Document ID: FRA-2021-0091-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petition for Waiver of Compliance
Posted Date: 2021-09-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 183 (Friday, September 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53141-53142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20644]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2021-0091]

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    This document provides the public notice that on September 7, 2021, 
Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) and Canadian National Railway Company 
(collectively referred to as CN) petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) under 49 CFR 211.51 to temporarily suspend for 
testing purposes, certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety 
regulations contained at 49 CFR 232.205, Class I brake test-initial 
terminal inspection. Although CN filed its petition under Sec.  211.51, 
FRA concluded that considering this request under the provisions of 49 
CFR part 211, subpart C, Waivers, would be more appropriate. 
Accordingly, FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2021-0091.
    Specifically, CN seeks relief from the requirements of Sec.  
232.205(c)(ii)(B) for testing purposes which would allow CN to operate 
trains with a combined air flow to the brake pipe above 90 cubic feet 
per minute (CFM) with no individual source of air having a flow greater 
than 60 CFM or 15 psi gradient. CN seeks a short duration of relief to 
physically test braking reaction and train performance, under 
conditions of higher air flow, specifically caused by the addition of 
air sources (air cars or locomotives) that yield a more even pressure 
throughout the brake pipe. CN seeks to perform the testing on the WCL 
Chicago to Winnipeg corridor and the CN Sprague Subdivision, from 
November 2021 to April 2022, to test under cold temperature conditions. 
CN has previously conducted similar testing through an exemption 
granted by Transport Canada between February and April 2020 and 
November 2020 and March 2021. CN reports that the program yielded 
positive results, demonstrating that when multiple air sources were 
used, trains operated at a healthy pressure level in cold weather, 
which resulted in cars applying an even level of braking effort and 
greater braking efficiency.
    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

[[Page 53142]]

hearing. If any interested party desires an opportunity for oral 
comment and a public hearing, 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 at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Communications received by November 8, 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), the U.S. 
Department of Transportation (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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://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. 2021-20644 Filed 9-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P