80 FR 31965 - Petition for Approval of Product Safety Plan

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 107 (June 4, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31965-31966]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13640]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2011-0026]


Petition for Approval of Product Safety Plan

    In accordance with part 211 of title 49 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), this provides the public notice that by a document 
dated May 6, 2015, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has petitioned the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for approval of its Product 
Safety Plan (PSP) for its Microlok II Interlocking Controller with 
Executive Software Version CC3.0. FRA assigned the petition Docket 
Number FRA-2011-0026.

[[Page 31966]]

    The PSP submitted is intended to meet the requirements prescribed 
in 49 CFR part 236 Subpart H (Standards for Development and Use of 
Processor-Based Signal and Train Control Systems), specifically, 
section 236.907 for Microlok II with Executive Software Version CC 
3.0.(Microlok II CC3.0). FRA is requiring the LIRR to submit a PSP on 
Microlok II CC3.0 because Software Version CC3.0 of the executive 
software incorporates safety-critical modifications and enhancements 
that did not exist in the previous versions of Microlok II that have 
been in revenue operations prior to June 6, 2005, and were eligible for 
exclusion from the requirements of Subpart H.
    Microlok II CC3.0 is a processor-based programmable interlocking 
controller designed for application in safety-critical railway 
operations. The basic operation of this product is to accept a variety 
of inputs, perform the user-specified logic that maps those inputs into 
a series of outputs, and then deliver those outputs to safely operate 
the various physical components of the interlocking to route trains in 
a safe manner consistent with standard vital railway signaling 
practices. The product also incorporates non-vital controls and 
indications where such features are required.
    The LIRR intends to apply Microlok II CC 3.0 as its Vital 
Microprocessor Based Interlocking Control System (VMICS) at the Harold 
and Point Interlockings on the LIRR mainline in Long Island City, NY. 
All tracks through the interlockings have a 60 mile per hour (mph) 
passenger train speed limit and a 20 mph freight train speed. The 
operational characteristics include a bi-directional cab signal system 
with wayside signals within the interlockings.
    LIRR maintains that the Microlok II CC3.0 safety critical 
processor-based interlocking controller uses a combination of intrinsic 
fail-safety and diversity and self-checking safety assurance techniques 
to mitigate the effects of random hardware faults. Per LIRR this would 
allow the Microlok II CC3.0 controller to achieve and maintain a safety 
integrity level against systematic faults that satisfy the safety 
requirements of 49 CFR part 236 subpart H.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
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: 202-493-2251.
     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 July 20, 2015 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 document, 
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 
public to better inform its processes. 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 www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 2, 2015.
Ron Hynes,
Director of Technical Oversight.
[FR Doc. 2015-13640 Filed 6-3-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P