Document ID: FRA-2008-0116-0001
Agency: fra
Document Type: Rule
Title: Railroad Safety Appliance Standards, Miscellaneous Revisions
Posted Date: 2010-07-02T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38432-38441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16153]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 127 / Friday, July 2, 2010 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 38432]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 231

[Docket No. FRA-2008-0116]
RIN 2130-AB97

Railroad Safety Appliance Standards, Miscellaneous Revisions

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: FRA is proposing to amend the regulations related to safety 
appliance arrangements on rail equipment in a manner that is expected 
to promote the safe placement and securement of safety appliances on 
modern rail equipment by establishing a process for the review and 
approval of existing industry standards. This process will permit 
railroad industry representatives to submit requests for the approval 
of existing industry standards relating to the safety appliance 
arrangements on newly constructed railroad cars, locomotives, tenders, 
or similar vehicles in lieu of the specific provisions currently 
contained in part 231. It is anticipated that the proposed special 
approval process will further railroad safety. It will allow FRA to 
consider technological advancements and ergonomic design standards for 
new car construction and ensure that modern rail equipment complies 
with the applicable statutory and safety-critical regulatory 
requirements related to safety appliances while providing the 
flexibility to efficiently address safety appliance requirements on new 
designs in the future for railroad cars, locomotives, tenders, or 
similar vehicles.

DATES: (1) Written comments must be received by August 31, 2010. 
Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent 
possible without incurring additional delay or expense.
    (2) FRA anticipates being able to resolve this rulemaking without a 
public, oral hearing. However, if FRA receives a specific request for a 
public, oral hearing prior to August 31, 2010 one will be scheduled and 
FRA will publish a supplemental notice in the Federal Register to 
inform interested parties of the date, time, and location of any such 
hearing.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the docket number FRA-
2008-0116 by any one of the following methods:
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251;
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590;
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays; or
     Electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go 
to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for 
submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket 
name and docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for 
this rulemaking. Note that all comments received will be posted without 
change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided. Please see the Privacy Act section of this 
document.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to 
the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen J. Carullo, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, Office of Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202-493-6480), stephen.carullo@dot.gov 
or Stephen N. Gordon, Trial Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Mail Stop 10, Washington, DC 20590 
(telephone 202-493-6001), stephen.n.gordon@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General

    The Association of American Railroads (AAR) submitted a petition to 
amend 49 CFR part 231 on March 28, 2006. The AAR petition requested 
that FRA adopt new Railroad Safety Appliance Standards to incorporate 
changes in railcar design that have occurred since the safety appliance 
regulations were promulgated in their current form. FRA proposes to act 
on AAR's request by amending 49 CFR part 231 to add sections 231.33 and 
231.35 to the existing regulatory language. These new sections will 
create a special approval process similar to what is found in parts 232 
and 238. The proposed special approval process will enable the railroad 
industry to submit new rail equipment designs to FRA for approval with 
respect to the placement and securement of safety appliances on the 
designs. FRA anticipates that the proposed sections will have multiple 
benefits, including allowing for greater flexibility within the 
railroad industry and increasing rail safety by incorporating modern 
ergonomic design standards and technological advancements in 
construction.

II. Statutory and Regulatory History

    The Railroad Safety Appliance Standards set forth in 49 CFR part 
231 arose out of an extended legislative and regulatory effort, 
beginning in the 19th century, to improve the safety of railroad 
employees and the public. As railroads rapidly began to grow and 
develop following the Civil War, it became increasingly apparent that 
new measures were needed to protect train service employees who were 
directly involved in the movement of trains. Most vehicles did not have 
adequate safety mechanisms and many of the practices and procedures 
used by train service employees were not safe. Employees regularly 
controlled the speed of (and sometimes stopped) trains by using the 
handbrakes. In many cases, this required train service employees to 
perch themselves on top of freight cars while the cars were moving at 
high rates of speed over rough track. Additionally, use of the ``link 
and pin'' coupler, which was the standard method for coupling

[[Page 38433]]

railcars, required employees to go between the ends of railcars to 
operate or adjust the coupler. These practices and others of like type 
led to excessive numbers of deaths and injuries among train service 
employees during the expansion of the railroad system following the 
Civil War. Indeed, during the eight (8) years prior to the passage of 
the first Safety Appliance Act in 1893, the number of employees killed 
or injured was equal to the total number of people employed by the 
railroad in a single year.
    The rate at which railroad employees were killed or injured during 
this time frame spurred efforts to increase workplace safety in at 
least two areas related to appliances on railroad cars, locomotives, 
tenders, and other vehicles. New technologies such as power brakes and 
automatic couplers were pursued, but also there were increased calls 
for regulation. Between 1890 and 1892, Congress responded with the 
introduction of seventeen (17) bills designed to promote the safety of 
employees and travelers on the railroad. Ultimately, the first Safety 
Appliance Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 2, 
1893. Among other things, the first Safety Appliance Act required the 
use of power brakes on all trains engaged in interstate commerce as 
well as requiring all railcars engaged in interstate commerce to be 
equipped with automatic couplers, drawbars, and handholds. In 1903, 
Congress passed the second Safety Appliance Act, which extended the 
requirements of the first Act to any rail equipment operated by a 
railroad engaged in interstate commerce. Finally, in 1910 the third 
Safety Appliance Act was passed requiring that all vehicles be equipped 
with hand brakes, sill steps, and, where appropriate, running boards, 
ladders, and roof handholds. The third Safety Appliance Act also 
directed the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to designate the 
number, dimensions, locations, and manner of application of the various 
safety appliances identified in the Act.
    The ICC complied with this mandate by issuing its order of March 
13, 1911. The March 13, 1911 order established the initial Railroad 
Safety Appliance Standards. This order, as amended, designated the 
number, dimensions, location, and manner of application for safety 
appliances on box cars, hopper cars, gondola cars, tank cars, flat 
cars, cabooses, and locomotives. It also contained a catch-all section 
for ``cars of special construction'' that were not specifically covered 
in the order. In many ways, the March 13, 1911 order continues to serve 
as the basis for the present day regulations found in part 231. Indeed, 
although FRA supplanted the ICC as the agency responsible for 
promulgating and enforcing railroad safety programs in 1966, see 
Department of Transportation Act of 1966, 49 U.S.C. 103, the general 
framework established by the order of March 13, 1911 is still in 
existence today.

