Petition for Waiver of Compliance, 43730 [2018-18496]

Download as PDF 43730 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 166 / Monday, August 27, 2018 / Notices supporting documentation. The FDOT believes that this system improvement will ensure that supporting documentation, which was sometimes missing as SWEPT was initially implemented, would now be present prior to an approval point. The implementation of these improvements was incorporated after the audit project file review time frame. Finalizing this Report The FHWA received three responses to the Federal Register Notice during the public comment period for this draft report. None of comments were substantive; one from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association voiced support of this program and another was anonymous that was unrelated to this report. The remaining comments came from FDOT. The Audit Team met with FDOT to discuss their comments throughout the Audit report development. The FHWA considered FDOT’s comments not to be substantive but nonetheless revised the report language in several instances. This notice includes a final version of the audit report that addresses all comments submitted on the draft audit report. [FR Doc. 2018–18476 Filed 8–24–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2018–0029] amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Petition for Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this provides the public notice that by a letter dated March 15, 2018, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA–MARC), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), have jointly 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–2018–0029. Specifically, Petitioners request relief from 49 CFR 238.131 and 238.133, pertaining to the exterior side door safety system interface with the Siemens SC–44 diesel-electric locomotives to be used in passenger service, when operating in a lite consist (locomotives only). Petitioners found that in daily operation, the by-pass switch for the door safety system must be put into ‘‘by- VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:51 Aug 24, 2018 Jkt 244001 pass’’ to operate the locomotive lite, causing an operational constraint for daily servicing, maintenance, inspection, and fueling. The repeated unsealing and resealing of the by-pass switch may cause premature failure of the switch. MARC and Siemens worked jointly to develop a proposed ‘‘Yard Mode’’ solution, which monitors the door summary circuit trainline, along with other trainlines and locomotive operating parameters, determining whether the locomotive is operating in a lite consist or a passenger car consist. When ‘‘Yard Mode’’ is activated, it allows low speed (10 miles per hour or less) operation of the locomotive without placing the door by-pass device in by-pass. The ‘‘Yard Mode’’ solution relies on a multi-step software verification, along with multiple deliberate acts and confirmations by an operator, to enable the system. 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 Department of Transportation’s 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, 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 October 11, 2018 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable. PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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.). 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 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. 2018–18496 Filed 8–24–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2018–0066] 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 letter dated April 11, 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 part 227. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2018–0066. In its petition, BNSF asked FRA to waive compliance with 49 CFR 227.109 to allow employees certified under 49 CFR part 240 and/or part 242 to exceed 1,095 days between audiometric tests if they meet the hearing acuity timelines of 49 CFR 240.217 and/or 242.201. Specifically, BNSF asked FRA to allow employees subject to part 240 and/or part 242 audiometric testing requirements to go up to 1,460 days between audiometric tests to alleviate the confusion of having multiple hearing test requirements for part 240 and 242 certified employees (testing requirements under parts 240 and/or 242 as well as under part 227). 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 E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 43730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18496]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2018-0029]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this provides the public notice that by a letter dated March 15, 
2018, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA-MARC), the Illinois 
Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the California Department of 
Transportation (Caltrans), have jointly 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-2018-0029.
    Specifically, Petitioners request relief from 49 CFR 238.131 and 
238.133, pertaining to the exterior side door safety system interface 
with the Siemens SC-44 diesel-electric locomotives to be used in 
passenger service, when operating in a lite consist (locomotives only). 
Petitioners found that in daily operation, the by-pass switch for the 
door safety system must be put into ``by-pass'' to operate the 
locomotive lite, causing an operational constraint for daily servicing, 
maintenance, inspection, and fueling. The repeated unsealing and 
resealing of the by-pass switch may cause premature failure of the 
switch. MARC and Siemens worked jointly to develop a proposed ``Yard 
Mode'' solution, which monitors the door summary circuit trainline, 
along with other trainlines and locomotive operating parameters, 
determining whether the locomotive is operating in a lite consist or a 
passenger car consist. When ``Yard Mode'' is activated, it allows low 
speed (10 miles per hour or less) operation of the locomotive without 
placing the door by-pass device in by-pass. The ``Yard Mode'' solution 
relies on a multi-step software verification, along with multiple 
deliberate acts and confirmations by an operator, to enable the system.
    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 Department of Transportation's 
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, 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 October 11, 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.). 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 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. 2018-18496 Filed 8-24-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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