Document ID: FRA-2016-0045-0005
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petitions for Special Approvals of Alternate Standards
Posted Date: 2016-10-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 198 (Thursday, October 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70738-70739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24678]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2016-0045]

Petition for Special Approval of Alternate Standard

    In accordance with part 238 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this provides the public notice that by a document dated 
February 18, 2015, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) 
has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a Special 
Approval of an alternate standard for 49 CFR 238.311(a), Single car 
test, as prescribed in 49 CFR 238.21(b), Special approval procedure. 
FRA assigned the request Docket Number FRA-2016-0045.

[[Page 70739]]

    Amtrak requests consideration for Special Approval of the submitted 
alternate standard identified as ``Brakes Single Car Test LXFB-10-
0008'' for single car testing of auto carrier cars used on its Auto 
Train service between Lorton, VA, and Sanford, FL. Amtrak states that 
its Auto Train has a freight brake system. Amtrak, however, runs brake 
pipe pressure at 110 pounds per square inch (psi) and not 90 psi like 
the freight railroads. Under FRA's rules, these cars would need to have 
a single car test per 49 CFR 232.305 following the procedure of 
Association of American Railroads' (AAR) Standard S-486-04. The 49 CFR 
238.311 referenced procedure of American Public Transportation 
Association Standard SS-M-005-98 does not apply. The proposed alternate 
standard, while still based on AAR S-486-04, incorporates modifications 
to the single car test device and procedures to allow for the higher 
110 psi brake pressure.
    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 November 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 https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 5, 2016.
Karl Alexy,
Director, Office of Safety Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2016-24678 Filed 10-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P