83 FR 55449 - Approval of BNSF Railway Company Test Program To Evaluate Automated Track Inspection Technologies
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 214 (November 5, 2018)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 214 (November 5, 2018)
| Page Range | 55449-55450 | |
| FR Document | 2018-24111 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 214 (Monday, November 5, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 55449-55450] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-24111] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2018-0091] Approval of BNSF Railway Company Test Program To Evaluate Automated Track Inspection Technologies AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of approval. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FRA is issuing this notice to explain its rationale for approving a BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) Test Program designed to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of automated track inspection technologies and for granting a limited, temporary suspension of one Federal railroad safety requirement necessary to facilitate the conduct of the Test Program. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yu-Jiang Zhang, Staff Director, Track Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 493-6460 or email [email protected]; Aaron Moore, Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 493-7009 or email [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 31, 2018, BNSF petitioned FRA under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 211.51 to suspend certain requirements of its track safety regulations to conduct a pilot program testing various types of automated track inspection methodologies on identified portions of BNSF's Powder River Division main line and siding tracks. BNSF also submitted a Test Program providing a description of the proposed pilot program and the geographic scope of the testing territory. After review and analysis of the Petition and Test Program, on September 26, 2018, subject to certain conditions designed to ensure safety, FRA approved BNSF's Test Program and suspended the requirements of 49 CFR 213.233(c) as necessary to carry out the Test Program.\1\ As required by 49 CFR 211.51(c), FRA is providing this explanatory statement describing the Test Program. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ On October 24, 2018, in response to a request from BNSF, FRA modified the conditions of its September 26, 2018 approval. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Test Program specifies that the pilot program will be conducted on approximately 1,348 miles of main and siding tracks from Lincoln, Nebraska and Donkey Creek, Wyoming and back to Lincoln, Nebraska via BNSF's coal loop excluding the Orin Subdivision. Specifically, the Test Territory includes the following track segments spanning seven subdivisions of BNSF's Powder River Subdivision: 1. Ravenna (Milepost (MP) 11.082 to MP 128.200); 2. Sand Hills (MP 128.2 to MP 364.1); 3. Butte (MP 364.1 to MP 476.1); 4. Black Hills (MP 476.1 to MP 586.286); 5. Canyon (MP 90.4 to MP 133.2); 6. Valley (MP 0.00 to 90.4); and 7. Angora (MP 33.826 to MP 0.3). The Test Program explains that tonnage over the Test Territory varies by subdivision from 105 million gross tons (MGT) to 198 MGT and that the primary traffic over the Test Territory is coal traffic. Further, BNSF indicates that 55 percent of the ties in the Test Territory are concrete and 45 percent are wood, with 520 control points, 292 bridges and 598 turnouts included within the territory. The Test Program is designed to test the use of manned and unmanned track geometry cars for track inspection as a viable alternative to manual visual inspections and to implement and test an optical visual platform to supplement manual visual inspections. The Test Program will be carried out in four separate phases over the course of one year as detailed in Table 1 below: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phase Days Inspection Metric ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1......................... 1-60......................Maintain current Below 2014 baseline for: manual visual inspection 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 frequency. miles = 6.95. Target of approximately weekly geometry car frequency. Joint BNSF/FRA ``baseline'' manual field inspection. 2......................... 61-120.................... Weekly mandated Reduction from baseline: manual visual main line 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 inspections; monthly miles = 5.0 or below sidings. measured quarterly (28% Target of reduction). approximately weekly mainline geometry car frequency; monthly sidings. ATIP Inspection near end of phase 2. [[Page 55450]] 3......................... 