LHC configuration: can we get to β * =40 CM?

In 2015, the LHC was restarted after a long shutdown. Because of the numerous changes compared to the Run I configuration , most notably a higher beam energy and shorter bunch spacing, we considered 2015 a commissioning year and therefore started with a relaxed parameter set. For 2016, the machine parameters can be pushed to increase luminosity production, based on the MDs and operational experience in 2015. This paper discusses how this can be done, with focus on the feasibility of a decrease in β * and the margins in the collimation hierarchy.