Petition for Waiver of Compliance, 3743-3744 [2020-00975]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 14 / Wednesday, January 22, 2020 / Notices Texas, 5.65 miles north of West Rail International Bridge, located west of Brownsville, Texas. The original justification for the relief, as stated by UP, was to reduce train delays and congestion within the city of Brownsville, Texas. By letter dated February 7, 2018, UP received a modified waiver to incorporate unified conditions with its recently renewed waivers for its Mexican interchanges at Laredo and Eagle Pass, Texas, and Nogales, Arizona. In support of its present petition to extend its relief, UP states it has been operating under the requirements set forth in this waiver since the grant date and have found no adverse effect on operational safety. 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 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 Ave. SE, W12–140, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Communications received by February 21, 2020 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Jan 21, 2020 Jkt 250001 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. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–00976 Filed 1–21–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2019–0107] Petition for Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this provides the public notice that on December 11, 2019, BNSF Railway Company (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 232. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2019–0107. BNSF requests that FRA grant a waiver of compliance from 49 CFR 232.215, Transfer train brake tests, with respect to transfer movements between BNSF’s Old South Yard and New South Yard in Houston, Texas (‘‘transfer movements’’). Specifically, BNSF proposes to conduct a Class III brake test in lieu of a transfer train brake test prior to making a transfer movement governed by this waiver. BNSF believes that the limited waiver it seeks in this context is appropriate because the risk of proceeding with the transfer movements without a full transfer train brake test is minimal and is adequately addressed by the conditions BNSF proposes. Transfer movements between BNSF’s Old South Yard and New South Yard require a train to traverse approximately 1,400 feet of main line track on the Houston West Belt Subdivision (‘‘Main Line’’). The Main Line between the yards is tangent with no obstructions to visibility in either direction and is on a PO 00000 Frm 00140 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3743 level grade. Track speed on the Main Line at this location is 20 miles per hour (MPH), but trains performing transfer movements between BNSF yards operate at 10 MPH and would continue to do so under this waiver. BNSF previously petitioned FRA for a waiver on this topic (see Docket Number FRA–2004–19949). FRA denied that petition without prejudice principally due to the absence of any conditions or alternate procedures included within the petition to ensure an adequate level of safety. BNSF believes the conditions set forth below will adequately address FRA’s concerns. BNSF requests that the waiver be granted to permit transfer movements to be governed subject to the following conditions: 1. Prior to undertaking a transfer movement, the brake pipe will be connected through the entire cut of cars to be moved. 2. Prior to undertaking a transfer movement, a successful Class III brake test must be performed on the train performing the transfer movement, with air pressure at the rear of the consist verified using an air gauge. 3. All trains performing a transfer movement between Old South Yard and New South Yard will be limited to a maximum speed of 10 MPH. BNSF states these conditions represent a revised approach incorporating FRA’s guidance from its denial of the 2005 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 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: E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1 3744 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 14 / Wednesday, January 22, 2020 / Notices • 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 Ave., SE, W12–140, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Communications received by March 9, 2020 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. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–00975 Filed 1–21–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2020–0001] khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Petition for Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this provides the public notice that on December 31, 2019, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) 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 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment; End-of-Train Devices. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2020–0001. Specifically, CP proposes to implement a virtual simulation as a VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:42 Jan 21, 2020 Jkt 250001 third alternative to satisfy the ‘‘handson’’ portion of periodic refresher training required by 49 CFR 232.203(b)(8). Refresher training is required at intervals not to exceed 3 years, and shall consist of classroom and hands-on training, as well as testing. CP states that the simulation will improve consistency and quality of training. The simulation is based on performance of a Class I freight air brake test and is designed to place the user in a virtual realistic scenario. The user is required to perform a variety of inspection tasks including, but not limited to, identifying closed cut-out cocks, uncoupled air hoses, closed angle cocks, improperly positioned retainer valves, and using a two-way end of train telemetry device. Users are required to successfully complete all tasks in the scenario. CP proposes to limit the class size to 12 students and seeks to apply this waiver systemwide to all CP operating personnel (e.g., trainmen, enginemen, and field supervisors responsible for performing freight air brakes tests.) 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 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 Ave. SE, W12–140, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., PO 00000 Frm 00141 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Communications received by March 9, 2020 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. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–00977 Filed 1–21–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2019–0102] RIN 2127–ZRIN Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Draft Research Test Procedures National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Request for comment (RFC); extension of comment period. AGENCY: In response to multiple requests, NHTSA is extending the comment period on the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Draft Research Test Procedures RFC to March 6, 2020. The RFC was published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2019. The comment period was originally scheduled to end on January 21, 2020. DATES: The comment period for the request for comment published November 21, 2019, at 84 FR 64405, is extended. Written comments must be received on or before March 6, 2020 in order to be considered timely. ADDRESSES: SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22JAN1.SGM 22JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3743-3744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00975]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2019-0107]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
provides the public notice that on December 11, 2019, BNSF Railway 
Company (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 232. FRA assigned the 
petition Docket Number FRA-2019-0107.
    BNSF requests that FRA grant a waiver of compliance from 49 CFR 
232.215, Transfer train brake tests, with respect to transfer movements 
between BNSF's Old South Yard and New South Yard in Houston, Texas 
(``transfer movements''). Specifically, BNSF proposes to conduct a 
Class III brake test in lieu of a transfer train brake test prior to 
making a transfer movement governed by this waiver. BNSF believes that 
the limited waiver it seeks in this context is appropriate because the 
risk of proceeding with the transfer movements without a full transfer 
train brake test is minimal and is adequately addressed by the 
conditions BNSF proposes.
    Transfer movements between BNSF's Old South Yard and New South Yard 
require a train to traverse approximately 1,400 feet of main line track 
on the Houston West Belt Subdivision (``Main Line''). The Main Line 
between the yards is tangent with no obstructions to visibility in 
either direction and is on a level grade. Track speed on the Main Line 
at this location is 20 miles per hour (MPH), but trains performing 
transfer movements between BNSF yards operate at 10 MPH and would 
continue to do so under this waiver.
    BNSF previously petitioned FRA for a waiver on this topic (see 
Docket Number FRA-2004-19949). FRA denied that petition without 
prejudice principally due to the absence of any conditions or alternate 
procedures included within the petition to ensure an adequate level of 
safety. BNSF believes the conditions set forth below will adequately 
address FRA's concerns.
    BNSF requests that the waiver be granted to permit transfer 
movements to be governed subject to the following conditions:
    1. Prior to undertaking a transfer movement, the brake pipe will be 
connected through the entire cut of cars to be moved.
    2. Prior to undertaking a transfer movement, a successful Class III 
brake test must be performed on the train performing the transfer 
movement, with air pressure at the rear of the consist verified using 
an air gauge.
    3. All trains performing a transfer movement between Old South Yard 
and New South Yard will be limited to a maximum speed of 10 MPH.
    BNSF states these conditions represent a revised approach 
incorporating FRA's guidance from its denial of the 2005 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 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:

[[Page 3744]]

     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 Ave., SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by March 9, 2020 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.

John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-00975 Filed 1-21-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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