121-300................... Data-driven Reduction from baseline: focused manual visual 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 inspections. miles = 4.8 or below Twice monthly measured quarterly (31% mandated manual visual reduction). mainline inspections; monthly sidings. Data driven geometry car frequency, with a minimum of two such tests per month. Automated Optical inspection platform added at same frequency of track geometry testing. ATIP Test end of phase 3. 4......................... 301-365................... Data-driven Reduction from baseline: focused manual visual 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 inspections. miles = 4.6 or below Twice monthly measured quarterly (34% manual visual mainline reduction). inspections; monthly sidings. Data driven geometry car testing frequency, with a minimum of two such tests per month. Data driven optical testing frequency, with a minimum of two such tests per month. Additional technology tested. Joint BNSF/FRA Manual Field Inspection. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1: Phases of Test Program. FRA approved the Test Program and granted BNSF's petition for a temporary suspension of 49 CFR 213.233(c) subject to certain conditions designed to ensure the safety of the Test Program. Among those conditions, BNSF must demonstrate to FRA how it will implement the ``data driven focused manual visual inspections'' in Phases 3 and 4 of the Test Program and the railroad must meet the metrics specified in the Test Program to monitor and measure the effectiveness of the technologies being tested. If those metrics cannot be met in any phase of the program, BNSF must revise the Test Program. A copy of FRA's letters approving BNSF's Test Program and granting the requested limited, temporary suspension of 49 CFR 213.233(c) is available in the public docket at www.regulations.gov (docket no. FRA-2018-0091). FRA finds that the temporary, limited suspension of 49 CFR 213.233(c) is necessary to the conduct of the approved Test Program which is specifically designed to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of automated track inspection technologies. FRA also finds that the scope and application of the granted suspension of 49 CFR 213.233(c) as applied to the Test Program is limited to that necessary to facilitate the conduct of the Test Program. Robert C. Lauby, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2018-24111 Filed 11-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 214 / Monday, November 5, 2018 / Notices 55449
8. Current Roster Members and Prior DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Program, on September 26, 2018, subject
Applicants to certain conditions designed to ensure
Federal Railroad Administration safety, FRA approved BNSF’s Test
Current members of the Chapter 19 Program and suspended the
[Docket No. FRA–2018–0091]
roster who remain interested in requirements of 49 CFR 213.233(c) as
inclusion on the Chapter 19 roster only Approval of BNSF Railway Company necessary to carry out the Test
need to indicate that they are reapplying Test Program To Evaluate Automated Program.1 As required by 49 CFR
and submit updates (if any) to their Track Inspection Technologies 211.51(c), FRA is providing this
applications on file. Current members explanatory statement describing the
do not need to resubmit their AGENCY: Federal Railroad Test Program.
applications. Individuals who have Administration (FRA), Department of The Test Program specifies that the
previously applied but have not been Transportation (DOT). pilot program will be conducted on
selected must submit new applications ACTION: Notice of approval. approximately 1,348 miles of main and
to reapply. If an applicant, including a siding tracks from Lincoln, Nebraska
SUMMARY: FRA is issuing this notice to
current or former roster member, has and Donkey Creek, Wyoming and back
explain its rationale for approving a
previously submitted materials referred to Lincoln, Nebraska via BNSF’s coal
BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) Test
to in item 9, such materials need not be loop excluding the Orin Subdivision.
Program designed to evaluate the
resubmitted. Specifically, the Test Territory includes
effectiveness of various types of
the following track segments spanning
9. Public Disclosure automated track inspection technologies
seven subdivisions of BNSF’s Powder
and for granting a limited, temporary
River Subdivision:
Applications are covered by a Privacy suspension of one Federal railroad
1. Ravenna (Milepost (MP) 11.082 to
Act System of Records Notice and are safety requirement necessary to
MP 128.200);
not subject to public disclosure and will facilitate the conduct of the Test
2. Sand Hills (MP 128.2 to MP 364.1);
not be posted publicly on Program.
