Petition for Extension and Modification of Waiver of Compliance, 91883 [2024-26999]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 224 / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 / Notices received into any of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 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. 2024–26993 Filed 11–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2019–0064] khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES Petition for Extension and Modification of Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letters dated August 27, 2024, and October 15, 2024, BNSF Railway Company (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 NonPassenger Trains and Equipment; Endof-Train Devices). BNSF also petitioned to add three locations to the waiver: Auburn, Washington; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Missoula, Montana. The relevant Docket Number is FRA–2019– 0064. Specifically, BNSF requests to renew the existing waiver from 49 CFR 232.305(b)(2), Single car air brake tests, which permits BNSF to change the repair track designation (per § 232.303, General requirements) so that the track on which in-train wheel replacements are performed is not designated a shop or repair track. Accordingly, a single car air brake test (SCABT) is not required on each car undergoing an in-train wheelset replacement, but BNSF proposes to perform a SCABT on any car with an FRA-condemnable wheel VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:39 Nov 19, 2024 Jkt 265001 defect as defined in § 232.303(b)(5). The relief currently applies to specific yard tracks for wheelset replacement at three BNSF facilities: Newton, Kansas; Kansas City, Kansas; and Temple, Texas. BNSF seeks to expand the waiver to apply to Auburn, Washington; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Missoula, Montana, as well. In support of its request, BNSF stated that the program ‘‘has significantly reduced the number of wheels in service with elevated kip impact readings, which, in turn has a long-term positive impact on rail integrity.’’ Additionally, BNSF explained that ‘‘by using [Wheel Impact Load Detectors] and replacing wheelsets with relatively minor defects, BNSF has replaced significantly more wheelsets than required by FRA regulations.’’ 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 www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Communications received by January 21, 2025 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 the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 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/ PO 00000 Frm 00212 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 91883 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. 2024–26999 Filed 11–19–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA–2024–0115] Petition for Waiver of Compliance Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letters received October 1, 2024, and November 4, 2024, the City of North Salt Lake (the City) 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 222 (Use of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2024–0115. Specifically, the City requests relief from § 222.35(b)(1), What are the minimum requirements for quiet zones?—Active grade crossing warning devices, which states that each public highway-rail grade crossing in a quiet zone ‘‘must be equipped, no later than the quiet zone implementation date, with active grade crossing warning devices comprising both flashing lights and gates which control traffic over the crossing.’’ The City requests a two-year waiver from the regulation ‘‘until the design and construction of the relocated signal mast and gate arm can be completed.’’ In support of its request, the City stated that the signal mast and gate arm are currently located before the crossing on an industrial spur, where trains are operated at not more than 10 miles per hour. The crossing currently has signal lights, and the City will add a painted stop bar and sign reading ‘‘STOP HERE WHEN FLASHING’’ to ‘‘further improve the safety at the crossing . . . until the design and construction of the gate arm can be completed.’’ The City further explained that funding for the project has been secured and that granting this relief will allow ‘‘reinstatement of the quiet zone while design, approval and construction of the gate arm is completed.’’ A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov. E:\FR\FM\20NON1.SGM 20NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 91883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26999]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2019-0064]


Petition for Extension and Modification of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that by letters dated August 27, 
2024, and October 15, 2024, BNSF Railway Company (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). BNSF also petitioned to add three locations to the waiver: 
Auburn, Washington; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Missoula, Montana. The 
relevant Docket Number is FRA-2019-0064.
    Specifically, BNSF requests to renew the existing waiver from 49 
CFR 232.305(b)(2), Single car air brake tests, which permits BNSF to 
change the repair track designation (per Sec.  232.303, General 
requirements) so that the track on which in-train wheel replacements 
are performed is not designated a shop or repair track. Accordingly, a 
single car air brake test (SCABT) is not required on each car 
undergoing an in-train wheelset replacement, but BNSF proposes to 
perform a SCABT on any car with an FRA-condemnable wheel defect as 
defined in Sec.  232.303(b)(5). The relief currently applies to 
specific yard tracks for wheelset replacement at three BNSF facilities: 
Newton, Kansas; Kansas City, Kansas; and Temple, Texas. BNSF seeks to 
expand the waiver to apply to Auburn, Washington; Lincoln, Nebraska; 
and Missoula, Montana, as well.
    In support of its request, BNSF stated that the program ``has 
significantly reduced the number of wheels in service with elevated kip 
impact readings, which, in turn has a long-term positive impact on rail 
integrity.'' Additionally, BNSF explained that ``by using [Wheel Impact 
Load Detectors] and replacing wheelsets with relatively minor defects, 
BNSF has replaced significantly more wheelsets than required by FRA 
regulations.''
    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 www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Communications received by January 21, 2025 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 the Department of Transportation's 
(DOT) 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. 2024-26999 Filed 11-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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