Petition for Waiver of Compliance, 21299 [2015-08937]

Agencies

• Federal Railroad Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 21299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08937]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2004-18895]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with part 211 of title 49 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), this provides the public notice that by a document 
dated November 25, 2014, Wabtec Railway Electronics has petitioned the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from 
certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained 
at 49 CFR 232.409(d)--Inspection and testing of end-of-train devices. 
FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2004-18895.
    Wabtec Railway Electronics (Wabtec) is submitting a request for a 
5-year extension to the waiver previously granted to it in Docket 
Number FRA-2004-18895. Wabtec initially submitted its request for a 
waiver of compliance from 49 CFR 232.409(d) in July 2004, and the 
waiver was granted in May 2005. Subsequently, Wabtec applied for a 5-
year extension to the original waiver in October 2009. The extension 
was granted in May 2010.
    In its original request for waiver of compliance from 49 CFR 
232.409(d) in July 2004, Wabtec stated that the advanced technology 
being used in the units includes transceivers with phase locked loop 
circuitry along with temperature and voltage controlled crystal 
oscillators to maintain spectral (signal) purity. This automatic 
calibration algorithm works by optimizing the voltage-controlled 
oscillators' control parameters to achieve minimum phase noise. It auto 
calibrates the power amplifier and power amplifier driver bias current 
every time the transmitter is powered. This automatic calibration 
feature is the heart of maintaining the radio's performance integrity.
    Should the radio experience a component failure, the automated 
calibration routine will cycle continuously, effectively shut down the 
radio, and provide the appropriate ``No Comm'' display in the cab of 
the locomotive. Failure in the micro/power supply areas will also 
result in an inoperable radio, and the same ``No Comm'' message will be 
received in the locomotive cab. Therefore, there is no need to annually 
test and calibrate the new synthesized radio. Essentially, if the radio 
is transmitting, the signal is within the proper specifications.
    In the most recent letter dated November 25, 2014, Wabtec stated 
that it still offers this radio (Wabtec TrainLink II) in certain new 
manufactured end-of-train/head-of-train (EOT/HOT) products today, 
although it has largely been replaced by a more modern radio design. 
However, there is a large fielded population in service in North 
America. Wabtec further stated that in order to meet the needs of 
customers, the company plans to continue to manufacture Wabtec 
digitally synthesized radios (Wabtec TrainLink series) for replacement 
use in HOT and EOT equipment, as well as limited use in new production 
deliveries.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    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-
2004-18895) 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 by June 1, 2015 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered as far as practicable.
    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 document, 
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 
public to better inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, 
without edit, including any personal information the commenter 
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records 
notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also https://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 11, 2015.
Ron Hynes,
Director of Technical Oversight.
[FR Doc. 2015-08937 Filed 4-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P