Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake Systems, 21092-21094 [E8-8432]
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21092
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 76 / Friday, April 18, 2008 / Proposed Rules
§ 117.255
of Information and Regulatory Affairs
has not designated it as a significant
energy action. Therefore, it does not
require a Statement of Energy Effects
under Executive Order 13211.
Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer
and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use
voluntary consensus standards in their
regulatory activities unless the agency
provides Congress, through the Office of
Management and Budget, with an
explanation of why using these
standards would be inconsistent with
applicable law or otherwise impractical.
Voluntary consensus standards are
technical standards (e.g., specifications
of materials, performance, design, or
operation; test methods; sampling
procedures; and related management
systems practices) that are developed or
adopted by voluntary consensus
standards bodies.
This proposed rule does not use
technical standards. Therefore, we did
not consider the use of voluntary
consensus standards.
Environment
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
Words of Issuance and Proposed
Regulatory Text
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to
amend 33 CFR part 117 as follows:
PART 117—DRAWBRIDGE
OPERATION REGULATIONS
rmajette on PRODPC74 with PROPOSALS
1. The authority citation for part 117
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05–1;
Department of Homeland Security Delegation
No. 0170.1.
From May 31, 2008, to March 1, 2009,
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in § 117.255 add
new paragraphs (a)(2)(iii) and (a)(4)(iv)
to read as follows:
15:31 Apr 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
Dated: April 7, 2008.
Fred M. Rosa, Jr.,
Rear Admiral, United States Coast Guard,
Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E8–8514 Filed 4–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–15–P
ARCHITECTURAL AND
TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS
COMPLIANCE BOARD
36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191
RIN 3014–AA22
Emergency Transportable Housing
Advisory Committee
Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board.
ACTION: Notice of meetings.
SUMMARY: The Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board (Access Board) has established an
advisory committee to make
recommendations for possible revisions
to the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act
(ABA) Accessibility Guidelines to
include provisions for emergency
transportable housing. This notice
announces the dates and times of
upcoming committee conference calls.
DATES: The conference calls are
scheduled for May 16, 2008; May 29,
2008; July 9, 2008; and July 28, 2008.
All calls will begin at 10 a.m. and will
conclude no later than 2 p.m. (Eastern
time).
ADDRESSES: Individuals can participate
in the conference calls by dialing a
teleconference number which will be
posted on the Access Board’s Web site
at https://www.access-board.gov/eth/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marsha Mazz, Office of Technical and
Information Services, Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20004–1111.
Telephone number (202) 272–0020
(Voice); (202) 272–0082 (TTY). These
are not toll-free numbers. E-mail
address: mazz@access-board.gov.
PO 00000
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On August
23, 2007, the Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board (Access Board) established an
advisory committee to make
recommendations for possible revisions
to the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act
(ABA) Accessibility Guidelines to
include provisions for emergency
transportable housing (72 FR 48251;
August 23, 2007).
The committee will hold conference
calls on May 16, 2008, May 29, 2008,
July 9, 2008, and July 28, 2008 to
discuss a variety of outstanding issues
yet to be resolved. Information about the
committee, and the agenda, instructions
(including information on captioning),
and dial in telephone numbers for the
conference calls are available at https://
www.access-board.gov/eth/. The
conference calls are open to the public
and interested persons can dial in and
communicate their views during a
public comment period scheduled
during each conference call.
Participants may call in from any
location of their choosing.
The committee may cancel one or
more of the conference calls depending
on the needs of the committee and its
progress in discussing and resolving
outstanding issues. If a conference call
is canceled, a notice will be posted at
https://www.access-board.gov/eth/.
Persons wishing to provide handouts
or other written information to the
committee are requested to provide
them in an electronic format to Marsha
Mazz preferably by e-mail so that
alternate formats such as large print can
be distributed to committee members.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
*
*
*
*
(a)(2)(iii) From May 31, 2008 to March
1, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the draw
need not to be opened.
*
*
*
*
*
(a)(4)(iv) From May 31, 2008 to March
1, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the draw
need not be opened.
*
*
*
*
*
AGENCY:
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD which guides the Coast
Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and
have made a preliminary determination
that this action is not likely to have a
significant effect on the human
environment because it simply
promulgates the operating regulations or
procedures for drawbridges. We seek
any comments or information that may
lead to the discovery of a significant
environmental impact from this
proposed rule.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Potomac River.
*
Lawrence W. Roffee,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. E8–8420 Filed 4–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8150–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
49 CFR Part 232
[Docket No. FRA–2006–26175, Notice No.