III. FRA's Approach to the Railroad Safety Appliance Standards in This 
NPRM

    The Railroad Safety Appliance Standards encompassed in part 231 
serve the purpose of increasing railroad safety by identifying the 
applicable safety appliance requirements for various individual car 
types. See, e.g., 49 CFR 231.1, box and other house cars built or 
placed into service before October 1, 1966. While these regulations 
continue to serve their purpose, FRA recognizes the railroad industry 
has evolved over time. The industry has created and continues to create 
new railcar types to satisfy the demands for transporting freight as 
well as passengers on the present-day railroad. Many of the modern 
railcar types that are presently being built to handle railroad traffic 
do not fit neatly within any of the specific car body types identified 
in the existing regulations and ambiguities sometimes arise regarding 
the placement of safety appliances on these car types.
    Because modern designs often cannot be considered a car type that 
is explicitly listed in part 231, they are typically treated as cars of 
special construction. See 49 CFR 231.18. The ``cars of special 
construction'' provision does not identify specific guidelines that can 
be used by the railroad industry to assist it in the construction and 
maintenance of the safety appliances on modern railcar designs. 
Instead, Sec.  231.18 directs the industry to use the requirements, as 
nearly as possible, of the nearest approximate car type. Problems arise 
because modern designs are often combinations of multiple car types, 
and the design of any particular car may appear to be one type or 
another depending on the position of the individual viewing the car. As 
an example, a bulkhead flat car appears to be a box car when viewed 
from the A-end or B-end of the car, but appears to be a flat car when 
viewed from either side. As a result, the industry is forced to use 
bits and pieces from multiple sections of part 231 in an effort to 
ensure compliance with the Railroad Safety Appliance Standards on 
bulkhead flatcars and other modern rail equipment.
    Another problem for modern railcar designs is that part 231 defines 
the location of many safety appliances by reference to the side or end 
of the car. While this worked well for the car types that were in 
existence when the ICC issued its March 13, 1911 order, it often is 
difficult to define exactly what parts on modern railcars constitute 
the side or end. This results in ambiguity regarding what is the 
appropriate location for certain safety appliances, such as handholds 
and sill steps.
    Together these factors can make compliance with the Railroad Safety 
Appliance Standards difficult and inefficient when dealing with modern 
railcar designs. In addition the current regulations do not contemplate 
advancements in the design of such vehicles. This means the current 
regulations can operate to preclude the application of technological 
innovations and modern ergonomic design principles that would increase 
the safety of persons who work on and around rail equipment and use 
safety appliances on a regular basis.
    The AAR Safety Appliance Task Force (Task Force) consists of 
representatives from the Class I railroads, labor unions, car builders, 
and government (FRA and Transport Canada participate as non-voting 
members), as well as ergonomics experts. The Task Force is developing 
new industry standards for safety appliance arrangements on new car 
construction. At this time, the Task Force has developed a base safety 
appliance standard as well as industry safety appliance standards for 
modern boxcars, covered hopper cars, and bulkhead flat cars, which FRA 
expects to serve as the core safety appliance criteria that can be used 
to guide the safety appliance arrangements on railcars that are more 
specialized in design. The Task Force's new standards incorporate 
ergonomic design principles that increase the safety and comfort for 
persons working on and around safety appliance apparatuses. For 
example, the Task Force standards establish minimum foot clearance 
guidelines for end platforms that allow for wider and stiffer sill 
steps to support a person's weight.
    The AAR petition to amend part 231 requested that FRA adopt these 
new industry standards and amend its regulations to recognize changes 
in railcar design since the safety appliance regulations were 
promulgated in their current form. Because the standards submitted by 
AAR in connection with its petition require some modification before 
they can be approved and adopted by FRA, FRA is not proposing to 
incorporate the standards into part

[[Page 38434]]

231 at this time. FRA prefers to utilize the process being proposed in 
this NPRM to fully evaluate and assess the industry standards developed 
by the Task Force to ensure that they are complete and enforceable. 
Thus, FRA proposes to act on AAR's petition for rulemaking by 
establishing a special approval process similar to that currently 
contained in 49 CFR parts 232 and 238.
    Existing Sec.  232.17 allows railroads to adopt an alternative 
standard for single car air brake tests and use new brake system 
technology where the alternative standard or new technology is shown to 
provide at least the equivalent level of safety. Similarly, Sec.  
238.21 allows railroads to adopt alternative standards related to 
passenger equipment safety in a wide range of areas such as performance 
criteria for flammability and smoke emission characteristics, fuel tank 
design and positioning, single car air brake testing, and suspension 
system design, where the alternative standards or new technologies are 
demonstrated to provide at least the equivalent level of safety. 
Section 238.230 borrows the process set out in Sec.  238.21. It allows 
a recognized representative of the railroads to request special 
approval of industry-wide alternative standards relating to the safety 
appliance arrangements on any passenger car type considered to be a car 
of special construction.
    The special approval process being proposed for part 231 
establishes a process for submitting, reviewing, and approving the use 
of new standards as they are developed by the industry. It would also 
allow for an industry representative to submit modifications of 
industry-approved safety appliance standards for FRA's review and 
approval. The proposed regulation closely follows the processes set 
forth in Sec. Sec.  232.17, 238.21, and 238.230. FRA anticipates that 
the proposed amendment to part 231 will benefit railroad safety by: (1) 
Allowing FRA to take into account technological advancements and 
ergonomic design standards for new car construction, (2) ensuring that 
modern railcar designs comply with applicable statutory and safety-
critical regulatory requirements related to safety appliances, and (3) 
providing flexibility to efficiently address safety appliance 
requirements on new railcar and locomotive designs in the future.

