Document ID: FRA-2020-0062-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Posted Date: 2020-07-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 148 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 46211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16682]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0062]

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on July 16, 2020, the Florida 
Department of Transportation, Central Florida Rail Corridor/SunRail 
(CFRC) 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-2020-0062.
    Specifically, CFRC seeks relief from the requirements of 49 CFR 
236.109, Time releases, timing relays, and timing devices; Sec.  
236.377, Approach locking; Sec.  236.378, Time locking; Sec.  236.379, 
Route locking; Sec.  236.380, Indication locking; and Sec.  236.381, 
Traffic locking, on vital microprocessor-based systems. Many of CFRC'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. CFRC proposes to verify 
and test signal locking systems and non-configurable timers 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/check sum/universal 
control number 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 for 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.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    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:
     Website: 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 Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by September 14, 2020 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered if practicable.
    Anyone can 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.). 
Under 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.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-16682 Filed 7-30-20; 8:45 am]
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