Document ID: FRA-2014-0010-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petitions for Waivers of Compliance
Posted Date: 2014-05-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28593-28594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11349]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2014-0010]

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 January 9, 2014, Wabtec Railway Electronics (Wabtec) has 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of 
compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety 
regulations contained at Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
Part 229, Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards, and 49 CFR Part 232, 
Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger 
Trains and Equipment; End of Train Devices. FRA assigned the petition 
Docket Number FRA-2014-0010.
    Specifically, Wabtec seeks relief from 49 CFR 229.29, Air brake 
system calibration, maintenance, and testing, and 49 CFR 232.205, Class 
I brake test-initial terminal inspection. These sections list the 
required periods for the calibration of the air flow method (AFM) 
indicator and the process to be used to calibrate the AFM. The present 
requirement is for AFM calibration to occur at intervals not to exceed 
92 days. Wabtec, in conjunction with Union Pacific Railroad (UP), 
requests a 2-year test waiver period to monitor and analyze AFM 
readings taken after the requested 368-day test interval for all UP 
locomotives equipped with Wabtec EPIC 3102D2, EPIC II, and FastBrake 
electronic air brake systems. On April 9, 2012, FRA modified 49 CFR 
229.27, Annual tests, to allow that ``[a]ll testing under this section 
shall be performed at intervals that do not exceed 368 calendar days'' 
and ``[e]ach device used by the engineer to aid in the control or 
braking of the train or locomotive that provides an indication or air 
pressure electronically shall be tested by comparison with a test gauge 
or self-test designed for this purpose.'' Wabtec seeks to gather and 
compare this data with the 92-day readings it has previously collected 
to confirm that proper AFM calibration can be maintained over a 368-day 
time period. Positive conclusions realized from the test may then be 
used to extend the waiver beyond the initial 2-year period, or as the 
basis for future regulatory review of the 92-day requirement to match 
the requirements of 49 CFR 229.27.
    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:
     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 by June 30, 2014 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.). 
See http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice 
of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477).

[[Page 28594]]

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2014.
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-11349 Filed 5-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P