[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 228 (Monday, November 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62630-62631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28532]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Establishment of the Federal Transit Administration Advisory
Committee for Transit Safety
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to establish a Federal Advisory Committee.
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SUMMARY: On November 23, 2009, the Secretary of Transportation
authorized the establishment of a Federal Advisory Committee to address
transit safety issues. The Transit Rail Advisory Committee for Safety
(TRACS) will consist of up to 25 voting members and will provide
recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation through the Federal
Transit Administrator regarding transit safety and other issues.
DATES: This charter is effective on December 8, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Flanigon, Director, Office of
Safety and Security, Federal Transit Administration, 202-366-0235 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. Background
Nationwide, rail transit is considered one of the safest modes of
transportation with more than 7 million people boarding rail transit
vehicles in the United States each day. Transit agencies have fewer
fatalities and injuries than does any other mode of transportation.
Over the last five years, however, the industry's safety record, while
still low, has deteriorated. Rates per million passenger miles between
2003 and 2008 on rail transit systems, not regulated by Federal
Railroad Administration are as follows:
Derailment rates are up from 0.23 to 0.38. Collision rates are
up from 0.2 to 0.8 .
Passenger Fatality rates are up from 0.43 to 0.60 (all causes
except suicide).
Passenger fatality rates from train collisions have held steady
at 1 per year (9 in 2009).
Employee right of way fatalities are steady at 3 per year
(double the average number during the previous 15 years).
Major accidents in Chicago, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and
Boston have captured the attention of the public and raised widespread
concern regarding the industry's commitment to the safety of its
passengers and employees. For example, the 2006 derailment of a CTA
Blue Line train in Chicago involved aging infrastructure that did not
meet agency safety standards and yet remained in service.
In response to this series of accidents, the Secretary of
Transportation established the Rail Transit Safety Work Group, an
internal Departmental work group with representatives from several
administrations, to evaluate the Federal role in transit safety. After
deliberating, the work group recommended that the Secretary establish
an advisory committee for transit safety. The Secretary accepted the
recommendation and authorized the establishment of an advisory
committee for the purpose of analyzing transit safety issues and
developing recommendations for minimum, national transit safety
standards.
The establishment of an advisory committee for transit safety
serves the public interest by providing a forum for the development,
consideration, and communication of information from knowledgeable and
independent perspectives. The level of expertise and balanced
viewpoints of this committee will enable early identification of
potential problem areas and accelerate corrective actions, thereby
creating greater safety and public confidence in the Nation's public
transportation systems.
In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (FACA), the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) is publishing this notice to announce the
Secretary's intent to establish an advisory committee. The Transit Rail
Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) will have the objective to
provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator of FTA
regarding transit safety issues.
No determination of fact or policy will be made by the TRACS. The
TRACS will meet as necessary to carry out its duties, but is expected
to meet at least twice a year. Meetings of subcommittees or work groups
may occur more frequently. The FTA Administrator on behalf of the
Secretary of Transportation will name an Executive Director for the
committee who will also serve as the Designated Federal Official
responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of FACA.
Members of the public may review the draft charter for TRACS at FTA's
Web site located at http://fta.dot.gov.
[[Page 62631]]
Issued this 24th day of November, 2009, in Washington, DC.
Peter M. Rogoff,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-28532 Filed 11-24-09; 4:15 pm]
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