DA 18-973 Released: September 20, 2018 OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY SEEKS COMMENT ON METROM RAIL LLC REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF PART 15 ULTRA-WIDEBAND RULES FOR A POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM ET Docket No. 18-284 Comment Date: October 22, 2018 Reply Comment Date: November 6, 2018 On September 4, 2018, Metrom Rail LLC (Metrom) filed a request for waiver of Sections 15.519(a) and 15.519(c) of the Commission’s rules to allow Metrom to obtain a grant of equipment authorization and for the installation and operation of an ultrawideband (UWB) positive train control (PTC) system in the 3.272-5.014 GHz band. The system would operate above the current radiated power limit as fixed wireless infrastructure under the handheld UWB device rules. Metrom states that the requested waiver would enable PTC to be deployed in public transit and short rail train systems and promote safety for railway passengers and personnel in a cost-effective manner. The Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) seeks comment on this request. Section 15.519(a) of the Commission’s rules contains provisions for UWB devices that are relatively small and are primarily handheld while being operated and do not employ a fixed infrastructure. Furthermore, Section 15.519(a)(2) prohibits the use of antennas mounted on outdoor infrastructure. Metrom states that the AURA PTC System devices are functionally equivalent to handheld devices and the use of fixed infrastructure would not increase the risk of harmful interference. Section 15.519(c) of the Commission’s rules restricts radiated emissions in the 3100 – 10600 MHz band to -41.3 dBm. Metrom requests a waiver to operate with 6 dB additional gain for limited directional antenna applications. Metrom states that the higher emission level of -35 dBm EIRP would increase range, reduce deployment costs, and will not increase the potential for causing harmful interference to authorized users. OET seeks comment on the waiver request. OET has concluded that, to develop a complete record on the issues presented by this request, this proceeding will be treated, for ex parte purposes, as a “permit-but-disclose” in accordance with Section 1.1200(a) of the Commission’s rules, subject to the requirements under Section 1.1206(b). Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document. Comments may be filed by using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). § Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2 § Paper Filers: Parties that choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. § All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. § Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. § U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty). Parties should also send a copy of their filings to Syed Hasan, Office of Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission, Room 7-A445, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554, or by e-mail to syed.hasan@fcc.gov. Documents in are available for viewing on ECFS, http://www/fcc/gov/cgb/ecfs, by entering the docket number. These documents are available for public inspection and copying during business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. Office of Engineering and Technology contact: Syed Hasan at (202) 418-2454. By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology -FCC- 3