IV. Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 231.33 Procedure for Special Approval of Existing Industry 
Safety Appliance Standards

    This proposed section establishes a process through which a 
representative of the railroad industry may petition FRA for special 
approval of an existing industry safety appliance standard. FRA 
anticipates that this special approval process will minimize 
uncertainty in vehicle design and maintenance by allowing the industry, 
through its AAR Task Force, to create clear industry standards that 
identify the appropriate safety appliance arrangements on railroad 
cars, locomotives, tenders, or similar vehicles. This should lessen the 
extensive reliance on Sec.  231.18, cars of special construction, under 
which much of the modern rail equipment presently is built. While AAR's 
petition for rulemaking requests that FRA adopt new Railroad Safety 
Appliance Standards incorporating changes based on modern railcar 
design, FRA expects that the proposed special approval process will 
better serve the goal of adapting to changes in modern railcar design 
while also facilitating compliance with statutory and safety-critical 
regulatory requirements.
    FRA recognizes that a necessary adjunct to developing industry 
standards for new car types that would otherwise fall under Sec.  
231.18 is to update the standards for cars that are already covered 
under part 231. The core criteria in these standard car types can then 
be used as guidelines for other types of cars with more specialized 
designs. It is FRA's understanding that the industry standards 
developed by the AAR Task Force include a new base industry safety 
appliance standard as well as standards for modern boxcars and covered 
hopper cars, each of which is specifically covered in part 231. It is 
anticipated that AAR will petition through the proposed special 
approval process to have the industry standards for these car types 
approved by FRA since such standards must be approved by FRA prior to 
going into effect. The use of industry standards for new car 
construction related to these car types will ensure consistency in the 
application of FRA-approved industry standards when applied to other 
types of rail equipment while also serving as the building blocks 
towards recognizing safer, more efficient designs.
    The regulatory relief contemplated by this proposed section will 
allow FRA to review existing industry safety appliance standards 
created by the railroad industry to ensure that the standards will 
provide at least an equivalent level of safety as the existing FRA 
standards. The public will be given notice of and opportunity to 
comment on any changes to existing regulations that are contained in a 
special approval petition before FRA acts on the petition in accordance 
with the Administrative Procedure Act. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b). Where FRA 
determines that a petition complies with the requirements of this 
section and the existing industry safety appliance standard provides an 
equivalent level of safety to existing FRA standards, FRA may grant 
approval to the industry standard for use in new car construction. FRA 
expects that the special approval process will allow the rail industry 
to incorporate new railcar designs as well as technological and 
ergonomic advancements with greater speed and efficiency.
    Proposed paragraph (b) establishes the process for submission of a 
petition for special approval of an existing industry standard for new 
car construction. Petitions will only be accepted from an industry 
representative and must contain standard(s) that will be enforced 
industry-wide. Each petition for special approval must include the 
name, title, address, and telephone number of the primary person to be 
contacted with regard to review of the petition.
    Proposed paragraph (b)(2) sets forth the minimum requirements of 
the petition for special approval of an existing industry safety 
appliance standard. The petition must identify the type(s) of car to 
which the standard would be applicable as well as the section or 
sections within the safety appliance regulations that the existing 
industry standard would act as an alternative to for new car 
construction. The standard contained in the petition must, as nearly as 
possible, based upon the design of the equipment, provide for the same 
complement of handholds, sill steps, ladders, hand or parking brakes, 
running boards, and other safety appliances as are required for a piece 
of equipment of the nearest approximate type(s) already identified in 
part 231.
    Because the Railroad Safety Appliance Standards encompassed in part 
231 were promulgated to enforce specific statutory provisions, proposed 
paragraph (b)(2) requires that the industry standard comply with the 
requirements contained at 49 U.S.C. 20301 and 20302. The specific 
number, dimension, location, and manner of application of each safety 
appliance also must be contained in the industry standard in the 
petition. Any such industry standard must provide at least the 
equivalent level of safety as would otherwise be provided under FRA's 
current regulations.

[[Page 38435]]

