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the product by an alternative method. But the unique challenges posed by the rail transportation of LNG require us to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep railroad employees and communities along the proposed routes safe. FEC's proposed LNG transportation routes traverse congested, highly populated areas, with frequent highway -rail grade crossings. Any LNG transported along the proposed routes would eventually share the routes with high- performance passenger trains operating at speeds of up to 11 Q mph. The complexity of this operating environment requires FRA to conduct a thorough evaluation of FEC's proposal to ensure public safety. Over recent months, FRA has carefully reviewed the information FEC provided in support of ij request to transport LNG by rail on its operational territory. We appreciate the documentation FEC has provided to date; however, FRA requires additional information to fully evaluate a railroad's request. A guidance document detailing the information required for FRA's consideration of FEC's request is enclosed with this letter. Although, FEC has provided much the information listed in this guidance document, the four items listed below remain outstandin 1. The design details of the restraint system used to secure the portable tanks to the car, including the types and number of restraints, the standard (and details in quantitative ` terms) to which the restraints conform, and the different direction g -forces the restraints are designed and constructed to withstand (paragraph 3 on the enclosed guidance document); 2. At least the past 5 years of accident experience data (main line, yard, grade crossing, etc.) on the proposed transportation route (paragraph 6 on the enclosed guidance document); 3. Analyses, experimental data, or other identifiable scientific data used in the design of the railcar on which the portable tanks are mounted demonstrating the car's ability to withstand normal and accident -caused abnormal forces in rail transportation (paragraph I 12 on the enclosed guidance document); and 4. A detailed risk analysis of the proposed operation and appropriate mitigating measures. (Paragraph 13 on the enclosed guidance document sets forth the minimum requirements of this risk analysis.) In addition, given the unique risks presented by FEC's proposed operation, FRA also requires that FEC take the following actions: Conduct a safety analysis of the rail cars it plans to use in LNG transport. The analysis, must include and demonstrate under car protection. FEC must submit the analysis to FRA for approval; and 2. Ensure each portable tank used to transport LNG is equipped with functioning GPS - based, telemetric communication equipment. The equipment must accurately measure and report the following data on each portable tank containing LNG at all times the tank: are in transportation: (a) location; (b) pressure in the tank; (c) temperature in the tank; (d) volume in the tank; and (e) any impact to a portable tank.