Document ID: FRA-2011-0071-0003
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Petitions for Waivers of Compliance
Posted Date: 2011-10-04T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61476-61477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25582]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2011-0071]

Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a 
document dated August 23, 2011, the Canadian National Railway (CN) 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-2011-0071.
    CN seeks relief from the 2-year periodic testing requirements of 
the rules, standards, and instructions contained in 49 CFR 236.377, 
Approach locking; 236.378, Time locking; 236.379, Route locking; 
236.380, Indication locking; 236.381, Traffic locking; and 236.109, 
Time releases, timing relays and timing devices; on vital 
microprocessor-based systems. CN proposes that except when placed in 
service, disarranged, or vital software modifications are made, that 
the following test be completed at least once every 4 years to ensure 
the safety of microprocessor-based locking systems. These tests, at 
this interval, would replace the tests currently required for these 
systems.
     Verify and record that the software has not changed since 
the previous testing. This is accomplished by verifying the Cyclic 
Redundancy Code, checksum, and/or unique check number (UCN) of the 
software in the solid-state device.
     Test and record the interconnection to the signaling 
hardware and equipment outside of the processor (switch indication, 
switch locking, track circuits and indications, and searchlight signal 
indications).
     Verify and record duration of any variable timers unless 
protected by a UCN.

[[Page 61477]]

    The relief is requested for the following three cases:
    1. Locations as listed in Exhibit B.
    2. All future purchases of microprocessor-controlled interlocking 
locations.
    3. Interlocking sites upgraded to microprocessor control.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at http://www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Ave., 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 18, 2011 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 comment, 
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 
19477-78), or online at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2011.
Robert C. Lauby,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Regulatory and Legislative 
Operations.
[FR Doc. 2011-25582 Filed 10-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P