    Under proposed paragraph (b)(2), the industry representative 
submitting the petition also must include sufficient information 
through data or analysis, or both, for FRA to consider in making its 
determination of whether the existing industry standard will provide 
the requisite level of safety. This would include identifying where the 
industry standard deviates from the existing FRA regulation and 
providing an explanation for any such deviation. Additionally, 
drawings, sketches, or other visual aids that provide detailed 
information relating to the design, location, placement, and attachment 
of the safety appliances must be included in the petition to assist FRA 
in its decision making process.
    Finally, proposed paragraph (b)(2) requires a demonstration of the 
ergonomic suitability of the proposed arrangements in normal use. Given 
that the AAR Task Force regularly includes at least one ergonomic 
expert, FRA expects that such factors will be considered during the 
development process of the industry standards that are being submitted 
for approval.
    FRA requests comments concerning the information required in 
proposed paragraph (b)(2). Specifically, FRA requests comments about 
whether the information required in this paragraph is necessary and 
sufficient to allow FRA to make an informed decision regarding a 
petition for approval.
    Proposed paragraph (b)(3) requires that the petitioner include a 
statement affirming that a copy of the petition has been served on the 
designated labor representatives of the employees responsible for the 
equipment's operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance under part 
231. The statement must include a list of the names and addresses of 
each person served.
    Proposed paragraph (c) sets up the service requirements for the 
petition for special approval of an existing industry standard for new 
car construction. The petitioner is required to submit the petition to 
FRA's Docket Clerk. The petitioner is also required to serve a copy of 
the petition on the appropriate labor representatives and the 
organizations or bodies to which the special approval pertains or that 
issued the industry standard that is proposed in the petition. The 
petitioner also must serve any other person who at least 30 days, but 
not more than 5 years prior to the filing of the petition, has filed 
with FRA a current statement of interest in reviewing special approvals 
under the particular requirement of part 231. Any such statement of 
interest shall reference the specific section(s) of part 231 in which 
the person has an interest. FRA will post any such statement of 
interest that complies with the regulation in the docket to ensure that 
each statement is accessible to the public.
    Proposed paragraph (d) provides that FRA will publish a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing the receipt of each petition for 
special approval an existing industry standard for new car 
construction.
    Proposed paragraph (e) establishes a 60-day comment period from the 
date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register concerning a 
petition. Due to the nature of the special approval process and the 
fact that the industry standards, if approved, will have an industry-
wide effect, FRA seeks to provide sufficient time for all interested 
parties to comment prior to making its decision disposing of a 
petition. All comments must set forth the specific basis upon which the 
comments are made and contain a concise statement of the interest of 
the commenter in the proceeding.
    Proposed paragraph (f) sets up the process for disposing of 
petitions for special approval. Under this paragraph, FRA may grant the 
petition, deny the petition, or return it for additional consideration. 
Normally, FRA will act on a petition within 90 days of the close of the 
comment period related to the petition; however, if the petition is 
neither granted nor denied within the 90-day period, then it will 
remain pending unless withdrawn by the petitioner.
    Proposed paragraph (f)(3) sets forth that a petition may be granted 
where FRA determines that the petition complies with the requirements 
of Sec.  231.33 and that the existing industry safety appliance 
standard provides at least an equivalent level of safety to existing 
FRA standards. Alternatively, a petition will be denied where FRA 
determines that it does not comply with the requirements of Sec.  
231.33 or that the existing industry safety appliance standard does not 
provide at least an equivalent level of safety as the existing FRA 
standard.
    In instances where FRA determines that further information is 
required or that the petition may be amended in a reasonable manner to 
comply with the requirements of Sec.  231.33 or to ensure that the 
existing industry standard provides an equivalent level of safety to 
existing FRA standards; the petition may be returned to the petitioner. 
In such circumstances, FRA will provide written notice to the 
petitioner of the item(s) requiring additional consideration. The 
petitioner is provided with 60 days from the date of FRA's written 
notice of return for additional consideration to reply. The 
petitioner's reply must address the item(s) identified by FRA in the 
written notice of the return of the petition for additional 
consideration as well as complying with the submission requirements of 
Sec.  231.33(b) and the service requirements in Sec.  231.33(c). If 
petitioner fails to submit a response within the prescribed time 
period, the petition will be deemed withdrawn, unless good cause is 
shown.
    Proposed paragraph (f)(5) provides that when a petition is granted, 
it will go into effect on January 1st, not less than one (1) year and 
not more than two (2) years from the date of FRA's written notice 
granting the petition. For example, if FRA were to approve a petition 
on July 1, 2010, the industry standard would become effective on 
January 1, 2012, for regulatory enforcement purposes. This will allow 
the industry appropriate time to incorporate the standard, train 
employees, and fit facilities to meet the new requirements. Also, a 
copy of the approved industry safety appliance standard will be placed 
in the related public docket by FRA where it can be accessed by all 
interested parties.
    Proposed paragraph (f)(6) establishes the standard for reopening a 
granted petition for special approval. A granted petition may be re-
opened only where there is a showing of good cause. Good cause requires 
the submission of subsequent evidence that was not previously 
considered. The subsequent evidence must demonstrate that a granted 
petition fails to comply with the requirements of Sec.  231.33; that 
the existing industry safety appliance standard does not provide at 
least an equivalent level of safety as the corresponding FRA regulation 
for the nearest car type; or that further information is required to 
make such a determination.
    Proposed paragraph (g) provides that any industry standard approved 
pursuant to Sec.  231.33 will be enforced against any person, as 
defined in 49 CFR 209.3, who violates any provision of the approved 
standard or causes the violation of any such provision. Civil penalties 
associated with the failure to follow an approved industry safety 
appliance standard will be assessed under part 231 by using the 
applicable defect code contained in Appendix A.

Section 231.35 Procedure for Modification of an Approved Industry 
Safety Appliance Standard

    This proposed section contains the proposed procedural requirements 
for

[[Page 38436]]

modifying industry safety appliance standards that previously have been 
approved by FRA. As in proposed Sec.  231.33, FRA believes that notice 
to the public and an opportunity to comment is necessary under the 
Administrative Procedure Act. If the petition for modification is minor 
and there is no objection to the petition for modification by FRA or 
any other interested party, the modified industry safety appliance 
standard will automatically become effective fifteen (15) days after 
the close of the comment period. In those circumstances where FRA or 
any other interested party objects to the modification petition FRA 
proposes disposing of the petition through the process laid out in 
proposed Sec.  231.33(f). FRA expects that using the framework in 
proposed Sec.  231.33(f) will allow for a more thorough review by the 
agency to ensure that the proposed modification provides at least an 
equivalent level of safety as the corresponding FRA regulation for the 
nearest car type(s) prior to disposing of the petition for 
modification.
    Proposed paragraph (a) provides that an industry representative may 
seek modification of an existing industry safety appliance standard for 
new car construction after it has been approved under Sec.  231.33. Any 
such petition for modification must include each of the elements 
identified in Sec.  231.33(b).
    Proposed paragraph (b) covers service of petitions for 
modification. The procedures for service of petitions for modification 
is the same as proposed in Sec.  231.33(c).
    Proposed paragraph (c) provides that FRA will publish a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing the receipt of each petition for 
modification received under Sec.  231.35(a).
    Proposed paragraph (d) provides for the same 60-day comment period 
as proposed in Sec.  231.33(e).
    Proposed paragraph (e) establishes the process for FRA review of 
petitions for modification. It is expected that FRA will review the 
petition for modification during the 60-day comment period. In 
instances where FRA has an objection to the requested modification, it 
will provide written notification to the party requesting the 
modification detailing FRA's objection.
    Proposed paragraph (f) sets up the procedure for FRA's disposition 
of petitions for modification. A modification proposed in a petition 
for modification will become effective fifteen (15) days after the 
close of the 60-day comment period if FRA does not receive any comments 
objecting to the requested modification or if FRA does not issue a 
written objection to the requested modification. If an objection to the 
requested modification is raised by either an interested party or FRA, 
the requested modification will be treated as a petition for special 
approval of an existing industry safety appliance standard and 
disposition of the petition will fall under the procedures provided in 
Sec.  231.33(f). Similarly, a petition for modification that has been 
granted may be re-opened where good cause is shown, as discussed above.
    Proposed paragraph (g) provides that any modification of an 
industry standard approved by FRA under Sec.  231.35 will be enforced 
against any person, as defined in 49 CFR 209.3, who violates any 
provision of the approved standard or causes the violation of any such 
provision. As with Sec.  231.33, civil penalties will be assessed using 
the applicable defect code contained in appendix A to part 231.

