[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 39360-39362] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-19428] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket No. RSPA-98-4029; Notice 1] Pipeline Safety: Implementation of One-Call Systems Study AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA); Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS). ACTION: Notice of public meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 39361]] SUMMARY: This notice announces RSPA's intent to establish a team of government, industry, and public representatives to study best practices in damage prevention to underground utilities. The team will evaluate the effectiveness of various existing one-call notification systems in protecting the public, individuals engaging in excavation activities, and the environment, and in preventing disruptions to public services and damage to underground facilities like pipelines, telecommunications, electric, water and sewer lines. This notice also announces a public meeting to solicit views and recommendations on the direction of this study of one-call system best practices and to identify sources of information which should be considered as part of the study. RSPA invites interested parties to attend this public meeting, and to make presentations on views and areas of investigation which should be considered in the study, and to identify persons and organizations who should participate on the study team. DATES AND LOCATION: The public meeting will be held on August 25-26, 1998, at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 South Hayes Street, Arlington, Virginia. ADDRESSES: Comments on the subject matter of this notice should be sent to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001, or you can E-Mail your comments to [email protected]. Comments should identify the docket number RSPA-98-4029. The Dockets facility is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eben M. Wyman, (202) 366-0918, or by e-mail ([email protected]), regarding the subject matter of this Notice. Further information can be obtained by accessing OPS' Internet Home Page at: ops.dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Excavation damage is the leading cause of pipeline failures and a leading cause of service interruptions for other underground facilities; it is usually preventable. Excavation damage affects vital services and products delivered through all underground facilities: telecommunications, electricity, cable television, fiber optics, water and sewer lines, and petroleum and natural gas pipelines. These accidental dig-ins can result in loss of life, injuries, severe property damage and loss of vital services for homes and businesses. At the heart of damage prevention is better communications between excavators and operators of underground facilities. One-call systems provide a mechanism for excavators to notify facility operators of planned excavation, so that underground utilities can mark where their equipment and facilities are located to prevent damage. The approach to improving protection need not be costly or complicated. Study of Best Practices RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is planning to study damage prevention practices associated with existing one-call notification systems. The purpose of the study is to gather and assess hard factual data in order to determine which existing one-call notification systems practices appear to be the most effective in protecting the public, excavators, and the environment and in preventing disruptions to public services and damage to underground facilities. The findings of the study will inform state agencies and one-call system operators about practices, technologies and methods that can improve overall system performance. Subsequent to the completion of the study in FY 1999, OPS and other organizations planning implementation expect to provide financial assistance to States as an incentive for one-call systems to implement those practices, technologies and methods which best can improve overall one call system performance. Damage Prevention Quality Action Team In recent years, when OPS needed to bring diverse parties together for problem-solving on approaches to risk management, mapping, and damage prevention, the Quality Action Team (QAT) model has been an effective process for data gathering, determining options and collecting and addressing issues. Most recently, OPS has used this approach to address damage prevention education. The peer joint government/industry Damage Prevention Quality Action Team (DAMQAT), was established in October 1996. DAMQAT's mission is to increase awareness of the need to protect underground facilities, including pipelines, and to promote safe digging practices. DAMQAT is composed of representatives from federal and state government agencies, gas and hazardous liquid pipeline trade associations, a contractor, a one-call systems association, and the insurance and telecommunications industries. The team launched a nationwide damage prevention public education campaign in May, 1998, that is currently being pilot tested in three states. The campaign instructs professional excavators and the public on underground damage prevention, including use of one-call systems, and effective ways to locate underground facilities at excavation sites. The goals are to emphasize damage prevention measures beyond one-call and enhance communication among all parties at an excavation site. The team will evaluate the pilot findings to adapt the materials before launching the nationwide campaign. The team described in this notice will work in parallel with the DAMQAT, but will focus on the range of damage prevention issues beyond education. The new team will be drawn from the key players in damage prevention, with experience in best practices for operating one call systems and centers, and developing and using new technologies for communications, locating and marking underground facilities, and monitoring excavation activities. Scope of the New Study Numerous factors affect the effectiveness and efficiency of one call system operations. Improving system efficiency is expected to reduce the risk of damage to underground facilities in numerous ways by increasing the number of excavators who call, by improving the accuracy of the marking and locating process, and improving communications between the operator and the excavator. Area for improvements that will be considered include, but are not limited to: (1) Encouraging participation by all parties concerned with underground facility damage prevention; (2) Promoting awareness; (3) Receiving and distributing information; (4) Verifying system effectiveness; (5) Mapping and locating underground facilities; (6) Preventing damage through notification; (7) Rapid