Document ID: FRA-2021-0043-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Posted Date: 2021-04-22T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 76 (Thursday, April 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21433-21434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08386]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2021-0043]

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this provides the public notice that by letter dated March 31, 
2021, Denver Transit Operators (DTO) 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, Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, 
Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control 
Systems, Devices, and Appliances. FRA assigned the petition Docket 
Number FRA-2021-0043.
    Specifically, DTO seeks relief from the 2-year periodic testing 
requirements in 49 CFR 236.377, Approach locking; 49 CFR 236.378, Time 
locking; 49 CFR 236.379, Route locking; 49 CFR 236.380, Indication 
locking; and 49 CFR 236.381, Traffic locking. DTO also requests relief 
from the 1-year periodic testing period of 49 CFR 236.109, Time 
releases, timing relays, and timing devices, on all vital 
microprocessor-based systems.
    DTO states that all control points and other locations are 
controlled by solid-state vital microprocessor-based systems, which 
utilize programmed logic equations in lieu of relays or other 
mechanical components for control of both vital and non-vital 
functions. DTO further states that the logic does not change once a 
microprocessor-based system has been tested and that locking tests are 
documented on installation.
    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 (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
    Communications received by June 7, 2021 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

[[Page 21434]]

be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. See also http://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of 
regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-08386 Filed 4-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P