V. Regulatory Impact

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This rule has been evaluated in accordance with existing policies 
and procedures. It is not considered a significant regulatory action 
under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, 58 FR 51735 (September 30, 
1993), and, therefore, was not reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget. This rule is not significant under the Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures of the Department of Transportation. 44 FR 11034 (February 
26, 1979). It merely seeks to add an alternative method of compliance 
into the existing regulatory requirements contained in 49 CFR part 231. 
The alternative method of compliance is expected to be in the form of a 
special approval process that will allow FRA to accept new railcar 
designs incorporating ergonomic design standards and technological 
advancements. FRA anticipates that the implementation of the special 
approval process in the railroad industry will generate a beneficial 
effect on the National economy and will not have an economically 
adverse impact of over $100 million per annum, as adjusted for 
inflation.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Determination

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., and 
Executive Order 13272, 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), require agency 
review of proposed and final rules to assess their impact on small 
entities. Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 
605(b), FRA has prepared and placed in the docket a Certification 
Statement that assesses the small entity impact of this proposed rule, 
and certifies that this proposed rule is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    Document inspection and copying facilities are available at the DOT 
Central Docket Management Facility located in Room W12-140 on the 
Ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590. Docket material is also available for inspection 
electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Photocopies may also be obtained by submitting a 
written request to the FRA Docket Clerk at the Office of Chief Counsel, 
RCC-10, Mail Stop 10, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; please refer to Docket No. FRA-2008-
0116.
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) stipulates in its 
``Size Standards'' that the largest a railroad business firm that is 
``for-profit'' may be, and still be classified as a ``small entity,'' 
is 1,500 employees for ``Line-Haul Operating Railroads,'' and 500 
employees for ``Switching and Terminal Establishments.'' ``Small 
entity'' is defined in the Act as a small business that is 
independently owned and operated, and is not dominant in its field of 
operation. SBA's ``Size Standards'' may be altered by Federal agencies 
after consultation with SBA and in conjunction with public comment. 
Pursuant to that authority, FRA has published a final policy that 
formally establishes ``small entities'' as railroads which meet the 
line haulage revenue requirements of a Class III railroad. The revenue 
requirements are currently $20 million or less in annual operating 
revenue. The $20 million limit (which is adjusted by applying the 
railroad revenue deflator adjustment) is based on the Surface 
Transportation Board's threshold for a Class III railroad carrier. FRA 
uses the same revenue dollar limit to determine whether a railroad or 
shipper or contractor is a small entity.
    There are approximately 700 small railroads that could be affected 
by the proposed regulation. Consequently, this regulation could affect 
a substantial number of small entities. However, FRA does not 
anticipate that this regulation would impose a significant economic 
impact on such entities.
    The proposed rule would also apply to governmental jurisdictions or 
transit authorities that provide commuter rail service--none of which 
is small for purposes of the SBA (i.e., no entity serves a locality 
with a population less

[[Page 38437]]

than 50,000). These entities also receive Federal transportation funds. 
Intercity rail service providers Amtrak and the Alaska Railroad 
Corporation would also be subject to this rule, but they are not small 
entities and likewise receive Federal transportation funds.
    The proposed rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, as there are 
no direct costs to small entities. Small entities will not be 
responsible for preparing the petitions for special approval. 
Furthermore, FRA does not believe there will not be any significant 
costs to implementing any approved industry standard as any such 
standard will likely be a repositioning of existing safety appliances 
and will only be applicable to newly manufactured units. FRA believes 
that these construction costs, if any, will be negligible. Moreover, 
few small entities purchase newly manufactured equipment; generally, 
these operators acquire used equipment from larger railroads. 
Accordingly, FRA does not consider this impact of this proposal to be 
significant for small entities.
    FRA invites comments from all interested parties on this 
Certification. FRA particularly encourages small entities that could 
potentially be impacted by the proposed amendment to participate in the 
public comment process by submitting comments on this assessment or 
this rulemaking to the official U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 
docket. A draft of the proposed rule has not been submitted to the 
Small Business Administration (SBA) for formal review. However, FRA 
will consider any comments submitted by the SBA in developing the final 
rule.

C. Federalism

    Executive Order 13132, 64 FR 43255 (August 10, 1999), requires FRA 
to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely 
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have 
federalism implications'' are defined in the Executive Order to include 
regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on 
the relationship between the national government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government.'' Under Executive Order 13132, the agency may not issue 
a regulation with federalism implications that imposes substantial 
direct compliance costs and that is not required by statute, unless the 
Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct 
compliance costs incurred by State and local governments, the agency 
consults with State and local governments, or the agency consults with 
State and local government officials early in the process of developing 
the regulation. Where a regulation has federalism implications and 
preempts State law, the agency seeks to consult with State and local 
officials in the process of developing the regulation.
    This NPRM has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 13132. This proposed rule would 
not have a substantial effect on the States or their political 
subdivisions; it would not impose any compliance costs; and it would 
not affect the relationships between the Federal government and the 
States or their political subdivisions, or the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, 
the consultation and funding requirements of Executive Order 13132 do 
not apply.
    However, this proposed rule could have preemptive effect by 
operation of law under certain provisions of the Federal railroad 
safety statutes, specifically the former Federal Railroad Safety Act of 
1970 (former FRSA), repealed and recodified at 49 U.S.C. 20106, and the 
former Safety Appliance Acts (former SAA), repealed and recodified at 
49 U.S.C. 20301-20304, 20306. See Public Law 103-272 (July 5, 1994). 
The former FRSA provides that States may not adopt or continue in 
effect any law, regulation, or order related to railroad safety or 
security that covers the subject matter of a regulation prescribed or 
order issued by the Secretary of Transportation (with respect to 
railroad safety matters) or the Secretary of Homeland Security (with 
respect to railroad security matters), except when the State law, 
regulation, or order qualifies under the ``local safety or security 
hazard'' exception to section 20106. Moreover, the former SAA has been 
interpreted by the Supreme Court as totally preempting the field ``of 
equipping cars with appliances intended for the protection of 
employees.'' See Southern Ry. Co. v. R.R. Commission of Indiana, 236 
U.S. 439, 446, 35 S.Ct. 304, 305 (1915).
    In sum, FRA has analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132. As 
explained above, FRA has determined that this proposed rule has no 
federalism implications, other than the possible preemption of State 
laws under the former FRSA and the former SAA. Accordingly, FRA has 
determined that preparation of a federalism summary impact statement 
for this proposed rule is not required.

D. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreement Act of 1979, Public Law 96-39 (July 26, 1979), 
prohibits Federal agencies from engaging in any standards or related 
activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of 
the United States. Legitimate domestic objectives, such as safety, are 
not considered unnecessary obstacles. The statute also requires 
consideration of international standards and where appropriate, that 
they be the basis for U.S. standards. This rulemaking is purely 
domestic in nature and is not expected to affect trade opportunities 
for U.S. firms doing business overseas or for foreign firms doing 
business in the United States.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements in this proposed rule have 
been submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 
The sections that contain the new information collection requirements, 
and the estimated time to fulfill each requirement are as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        Total
                                                             Total annual        Average time per       annual
           CFR section              Respondent universe        responses             response           burden
                                                                                                        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
231.33--Special Approval           AAR.................  5 petitions.........  160 hours...........          800
 Petitions of an Existing
 Industry Safety Appliance
 Standard for New Car
 Construction.
--Statement Affirming Copy of      AAR.................  5 statements........  30 minutes..........            3
 Special Approval Petition Has
 Been Served on RR Employee
 Representatives.

[[Page 38438]]

 
--Special Approval Petition        AAR.................  565 copies..........  2 hours.............        1,130
 Copies to RR Employee
 Representative/Other Parties.
--Statements of Interest to FRA..  5 Labor Groups/       15 statements.......  7 hours.............          105
                                    Public.
--Comments on Special Approval     728 Railroads/5       25 comments.........  6 hours.............          150
 Petitions.                         Labor Groups/Public.
--Disposition of Petitions:        AAR/5 Labor Groups/   1 hearing...........  8 hours.............            8
 Hearings.                          Public.
--Disposition of Petitions:        AAR.................  1 document..........  3 hours.............            3
 Further Information Needed.
231.35--Petitions for              AAR.................  5 petitions.........  160 hours...........          800
 Modification of an Approved
 Existing Industry Safety
 Appliance Standard for New Car
 Construction.
--Statement Affirming Copy of      AAR.................  5 statements........  30 minutes..........            3
 Modification Petition Has Been
 Served on RR Employee
 Representatives.
--Modification Petition Copies to  AAR.................  565 copies..........  2 hours.............        1,130
 RR Employee Representative/Other
 Parties.
--Statements of Interest to FRA..  5 Labor Groups/       15 statements.......  7 hours.............          105
                                    Public.
--Comments on Modification         728 Railroads/5       25 comments.........  6 hours.............          150
 Approval Petitions.                Labor Groups/Public.
--Disposition of Petitions:        AAR.................  1 document..........  3 hours.............            3
 Further Information Needed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All estimates include the time for reviewing instructions; searching 
existing data sources; gathering or maintaining the needed data; and 
reviewing the information.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(B), FRA solicits comments 
concerning: whether these information collection requirements are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of FRA, including 
whether the information has practical utility; the accuracy of FRA's 
estimates of the burden of the information collection requirements; the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
whether the burden of collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including through the use of automated collection techniques 
or other forms of information technology, may be minimized.
    For information or a copy of the paperwork package submitted to 
OMB, contact Mr. Robert Brogan, FRA Office of Safety, Information 
Clearance Officer, at 202-493-6292, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, FRA Office 
of Administration, Information Clearance Officer, at 202-493-6132.
    Organizations and individuals desiring to submit comments on the 
collection of information requirements should direct them to Mr. Robert 
Brogan or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20590. Comments may also 
be submitted via e-mail to Mr. Brogan or Ms. Toone at the following 
addresses: robert.brogan@dot.gov; kimberly.toone@dot.gov.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of 
information requirements contained in this proposed rule between 30 and 
60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect 
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. The final rule will 
respond to any OMB or public comments on the information collection 
requirements contained in this proposal.
    FRA is not authorized to impose a penalty on persons for violating 
information collection requirements which do not display a current OMB 
control number, if required. FRA intends to obtain current OMB control 
numbers for any new information collection requirements resulting from 
this rulemaking action prior to the effective date of the final rule. 
The OMB control number, when assigned, will be announced by separate 
notice in the Federal Register.

F. Compliance With the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Pursuant to Section 201 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 
1995, Public Law 104-4 (March 22, 1995), 2 U.S.C. 1531, each Federal 
agency ``shall, unless otherwise prohibited by law, assess the effects 
of Federal regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments, 
and the private sector (other than to the extent that such regulations 
incorporate requirements specifically set forth in law).'' Section 
204(a) of the Act, 2 U.S.C. 1534(a), requires the Federal agency to 
develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers 
(or their designees) of State, local, and tribal governments on a 
``significant intergovernmental mandate.'' A ``significant 
intergovernmental mandate'' under the Act is any provision in a Federal 
agency regulation that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, 
local, and tribal governments in the aggregate of $100 million 
(adjusted annually for inflation) (currently $140.8 million) in any one 
year. Section 203 of the Act, 2 U.S.C. 1533, which supplements section 
204(a), provides that, before establishing any regulatory requirements 
that might significantly or uniquely affect small governments, the 
agency shall have developed a plan, which, among other things, must 
provide for notice to potentially affected small governments, if any, 
and for a meaningful and timely opportunity for these small governments 
to provide input in the development of regulatory proposals. The 
proposed amendment does not contain any Federal intergovernmental or 
private sector mandates. Therefore, the requirements of Title II of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 do not apply.

G. Environmental Assessment

    FRA has evaluated this proposed rule in accordance with its 
``Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts'' (FRA's 
Procedures), 64 FR 28545 (May 26, 1999), as required by the National 
Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., other environmental 
statutes, Executive Orders, and related regulatory requirements. FRA 
has determined that this proposed rule is not a major FRA action 
(requiring the preparation of an environmental impact

[[Page 38439]]

statement or environmental assessment) because it is categorically 
excluded from detailed environmental review pursuant to section 
4(c)(20) of FRA's Procedures. See 64 FR 28547 (May 26, 1999). Section 
4(c)(20) reads as follows:

    (c) Actions categorically excluded. Certain classes of FRA 
actions have been determined to be categorically excluded from the 
requirements of these Procedures as they do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment.
* * * * *
    The following classes of FRA actions are categorically excluded:
* * * * *
    (20) Promulgation of railroad safety rules and policy statements 
that do not result in significantly increased emissions or air or 
water pollutants or noise or increased traffic congestion in any 
mode of transportation.

    In accordance with section 4(c) and (e) of FRA's Procedures, the 
agency has further concluded that no extraordinary circumstances exist 
with respect to this regulation that might trigger the need for a more 
detailed environmental review. As a result, FRA finds that this 
proposed rule is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the 
quality of the human environment.

