Petition for Waiver of Compliance, 54632-54633 [2020-19397]
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jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
54632
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 2, 2020 / Notices
effectively ‘‘grandfather’’ BNSF’s
continued use of these types of crossties
across six divisions throughout the
BNSF operating system.
BNSF claims: (1) The performance of
3/4 Concrete Ties have not resulted in
any derailments due to gage or defective
crossties defects since the issuance of
the waiver in 2011; (2) FRA has taken
no exception to wide gage throughout
BNSF’s use of 3/4 Concrete Ties in the
past; and (3) foot-by-foot analysis by
automated inspection show the 3/4
Concrete Ties remained stable and are
not degrading.
A copy of the petition, as well as any
written communications concerning the
petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov.
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
(DOT), 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 October
2, 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:33 Sep 01, 2020
Jkt 250001
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. 2020–19398 Filed 9–1–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA–2020–0068]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Under part 211 of title 49 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR), this
document provides the public notice
that on August 14, 2020, the Association
of American Railroads (AAR) and the
American Short Line and Regional
Railroad Association (ASLRRA)
(Petitioners), on behalf of themselves
and their member railroads, 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 236, Rules, Standards, and
Instructions Governing the Installation,
Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of
Signal and Train Control Systems,
Devices, and Appliances. FRA assigned
the petition Docket Number FRA–2020–
0068.
Specifically, Petitioners request relief
from 49 CFR 236.1021, which governs
the Request for Amendment (RFA)
process when material modifications are
made to a mixed-certification
Interoperable Train Control Positive
Train Control (PTC) system or its
accompanying Safety Plan (PTCSP).
Petitioners state that the RFA process
when modifications are made to a
PTCSP is a time consuming and
significant undertaking for both FRA
and railroad staff, involving submission
of a voluminous amount of information
and likely a lengthy review and
approval process. Petitioners further
state that frequently occurring
modifications to account for regular PTC
technology updates of the FRA-certified
PTC system are necessary to allow for
the continued successful and safe
operation of the PTC system.
Petitioners assert that approval of this
waiver request would eliminate undue
paperwork, administrative burdens, and
delays to modifications that are
intended to improve the functioning of
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
existing PTC systems. Petitioners also
contend that approval would result in
significant resource and cost savings to
both FRA and the railroads.
A copy of the petition, as well as any
written communications concerning the
petition, is available for review online at
https://www.regulations.gov.
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
(DOT), 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 October
19, 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.
E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM
02SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 2, 2020 / Notices
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety,
Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020–19397 Filed 9–1–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA–2020–0027–N–18]
Proposed Agency Information
Collection Activities; Comment
Request
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
Under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice
announces that FRA is forwarding the
Information Collection Request (ICR)
abstracted below to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and comment. The ICR describes
the information collection and its
expected burden. On May 29, 2020, FRA
published a notice providing a 60-day
period for public comment on the ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before October
2, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be sent within 30 days of
publication of this notice to
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Find this particular ICR by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Kim Toone, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Office of
Administration, Office of Information
Technology, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
(telephone: (202) 493–6132).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA,
44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to issue
two notices seeking public comment on
information collection activities before
OMB may approve paperwork packages.
See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8
through 1320.12. On May 29, 2020, FRA
published a 60-day notice in the Federal
Register soliciting comment on the ICR
for which it is now seeking OMB
approval. See 85 FR 32440. FRA
received one comment from Rio Metro
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SUMMARY:
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17:33 Sep 01, 2020
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Regional Transit Authority suggesting
that the current grant application be
improved to eliminate redundancies. It
recommended that FRA capture from
applicants additional information in the
project narrative so that the Statement of
Work (SOW) can be eliminated. After
careful consideration, FRA determined
that this recommendation could not be
implemented as the documents serve
distinct functions. The primary purpose
of the project narrative is to address
statutory grant evaluation and selection
criteria and the primary purpose of the
SOW is to determine project readiness
for obligations. Therefore, FRA plans on
continuing both the project narrative
and SOW.
