81 FR 30604 - Contact Rail (Third Rail) System Hazards
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 95 (May 17, 2016)
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 95 (May 17, 2016)
| Page Range | 30604-30605 | |
| FR Document | 2016-11580 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 30604-30605] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-11580] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Safety Advisory 16-2] Contact Rail (Third Rail) System Hazards AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued Safety Advisory 16-2 regarding contact rail system hazards on rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RFGPTSs). A letter to the Managers of State Safety Oversight (SSO) programs with RFGPTSs that use a contact rail system, was also issued requesting data and information on contact rail system hazards occurring during calendar year 2015. Safety Advisory 16-2 and the accompanying letter are available in their entirety on the FTA public Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/tso.html. DATES: FTA is asking the managers of the SSO programs to submit the requested data and information 90 days from issuance of the advisory. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For program matters, Sam Shelton, Office of System Safety, telephone (202) 366-0815 or [email protected]. For legal matters, Scott Biehl, Senior Counsel, telephone (202) 366-0826 or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Nationwide, 13 RFGPTS operate and maintain contact rail traction power electrification (TPE) systems to power trains that move millions of daily passengers in some of the nation's largest cities. Recently, the FTA has investigated several safety events related to failures of contact rail TPE systems, including:Smoke events caused by arcing insulators and traction power cable fires; An explosion caused by a flashover on porcelain insulators; A high-intensity fire caused by an electrical short circuit that resulted in the total loss of a traction power substation and major service disruptions; Damage to electrical propulsion equipment on dozens of railcars caused by spiking voltage that significantly impacted passenger service; and Poor track conditions exacerbated by electrolysis and corrosion from stray current, which degraded anchor bolts and fasteners to the point of failure in a tunnel. The FTA finds sufficient evidence that each SSOA with an RFGPTS operating and maintaining a contact rail TPE system should investigate potential hazards associated with these systems through its hazard management program specified at 49 CFR 659.31. Further, in accordance with its authority at 49 CFR 659.39(d) to periodically request program information from the SSOAs,\1\ the FTA asks these SSOAs to collect the information requested below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Please note, on March 16, 2016, FTA issued a final rule for State Safety Oversight that will eventually replace the longstanding regulations at 49 CFR part 659. See, 81 FR 14230-62. SSOAs and RFGPTSs must continue to comply with 49 CFR part 659, however, until they come into compliance with the new regulations, which have been codified at 49 CFR part 674. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) A brief description of the RFGPTS contact rail TPE system and components. (2) A brief description regarding any major changes or upgrades to the contact rail TPE system made over the last 10 years and whether the traction power cables were also upgraded. (3) A brief description of the RFGPTS preventive maintenance program in place to determine the insulation integrity of traction power feeder cables (i.e., meggering, hipot testing, metering or other testing program). If such a program does not exist, or has been modified or eliminated, please explain in the response. (4) The approximate percentage of traction power feeder cables used by the RFGPTS that are low smoke and zero halogen emission cables. Please specify the type and manufacturer. (5) A brief description of the construction and installation processes used to manage potential impacts of vibration, friction, rubbing, etc. on traction power cables, and whether protective matting is used for cables lying along the ballast and tunnel invert. (6) A listing of any corrective action plans (CAPs) required and approved by the SSOA related to the traction power electrification system since calendar year 2012 and their status, to include both open and closed CAPs. (7) A copy of the RFGPTS inspection, testing, and maintenance program manual for its contact rail TPE system. (8) The RFGPTS definition of ``arcing insulator.'' [[Page 30605]] (9) The following safety event information for calendar year 2015: a. The total number of times a fire department responded to smoke conditions at the RFGPTS related to the contact rail TPE system; b. The total number of smoke/fire events related to the contact rail TPE system that resulted in evacuations for fire/life safety reasons at the RFGPTS; and c. The total number of fatalities and injuries and the total amount of property damage at the RFGPTS resulting from smoke/fire events related to the contact rail TPE system. (10) A description of any hazards, issues, or concerns related to the contact rail TPE system reported to, identified and/or investigated by the SSOA during calendar year 2015. The cooperation of the rail transit industry would be very helpful in developing a better understanding of contact rail system hazards, and in due course, a strategy for mitigating the safety risks created by these hazards. Issued in Washington, DC, this 12th day of May, 2016. Carolyn Flowers, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2016-11580 Filed 5-16-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![30604 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2016 / Notices
NFRMPO’s purchase of up to 25 merits of the request. A full copy of the • Damage to electrical propulsion
minivans. request has been placed in docket equipment on dozens of railcars caused
The market for non-ADA accessible number FTA–2016–0025. by spiking voltage that significantly
minivans has changed since 2013. In impacted passenger service; and
Ellen Partridge,
2013, the Chrysler minivan met the • Poor track conditions exacerbated
domestic content requirements but was Chief Counsel. by electrolysis and corrosion from stray
not assembled in the United States. FTA [FR Doc. 2016–11571 Filed 5–16–16; 8:45 am] current, which degraded anchor bolts
issued a non-availability waiver for final BILLING CODE 4910–57–P and fasteners to the point of failure in
assembly because more than 60 percent a tunnel.
