Petition for Waiver of Compliance, 28757-28758 [2018-13218]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 20, 2018 / Notices Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591. This notice is published pursuant to 14 CFR 11.85. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 12, 2018. Lirio Liu, Executive Director, Office of Rulemaking. Petition For Exemption Docket No.: FAA–2018–0004. Petitioner: Cruiser Aircraft, Inc. (CSA). Section(s) of 14 CFR Affected: 21.190(c)(2). Description of Relief Sought: The proposed exemption, if granted, would allow those Sport Cruiser special lightsport aircraft manufactured by CSA with serial number SC0557 and up that otherwise comply with the applicable consensus standards to be eligible for issuance (or re-issuance) of a special airworthiness certificate in the lightsport category with a maximum takeoff weight of not more than 1,386 pounds (630 kilograms). [FR Doc. 2018–13178 Filed 6–19–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2018–0021] sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Petition for Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document dated February 16, 2018, TexRail (TEXR) 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 part 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2018–0021. TEXR has ordered eight FLIRT Series Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) trainsets manufactured by Stadler Bussnang AG with an option to purchase additional trainsets. The DMUs are designed to fulfill the requirements set forth by 49 CFR 238.201, Scope/alternative compliance. TEXR requests a waiver ‘‘based on compliance with the FRAissued guideline ‘Technical Criteria and Procedures for Evaluating the Crashworthiness and Occupant Protection Performance of AlternativelyDesigned Passenger Rail Equipment for Use in Tier I Service’ and the proposed Appendix G to 49 CFR part 238.’’ Currently, these vehicles are being delivered and tested at the TEXR maintenance facility. Specifically, TEXR VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 seeks relief from certain requirements for end-frame compression and other procedures as presented in their petition. 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 Ave. 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 and a public hearing, 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 and may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Website: 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 July 20, 2018 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. Anyone can 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.). Under 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 https:// www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/ PO 00000 Frm 00151 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28757 privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC. Robert C. Lauby, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2018–13219 Filed 6–19–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2018–0049] Petition for Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on May 29, 2018, BNSF Railway (BNSF) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR 232.213, 232.15, and 232.103(f). In addition, BNSF requests an exemption from the requirements of Title 49, United States Code (U.S.C.), section 20303, which prohibits the movement of a rail vehicle with defective or insecure equipment beyond the nearest available place at which the repairs can be made. See 49 U.S.C. 20306. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2018–0049. Specifically, BNSF petitions FRA to conduct a pilot program on a segment of their system to ‘‘demonstrate that the use of wheel temperature detectors (WTD) to prove brake health effectiveness (BHE) will improve safety, reduce risks to employees, and provide cost savings to the industry.’’ Currently, the effectiveness of railroad brake systems is verified by Class I initial terminal and Class IA intermediate brake tests. BNSF proposes to supplement these visual inspections with a wayside WTD, a device designed to directly measure the rise in wheel temperatures because of a brake application. BNSF asserts that such a measure of performance is objective, quantifiable, and independent of conditions that can impair a visual inspection; such as weather, lighting, human fatigue, or human error. BNSF states that a monitoring system using WTD data as an alternative to the intermediate brake inspections is expected to substantially improve the reliability of brake inspections, reduce on-line setouts, and increase faulty part replacement, to improve the safety performance of brake systems overall. BNSF plans to use pyrometer sensors, a technology also used for hot wheel E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 28758 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 20, 2018 / Notices detection, to measure the surface temperature of each wheel passing the detector. Using data analysis algorithms, these temperature measurements determine whether brakes on each axle and brake valve of a car is applying when they should, and not applying when they should not. A comparison to a baseline non-braking measurement against the brake site measurement would be used to identify wheels with abnormal brake readings for subsequent inspection, troubleshooting, and repair. BNSF explains that its Safety Assurance Plan (SAP) describes how its WTD system provides for each safety element required by the Class I and Intermediate Brake Tests, outlines the level of brake system performance that is expected from using the WTD and algorithms, and describes how data will be collected to demonstrate that this level of safety has been achieved. BNSF proposes to conduct a pilot program on extended haul, revenueservice unit intermodal trains, operating between facilities in California and Chicago, IL. These intermodal trains operate intact with up to 1,702 miles between brake tests. Each test train will receive a Class I brake test and predeparture test at the intermodal facility in California or Chicago. In-route trains will pass WTD monitors located both east and west of Belen, NM, to record braking performance through power braking events. During this proposed pilot program, a minimum of 95 percent of brake valves in a train will be required to have ‘‘qualified’’ brakes between inspection points, meaning a brake valve produces a wheel temperature statistically different from the baseline test before braking is initiated. If there is any doubt about WTD system performance, reliability, and data quality; or fewer than 95 percent of the brake valves in the consist that have qualified brakes as verified by the automated WTD system, a manual intermediate inspection will be performed at the designated inspection point. Class I inspections and other operational and regulatory inspections will continue to be performed, and any defects discovered by the Class I brake test will be repaired before the car is approved to leave the original terminal. Additionally, BNSF explains that it uses dragging equipment detectors, hot wheel detectors, and hot box detectors to monitor equipment that may have brakes not properly releasing, handbrakes left on, or incorrect retainer valve positions. BNSF states that preliminary tests conducted with the WTD system indicate that cars with ineffective brakes are identified at a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 19, 2018 Jkt 244001 significantly higher rate than intermediate brake tests. During the pilot test period, specific car repair data resulting from abnormal brake detections will be analyzed to establish the effectiveness of the WTD compared to manual inspections. FRA may grant an exemption from the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 20303 only on the basis of (1) evidence developed at a hearing; or (2) an agreement between national railroad labor representatives and the developer of the equipment or technology at issue. 49 U.S.C. 20306. In support of its request for an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 20303, BNSF notes that the public hearing FRA previously held to address a similar request for exemption from the Union Pacific Railroad (Docket Number FRA–2016– 0018) addresses substantially the same issues as its current request. Thus, BNSF asserts a separate public hearing on its current request is unnecessary. FRA agrees and in considering BNSF’s request in this docket, FRA intends to rely on the findings of the hearing conducted in Docket Number FRA– 2016–0018. 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 parties desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, 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 and may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Website: 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. PO 00000 Frm 00152 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Communications received by July 20, 2018 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable. Anyone can 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.). Under 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 https:// www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/ privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC. Robert C. Lauby, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2018–13218 Filed 6–19–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. FAA–2009–0671] Agency Requests for Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection(s): Safety Management Systems for Part 121 Certificate Holders Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA)(DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The DOT invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection used to support the analysis of safety data as part of a Safety Management System required for part 121 Certificate Holders. The information to be collected will be used to identify hazards and show compliance with part 5, Safety Management Systems. All collected data and records are maintained by the certificate holder and not submitted to the FAA. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments should be submitted by August 20, 2018. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28757-28758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13218]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2018-0049]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on May 29, 2018, BNSF Railway 
(BNSF) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a 
waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad 
safety regulations contained at 49 CFR 232.213, 232.15, and 232.103(f). 