3. Butte (MP 364.1 to MP 476.1);
www.regulations.gov. They may be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yu- 4. Black Hills (MP 476.1 to MP
referred to other federal agencies and Jiang Zhang, Staff Director, Track 586.286);
Congressional committees in the course Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 5. Canyon (MP 90.4 to MP 133.2);
of determining eligibility for the roster, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 6. Valley (MP 0.00 to 90.4); and
and shared with foreign governments Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 7. Angora (MP 33.826 to MP 0.3).
and the NAFTA Secretariat in the 493–6460 or email yujiang.zhang@ The Test Program explains that
course of panel selection. dot.gov; Aaron Moore, Attorney, Office tonnage over the Test Territory varies by
10. False Statements of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1200 New Jersey subdivision from 105 million gross tons
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, (MGT) to 198 MGT and that the primary
Pursuant to section 402(c)(5) of the telephone (202) 493–7009 or email traffic over the Test Territory is coal
NAFTA Implementation Act, false aaron.moore@dot.gov. traffic. Further, BNSF indicates that 55
statements by applicants regarding their SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July percent of the ties in the Test Territory
personal or professional qualifications, 31, 2018, BNSF petitioned FRA under are concrete and 45 percent are wood,
or financial or other relevant interests Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations with 520 control points, 292 bridges and
that bear on the applicants’ suitability (CFR) Section 211.51 to suspend certain 598 turnouts included within the
for placement on the Chapter 19 roster requirements of its track safety territory.
or for appointment to binational panels, regulations to conduct a pilot program The Test Program is designed to test
are subject to criminal sanctions under testing various types of automated track the use of manned and unmanned track
18 U.S.C. 1001. inspection methodologies on identified geometry cars for track inspection as a
portions of BNSF’s Powder River viable alternative to manual visual
Juan Millan, Division main line and siding tracks. inspections and to implement and test
Assistant United States Trade Representative BNSF also submitted a Test Program an optical visual platform to
for Monitoring and Enforcement, Office of providing a description of the proposed supplement manual visual inspections.
the U.S. Trade Representative. pilot program and the geographic scope The Test Program will be carried out in
[FR Doc. 2018–24119 Filed 11–2–18; 8:45 am] of the testing territory. After review and four separate phases over the course of
BILLING CODE 3290–F9–P analysis of the Petition and Test one year as detailed in Table 1 below:
Phase Days Inspection Metric
1 ...................... 1–60 ............... • Maintain current manual visual inspection fre- Below 2014 baseline for:
quency. 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 miles = 6.95.
• Target of approximately weekly geometry car fre-
quency.
• Joint BNSF/FRA ‘‘baseline’’ manual field inspection
2 ...................... 61–120 ........... • Weekly mandated manual visual main line inspec- Reduction from baseline:
tions; monthly sidings. 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 miles = 5.0 or
• Target of approximately weekly mainline geometry below measured quarterly (28% reduction).
car frequency; monthly sidings.
• ATIP Inspection near end of phase 2 ......................
1 On October 24, 2018, in response to a request
from BNSF, FRA modified the conditions of its
September 26, 2018 approval.
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![55450 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 214 / Monday, November 5, 2018 / Notices
Phase Days Inspection Metric
3 ...................... 121–300 ......... • Data-driven focused manual visual inspections ...... Reduction from baseline:
• Twice monthly mandated manual visual mainline 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 miles = 4.8 or
inspections; monthly sidings. below measured quarterly (31% reduction).
• Data driven geometry car frequency, with a min-
imum of two such tests per month.
• Automated Optical inspection platform added at
same frequency of track geometry testing.
• ATIP Test end of phase 3 .......................................
4 ...................... 301–365 ......... • Data-driven focused manual visual inspections ...... Reduction from baseline:
• Twice monthly manual visual mainline inspections; 1. Unprotected Red tags/100 miles = 4.6 or
monthly sidings. below measured quarterly (34% reduction).
• Data driven geometry car testing frequency, with a
minimum of two such tests per month.
• Data driven optical testing frequency, with a min-
imum of two such tests per month.
• Additional technology tested ....................................
• Joint BNSF/FRA Manual Field Inspection ...............
Table 1: Phases of Test Program.
