[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 42630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17174]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2014-0034]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a letter dated
March 25, 2014, Norfolk Southern Railway (NS), 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 232, Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-
Passenger Trains and Equipment; End-of-Train Devices. FRA assigned the
petition Docket Number FRA-2014-0034.
Specifically, NS seeks a waiver of compliance from 49 CFR 232.215,
Transfer train brake tests. This section states a transfer train, as
defined in 49 CFR 232.5, Definitions, shall receive a specified brake
test performed by a qualified person before proceeding. NS seeks
approval to perform a Class 3 brake test pursuant to 49 CFR 232.211(b)
on freight cars that are in switch service between the NS Decatur Yard
and Archer Daniels Midland's East Plant, West Plant, and New Yard
(collectively ``ADM'') facilities, in Decatur, IL, instead of the
specified transfer train brake test. The switch moves that are the
subject of this waiver request range from 0.2 miles to a maximum of 0.9
miles.
NS states that performing the Class 3 brake test provides an
opportunity to verify the safe functioning of the brakes and also to
supplement the safety appliance inspection made upon arrival at the
yard inbound or during assembly of the move to ADM. An equivalent level
of safety is achieved through the performance of this test, as the rear
car's set and release confirms the functioning of the brake system. In
addition, the moves to ADM are 0.9 miles plus the length of the cut
making up the move. Of additional benefit is the elimination of
potentially burdensome delays due to blocked crossings and undue
congestion to the community at road crossings that could occur while
train crews perform a full transfer train brake test.
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 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 August 21, 2014 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.).
See http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice
of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's complete
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 (65 FR 19477).
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 8, 2014.
Ron Hynes,
Director, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2014-17174 Filed 7-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P