3]
RIN 2130–AB84
Electronically Controlled Pneumatic
Brake Systems
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Proposed rule; partial reopening
of comment period.
AGENCY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 76 / Friday, April 18, 2008 / Proposed Rules
SUMMARY: This document announces an
additional 15-day period to file
comments in this proceeding. This
extension provides interested parties an
opportunity to comment on recently
revised or new standards developed by
the Association of American Railroads
(AAR) that are related to the notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in this
proceeding.
DATES: Written comments must be
received by May 5, 2008. Comments
received after that date will be
considered to the extent possible
without incurring additional expenses
or delays.
ADDRESSES: Comments: Comments
related to Docket No. FRA–2006–26175,
may be submitted by any of the
following methods:
1. Web site: Comments should be filed
at the Federal eRulemaking Portal,
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
Web site’s online instructions for
submitting comments.
2. Fax: 202–493–2251.
3. Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590.
4. Hand Delivery: Room W12–140 on
the Ground level of the West Building,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m. Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
number or Regulatory Identification
Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. Note
that all comments received will be
posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov including any
personal information. Please see the
Privacy Act heading in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document for Privacy Act
information related to any submitted
comments or materials.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov or to Room W12–
140 on the Ground level of the West
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m. Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Wilson, Office of Safety
Assurance and Compliance, Motive
Power and Equipment Division, RRS–
14, Mail Stop 25, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590
(telephone 202–493–6259); or Jason
Schlosberg, Trial Attorney, Office of
Chief Counsel, Mail Stop 10, Federal
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:31 Apr 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
Railroad Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590 (telephone 202–493–6032).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On September 4, 2007, FRA published
in the Federal Register an NPRM
seeking comments on proposed rules
relating to the implementation and use
of electronically controlled pneumatic
(ECP) brake systems on freight trains
and freight cars. See 72 FR 50820. The
NPRM proposed incorporation by
reference of existing AAR Standards
and Recommended Practices related to
ECP brake systems. At the time FRA
published the NPRM, those standards,
collectively known as the AAR S–4200
Series Standards, included the
following:
(1) AAR S–4200, ECP Cable-Based
Brake Systems—Performance
Requirements (2004);
(2) AAR S–4210, ECP Cable-Based
Brake System Cable, Connectors, and
Junction Boxes—Performance
Specifications (2002);
(3) AAR S–4220, ECP Cable-Based
Brake DC Power Supply—Performance
Specification (2002);
(4) AAR S–4230, Intratrain
Communication (ITC) Specification for
Cable-Based Freight Train Control
System (2004);
(5) AAR S–4250, Performance
Requirements for ITC Controlled CableBased Distributed Power Systems
(2004); and
(6) AAR S–4260, ECP Brake and Wire
Distributed Power Interoperability Test
Procedures (2007).
In the NPRM, FRA noted that the
AAR S–4200 Series do not provide
requirements for hardware and software
configuration management plans and
acknowledged that AAR was in the
process of developing standards related
to ECP brake system configuration
management. The NPRM further noted
that if a configuration management
standard were to be adopted and
published by the AAR subsequent to the
closing of the NPRM’s comment period,
FRA would consider other forums for
receiving comments, including, but not
limited to, issuing a supplemental
notice informing interested parties of
the standard’s availability.
Subsequent to the closing of the
comment period in this proceeding,
AAR made changes to the S–4200 Series
Standards by modifying individual
standards S–4200 and S–4210 and by
proposing a new standard S–4270. FRA
has preliminarily reviewed these
changes and notes that they are in each
case either (i) more protective of safety
or (ii) safety neutral but designed to
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21093
make ECP brake systems more practical
for field application. Accordingly, FRA
presents the proposed changes for
comment with a view toward potential
incorporation in the final rule.
After a period for comment by AAR
members, AAR published a revised S–
4200 standard and postponed the
implementation date from February 16,
2008, to June 1, 2008. See AAR Circular
Letters C–10686 and C–10697; AAR
Standard S–4200 (2008). AAR Circular
Letter C–10686 summarized the changes
to the S–4200 standard as follows:
Section 4.2.2.1 Description of Setup: This
section was revised to limit changes of the
empty/load setting to changes of E/L from
empty to loaded only.
Section 4.2.2.2.4 Empty/Load: A sentence
was added to stipulate that the engineer shall
not be allowed to change the train’s empty/
load setting from loaded to empty while the
train is in motion.
Section 4.2.2.2.4.1 Empty Load Selection
While the Train is Enroute: A sentence was
revised to require that the train be stopped
with a full service brake application or a full
service brake application must have been
commanded for at least 2 minutes in order
to change the train’s empty/load setting from
loaded to empty.