of the minivan’s components were The FTA finds sufficient evidence
produced in the United States. Today, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION that each SSOA with an RFGPTS
Chrysler does not meet either Buy operating and maintaining a contact rail
America requirements. However, there Federal Transit Administration
TPE system should investigate potential
are at least four manufacturers—GMC, [Safety Advisory 16–2] hazards associated with these systems
Ford, Honda and Toyota—that make through its hazard management program
non-ADA-accessible minivans that are Contact Rail (Third Rail) System specified at 49 CFR 659.31. Further, in
assembled in the U.S.2 Hazards accordance with its authority at 49 CFR
Because there are at least four 659.39(d) to periodically request
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration
minivans manufacturers who assemble program information from the SSOAs,1
(FTA), Department of Transportation
their vehicles in the United States, FTA the FTA asks these SSOAs to collect the
(DOT).
will not grant Pace a non-availability information requested below.
waiver for both final assembly and ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory.
(1) A brief description of the RFGPTS
domestic content. Instead, in order to SUMMARY: The Federal Transit contact rail TPE system and
maintain U.S. jobs and obtain the Administration (FTA) issued Safety components.
benefits of the Buy America statute, Advisory 16–2 regarding contact rail (2) A brief description regarding any
FTA proposes to grant a general waiver system hazards on rail fixed guideway major changes or upgrades to the
of only the domestic content public transportation systems contact rail TPE system made over the
requirement for non-ADA-accessible (RFGPTSs). A letter to the Managers of last 10 years and whether the traction
minivans. This waiver would apply to State Safety Oversight (SSO) programs power cables were also upgraded.
all procurements of non-ADA-accessible with RFGPTSs that use a contact rail (3) A brief description of the RFGPTS
minivans and is limited to contracts system, was also issued requesting data preventive maintenance program in
entered into before September 30, 2019 and information on contact rail system place to determine the insulation
or until a fully-compliant domestic hazards occurring during calendar year integrity of traction power feeder cables
source becomes available, whichever is (i.e., meggering, hipot testing, metering
2015. Safety Advisory 16–2 and the
earlier. Because the non-ADA-accessible or other testing program). If such a
accompanying letter are available in
minivans are production line vehicles program does not exist, or has been
their entirety on the FTA public Web
sold to the general public (i.e., they are modified or eliminated, please explain
site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/tso.html.
not designed and manufactured in the response.
specifically to be purchased using DATES: FTA is asking the managers of
the SSO programs to submit the (4) The approximate percentage of
Federal funds), and those sales traction power feeder cables used by the
substantially outnumber purchases with requested data and information 90 days
from issuance of the advisory. RFGPTS that are low smoke and zero
Federal funds, manufacturers have been halogen emission cables. Please specify
reluctant to subject their vehicles to the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
the type and manufacturer.
