Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance, 39506 [2023-12929]

Download as PDF 39506 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 116 / Friday, June 16, 2023 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2006–24812] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD 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 by letters received on April 19, 2023, and May 4, 2023, BNSF Railway (BNSF) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension 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 Docket Number is FRA– 2006–24812. Specifically, BNSF requests a waiver extension from 49 CFR 232.213, Extended haul trains, to continue operating extended haul trains for distances of up to 1,702 miles, beyond the limit of 1,500 miles stated in the regulation. In support of its request, BNSF states that it maintains a 24-hour hotline to ‘‘support FRA in identification of active trains operating under this waiver and answer any operational questions.’’ BNSF further states that ‘‘operations under this waiver have reduced risk exposure for personal injuries involving walking and driving vehicles during inspections on every train under this waiver.’’ BNSF explains the relief has also ‘‘improved upon crew rest and eliminated 1,000s of hours of idle time[,] resulting in noise reduction and reduced pollutant[s].’’ 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 August 15, 2023 will be considered by FRA VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Jun 15, 2023 Jkt 259001 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. 2023–12929 Filed 6–15–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2023–0040] Petition for Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that on May 19, 2023, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) 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 240 (Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers) and part 242 (Qualification and Certification of Conductors). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2023–0040. Specifically, Amtrak requests relief required to participate in FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) Program. Amtrak seeks to shield reporting employees and the railroad from mandatory punitive sanctions that would otherwise arise as provided in §§ 240.117(e)(1)–(4); 240.305(a)(1)–(4) and (a)(6); 240.307; 242.403(b), (c), (e)(1)–(4), (e)(6)–(11), (f)(1)–(2); and 242.407. The C3RS Program encourages certified operating crew members to report close calls and protects the employees and the railroad PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 from discipline or sanctions arising from the incidents reported per the C3RS Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU).1 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 at https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Communications received by August 15, 2023 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. 2023–12931 Filed 6–15–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P 1 The petition notes that Amtrak, Metrolink, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Sheet Metal and Rail Transportation Union—Transportation Division, American Train Dispatchers Association, and Transportation Communications Union, have developed, and are in the process of signing, an IMOU. The program would involve Amtrak employees involved in equipment operations for Metrolink. E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM 16JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 39506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12929]



[[Page 39506]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2006-24812]


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 by letters received on April 
19, 2023, and May 4, 2023, BNSF Railway (BNSF) petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension 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 Docket Number is FRA-2006-24812.
    Specifically, BNSF requests a waiver extension from 49 CFR 232.213, 
Extended haul trains, to continue operating extended haul trains for 
distances of up to 1,702 miles, beyond the limit of 1,500 miles stated 
in the regulation. In support of its request, BNSF states that it 
maintains a 24-hour hotline to ``support FRA in identification of 
active trains operating under this waiver and answer any operational 
questions.'' BNSF further states that ``operations under this waiver 
have reduced risk exposure for personal injuries involving walking and 
driving vehicles during inspections on every train under this waiver.'' 
BNSF explains the relief has also ``improved upon crew rest and 
eliminated 1,000s of hours of idle time[,] resulting in noise reduction 
and reduced pollutant[s].''
    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 August 15, 2023 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. 2023-12929 Filed 6-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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