Before OMB decides whether to
approve these proposed collections of
information, it must provide 30 days for
public comment. Federal law requires
OMB to approve or disapprove
paperwork packages between 30 and 60
days after the 30-day notice is
published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)–(c); 5 CFR
1320.10(b); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983,
Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes the 30-day
notice informs the regulated community
to file relevant comments and affords
the agency adequate time to digest
public comments before it renders a
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
Therefore, respondents should submit
their respective comments to OMB
within 30 days of publication to best
ensure having their full effect.
Comments are invited on the
following ICR regarding: (1) Whether the
information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute
its functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of
the burden of the information collection
activities, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used to
determine the estimates; (3) ways for
FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information being
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of information collection
activities on the public, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
The summaries below describe the
ICR that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Grants Management
Requirements for Federal Railroad
Administration. Grant Awards and
Cooperative Agreements.
OMB Control Number: 2130–0615.
Abstract: FRA solicits grant
applications for projects including, but
not limited to, preconstruction planning
activities, safety improvements,
congestion relief, improvements of
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
54633
grade crossings, and rail line relocation,
as well as projects that encourage
development, expansion, and upgrades
to passenger and freight rail
infrastructure and services. FRA funds
projects that meet FRA and governmentwide evaluation standards and align
with the DOT Strategic Plan.
FRA administers award agreements
for both construction and nonconstruction projects that will result in
benefits or other tangible improvements
in rail corridors, service, safety, and
technology. These projects include
completion of preliminary engineering
environmental, research and
development, final design, and
construction.
FRA requires systematic and uniform
collection and submission of
information, as approved by OMB, to
ensure accountability of Federal
assistance provided by FRA. Through
this information collection, FRA will
measure Federal award recipients’
performance and results, including
expenditures in support of agreed-upon
activities and allowable costs outlined
in FRA Notice of Grant Award. This
information collection includes OMBrequired reports and documentation, as
well a additional forms and submission
to compile evidence relevant to
addressing FRA’s important policy
challenges, promoting cost-effectiveness
in FRA programs, and providing
effective oversight of programmatic and
financial performance. FRA issues and
manages awards in compliance with 2
CFR part 200; Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
Form(s): All FRA forms are located at
FRA’s public website; all SF forms are
located at Grants.gov. FRA forms 30
(FRA Assurance and Certifications
Regarding Lobbying; Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility
Matters and Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements), 31 (Grant Adjustment
Require Form), 32 (Service Outcome
Agreement Annual Reporting), 33 (Final
Performance Report), 34 (Quarterly
Progress Report), 35 (Application Form),
217 (Categorical Exclusion Worksheet),
229 (NIST Manufacturing Extension
Partnership Supplier Scouting—FRA
Item Opportunity Synopsis), 251
(Applicant Financial Capability
Questionnaire), and 252 (Payment
Summary Spreadsheet). SF forms 270
(Request for Advance or
Reimbursement), 424 (Application for
Federal Assistance), 424 A (Budget
Information for Non-Construction
Programs), 424B (Assurance for NonConstruction Programs), 424C (Budget
Information for Construction Programs),
424D (Assurances for Construction
E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM
02SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54632-54633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19397]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2020-0068]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Under part 211 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that on August 14,
2020, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American
Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) (Petitioners), on
behalf of themselves and their member railroads, 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 236, Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the
Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train
Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances. FRA assigned the petition
Docket Number FRA-2020-0068.
Specifically, Petitioners request relief from 49 CFR 236.1021,
which governs the Request for Amendment (RFA) process when material
modifications are made to a mixed-certification Interoperable Train
Control Positive Train Control (PTC) system or its accompanying Safety
Plan (PTCSP). Petitioners state that the RFA process when modifications
are made to a PTCSP is a time consuming and significant undertaking for
both FRA and railroad staff, involving submission of a voluminous
amount of information and likely a lengthy review and approval process.
Petitioners further state that frequently occurring modifications to
account for regular PTC technology updates of the FRA-certified PTC
system are necessary to allow for the continued successful and safe
operation of the PTC system.
Petitioners assert that approval of this waiver request would
eliminate undue paperwork, administrative burdens, and delays to
modifications that are intended to improve the functioning of existing
PTC systems. Petitioners also contend that approval would result in
significant resource and cost savings to both FRA and the railroads.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications
concerning the petition, is available for review online at https://www.regulations.gov.
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 (DOT), 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 October 19, 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.
[[Page 54633]]
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-19397 Filed 9-1-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
