2018-20302. Port Authority Trans-Hudson's Request for Positive Train Control Safety Plan Approval and System Certification

AGENCY:

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of availability and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This document provides the public with notice that Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) submitted to FRA its Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP), Revision 4.0, dated August 21, 2018, on FRA's Secure Information Repository (SIR) site on August 23, 2018. PATH asks FRA to approve its PTCSP and issue a Positive Train Control System Certification for PATH's Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system.

DATES:

FRA will consider comments received by October 19, 2018 before taking final action on the PTCSP. FRA may consider comments received after that date if practicable.

ADDRESSES:

All comments concerning this proceeding should identify Docket Number FRA-2010-0034 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Mark Hartong, Senior Scientific Technical Advisor, at 202-493-1332, or [e-mail], or Ms. Carolyn Hayward-Williams, Staff Director, Positive Train Control/Signal & Train Control Division, at 202-493-6399, or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In its PTCSP, PATH asserts that the CBTC system it is implementing is designed as a stand-alone PTC system as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 236.1015(e)(3). The PTCSP describes PATH's CBTC system implementation and the associated CBTC system safety processes; safety analyses; and test, validation, and verification processes used during the development of CBTC. The PTCSP also contains PATH's operational and support requirements and procedures.

PATH's PTCSP and the accompanying request for approval and system certification are available for review online at www.regulations.gov (Docket Number FRA-2010-0034) and in person at DOT'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 comment on the PTCSP by submitting written comments or data. During its review of the PTCSP, FRA will consider any comments or data submitted. 49 CFR 236.1011(e). However, FRA may elect not to respond to any particular comment and, under 49 CFR 236.1009(d)(3), FRA maintains the authority to approve or disapprove the PTCSP at its sole discretion. FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing regarding PATH's PTCSP because the circumstances do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, the party should notify FRA in writing before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for the request.

Privacy Act Notice

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.). In accordance with 49 CFR 211.3, FRA solicits comments from the public to better inform its decisions. 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 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.