H. Energy Impact

    Executive Order 13211 requires Federal agencies to prepare a 
Statement of Energy Effects for any ``significant energy action.'' 66 
FR 28355 (May 22, 2001). Under the Executive Order, a ``significant 
energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency (normally 
published in the Federal Register) that promulgates or is expected to 
lead to the promulgation of a final rule or regulation, including 
notices of inquiry, advance notices of proposed rulemaking, and notices 
of proposed rulemaking: (1)(i) That is a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866 or any successor order, and (ii) is likely 
to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or 
use of energy; or (2) that is designated by the Administrator of the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy 
action. FRA has evaluated this NPRM in accordance with Executive Order 
13211. FRA has determined that this NPRM is not likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy. Consequently, FRA has determined that this NPRM is not a 
``significant energy action'' within the meaning of Executive Order 
13211.
I. Privacy Act
    FRA wishes to inform all potential commenters that anyone is able 
to search the electronic form of all comments received into any agency 
docket by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing 
the comment, 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 19477-78, or 
you may visit http://www.regulations.gov/search/footer/privacyanduse.jsp.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 231

    Penalties, Railroad safety, Railroad safety appliances, Special 
approval process.

Proposed Rule

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, FRA proposes to amend 
part 231 of subtitle B, chapter II of title 49 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 231--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 231 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 20102-20103, 20107, 20131, 20301-20303, 
21301-21302, 21304; 28 U.S.C. 2461, note; and 49 CFR 1.49.

    2. Add Sec. Sec.  231.33 and 231.35 to read as follows:

Sec.  231.33  Procedure for special approval of existing industry 
safety appliance standards.

    (a) General. The following procedures govern the submission, 
consideration and handling of any petition for special approval of an 
existing industry safety appliance standard for new construction of 
railroad cars, locomotives, tenders, or similar vehicles.
    (b) Submission. An industry representative may submit a petition 
for special approval of an existing industry safety appliance standard 
for new construction. A petition for special approval of an industry 
standard for safety appliances shall include the following:
    (1) The name, title, address, and telephone number of the primary 
individual to be contacted with regard to review of the petition.
    (2) An existing industry-wide standard that, at a minimum:
    (i) Identifies the type(s) of equipment to which the standard would 
be applicable and the section or sections within the safety appliance 
regulations that the existing industry standard would operate as an 
alternative to for new car construction;
    (ii) Ensures, as nearly as possible, based upon the design of the 
equipment, that the standard provides for the same complement of 
handholds, sill steps, ladders, hand or parking brakes, running boards, 
and other safety appliances as are required for a piece of equipment of 
the nearest approximate type(s) already identified in this part;
    (iii) Complies with all statutory requirements relating to safety 
appliances contained at 49 U.S.C. 20301 and 20302;
    (iv) Addresses the specific number, dimension, location, and manner 
of application of each safety appliance contained in the industry 
standard;
    (v) Provides appropriate data or analysis, or both, for FRA to 
consider in determining whether the existing industry standard will 
provide at least an equivalent level of safety;
    (vi) Includes drawings, sketches, or other visual aids that provide 
detailed information relating to the design, location, placement, and 
attachment of the safety appliances; and
    (vii) Demonstrates the ergonomic suitability of the proposed 
arrangements in normal use.
    (3) A statement affirming that the petitioner has served a copy of 
the petition on designated representatives of the employees responsible 
for the equipment's operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance 
under this part, together with a list of the names and addresses of the 
persons served.
    (c) Service.
    (1) Each petition for special approval under paragraph (b) of this 
section shall be submitted to the FRA Docket Clerk, West Building Third 
Floor, Office of Chief Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    (2) Service of each petition for special approval of an existing 
industry safety appliance standard under paragraph (b) of this section 
shall be made on the following:
    (i) Designated representatives of the employees responsible for the 
equipment's operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance under this 
part;
    (ii) Any organizations or bodies that either issued the standard to 
which the special approval pertains or issued the industry standard 
that is proposed in the petition; and
    (iii) Any other person who has filed with FRA a current statement 
of interest in reviewing special approvals under the particular 
requirement of this part at least 30 days but not more than 5 years 
prior to the filing of the petition. If filed, a statement of interest 
shall be filed with the FRA Docket Clerk, West Building Third Floor, 
Office of Chief Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590, and shall reference the specific section(s) of this part in 
which the person has an interest.

[[Page 38440]]

