FRA Seeks Comment on Two C&S-Related Petitions
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
Union Pacific photo
The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking comment on two petitions regarding inspection of microprocessor-controlled interlockings and FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plans (PTCSPs).
In “Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance,” CN petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 236, “Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances. CN requested an extension of relief from § 236.377, “Approach Locking”; § 236.378, “Time Locking”; § 236.379, “Route Locking”; § 236.380, “Indication Locking”; and § 236.281, “Traffic Locking,” to extend the periodic testing schedules from “at least once every 2 years” to “at least once every 4 years” after initial testing has been performed. The relief would apply at interlocking control points and other signal locations controlled by “microprocessor-based equipment, all future purchases of microprocessor-controlled interlocking locations, and all interlocking sites upgraded to microprocessor control.”
FRA said it “does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing … Communications received by Sept. 18, 2023 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable.”
In “Railroads’ Joint Request to Amend Their Positive Train Control Safety Plans and Positive Train Control Systems,” 20 host railroads on June 28, 2023 submitted a joint request for amendment (RFA) to their FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plans (PTCSPs). The RFA proposes an alternative to the definition of “initial terminal,” and as such involves a request for FRA approval of a proposed material modification to FRA-certified PTC systems. FRA will consider comments received by Aug. 8, 2023, and may consider comments received after that date “to the extent practicable and without delaying implementation of valuable or necessary modifications to PTC systems.”