In addition, BNSF requests an exemption from the requirements of Title 
49, United States Code (U.S.C.), section 20303, which prohibits the 
movement of a rail vehicle with defective or insecure equipment beyond 
the nearest available place at which the repairs can be made. See 49 
U.S.C. 20306. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2018-0049.
    Specifically, BNSF petitions FRA to conduct a pilot program on a 
segment of their system to ``demonstrate that the use of wheel 
temperature detectors (WTD) to prove brake health effectiveness (BHE) 
will improve safety, reduce risks to employees, and provide cost 
savings to the industry.'' Currently, the effectiveness of railroad 
brake systems is verified by Class I initial terminal and Class IA 
intermediate brake tests. BNSF proposes to supplement these visual 
inspections with a wayside WTD, a device designed to directly measure 
the rise in wheel temperatures because of a brake application. BNSF 
asserts that such a measure of performance is objective, quantifiable, 
and independent of conditions that can impair a visual inspection; such 
as weather, lighting, human fatigue, or human error.
    BNSF states that a monitoring system using WTD data as an 
alternative to the intermediate brake inspections is expected to 
substantially improve the reliability of brake inspections, reduce on-
line setouts, and increase faulty part replacement, to improve the 
safety performance of brake systems overall. BNSF plans to use 
pyrometer sensors, a technology also used for hot wheel

[[Page 28758]]

detection, to measure the surface temperature of each wheel passing the 
detector. Using data analysis algorithms, these temperature 
measurements determine whether brakes on each axle and brake valve of a 
car is applying when they should, and not applying when they should 
not. A comparison to a baseline non-braking measurement against the 
brake site measurement would be used to identify wheels with abnormal 
brake readings for subsequent inspection, troubleshooting, and repair. 
BNSF explains that its Safety Assurance Plan (SAP) describes how its 
WTD system provides for each safety element required by the Class I and 
Intermediate Brake Tests, outlines the level of brake system 
performance that is expected from using the WTD and algorithms, and 
describes how data will be collected to demonstrate that this level of 
safety has been achieved.
    BNSF proposes to conduct a pilot program on extended haul, revenue-
service unit intermodal trains, operating between facilities in 
California and Chicago, IL. These intermodal trains operate intact with 
up to 1,702 miles between brake tests. Each test train will receive a 
Class I brake test and predeparture test at the intermodal facility in 
California or Chicago. In-route trains will pass WTD monitors located 
both east and west of Belen, NM, to record braking performance through 
power braking events. During this proposed pilot program, a minimum of 
95 percent of brake valves in a train will be required to have 
``qualified'' brakes between inspection points, meaning a brake valve 
produces a wheel temperature statistically different from the baseline 
test before braking is initiated. If there is any doubt about WTD 
system performance, reliability, and data quality; or fewer than 95 
percent of the brake valves in the consist that have qualified brakes 
as verified by the automated WTD system, a manual intermediate 
inspection will be performed at the designated inspection point. Class 
I inspections and other operational and regulatory inspections will 
continue to be performed, and any defects discovered by the Class I 
brake test will be repaired before the car is approved to leave the 
original terminal.
    Additionally, BNSF explains that it uses dragging equipment 
detectors, hot wheel detectors, and hot box detectors to monitor 
equipment that may have brakes not properly releasing, handbrakes left 
on, or incorrect retainer valve positions. BNSF states that preliminary 
tests conducted with the WTD system indicate that cars with ineffective 
brakes are identified at a significantly higher rate than intermediate 
brake tests. During the pilot test period, specific car repair data 
resulting from abnormal brake detections will be analyzed to establish 
the effectiveness of the WTD compared to manual inspections.
    FRA may grant an exemption from the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 20303 
only on the basis of (1) evidence developed at a hearing; or (2) an 
agreement between national railroad labor representatives and the 
developer of the equipment or technology at issue. 49 U.S.C. 20306. In 
support of its request for an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 20303, BNSF 
notes that the public hearing FRA previously held to address a similar 
request for exemption from the Union Pacific Railroad (Docket Number 
FRA-2016-0018) addresses substantially the same issues as its current 
request. Thus, BNSF asserts a separate public hearing on its current 
request is unnecessary. FRA agrees and in considering BNSF's request in 
this docket, FRA intends to rely on the findings of the hearing 
conducted in Docket Number FRA-2016-0018.
    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 parties 
desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, 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 and may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Website: 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 July 20, 2018 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.
    Anyone can 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.). 
Under 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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-13218 Filed 6-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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