response to emergency situations; (8) Marking accuracy and timeliness; (9) Risk to personnel; (10) Other characteristics relative to effective damage prevention notification; and (11) Encouraging compliance through effective enforcement. [[Page 39362]] Composition of the New Quality Action Team OPS seeks to identify organizations who are interested in contributing to the study as a working member of this joint government/ industry team. OPS plans to establish a core team of 12-15 representatives of diverse organizations concerned with damage prevention systems. Subteams will be formed to devote attention to in- depth assessment of particular subject areas. In conducting the study, it is important to include the broadest possible representation of parties who are concerned about damage prevention to comprehensively investigate all aspects of the notification, locating, marking and excavation process. Among the organizations who have expressed interest in participating in the study process are:Association of Oil Pipelines; American Gas Association; American Petroleum Institute; Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; American Public Gas Association; American Road and Transportation Builders Association; Associated General Contractors; National Utility Contractors Association; Competitive Telecommunications Association; Edison Electric Institute; Gas Processors Association; American Public Works Association; One Call Systems International; National Cable Television Association; United States Telephone Association; UTC, the Telecommunications Association; National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives; and Office of Pipeline Safety. OPS wishes to identify other organizations who wish to contribute as well as any members of the public who want to be considered and are willing to work on the study team. Specifically, OPS would like to hear from: other Federal government agencies (i.e. Federal Communications Commission; State government agencies, such as State DOTs, planning organizations, etc; underground public utility organizations (water, sewer, electric, fiber optics, etc.; representatives from the railroad industry; representatives from the insurance industry agencies and organizations representing environmental interests; other organizations representing excavators; organizations representating other transportation interests; and representatives from the public. In order for OPS to effectively identify, consider and assemble all parties interested in participating on the team, it is important that actual representatives of the constituencies attend the public meeting to express their interest and qualifications. Criteria for Study Participants 1. To assure the broadest possible data, OPS seeks participation from individuals who represent organizations with defined missions and objectives related to preventing damage to underground utilities. Their organizations should have the means and ability to communicate to their membership throughout the study process. 2. To provide for timely and efficient assessment of one-call system methods, individuals interested in contributing should have existing knowledge of the factors, factual data, history and aspects affecting one-call system performance either nationally, regionally or locally, and/or in-depth understanding of a particular method or process for improving the performance of the 11 factors listed above. 3. To conduct the review of methods and complete and produce a final report, individuals interested in contributing should have abilities to work both individually and in a group environment. 4. To benefit from public perspective on one-call services, OPS would like for members of the public to participate in the public meeting, and serve on the team. These individuals should be capable of assessing the issues of one-call systems and damage prevention techniques, and ideally would be affiliated in some capacity with an organization(s) affected by, or concerned with, damage prevention programs. Information Sharing OPS would like interested parties to propose topics that they feel the team should address, including best practices of one-call systems, locating and marking techniques, data collection, and other technological advances that the team should assess and evaluate during the course of the study. OPS plans to promote information exchange between the team and interested public parties, and to provide current information regarding the study group proceedings. We will communicate about issues the team is considering and the study progress by numerous means including electronic and newsletter/print media. Details regarding communication will be provided at the public meeting. Schedule for Implementation Following the meeting, OPS and organizations who have expressed an interest in participating will synthesize the information presented at the meeting and select a group of representatives to serve on the core team and the subteams. OPS believes the team will meet about every four to six weeks once the group has been established for up to a year in duration. Contract support will also be addressed at the post-meeting gathering, including discussion of appropriate parties to assist the team with facilitation, recording meeting notes, providing technical assistance, and report writing. The planning organizations will also discuss how the team will produce the final report that identifies those practices of one-call systems that are the most successful in preventing damage to underground facilities, and that provide effective and efficient service to excavators and underground facility operators. Meeting Agenda For planning purposes, RSPA requests that parties interested in joining the team, or commenting on the team's focus, should be prepared to: make a presentation at the meeting about their qualifications, or necessary qualifications for one to serve on the team or subteam to represent an organization; or express their views and recommendations on issues or practices that should be considered. Interested persons should notify Eben Wyman on (202) 366-0918 by August 17, 1998, with name, organization or interest, and type of presentation so that an agenda can be planned and all parties can be accommodated. In the event parties cannot attend, they can send a presentation in writing to OPS and we will present a summary during the meeting. RSPA anticipates attendance and participation by government, the public, and a broad range of interested parties in the excavation and public utility communities, and representatives of other underground facility organizations. Issued in Washington, DC on July 16, 1998. Stacey L. Gerard, Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 98-19428 Filed 7-21-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P