Document ID: FRA-2009-0120-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Rule
Title: Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Posted Date: 2010-01-15T05:00Z

[Federal Register: January 15, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 10)]
[Notices]               
[Page 2591]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ja10-102]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

 
Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), notice is hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration 
(FRA) received a request for a waiver of compliance with certain 
requirements of its safety standards. The individual petition is 
described below, including the party seeking relief, the regulatory 
provisions involved, the nature of the relief being requested, and the 
petitioner's arguments in favor of relief from the requirements of 49 
CFR Part 236 as detailed below.

CSX Transportation, Inc.

[Docket Number FRA-2009-0120]

    The CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) seeks relief from the 
requirements of the Rules, Standards and Instructions, Title 49 CFR 
Part 236, Section 236.377 Approach Locking; 236.378 Time Locking; 
236.379 Route Locking; 236.380 Indication Locking; and 236.381 Traffic 
Locking on vital microprocessor-based systems. CSXT proposes to verify 
and test signal locking systems controlled by microprocessor-based 
equipment by use of alternative procedures every 4 years after initial 
baseline testing or program change as follows:
     Verifying the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)/Check Sum/
Universal Control Number (UNC) of the existing location's specific 
application logic to the previously tested version.
     Testing the appropriate interconnection to the associated 
signaling hardware equipment outside of the processor (switch 
indication, track indication, searchlight signal indication, approach 
locking (if external)) to verify correct and intended inputs to and 
outputs from the processor are maintained.
     Analyze and compare the results of the 4-year alternative 
testing with the results of the baseline testing performed at the 
location and submit the results to FRA.
    Applicant's justification for relief: Many of CSXT's interlockings, 
control points, and other locations are controlled by solid-state vital 
microprocessor-based systems. These systems utilize programmed logic 
equations in lieu of relays or other mechanical components for control 
of both vital and non-vital functions. The logic does not change once a 
microprocessor-based system has been tested and locking tests are 
documented on installation.
    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 (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number FRA-
2009-0120) and may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     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 within 45 days of the date of this notice 
will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments 
received after that date will be considered as far as practicable. All 
written communications concerning these proceedings are available for 
examination during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the above 
facility. All documents in the public docket are also available for 
inspection and copying on the Internet at the docket facility's Web 
site at http://www.regulations.gov.
    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 document (or signing the 
document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor 
union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in 
the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477) or at 
http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 11, 2010.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
 Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-682 Filed 1-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P