FRA approved the Test Program and DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION each establishment indicating that the
granted BNSF’s petition for a temporary monthly listings are available to be
suspension of 49 CFR 213.233(c) subject Federal Railroad Administration viewed in two ways: electronically
to certain conditions designed to ensure [Docket Number FRA–2018–0083] through access from a computer
the safety of the Test Program. Among terminal, or through direct request of a
those conditions, BNSF must Petition for Waiver of Compliance manager.
demonstrate to FRA how it will A copy of the petition, as well as any
Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of written communications concerning the
implement the ‘‘data driven focused Federal Regulations (CFR), this
manual visual inspections’’ in Phases 3 petition, is available for review online at
document provides the public notice www.regulations.gov and in person at
and 4 of the Test Program and the that on October 4, 2018, the BNSF the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
railroad must meet the metrics specified Railway Company (BNSF), petitioned (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200
in the Test Program to monitor and the Federal Railroad Administration New Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140,
measure the effectiveness of the (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from Washington, DC 20590. The Docket
technologies being tested. If those certain provisions of the Federal Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m.
metrics cannot be met in any phase of railroad safety regulations contained at to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
the program, BNSF must revise the Test 49 CFR 225.25, Recordkeeping. FRA except Federal Holidays.
Program. A copy of FRA’s letters assigned the petition Docket Number Interested parties are invited to
approving BNSF’s Test Program and FRA–2018–0083. participate in these proceedings by
granting the requested limited, Specifically, BNSF seeks a waiver of submitting written views, data, or
temporary suspension of 49 CFR compliance from 49 CFR 225.25(h) comments. FRA does not anticipate
213.233(c) is available in the public which states, in part, ‘‘Except as scheduling a public hearing in
docket at www.regulations.gov (docket provided in paragraph (h)(15) of this connection with these proceedings since
no. FRA–2018–0091). section, a listing of all injuries and the facts do not appear to warrant a
occupational illnesses reported to FRA hearing. If any interested parties desire
FRA finds that the temporary, limited
as having occurred at an establishment an opportunity for oral comment and a
suspension of 49 CFR 213.233(c) is shall be posted in a conspicuous
necessary to the conduct of the public hearing, they should notify FRA,
location at that establishment, within 30 in writing, before the end of the
approved Test Program which is days after the expiration of the month comment period and specify the basis
specifically designed to evaluate the during which the injuries and illnesses for their request.
effectiveness of various types of occurred, if the establishment has been All communications concerning these
automated track inspection in continual operation for a minimum of proceedings should identify the
technologies. FRA also finds that the 90 calendar days.’’ appropriate docket number and may be
scope and application of the granted BNSF requests a waiver regarding the submitted by any of the following
suspension of 49 CFR 213.233(c) as actual posting of the monthly listing of methods:
applied to the Test Program is limited employee reportable injuries, • Website: http://
to that necessary to facilitate the occupational illnesses, and fatalities, as www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
conduct of the Test Program. reported to FRA that have occurred instructions for submitting comments.
during the past 12-month period at each • Fax: 202–493–2251.
Robert C. Lauby, establishment. In lieu of physically • Mail: Docket Operations Facility,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety posting a ‘‘paper’’ copy of the monthly U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
Chief Safety Officer. listing at each establishment, BNSF has New Jersey Avenue SE, W12–140,
[FR Doc. 2018–24111 Filed 11–2–18; 8:45 am] developed an electronic version that Washington, DC 20590.
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P would be available to its employees by • Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey
accessing this information on computer Avenue SE, Room W12–140,
terminals located at company facilities Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and personal devices. BNSF would and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
place posters on the notice boards at except Federal Holidays.
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Document Created: 2018-11-03 00:28:54
Document Modified: 2018-11-03 00:28:54
| 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 approval. | |
| Contact | Yu-Jiang Zhang, Staff Director, Track Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 493-6460 or email [email protected]; Aaron Moore, Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 493-7009 or email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 55449 |
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