2016-21139. Union Pacific Railroad'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 the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) submitted to FRA its Positive Train Control (PTC) Safety Plan (PTCSP) Version 1.0, dated June 1, 2016. UP requests that FRA approve its PTCSP and issue a PTC System Certification for UP's Interoperable Electronic Train Management System (I-ETMS).

DATES:

FRA will consider communications received by October 3, 2016 before taking final action on the PTCSP. FRA will consider comments received after that date if practicable.

ADDRESSES:

All communications concerning this proceeding should identify Docket Number FRA-2010-0061 and may be submitted by any of the following methods:

• Web site: 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 [phone], [e-mail]; or Mr. David Blackmore, Staff Director, Positive Train Control Division, at [phone], [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In its PTCSP, UP asserts that the I-ETMS system it is implementing is designed as a vital overlay PTC system as defined in 49 CFR 236.1015(e)(2). The PTCSP describes UP's I-ETMS implementation and the associated I-ETMS safety processes, safety analyses, and test, validation, and verification processes used during development of I-ETMS. The PTCSP also contains UP's operational and support requirements and procedures.

UP's PTCSP and the accompanying request for approval and system certification are available for review online at www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FRA-2010-0061) 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 comment on the PTCSP by submitting written comments or data. See 49 CFR 236.1011(e). During its review of the PTCSP, FRA will consider any comments or data submitted. 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 UP'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 his or her 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 you can review at www.dot.gov/​privacy. See https://www.regulations.gov/​privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC, on August 29, 2016.

Patrick T. Warren,

Acting Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.