A statement of interest that properly references the specific 
section(s) in which the person has an interest will be posted in the 
docket to ensure that each statement is accessible to the public.
    (d) Federal Register notice. FRA will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register announcing the receipt of each petition received under 
paragraph (b) of this section. The notice will identify the public 
docket number in the Federal eRulemaking Portal (FeP) where the 
contents of each petition can be accessed and reviewed. The FeP can be 
accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via the Internet at the 
docket's Web site at http://www.regulations.gov. All documents in the 
FeP are available for inspection and copying on the website or are 
available for examination at the DOT Docket Management Facility, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.).
    (e) Comment. Not later than 60 days from the date of publication of 
the notice in the Federal Register concerning a petition received 
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, any person may comment on 
the petition. Any such comment shall:
    (1) Set forth specifically the basis upon which it is made and 
contain a concise statement of the interest of the commenter in the 
proceeding; and
    (2) Be submitted by mail or hand-delivery to the Docket Clerk, DOT 
Docket Management Facility, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or electronically 
via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Any comments or 
information sent directly to FRA will be immediately provided to the 
DOT FeP for inclusion in the public docket related to the petition. All 
comments should identify the appropriate docket number for the petition 
to which they are commenting.
    (f) Disposition of petitions.
    (1) FRA will conduct a hearing on a petition in accordance with the 
procedures provided in Sec.  211.25 of this chapter, if necessary.
    (2) FRA will normally act on a petition within 90 days of the close 
of the comment period related to the petition. If the petition is 
neither granted nor denied within that timeframe, the petition will 
remain pending unless withdrawn by the petitioner.
    (3) A petition may be:
    (i) Granted where it is determined that the petition complies with 
the requirements of this section and that the existing industry safety 
appliance standard provides at least an equivalent level of safety as 
the existing FRA standards;
    (ii) Denied where it is determined that the petition does not 
comply with the requirements of this section or that the existing 
industry safety appliance standard does not provide at least an 
equivalent level of safety as the existing FRA standards; or
    (iii) Returned to the petitioner for additional consideration where 
it is determined that further information is required or that the 
petition may be amended in a reasonable manner to comply with the 
requirements of this section or to ensure that the existing industry 
standard provides at least an equivalent level of safety as the 
existing FRA standards. Where the petition is returned to the 
petitioner, FRA will provide written notice to the petitioner of the 
item(s) identified by FRA as requiring additional consideration. 
Petitioner shall reply within 60 days from the date of FRA's written 
notice of return for additional consideration or the petition will be 
deemed withdrawn, unless good cause is shown. Petitioner's reply shall:
    (A) Address the item(s) raised by FRA in the written notice of the 
return of the petition for additional consideration;
    (B) Comply with the submission requirements of paragraph (b) of 
this section; and
    (C) Comply with the service requirements in paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (4) When FRA grants or denies a petition, or returns a petition for 
additional consideration, written notice will be sent to the petitioner 
and other interested parties.
    (5) If a petition is granted, it shall go into effect on January 
1st, not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years from 
the date of FRA's written notice granting the petition. FRA will place 
a copy of the approved industry safety appliance standard in the 
related public docket where it can be accessed by all interested 
parties.
    (6) A petition, once approved, may be re-opened upon good cause 
shown. Good cause exists where subsequent evidence demonstrates that an 
approved petition does not comply with the requirements of this 
section; that the existing industry safety appliance standard does not 
provide at least an equivalent level of safety as the corresponding FRA 
regulation for the nearest car type(s); or that further information is 
required to make such a determination. When a petition is re-opened for 
good cause shown, it shall return to pending status and shall not be 
considered approved or denied.
    (g) Enforcement. Any industry standard approved pursuant to this 
section will be enforced against any person, as defined at 49 CFR 
209.3, who violates any provision of the approved standard or causes 
the violation of any such provision. Civil penalties will be assessed 
under this part by using the applicable defect code contained in 
appendix A to this part.

Sec.  231.35  Procedure for modification of an approved industry safety 
appliance standard for new car construction.

    (a) Petitions for modification of an approved industry safety 
appliance standard. An industry representative may seek modification of 
an existing industry safety appliance standard for new construction of 
railroad cars, locomotives, tenders, or similar vehicles after the 
petition for special approval has been approved pursuant to Sec.  
231.33. The petition for modification shall include each of the 
elements identified in Sec.  231.33(b).
    (b) Service.
    (1) Each petition for modification of an approved industry standard 
under paragraph (a) of this section shall be submitted to the FRA 
Docket Clerk, West Building Third Floor, Office of Chief Counsel, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    (2) Service of each petition for modification of an existing 
industry safety appliance standard under paragraph (a) of this section 
shall be made on the following:
    (i) Designated representatives of the employees responsible for the 
equipment's operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance under this 
part;
    (ii) Any organizations or bodies that either issued the standard 
incorporated in the section(s) of the rule to which the modification 
pertains or issued the industry standard that is proposed in the 
petition for modification; and
    (iii) Any other person who has filed with FRA a current statement 
of interest in reviewing special approvals under the particular 
requirement of this part at least 30 days but not more than 5 years 
prior to the filing of the petition. If filed, a statement of interest 
shall be filed with FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety and shall 
reference the specific section(s) of this part in which the person has 
an interest.
    (c) Federal Register document. Upon receipt of a petition for 
modification, FRA will publish a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the receipt of each petition received under paragraph (a) of 
this section. The notice will identify the public docket number in the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal (FeP) where the

[[Page 38441]]

contents of each petition can be accessed and reviewed. The FeP can be 
accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via the Internet at the 
docket's Web site at http://www.regulations.gov. All documents in the 
FeP are available for inspection and copying on the Web site or are 
available for examination at the DOT Docket Management Facility, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.).
    (d) Comment. Not later than 60 days from the date of publication of 
the notice in the Federal Register concerning a petition for 
modification under paragraph (a) of this section, any person may 
comment on the petition. Any such comment shall:
    (1) Set forth specifically the basis upon which it is made, and 
contain a concise statement of the interest of the commenter in the 
proceeding; and
    (2) Be submitted by mail or hand-delivery to the Docket Clerk, DOT 
Docket Management Facility, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or electronically 
via the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Any comments or 
information sent directly to FRA will be immediately provided to the 
DOT FeP for inclusion in the public docket related to the petition. All 
comments should identify the appropriate docket number for the petition 
to which they are commenting.
    (e) FRA Review. During the 60 days provided for public comment, FRA 
will review the petition. If FRA objects to the requested modification, 
written notification will be provided within this 60-day period to the 
party requesting the modification detailing FRA's objection.
    (f) Disposition of petitions for modification.
    (1) If no comment objecting to the requested modification is 
received during the 60-day comment period, provided by paragraph (d) of 
this section, or if FRA does not issue a written objection to the 
requested modification, the modification will become effective fifteen 
(15) days after the close of the 60-day comment period.
    (2) If an objection is raised by an interested party, during the 
60-day comment period, or if FRA issues a written objection to the 
requested modification, the requested modification will be treated as a 
petition for special approval of an existing industry safety appliance 
standard and handled in accordance with the procedures provided in 
Sec.  231.33(f).
    (3) A petition for modification, once approved, may be re-opened 
upon good cause shown. Good cause exists where subsequent evidence 
demonstrates that an approved petition does not comply with the 
requirements of this section; that the existing industry safety 
appliance standard does not provide at least an equivalent level of 
safety as the corresponding FRA regulation for the nearest car type(s); 
or that further information is required to make such a determination. 
When a petition is re-opened for good cause shown, it shall return to 
pending status and shall not be considered approved or denied.
    (g) Enforcement. Any modification of an industry standard approved 
pursuant to this section will be enforced against any person, as 
defined at 49 CFR 209.3, who violates any provision of the approved 
standard or causes the violation of any such provision. Civil penalties 
will be assessed under this part by using the applicable defect code 
contained in appendix A to this part.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 29, 2010.
Joseph C. Szabo,
Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-16153 Filed 7-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P