Section 4.2.2.2.5 Train Net Braking Ratio:
This section was revised to require that, if the
OEM provides the optional ability to change
the train NBR, the engineer will not be given
the opportunity to change the setting.
Section 4.2.2.2.6 Configuration
Confirmation: Empty/load value was added
to brake pipe pressure setpoint for which the
HEU shall display the entered values and
request a confirmation from the engineer.
Section 4.3.12 Mechanical Brake Cylinder
and Reservoir Venting: This section was
revised to require a means to manually vent
pressure from the brake cylinder and
reservoir at every CCD location from both
sides of the car without reliance on electronic
activation or control.
Note 1 has been revised to require that the
brake cylinder release valve be capable of
releasing air pressure from all brake
cylinders; regardless of the charge status of
the brake pipe.
Note 3 is new.
Note 4 is old Note 3 revised.
Note 6 is old Note 7 revised.
Note 7 is new (pneumatic backup
functionality when brake cylinder release
valve has been activated)
Section 4.4.2.1.1.1 Recovering from a
Missed EOT Beacon Fault: A sentence has
been added requiring re-initialization of the
train if the EOT beacon is lost for more than
15 seconds while in RUN mode.
Section 4.4.16 Recovery from Emergency,
Fault-Induced, or Penalty Brake
Applications: When recovering from an
emergency brake application, the operator
will position the brake lever to 100% brake
application to release the interlock.
Section 6.0 Approval Procedure: This
detailed section has been replaced with a
cross reference to AAR Standard S–4240
(adopted January 16, 2007, Circular Letter c–
10454).
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21094
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 76 / Friday, April 18, 2008 / Proposed Rules
After a period for comment by AAR
members, AAR also issued revisions to
its S–4210 standard. See AAR Circular
Letter C–10650; AAR Standard S–4210
(2007). While the standard was
apparently implemented in November
2007, its accompanying AAR Circular
Letter C–10650 was issued on December
6, 2007. AAR Circular Letter C–10650
summarized the changes to the S–4210
standard as follows:
Section 3.1 General Characteristics: The
overall outside dimension of the cable was
changed from 0.70 inch minimum/0.75 inch
maximum to 0.675 inch minimum/0.725 inch
maximum.
Section 6.0 CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES:
This revised section covers the intercar
connector, cable, strength member (lanyard),
and car body junction box plug connector.
Section 7.0 INTERCAR CONNECTOR
PERFORMANCE AND TESTING
DESCRIPTIONS: This section has been
significantly expanded.
Section 8.0 This is a new section with a
TESTING SEQUENCE:
Section 9.0 CAR BODY CONNECTIONS:
The car body connector mounting envelope
has been clarified and expanded with a figure
added. Figures for the various end air hose
mounting arrangements and brackets have
been added. The length of the entire
connector assembly would be revised to 36
inches + or ¥ 1 inch for conventional cars
versus 40 inches now.
rmajette on PRODPC74 with PROPOSALS
AAR has also proposed a new
standard S–4270 to address ECP brake
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:31 Apr 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
system configuration management
plans. According to AAR Circular Letter
C–10750, this specification describes
how the industry will control and track
hardware and software changes to the
ECP equipped interchange car fleet.
AAR is currently seeking comment on
proposed standard S–4270.
To ensure that the final rule in this
proceeding does not rely on outdated
information or technical standards, FRA
is proposing to replace the NPRM’s
references to S–4200 and S–4210 with
the aforementioned updated versions of
those standards. Parties may be
reluctant to adopt technology whose
standards may be soon outdated or
obsolete. Thus, implementation of a
final rule relying on outdated standards
or procedures may further delay the
proliferation, implementation, and use
of ECP brake systems.
For these same reasons, FRA also
seeks comments on the proposed draft
standard S–4270. In the NPRM, FRA
proposed the incorporation by reference
of standard S–4270 if the standard was
adopted by AAR prior to the date
necessary for its inclusion in the final
rule. However, FRA will not include
S–4270 in the final rule if substantial
changes are made from the current draft
or AAR’s adoption of S–4270 is not
complete in the near future.
Accordingly, FRA is hereby reopening
and extending the comment period in
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this proceeding for an additional 15
days from the date of this notice. During
this additional comment period, FRA is
seeking comments solely on the updated
versions of S–4200 and S–4210 and the
new standard S–4270, subject to the
caveats explained above. FRA will not
consider comments relating to any
issues outside of this narrow scope. FRA
has placed the revised and new
standards and their concomitant
circular letters referenced herein in the
public docket to this proceeding.
