2018-01057. Notice of Application for Approval To Discontinue or Modify 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 provides the public notice that on December 19, 2017, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2017-0129.

Applicant: National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Mr. Nicholas J. Croce III, PE, Deputy Chief Engineer C&S, Acting, 2995 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Amtrak is installing new clear block signals at Oak and Bush interlockings to establish NORAC Rule 562 territory, cab signals without fixed automatic block signals. As a result, Amtrak seeks to retire the fixed wayside signals numbers 651, 652, 672, 673, 695, and 696 on Tracks 2, 3, and 4 on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, Mid-Atlantic Division, Main Line, Philadelphia to Washington.

All NORAC Rules will remain in effect. The existing advanced civil speed enforcement system (ACSES) will be modified to enforce a positive stop at Oak and Bush interlockings for 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. The signals are not required in NORAC Rule 562 territory.

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:

• Website: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: [phone].
• 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 March 8, 2018 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.