Document ID: FRA-2015-0072-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petitions for Waivers of Compliance
Posted Date: 2015-07-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45706-45707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18743]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2015-0072]

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Petition for Waiver of Compliance.

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SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that by a document 
dated November 21, 2014, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) has 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of 
compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety 
regulations.

DATES: Communications received by August 31, 2015 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered as far as practicable.

ADDRESSES: 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.
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    In accordance with part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document 
dated November 21, 2014, Union Pacific Railroad Company (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 236. FRA assigned the petition 
Docket Number FRA-2015-0072.
    UP seeks a waiver from compliance with cab signal system 
requirements found in 49 CFR 236.566, Locomotive of each train 
operating in train stop, train control, or cab signal territory; 
equipped. Specifically, UP seeks relief to operate the following: Non-
equipped engines used in switching and transfer service, with or 
without cars; work trains; wreck trains; ballast cleaners to and from 
work; and engines and rail diesel cars moving to and from shops at the 
following locations:
    1. Operations on the Chicago Service Unit, Geneva Subdivision, from 
Control Point (CP) Y901 and Kedzie may be made in accordance with 
signal indication and at restricted speed:
     With engines not equipped with Automatic Train Control 
(ATC) with or without cars; or
     To and from the CP Y901 with the ATC cut out and backup 
moves; or
     With the ATC cut out due to failure.
    2. Operations on the Chicago Service Unit, Geneva Subdivision, from 
Kedzie and Park CP Y015: Engines not equipped with ATC and foreign 
crews operating UP trains may be operated at a speed not exceeding 40 
mph when a block signal displays an indication more favorable than 
Approach. An Approach or more favorable indication establishes an 
absolute block to the next block signal. If the block signal displays a 
Stop, Restricted Proceed, or Restricting indication, the train must 
stop and not proceed until authorized by the train dispatcher. However, 
the train may pass a signal indicating Restricting to leave the main 
track immediately past the signal.
    3. Operations on the Chicago Service Unit, Geneva Subdivision: Non-
equipped engines in switching service may be operated on the main track 
between CP Y901 and Elmhurst; between Dixon and Nelson; between Nelson 
and Sterling; between East Clinton and Clinton; and at West Chicago, De 
Kalb, Dixon, Nelson, Sterling and Clinton within switching limits, in 
accordance with signal indication, not exceeding restricted speed.
    4. Operations on the Chicago Service Unit, Harvard Subdivision: 
Engines not equipped with Automatic Train Stop may be operated:
    (a) Between CP N001 and Milepost 25.0 west of Arlington Park in 
accordance with automatic block signals not exceeding restricted speed.
    (b) Between Harvard and CP N002 for inspection and repairs not 
exceeding 40 mph. Such movements must be made in accordance with 
automatic block signals and an absolute block in advance of the 
movement.
    5. Operations on the Chicago Service Unit, Kenosha Subdivision: 
Non-equipped engines may be operated:
    (a) Between CP N001 and Evanston in accordance with automatic block 
signal indications not exceeding restricted speed.
    (b) At Waukegan and Kenosha within yard limits at restricted speed.
    (c) Between Waukegan and CP N001 for inspection and repairs not 
exceeding 40 mph. Such movement must be made in accordance with 
automatic block signal indications and with an absolute block in 
advance of movement.

[[Page 45707]]

    UP states that a waiver from the section 236.566 requirements is 
vital to maintaining efficient rail operations in the above locations. 
This request for relief will not have an adverse effect on safety as 
the use of wayside signals governs movement in the covered territories 
and ensures the continuing safety of operations in this territory. 
Moreover, UP had exemptions that were previously granted in the areas 
listed for several years. The relief requested in this petition is 
consistent with the currently granted exceptions. Unfortunately, the 
original waiver cannot be located by UP or FRA.
    This petition was previously submitted under Docket Number FRA-
2013-0129. Due to misunderstood and lost communications between UP and 
FRA, it has been resubmitted, with Docket Number FRA-2013-0129 being 
rescinded and considered closed.
    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.
    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.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2015.
Ron Hynes,
Director, Office of Technical Oversight.
[FR Doc. 2015-18743 Filed 7-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P