Petition for Waiver of Compliance, 4074-4075 [E9-1223]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 13 / Thursday, January 22, 2009 / Notices
Equipment servicing and storage
facilities (yards) on NJ Transit have
often evolved from older facilities with
limited area for expansion. Tack lengths
are limited, while equipment consists
have been lengthened to accommodate
increased passenger ridership. Newer
facilities are restricted by the cost or
unavailability of required land.
Therefore, at certain locations, track
must typically be utilized to its
capacity.
Morrisville Yard is a facility where
the tracks are utilized to capacity. The
current Mechanical Department
workforce at this facility includes
approximately 200 employees servicing
approximately 30 trains per day. The
allotted times for servicing equipment is
restricted due to train availablity, time
of day, and train scheduling
requirements. Currently, there are 18
tracks utilized for inspection, servicing,
and repair, which require Blue Signal
Protection. The maximum track space
on each track is being used to
accommodate the current length of the
train consists. A Transportation
Department Yardmaster is responsible
for controlling train movements within
the facility, and to coordinate
maintenance with the Mechanical
Department. Since these 18 tracks are
not under the control of the Mechanical
Department, if a derail is used for the
protection of workers, Federal law
requires the derail to be placed 150 feet
away from the equipment requiring Blue
Signal Protection. This greatly restricts
the train lengths that can be placed on
these tracks. In addition, lining and
locking a track switch away from the
track being protected will restrict the
amount of equipment that can be
simultaneously inspected, serviced, or
repaired.
NJ Transit believes that the current 5
mph speed limit in effect at the
Morrisville facility along with
positioning a locked derail 50 feet from
the equipment being protected, as
prescribed in § 218.29(a)(4), will
provide effective Blue Signal Protection
for employees working on the
equipment. In addition, a
Transportation Department Yardmaster
is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, to control train movements and
coordinate maintenance activities with
Mechanical Department Supervisors. NJ
Transit Timetable Special Instructions
restricts the speed of Morrisville facility
tracks 1–18 to not more than 5 mph. NJ
Transit declares that this waiver is
needed to ensure timely inspections,
servicing, and repairs to trains, so that
they can meet the needs of their
customers.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:47 Jan 21, 2009
Jkt 217001
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested party desires
an opportunity for oral comment, they
should notify FRA, in writing, before
the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver
Petition Docket Number FRA–2008–
0097) and may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
• Web site: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Operations Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Communications received within 30
days of the date of this notice will be
considered by FRA before final action is
taken. Comments received after that
date will be considered as far as
practicable. All written communications
concerning these proceedings are
available for examination during regular
business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the
above facility. All documents in the
public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the Internet
at the docket facility’s Web site at
https://www.regulations.gov.
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
comment (or signing the comment, 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 (Volume
65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78).
Issued in Washington, DC on January 14,
2009.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E9–1222 Filed 1–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
PO 00000
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) received
a request for a waiver of compliance
with certain requirements of its safety
standards. The individual petition is
described below, including the party
seeking relief, the regulatory provisions
involved, the nature of the relief being
requested, and the petitioner’s
arguments in favor of relief.
Port Authority Trans-Hudson
Corporation
[Docket Number FRA–2008–0143]
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson
Corporation (PATH), seeks a waiver of
compliance from certain provisions of
Safety Appliance Standards, Title 49
CFR Part 231, that requires a sill step,
a side and end handhold, handbrake,
end handrails, side door steps and
uncoupling levers on newly built PA–5
cars. Specifically, PATH’s request is to
use an alternate compliance of safety
appliance arrangements for the
production of PATH’s new fleet of
passenger cars in passenger train
service.
PATH operates on 13.8 miles of an
interstate rail transit system between
five major terminals and eight
intermediate stations linking New Jersey
and New York. The PATH system is a
closed system, does not interchange and
has no highway rail crossings. Currently
PATH is an inter-urban rapid transit
system operating 326 electrically
powered, multiple unit vehicles that
receive 650 volts transmitted by third
rail of similar comparable design. PATH
operates with relatively short headways
and high platforms over a system that
one-half of which is located in tunnels
below ground level carrying 250,000
passengers in a 24-hour period. There is
no interchange of car equipment
between PATH and any rapid transit
system or railroad. Because of the
unique characteristics of PATH, that is
more representative of an inter-urban
rapid transit system, PATH requests
waiver of certain provisions of FRA
requirements related to safety
appliances which they believe are not
totally applicable. PATH also believes
that in the past, FRA, while asserting
jurisdiction over PATH, has
acknowledged that PATH’s operations
are analogous to that of an inter-urban
rapid transit system.
E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM
22JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 13 / Thursday, January 22, 2009 / Notices
rmajette on PRODPC74 with NOTICES
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested party desires
an opportunity for oral comment, they
should notify FRA, in writing, before
the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver
Petition Docket Number 2008–0143) and
may be submitted by any of the
following methods:
• Web site: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Operations Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
Communications received within 45
days of the date of this notice will be
considered by FRA before final action is
taken. Comments received after that
date will be considered as far as
practicable. All written communications
concerning these proceedings are
available for examination during regular
business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the
above facility. All documents in the
public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the Internet
at the docket facility’s Web site at
https://www.regulations.gov.
