Requirements for the operation of high-hazard flammable trains.

(a)Applicability. Each rail carrier operating a high-hazard flammable train (as defined in § 171.8 of this subchapter) must comply with each of the following additional safety requirements with respect to each high-hazard flammable train that it operates:#

(1)Routing. The additional planning requirements for transportation by rail in accordance with part 172, subpart I of this subchapter.#

(2)Speed restrictions. All trains are limited to a maximum speed of 50 mph. The train is further limited to a maximum speed of 40 mph while that train travels within the limits of high-threat urban areas (HTUAs) as defined in § 1580.3 of this title, unless all tank cars containing a Class 3 flammable liquid meet or exceed the DOT Specification 117 standards, the DOT Specification 117P performance standards, or the DOT Specification 117R retrofit standards provided in part 179, subpart D of this subchapter.#

(3)Braking. Each rail carrier operating a high-hazard flammable train (as defined in § 171.8 of this subchapter) operating at a speed in excess of 30 mph must ensure the train is equipped and operated with either a two-way end-of-train (EOT) device, as defined in 49 CFR 232.5, or a distributed power (DP) system, as defined in 49 CFR 229.5.#

(4)New tank cars. After October 1, 2015, tank cars manufactured for use in a HHFT must meet:#

(i)DOT Specification 117, or 117P performance standard in part 179, subpart D of this subchapter; or#

(ii)An authorized tank specification as specified in part 173, subpart F of this subchapter.#

(5)Retrofit reporting. Owners of non-jacketed DOT-111 tank cars in PG I service in an HHFT, who are unable to meet the January 1, 2017, retrofit deadline specified in § 173.243(a)(1) of this subchapter are required to submit a report by March 1, 2017, to Department of Transportation. A group representing owners may submit a consolidated report to the Department of Transportation in lieu of individual reports from each tank car owner. The report must include the following information regarding the retrofitting progress:#

(i)The total number of tank cars retrofitted to meet the DOT-117R specification;#

(ii)The total number of tank cars built or retrofitted to meet the DOT-117P specification;#

(iii)The total number of DOT-111 tank cars (including those built to CPC-1232 industry standard) that have not been modified;#

(iv)The total number of tank cars built to meet the DOT-117 specification; and#

(v)Entities required to submit a report under this paragraph shall submit subsequent follow-up reports containing the information identified in this paragraph within 60 days of being notified by PHMSA and FRA.#

(6)Oil spill response plans. The additional requirements for petroleum oil transported by rail in accordance with part 130 of of this chapter.#

(7)High-hazard flammable train (HHFT) information sharing notification for emergency response planning. The additional requirements for notification in § 174.312.#

(b)[Reserved]#