Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance, 48292-48293 [2021-18510]

Download as PDF 48292 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 164 / Friday, August 27, 2021 / Notices extensions or modifications if that Agency determines that additional extensions are needed. Public Comments Invited You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for FMCSA to perform its functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. Issued under the authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.87. Thomas P. Keane, Associate Administrator, Office of Research and Registration. [FR Doc. 2021–18442 Filed 8–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2018–0100] lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on July 27, 2021, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an amendment of 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 NonPassenger Trains and Equipment; Endof-Train Devices. The relevant FRA Docket Number is FRA–2018–0100. Specifically, NS requests to amend an existing waiver from the requirements of 49 CFR 232.203, Training requirements, to allow electronic air brake test refresher training via customized simulation software in place of handson training. The current waiver applies to conductors and supervisors and is limited to an 18-month pilot program for freight car repair personnel reporting for duty at Birmingham, Alabama; Elkhart, Indiana; Enola, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Missouri; Macon, Georgia; Norfolk, Virginia; and Portsmouth, Ohio. As the pilot period has concluded, NS requests to amend the waiver to allow electronic air brake test training as an optional replacement for hands-on training for refresher training of freight VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Aug 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 car repair personnel on the entire NS system. In support of its request, NS states that (1) all personnel intended for inclusion have already received electronic training; (2) feedback from electronically-trained personnel has been positive; (3) delivering training electronically achieves safety benefits; and (4) NS has improved the training since the original pilot waiver was granted. 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 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 at https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Communications received by October 12, 2021 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), the U.S. Department of Transportation (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/ privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–18509 Filed 8–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P PO 00000 Frm 00179 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2018–0049] Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on August 18, 2021, BNSF Railway (BNSF) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an expansion of 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. The relevant FRA Docket Number is FRA–2018–0049. The existing waiver provides BNSF certain relief from 49 CFR 232.15, Movement of defective equipment; 49 CFR 232.103(f), General requirements for all train brake systems; and 49 CFR 232.213, Extended haul trains; and a statutory exemption from the requirements of title 49, United States Code section 20303. BNSF renews its request to expand the scope of the waiver to include coal trains operating over the Pikes Peak Subdivision in Colorado and across the Sand Hills Subdivision in Nebraska.1 On April 12, 2019, FRA granted BNSF a test waiver to conduct a pilot program on a segment of its system to ‘‘demonstrate that the use of wheel temperature detectors to prove brake health effectiveness (BHE) will improve safety, reduce risks to employees, and provide cost savings to the industry.’’ BNSF asserts the expansion would improve train braking performance and safety by reducing brake pipe air losses on all BNSF coal trains (particularly important during winter operations), and accomplish the following goals: • Validation of braking performance of BNSF coal trains moving south through Colorado and east through Alliance, Nebraska; • Improvement of the braking performance of individual cars identified with cold or hot wheels; • Increased testing of car brake systems with Automatic Single Car Test (ASCT) devices; 1 BNSF initially requested expansion of the waiver on March 18, 2021. See https:// www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2018-00490018. Public notice of the request was issued on April 5, 2021. See https://www.regulations.gov/ document/FRA-2018-0049-0021. By letter dated May 5, 2021, BNSF requested an initial 30-day hold on processing the petition. See https:// www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2018-00490022. E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 164 / Friday, August 27, 2021 / Notices • Increased removal of poor performing brake valves and brake system components identified by the ASCT; and • Generation of additional important data on air brake valve performance in a cold weather environment to supplement the program started with Northern grain trains. BNSF proposes that the processes and parameters would follow all conditions of the Southern Transcon intermodal BHE Program but differ in that the trains operate as ‘‘cycle trains’’ and stay intact in unit train operations, similar to the Northern Transcon grain trains. 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 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 (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12– 140, Washington, DC 20590. Communications received by October 12, 2021 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/ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Aug 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–18510 Filed 8–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900–0885] Agency Information Collection Activity: Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) Approval Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each revision of a previously approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before October 26, 2021. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to ‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0885’’ in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266–4688 or email maribel.aponte@va.gov. Please refer to ‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0885’’ in any correspondence. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00180 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48293 collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA. With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA’s functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology. Authority: Public Law 117–2 Section 8006 (HR 1319). Title: Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) Approval. OMB Control Number: 2900–0885. Type of Review: Revision of a previously approved collection. Abstract: VA Form 22–1990S will allow Veterans to apply for VRRAP benefits. VA Form 22–10271 will allow current GI Bill educational institutions and VET TEC training providers to volunteer to participate in the VRRAP program by acknowledging that they understand and agree to the unique payment structure of VRRAP. The information collection will also allow them to list the programs they seek to have participate in VRRAP. VA employees will utilize the information provided by the applicant and the institutions, along with information residing in existing VA Information Technology systems, in order to make a determination as to whether or not the applicant meets the definition of an eligible Veteran and whether or not the program qualifies as specified in statute. Also, the information provided will be utilized to pay the institutions as agreed. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published at 86 FR 115 on June 17, 2021, page 32330. Affected Public: Individuals and households. Estimated Annual Burden: 3,250 hours. Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 25 minutes. Frequency of Response: Once. E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 164 (Friday, August 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48292-48293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18510]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2018-0049]


Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on August 18, 2021, BNSF 
Railway (BNSF) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for 
an expansion of 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. The relevant FRA Docket Number is FRA-
2018-0049.
    The existing waiver provides BNSF certain relief from 49 CFR 
232.15, Movement of defective equipment; 49 CFR 232.103(f), General 
requirements for all train brake systems; and 49 CFR 232.213, Extended 
haul trains; and a statutory exemption from the requirements of title 
49, United States Code section 20303. BNSF renews its request to expand 
the scope of the waiver to include coal trains operating over the Pikes 
Peak Subdivision in Colorado and across the Sand Hills Subdivision in 
Nebraska.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ BNSF initially requested expansion of the waiver on March 
18, 2021. See https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2018-0049-0018. Public notice of the request was issued on April 5, 2021. See 
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2018-0049-0021. By letter 
dated May 5, 2021, BNSF requested an initial 30-day hold on 
processing the petition. See https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2018-0049-0022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On April 12, 2019, FRA granted BNSF a test waiver to conduct a 
pilot program on a segment of its system to ``demonstrate that the use 
of wheel temperature detectors to prove brake health effectiveness 
(BHE) will improve safety, reduce risks to employees, and provide cost 
savings to the industry.''
    BNSF asserts the expansion would improve train braking performance 
and safety by reducing brake pipe air losses on all BNSF coal trains 
(particularly important during winter operations), and accomplish the 
following goals:
     Validation of braking performance of BNSF coal trains 
moving south through Colorado and east through Alliance, Nebraska;
     Improvement of the braking performance of individual cars 
identified with cold or hot wheels;
     Increased testing of car brake systems with Automatic 
Single Car Test (ASCT) devices;

[[Page 48293]]

     Increased removal of poor performing brake valves and 
brake system components identified by the ASCT; and
     Generation of additional important data on air brake valve 
performance in a cold weather environment to supplement the program 
started with Northern grain trains.
    BNSF proposes that the processes and parameters would follow all 
conditions of the Southern Transcon intermodal BHE Program but differ 
in that the trains operate as ``cycle trains'' and stay intact in unit 
train operations, similar to the Northern Transcon grain trains.
    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 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 (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
    Communications received by October 12, 2021 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/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-18510 Filed 8-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.