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
comment (or signing the comment, 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 (Volume
65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78).
Issued in Washington, DC on January 14,
2009.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E9–1223 Filed 1–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:47 Jan 21, 2009
Jkt 217001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) has
received a request for a waiver of
compliance from certain requirements
of its safety standards. The individual
petition is described below, including
the party seeking relief, the regulatory
provisions involved, the nature of the
relief being requested, and the
petitioner’s arguments in favor of relief.
R. J. Corman Railroad
[Docket Number FRA–2008–0099]
R.J. Corman (RJC), a Class III Railroad,
petitioned for waiver of compliance
from certain provisions of the steam
locomotive safety standards as
prescribed by 49 CFR 230.105(a) Lateral
motion, for one steam locomotive used
in tourist/excursion service.
Specifically, this waiver request applies
to locomotive number RJC 2008, with
boiler number 7040. The Class QJ, 2–
10–2 locomotives were built by the
Datong Locomotive Works, China. The
Datong Works constructed 4,714
locomotives of this type between 1967
and 1988. The maximum operating
speed for this type of locomotive is 50
mph.
Locomotive number RJC 2008
received a standard 250,000 km
overhaul, a Class 3 repair in China prior
to being shipped to the United States.
The manufacturer’s specifications for
the QJ Class locomotive require a total
lateral clearance of 20 mm (0.787 inch)
on the number 1 and 5 driving axle,
with a 4 mm (0.157 inch) clearance for
the three center axles (no. 2–4). All tire
back-to-back spacing is at 1,252 mm
(53.267 inches). The purpose for this
specification is to allow a locomotive
with a long rigid wheelbase to negotiate
a curve up to 15.2 degrees. The lateral
wear limit for all driving axles is 10 mm
(0.393 inch) over the original
dimensions. In summary, by design and
as built, model QJ locomotive exceeds
the U.S. limit of 0.75 inch for allowable
lateral clearance for driving axles
number 1 and 5 as specified by 49 CFR
230.105(a).
RJC requests relief from the
requirements of 49 CFR 230.105(a) for
driving axles numbers 1 and 5 to allow
for a maximum lateral clearance of up
to 30 mm (1.181 inches). This is
consistent with the manufacturer’s
design specification, and the operating
experience of the China National
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
4075
Railway. In addition, the locomotive
will be maintained in accordance with
the requirements of 49 CFR 230.105(c)
to ensure that no part of the running
gear interfere with any other part of the
steam locomotive.
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested party desires
an opportunity for oral comment, they
should notify FRA, in writing, before
the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver
Petition Docket Number FRA–2008–
0099) and may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
• Web site: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: Docket Operations Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Communications received within 45
days of the date of this notice will be
considered by FRA before final action is
taken. Comments received after that
date will be considered as far as
practicable. All written communications
concerning these proceedings are
available for examination during regular
business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the
above facility. All documents in the
public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the Internet
at the docket facility’s Web site at
https://www.regulations.gov.
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
comment (or signing the comment, 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 (Volume
65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78).
E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM
22JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4074-4075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1223]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) received a request for a waiver of compliance with certain
requirements of its safety standards. The individual petition is
described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory
provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested, and the
petitioner's arguments in favor of relief.
Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation
[Docket Number FRA-2008-0143]
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH), seeks a waiver
of compliance from certain provisions of Safety Appliance Standards,
Title 49 CFR Part 231, that requires a sill step, a side and end
handhold, handbrake, end handrails, side door steps and uncoupling
levers on newly built PA-5 cars. Specifically, PATH's request is to use
an alternate compliance of safety appliance arrangements for the
production of PATH's new fleet of passenger cars in passenger train
service.
PATH operates on 13.8 miles of an interstate rail transit system
between five major terminals and eight intermediate stations linking
New Jersey and New York. The PATH system is a closed system, does not
interchange and has no highway rail crossings. Currently PATH is an
inter-urban rapid transit system operating 326 electrically powered,
multiple unit vehicles that receive 650 volts transmitted by third rail
of similar comparable design. PATH operates with relatively short
headways and high platforms over a system that one-half of which is
located in tunnels below ground level carrying 250,000 passengers in a
24-hour period. There is no interchange of car equipment between PATH
and any rapid transit system or railroad. Because of the unique
characteristics of PATH, that is more representative of an inter-urban
rapid transit system, PATH requests waiver of certain provisions of FRA
requirements related to safety appliances which they believe are not
totally applicable. PATH also believes that in the past, FRA, while
asserting jurisdiction over PATH, has acknowledged that PATH's
operations are analogous to that of an inter-urban rapid transit
system.
[[Page 4075]]
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party
desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA, in
writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for
their request.
All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number 2008-
0143) and may be submitted by any of the following methods:
Web site: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., W12-140, Washington, DC
20590.
Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
Communications received within 45 days of the date of this notice
will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments
received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All
written communications concerning these proceedings are available for
examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the above
facility. All documents in the public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the Internet at the docket facility's Web
site at https://www.regulations.gov.
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 comment (or signing the comment,
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 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages
19477-78).
Issued in Washington, DC on January 14, 2009.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. E9-1223 Filed 1-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
