046]


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

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that CSX 
Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) petitioned FRA seeking approval to 
discontinue or modify a signal system.

DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by July 7, 2025. FRA 
will consider comments received after that date to the extent 
practicable.

ADDRESSES: 
    Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going 
to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to 
https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information. 
Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any 
submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the 
online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Johnson, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, FRA Signal, Train Control, and Crossings Division, 
telephone: 406-210-3608, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under part 235 of title 49 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the 
public notice that by letter dated March 18, 2025, CSXT petitioned FRA 
seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned 
the petition Docket Number FRA-2025-0046.
    Specifically, CSXT requests to discontinue the cab signal system 
(CSS) on all tracks, from control point (CP) Penrose at milepost (MP) 
QHE-2.7 to CP Belmont at MP QH-4.2 of the Philadelphia Subdivision in 
Pennsylvania. CSXT states that I-ETMS (a type of positive train control 
(PTC) system) is operational in the subject area, but the addition of 
CSS ``creates unnecessary redundancy, complexity, and increased 
operational requirements.''
    In support of its application, CSXT explains that train crews 
currently ``interact with separate locomotive control panels for 
acknowledgements'' for both I-ETMS and CSS and removing CSS ``will 
simplify train crew interaction with onboard train control systems.'' 
Additionally, CSS adds ``30% more microprocessors, signal houses, track 
circuits, and insulated joints,'' which increase scope of projects and 
the potential for equipment failures. CSXT suggests that reducing 
equipment failures, including potential cut-outs of I-ETMS, ``will 
result in greater safety.''
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    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 and a public hearing, they 
should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request.
    Communications received by July 7, 2025 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of FRA's 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/privacy-notice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2025-10207 Filed 6-4-25; 8:45 am]
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