[Federal Register: February 1, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 20)]
[Notices]
[Page 5172-5173]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe10-132]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the Transit Rail
Advisory Committee for Safety
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice to solicit nominees.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking
nominations for individuals to serve on the Transit Rail Advisory
Committee for Safety (TRACS). The Advisory Committee meets at least
twice a year to advise FTA on transit safety issues. The
recommendations of the TRACS will help FTA develop new policies,
practices, and regulations for enhancing safety in rail transit should
FTA be given authority to promulgate new transit safety requirements.
DATES: Applications must be submitted no later than February 26, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Flanigon, Director, Office of
Safety and Security, Federal Transit Administration, 202-366-0235 or
Mike.Flanigon@dot.gov. Applications should be submitted to
TRACS@dot.gov or mailed to the Federal Transit Administration, Office
of Safety and Security, Room E46-338, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Nationwide, rail transit is considered one of the safest modes of
transportation with more than seven million people boarding rail
transit vehicles in the United States each day. Transit systems have
fewer fatalities and injuries than does any other mode of
transportation. Even so, major accidents in Chicago, Washington, DC,
San Francisco, and Boston have captured the attention of the public and
raised widespread
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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 TRACS for the purpose of providing a forum
for the development, consideration, and communication of information
from knowledgeable and independent perspectives regarding transit rail
safety. The committee is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and became effective on December 8, 2009.
In addition, the Secretary of Transportation transmitted to
Congress in December proposed legislation outlining comprehensive
transit safety reforms. While Congress debates this important piece of
legislation, the Department has decided to move forward with the
selection process for the TRACS. The Department acknowledges that FTA
cannot promulgate final regulations without new safety legislation, but
given the urgent need for reform in this area, convening affected
parties now will only help strengthen FTA's decision-making process
later.
TRACS will be composed of no more than 25 voting members
representing key constituencies affected by rail transit safety
requirements. These key constituencies will include, but are not
limited to: rail safety experts, labor unions, transit agencies, rider
advocacy groups, State safety oversight agencies, and industry
associations. Members are recommended for appointment by the FTA
Administrator and appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the
Secretary of Transportation. Terms of office will normally be two
years, and members' terms of office will be staggered to assure
adequate continuity of TRACS membership. Therefore, at least initially,
some members may be appointed under this announcement to a one-year
term of office.
Qualified individuals interested in serving on this committee are
invited to apply to FTA for appointment. Nominations are sought from
highly qualified individuals and should possess demonstrable expertise
in the field of safety and/or rail transit operations/maintenance or
represent stakeholder interests that would be affected by rail transit
safety requirements. Nominees will also be evaluated based on the
following factors: policy experience, leadership and organizational
skills, region of country represented, and diversity characteristics.
Each nomination should include: proposed committee member's name and
organizational affiliation, a cover letter describing the nominee's
qualifications or interest in serving on the committee, a curriculum
vitae or resume of the nominee's qualifications, and whether the
nominee would like to be considered for a one year or two year term.
Self-nominations are acceptable and each submission should include the
following contact information: nominee's name, address, phone number,
fax number, and e-mail address. FTA prefers electronic submission for
all applications to TRACS@dot.gov. Applications will also be accepted
via U.S. mail at the address identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this notice. All applications must be submitted by
February 26, 2010. Finally, in furtherance of the President's efforts
to reduce the influence of special interests in Washington, we are
interested in keeping TRACS free of individuals who currently are
registered Federal lobbyists.
The TRACS will meet approximately twice a year, usually in
Washington, DC, but may meet more often if the need arises. Members
serve at their own expense and receive no salary, or other compensation
from the Federal Government. FTA retains authority to review the
participation of any TRACS member and to recommend changes at any time.
TRACS meetings will be open to the public and one need not be a member
to attend. Interested individuals may view the charter for TRACS at
http://fta.dot.gov. The Secretary of Transportation expects to make
final decisions regarding committee membership by April 30, 2010.
Issued this 27th day of January 2010 in Washington, DC.
Peter Rogoff,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-2011 Filed 1-29-10; 8:45 am]
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