[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 28 (Thursday, February 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7406-7407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02776]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2015-0126]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document 
dated February 27, 2015, Union Pacific Railroad (UP) has 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 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other 
Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment; End-of-Train Devices. Specifically, 
UP requests a waiver of compliance from the requirements of 49 CFR 
232.205, Class I brake test-initial terminal inspection, to permit a 
train to be split en route using the same initial terminal inspection. 
FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2015-0126.
    In its petition, UP states that it is launching trains with 
multiple locomotive consists within the train so that the train can be 
split at an appropriate point en route, creating two separate trains 
bound for different destinations. A combined train of this type 
undergoes a Class 1 air brake test at departure pursuant to 49 CFR 
232.205. At a location less than 1,000 miles from the departure point, 
the combined train is cut at the distributed power units. No new 
locomotive units are added to the resulting second train. The second 
train is equipped with an end-of-train device or equivalent device, 
linked to what is now the lead locomotive in the consist. No cars are 
added to the second train. The cars on the second train were all part 
of the original train and have not been off air for more than 4 hours. 
These cars undergo a Class 3 air brake test pursuant to 49 CFR 232.211, 
Class III brake tests-trainline continuity inspection, before 
continuing to their destination.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    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, 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:
    <bullet> Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200

[[Page 7407]]

New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by March 14, 2016 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered as far as practicable.
    Anyone is able to 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.). 
In accordance with 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 www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-02776 Filed 2-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P