pre-award and post-delivery audit program matters, Sam Shelton, Office of
(5) A brief description of the
requirements in 49 CFR part 663 to System Safety, telephone (202) 366–
construction and installation processes
verify their domestic content. FTA seeks 0815 or Sam.Shelton@dot.gov. For legal
used to manage potential impacts of
comments on whether manufacturers matters, Scott Biehl, Senior Counsel,
vibration, friction, rubbing, etc. on
would consider submitting to a pre- telephone (202) 366–0826 or
traction power cables, and whether
award and post-delivery audit process Scott.Biehl@dot.gov.
protective matting is used for cables
that was conducted by FTA on each SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: lying along the ballast and tunnel invert.
new model year, as opposed to requiring Nationwide, 13 RFGPTS operate and (6) A listing of any corrective action
audits for each individual procurement. maintain contact rail traction power plans (CAPs) required and approved by
This waiver would not apply to ADA- electrification (TPE) systems to power the SSOA related to the traction power
accessible minivans because such trains that move millions of daily electrification system since calendar
vehicles are available that meet the Buy passengers in some of the nation’s year 2012 and their status, to include
America requirements. largest cities. Recently, the FTA has both open and closed CAPs.
FTA is publishing this Notice to seek investigated several safety events related (7) A copy of the RFGPTS inspection,
public and industry comment from all to failures of contact rail TPE systems, testing, and maintenance program
interested parties in accordance with 49 including: manual for its contact rail TPE system.
U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A). Such information • Smoke events caused by arcing (8) The RFGPTS definition of ‘‘arcing
and comments will help FTA insulators and traction power cable insulator.’’
understand completely the facts
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
fires;
surrounding the request, including the • An explosion caused by a flashover 1 Please note, on March 16, 2016, FTA issued a
on porcelain insulators; final rule for State Safety Oversight that will
2 This information is from the 2016 report • A high-intensity fire caused by an eventually replace the longstanding regulations at
submitted by car manufacturers to the National electrical short circuit that resulted in 49 CFR part 659. See, 81 FR 14230–62. SSOAs and
Highway Transportation Safety Administration RFGPTSs must continue to comply with 49 CFR
(NHTSA) under the American Automobile Labeling
the total loss of a traction power part 659, however, until they come into compliance
Act. A copy of the report is posted on NHTSA’s substation and major service with the new regulations, which have been codified
Web site at http://www.nhtsa.gov. disruptions; at 49 CFR part 674.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2016 / Notices 30605
(9) The following safety event of the public transportation industry, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information for calendar year 2015: including recommendations for program matters, contact Brian Alberts,
a. The total number of times a fire regulatory changes, if applicable; and Office of Transit Safety and Oversight,
department responded to smoke actions that the Secretary of the (202) 366–1783 or Brian.Alberts@
conditions at the RFGPTS related to the Department of Transportation will take dot.gov; or Raj Wagley, Office or
contact rail TPE system; to address the recommendations Research and Innovation, (202)–366–
b. The total number of smoke/fire provided. 5386 or Raj.Wagley@dot.gov.
events related to the contact rail TPE Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00
DATES: Comments must be submitted by
system that resulted in evacuations for p.m., Monday through Friday, except
June 16, 2016. Comments filed after the
fire/life safety reasons at the RFGPTS; Federal holidays.
deadline will be considered to the
and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
c. The total number of fatalities and extent practicable.
injuries and the total amount of ADDRESSES: Please submit your Table of Contents
property damage at the RFGPTS comments by only one of the following I. Overview
resulting from smoke/fire events related methods, identifying your submission II. Summary of Compendium of Public
to the contact rail TPE system. by Docket Number (FTA–2016–0024). Transportation Safety Standards
(10) A description of any hazards, • Federal eRulemaking Portal: III. Questions
issues, or concerns related to the contact Submit electronic comments and other IV. Use of Stakeholder Comments
rail TPE system reported to, identified data to http://www.regulations.gov.