Privacy Act
Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of any written
communications and comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
document (or signing the document, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477) or at https://www.dot.gov/
privacy.html.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 14,
2008.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E8–8432 Filed 4–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
E:\FR\FM\18APP1.SGM
18APP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 76 (Friday, April 18, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21092-21094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8432]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
49 CFR Part 232
[Docket No. FRA-2006-26175, Notice No. 3]
RIN 2130-AB84
Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake Systems
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Proposed rule; partial reopening of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 21093]]
SUMMARY: This document announces an additional 15-day period to file
comments in this proceeding. This extension provides interested parties
an opportunity to comment on recently revised or new standards
developed by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) that are
related to the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in this proceeding.
DATES: Written comments must be received by May 5, 2008. Comments
received after that date will be considered to the extent possible
without incurring additional expenses or delays.
ADDRESSES: Comments: Comments related to Docket No. FRA-2006-26175, may
be submitted by any of the following methods:
1. Web site: Comments should be filed at the Federal eRulemaking
Portal, https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the Web site's online
instructions for submitting comments.
2. Fax: 202-493-2251.
3. Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., W12-140, Washington, DC
20590.
4. Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the Ground level of the West
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this
rulemaking. Note that all comments received will be posted without
change to https://www.regulations.gov including any personal
information. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this document for Privacy Act information
related to any submitted comments or materials.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or to Room W12-140
on the Ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Wilson, Office of Safety
Assurance and Compliance, Motive Power and Equipment Division, RRS-14,
Mail Stop 25, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202-493-6259); or Jason
Schlosberg, Trial Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, Mail Stop 10,
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202-493-6032).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On September 4, 2007, FRA published in the Federal Register an NPRM
seeking comments on proposed rules relating to the implementation and
use of electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake systems on
freight trains and freight cars. See 72 FR 50820. The NPRM proposed
incorporation by reference of existing AAR Standards and Recommended
Practices related to ECP brake systems. At the time FRA published the
NPRM, those standards, collectively known as the AAR S-4200 Series
Standards, included the following:
(1) AAR S-4200, ECP Cable-Based Brake Systems--Performance
Requirements (2004);
(2) AAR S-4210, ECP Cable-Based Brake System Cable, Connectors, and
Junction Boxes--Performance Specifications (2002);
(3) AAR S-4220, ECP Cable-Based Brake DC Power Supply--Performance
Specification (2002);
(4) AAR S-4230, Intratrain Communication (ITC) Specification for
Cable-Based Freight Train Control System (2004);
(5) AAR S-4250, Performance Requirements for ITC Controlled Cable-
Based Distributed Power Systems (2004); and
(6) AAR S-4260, ECP Brake and Wire Distributed Power
Interoperability Test Procedures (2007).
In the NPRM, FRA noted that the AAR S-4200 Series do not provide
requirements for hardware and software configuration management plans
and acknowledged that AAR was in the process of developing standards
related to ECP brake system configuration management. The NPRM further
noted that if a configuration management standard were to be adopted
and published by the AAR subsequent to the closing of the NPRM's
comment period, FRA would consider other forums for receiving comments,
including, but not limited to, issuing a supplemental notice informing
interested parties of the standard's availability.
Subsequent to the closing of the comment period in this proceeding,
AAR made changes to the S-4200 Series Standards by modifying individual
standards S-4200 and S-4210 and by proposing a new standard S-4270. FRA
has preliminarily reviewed these changes and notes that they are in
each case either (i) more protective of safety or (ii) safety neutral
but designed to make ECP brake systems more practical for field
application. Accordingly, FRA presents the proposed changes for comment
with a view toward potential incorporation in the final rule.
After a period for comment by AAR members, AAR published a revised
S-4200 standard and postponed the implementation date from February 16,
2008, to June 1, 2008. See AAR Circular Letters C-10686 and C-10697;
AAR Standard S-4200 (2008). AAR Circular Letter C-10686 summarized the
changes to the S-4200 standard as follows:
Section 4.2.2.1 Description of Setup: This section was revised
to limit changes of the empty/load setting to changes of E/L from
empty to loaded only.
Section 4.2.2.2.4 Empty/Load: A sentence was added to stipulate
that the engineer shall not be allowed to change the train's empty/
load setting from loaded to empty while the train is in motion.
Section 4.2.2.2.4.1 Empty Load Selection While the Train is
Enroute: A sentence was revised to require that the train be stopped
with a full service brake application or a full service brake
application must have been commanded for at least 2 minutes in order
to change the train's empty/load setting from loaded to empty.
