Petition for Modification of Standards and Alternate Compliance, 12759 [2022-04763]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2022 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2022–0017] khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Petition for Modification of Standards and Alternate Compliance Under part 232 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on February 8, 2022, the HeritageRail Alliance (HRA) (cosponsored jointly by the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance (RPCA)) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a modification of standards and alternate compliance in accordance with 49 CFR 232.307, Modification of brake test procedures, pertaining to the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR 232.717, Freight and passenger train car brakes. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2022–0017. Specifically, HRA/RPCA requests a modification of standards and alternative compliance pursuant to 49 CFR 232.717(d) using HRA Recommended Practice RP–001–21, which includes proposed alternate compliance methods to fulfill the requirements of § 232.717, Freight and passenger train car brakes.1 HRA states that many tourist/museum operations employ obsolete equipment types that are not subject to current Association of American Railroads (AAR) Interchange Rules, nor any other currently published maintenance standard, and that in recent years the maintenance of railroad mechanical systems has moved away from prescribed periodic attention to performance based systems, and that the assurance of safety is achieved by employing more frequent periodic testing (primarily single car tests) to detect degradation of performance. Railroads have also identified opportunities to extend service intervals through application of newer materials, and as tourist and excursion equipment is often used infrequently, extended service periods may be warranted. The Recommended Practice includes justification of the reduction of cleaning, oiling, testing, and stenciling periods (an activity that in itself can degrade the performance and service life of the equipment), and provides documentation guides on the operating history to assure compliance with the conditions of the extension. A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the 1 To view the Recommended Practice, see https:// www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2022-00170001. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:50 Mar 04, 2022 Jkt 256001 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. 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 May 6, 2022 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Pursuant to § 232.307(d), if no comment objecting to the requested modification is received during the 60-day comment period, or if FRA does not issue a written objection to the requested modification, the modification will become effective May 23, 2022. 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. 2022–04763 Filed 3–4–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2007–0007] Petition for Expansion of Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on July 9, 2020, SMS Rail Service (SLRS) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to expand a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12759 223 (Safety Glazing Standards— Locomotives, Passenger Cars and Cabooses). The relevant FRA Docket Number is FRA–2007–0007. Specifically, SLRS requests to expand its existing relief from 49 CFR 223.11, Requirements for existing locomotives, for locomotive SLRS 308, which is currently operated within the Pureland Industrial Park in Bridgeport, New Jersey. SLRS requests to expand the service area to include Penn Warner Industrial Park in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. In support of its request, SLRS states that neither area has a history of vandalism or broken glass, nor overhead bridges or tunnels. Additionally, SLRS notes that track speeds are restricted speed not exceeding 10 miles per hour. 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 April 21, 2022 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. E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 12759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04763]



[[Page 12759]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2022-0017]


Petition for Modification of Standards and Alternate Compliance

    Under part 232 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on February 8, 2022, the 
HeritageRail Alliance (HRA) (co-sponsored jointly by the Railroad 
Passenger Car Alliance (RPCA)) petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) for a modification of standards and alternate 
compliance in accordance with 49 CFR 232.307, Modification of brake 
test procedures, pertaining to the Federal railroad safety regulations 
contained at 49 CFR 232.717, Freight and passenger train car brakes. 
FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2022-0017.
    Specifically, HRA/RPCA requests a modification of standards and 
alternative compliance pursuant to 49 CFR 232.717(d) using HRA 
Recommended Practice RP-001-21, which includes proposed alternate 
compliance methods to fulfill the requirements of Sec.  232.717, 
Freight and passenger train car brakes.\1\ HRA states that many 
tourist/museum operations employ obsolete equipment types that are not 
subject to current Association of American Railroads (AAR) Interchange 
Rules, nor any other currently published maintenance standard, and that 
in recent years the maintenance of railroad mechanical systems has 
moved away from prescribed periodic attention to performance based 
systems, and that the assurance of safety is achieved by employing more 
frequent periodic testing (primarily single car tests) to detect 
degradation of performance. Railroads have also identified 
opportunities to extend service intervals through application of newer 
materials, and as tourist and excursion equipment is often used 
infrequently, extended service periods may be warranted. The 
Recommended Practice includes justification of the reduction of 
cleaning, oiling, testing, and stenciling periods (an activity that in 
itself can degrade the performance and service life of the equipment), 
and provides documentation guides on the operating history to assure 
compliance with the conditions of the extension.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the Recommended Practice, see https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2022-0017-0001.
_____________________________________-

    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.
    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 May 6, 2022 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Pursuant to Sec.  232.307(d), if no 
comment objecting to the requested modification is received during the 
60-day comment period, or if FRA does not issue a written objection to 
the requested modification, the modification will become effective May 
23, 2022.
    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. 2022-04763 Filed 3-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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