• U.S. Mail: Send comments to I. Overview
and/or investigated by the SSOA during
calendar year 2015. Docket Operations, U.S. Department of Section 3020 of the FAST Act requires
The cooperation of the rail transit Transportation, 1200 New Jersey the Secretary of Transportation to
industry would be very helpful in Avenue SE., West Building Room W12– conduct a review of public
developing a better understanding of 140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. transportation safety standards and
contact rail system hazards, and in due • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take protocols to assess the efficacy of those
course, a strategy for mitigating the comments to Docket Operations in standards and protocols. The content of
safety risks created by these hazards. Room W12–140 of the West Building, the review must include minimum
Ground Floor, at 1200 New Jersey safety performance standards developed
Issued in Washington, DC, this 12th day of by the public transportation industry
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between
May, 2016.
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday and safety performance standards,
Carolyn Flowers,
through Friday, except Federal holidays. practices, or protocols in use by rail
Acting Administrator. • Fax: Fax comments to Docket fixed guideway public transportation
[FR Doc. 2016–11580 Filed 5–16–16; 8:45 am] Operations, U.S. Department of systems. The review also must include
BILLING CODE P Transportation, at (202) 493–2251. rail and bus safety standards, practices,
Instructions: You must include the or protocols in use by public
agency name (Federal Transit transportation systems regarding (1) rail
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Administration) and Docket Number and bus design and the workstation of
(FTA–2016–0024) for this notice, at the rail and bus operators, (2) scheduling
Federal Transit Administration
beginning of your comments. If sent by fixed route rail and bus service with
[Docket No. FTA–2016–0024] mail, submit two copies of your adequate time and access for operators
comments. Due to security procedures to use restroom facilities, (3) fatigue
Compendium of Public Transportation in effect since October 2001, mail management, (4) and crash avoidance
Safety Standards received through the U.S. Postal Service and worthiness. Section 3020(b) of the
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration may be subject to delays. Parties FAST Act requires the Secretary to
(FTA), DOT. submitting comments should consider conduct an evaluation following the
ACTION: Request for comments. using an express mail firm to ensure the review in consultation with the public
prompt filing of any submissions not transportation industry to assess the
SUMMARY: FTA is inviting the public to filed electronically or by hand. If you need to establish additional Federal
evaluate and provide comments on its wish to receive confirmation that FTA minimum public transportation safety
Compendium of transit safety standards received your comments, you must standards.
and protocols. The Fixing America’s include a self-addressed stamped FTA has placed in the docket and on
Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) postcard. All comments received will be FTA’s Web site its review of public
requires the Secretary of Transportation posted without change to http:// transportation safety standards and
to conduct a review of public www.regulations.gov, including any protocols contained as a ‘‘Compendium
transportation safety standards and personal information provided. Anyone of Public Transportation Safety
protocols to document existing is able to search the electronic form for Standards’’ (Compendium) provided in
standards and protocols and examine all comments received into any of our tabular format. Included within this
their efficacy. Following the review, the dockets by the name of the individual Compendium are standards for all
Secretary also is required to engage with submitting the comment (or signing the public transportation modes (where
the public in an evaluation of the comment, if submitted on behalf of an available), including commuter rail and
standards to assess the need to establish association, business, labor union, etc.). ferry boat, modes for which regulatory
additional Federal minimum public You may review the United States oversight rests within another DOT
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
transportation safety standards. Upon Department of Transportation’s (DOT) modal administration. FTA seeks
completion of the review and Privacy Act system of records notice for comments from the public
evaluation, the Secretary must issue a the DOT Federal Docket Management transportation industry on the
report presenting the findings of the System (FDMS) in the Federal Register utilization of the standards contained
review of standards; the outcome of the published on December 29, 2010 (75 FR within the Compendium, observations
evaluation; a comprehensive set of 82132) at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ or data driven statements of the
recommendations to improve the safety pkg/FR-2010-12-29/pdf/2010-32876.pdf. effectiveness of the standards, and areas
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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:05:33
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:05:33
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Safety Advisory. | |
| Dates | FTA is asking the managers of the SSO programs to submit the requested data and information 90 days from issuance of the advisory. | |
| Contact | For program matters, Sam Shelton, Office of System Safety, telephone (202) 366-0815 or [email protected] For legal matters, Scott Biehl, Senior Counsel, telephone (202) 366-0826 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 30604 |
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