[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8507-8508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4613]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Maglev Study Advisory Committee; Notice of Third Meeting
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of third meeting of the Maglev Study Advisory Committee.
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SUMMARY: As required by Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (1988) and 41 C.F.R. Part 101-6,
section 101-6, 1015(a), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) gives
notice of the third meeting of the Maglev Study Advisory Committee
(``MSAC''). The purpose of the meeting is to advise DOT/FRA on the
Congressionally mandated study of the near-term applications of maglev
technology in the United States.
DATES: The third meeting of the MSAC is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. EST on Monday and Tuesday, March 24 and 25, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The third meeting of the MSAC will be held in the 9th floor
Conference Room at FRA Headquarters, 1120 Vermont Avenue NW,
Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public on a first-come,
first-served basis and is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Those with special needs should inform Mr. Mongini 5 days in advance of
the meeting so appropriate facilities can be provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arrigo Mongini, Deputy Associate
Administrator for Railroad Development, FRA RDV-2, 400 Seventh Street
S.W., Washington D.C. 20590 (mailing address only) or by telephone at
(202) 632-3286.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The third meeting of the Maglev Study
Advisory Committee (MSAC) will be held on March 24 and 25 from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
headquarters, 1120 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, in the 9th
floor conference room. The meeting is open to the public.
The MSAC was created by the National Highway System Designation Act
to advise the Secretary of Transportation in the preparation of a
report to be submitted by the Secretary to the Congress evaluating the
near term applications of magnetic levitation transportation technology
in the U.S. ``with particular emphasis on identifying projects
warranting immediate application of such technology.'' The Act further
specifies that the study also ``evaluate the use of innovative finance
techniques for the construction and operation of such projects.'' The
eight committee members collectively have experience in magnetic
levitation transportation, design and construction, public and private
finance, and infrastructure policy disciplines. The conference report
on the National Highway System Designation Act specifies that ``[t]he
Committee should identify and analyze specific magnetic leviation
projects, such as a connector from New York City to its airports, the
transportation project under development between Baltimore, Maryland
and Washington, DC , and technology transfer efforts underway in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so that Congress can better assess how near-
term magnetic levitation technology could complement existing modes of
transportation * * *.'' The Secretary has assigned responsibility for
preparing the report to the Federal Railroad Administrator, working
closely with the MSAC. The Secretary's report to the Congress will
discuss the extent to which the above and other potential magnetic
levitation projects warrant immediate application, taking into account
such factors as ability to be financed, benefits vs costs, extent of
public commitment and support, and national significance.
[[Page 8508]]
The period from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 1:30 p.m., with
appropriate breaks, will be set aside on Tuesday, March 25 to hear
presentations from sponsors or proponents of maglev projects such as
those mentioned in the conference report. Any such project, in order to
be considered, should be based on full scale high-speed maglev
technology capable of near term application. Sponsors or proponents of
projects representing low speed applications, or projects where there
is no evidence of public sector interest, should not apply for
permission to give a presentation. Sponsors or proponents of projects
representing tests of technologies that are not yet fully developed may
contact Mr. Harding to discuss whether a presentation would be
appropriate.
Persons interested in giving a presentation should contact John
Harding, of the Federal Railroad Administration (phone: 202 632-3387/
fax: 202 632-3854) in order to be given a time on the scheduled
program. Presentations will not be accepted on a ``walk in'' basis,
although, if there is sufficient time, there may be opportunity for
comments from the public other than in the scheduled presentations.
Presentations should contain information describing the project,
public and private sponsorship, any studies of revenues, costs, and
benefits, proposed means of financing, and national significance.
Facilities for overhead and 35mm slide projection will be provided.
Twelve hard copies of the presentation and accompanying literature
should be provided by the presenter for use of the MSAC and staff.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on February 14, 1997.
Jolene M. Molitoris,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-4613 Filed 2-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P