Section 4.2.2.2.5 Train Net Braking Ratio: This section was
revised to require that, if the OEM provides the optional ability to
change the train NBR, the engineer will not be given the opportunity
to change the setting.
Section 4.2.2.2.6 Configuration Confirmation: Empty/load value
was added to brake pipe pressure setpoint for which the HEU shall
display the entered values and request a confirmation from the
engineer.
Section 4.3.12 Mechanical Brake Cylinder and Reservoir Venting:
This section was revised to require a means to manually vent
pressure from the brake cylinder and reservoir at every CCD location
from both sides of the car without reliance on electronic activation
or control.
Note 1 has been revised to require that the brake cylinder
release valve be capable of releasing air pressure from all brake
cylinders; regardless of the charge status of the brake pipe.
Note 3 is new.
Note 4 is old Note 3 revised.
Note 6 is old Note 7 revised.
Note 7 is new (pneumatic backup functionality when brake
cylinder release valve has been activated)
Section 4.4.2.1.1.1 Recovering from a Missed EOT Beacon Fault: A
sentence has been added requiring re-initialization of the train if
the EOT beacon is lost for more than 15 seconds while in RUN mode.
Section 4.4.16 Recovery from Emergency, Fault-Induced, or
Penalty Brake Applications: When recovering from an emergency brake
application, the operator will position the brake lever to 100%
brake application to release the interlock.
Section 6.0 Approval Procedure: This detailed section has been
replaced with a cross reference to AAR Standard S-4240 (adopted
January 16, 2007, Circular Letter c-10454).
[[Page 21094]]
After a period for comment by AAR members, AAR also issued
revisions to its S-4210 standard. See AAR Circular Letter C-10650; AAR
Standard S-4210 (2007). While the standard was apparently implemented
in November 2007, its accompanying AAR Circular Letter C-10650 was
issued on December 6, 2007. AAR Circular Letter C-10650 summarized the
changes to the S-4210 standard as follows:
Section 3.1 General Characteristics: The overall outside
dimension of the cable was changed from 0.70 inch minimum/0.75 inch
maximum to 0.675 inch minimum/0.725 inch maximum.
Section 6.0 CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES: This revised section covers
the intercar connector, cable, strength member (lanyard), and car
body junction box plug connector.
Section 7.0 INTERCAR CONNECTOR PERFORMANCE AND TESTING
DESCRIPTIONS: This section has been significantly expanded.
Section 8.0 This is a new section with a TESTING SEQUENCE:
Section 9.0 CAR BODY CONNECTIONS: The car body connector
mounting envelope has been clarified and expanded with a figure
added. Figures for the various end air hose mounting arrangements
and brackets have been added. The length of the entire connector
assembly would be revised to 36 inches + or - 1 inch for
conventional cars versus 40 inches now.
AAR has also proposed a new standard S-4270 to address ECP brake
system configuration management plans. According to AAR Circular Letter
C-10750, this specification describes how the industry will control and
track hardware and software changes to the ECP equipped interchange car
fleet. AAR is currently seeking comment on proposed standard S-4270.
To ensure that the final rule in this proceeding does not rely on
outdated information or technical standards, FRA is proposing to
replace the NPRM's references to S-4200 and S-4210 with the
aforementioned updated versions of those standards. Parties may be
reluctant to adopt technology whose standards may be soon outdated or
obsolete. Thus, implementation of a final rule relying on outdated
standards or procedures may further delay the proliferation,
implementation, and use of ECP brake systems.
For these same reasons, FRA also seeks comments on the proposed
draft standard S-4270. In the NPRM, FRA proposed the incorporation by
reference of standard S-4270 if the standard was adopted by AAR prior
to the date necessary for its inclusion in the final rule. However, FRA
will not include S-4270 in the final rule if substantial changes are
made from the current draft or AAR's adoption of S-4270 is not complete
in the near future.
Accordingly, FRA is hereby reopening and extending the comment
period in this proceeding for an additional 15 days from the date of
this notice. During this additional comment period, FRA is seeking
comments solely on the updated versions of S-4200 and S-4210 and the
new standard S-4270, subject to the caveats explained above. FRA will
not consider comments relating to any issues outside of this narrow
scope. FRA has placed the revised and new standards and their
concomitant circular letters referenced herein in the public docket to
this proceeding.
Privacy Act
Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written
communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the document (or signing the
document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor
union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in
the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477) or at
https://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2008.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. E8-8432 Filed 4-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
