2011-20194. Notification of Petition for Approval; Product Safety Plan

In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document dated May 23, 2011, the Marquette Rail, LLC (Marquette) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval of a Product Safety Plan (PSP) submitted pursuant to 49 CFR part 236, subpart H. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2011-0055.

Marquette submitted a petition for approval of a PSP for the Railsoft TrackAccess System. The TrackAccess System is a processor-based dispatch system developed to be operated in the autonomous mode (without dispatcher intervention) for low density lines. The system provides a processor-based methodology of requesting and issuing track authority to either qualified train crewmembers or roadway workers, and to do so while significantly improving safety of train operations, roadway workers, and other railway equipment, while also increasing railroad productivity. Marquette asserts the PSP demonstrates that the TrackAccess System has been designed in a highly safe manner, and has been sufficiently tested to verify that fact. The PSP provides descriptions of the TrackAccess System itself.

A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at http://www.regulations.gov and in person at the Department of Transportation's Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey Ave., 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 party desires an opportunity for oral comment, 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:

• 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.

Communications received by September 8, 2011 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable.

Anyone is able to 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 comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or online at http://www.dot.gov/​privacy.html.

Issued in Washington, DC on August 2, 2011.

Robert C. Lauby,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Regulatory & Legislative Operations.