[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 169-170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-32243]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waivers of Compliance
In accordance with 49 CFR Sections 211.9 and 211.41, notice is
hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has
received a request for waivers of compliance with certain requirements
of the Federal safety laws and regulations. The petition is described
below, including the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the
relief being requested and the petitioner's arguments in favor of
relief.
Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
FRA Docket Numbers SA-94-12 and RSGM-94-26
The RTA, working with the Burlingtion Northern Railroad and the
Union Pacific Railroad, is developing a Commuter Rail Demonstration
Project (CRDP). The CRDP is part of an ongoing effort to improve mass
transit services in the three-county, Seattle-Tacoma-Everett region in
the State of Washington. The RTA plans to begin operation in late
January or early February of 1995, and be concluded not later than May
31, 1995.
The RTA effort to identify suitable passenger equipment for the
CRDP concluded that the only possible source of adequate equipment is
GO Transit in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. RTA plans to lease 14 bi-level
passenger cars, two auxiliary power car units (APCU) and two
locomotives from GO Transit. Some of the same GO Transit equipment was
leased for varying lengths of time by other United States commuter
railroads in the past, most recently by the Southern California
Regional Rail Authority for service in the Los Angeles, California,
area to augment its equipment fleet because of the increase in commuter
rail demand resulting from the January 17, 1994, earthquake.
The RTA seeks waivers of compliance from certain sections of the
FRA regulations which are described herein. Conditional waivers were
granted to the other commuter rail operators which leased the GO
Transit equipment.
FRA Docket Number SA-94-12
The RTA seeks a temporary waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231)
for 14 GO Transit passenger cars which do not fully comply with the
regulations. Section 231.14(c)(3) requires that the side corner
handholds be located specifically in relation to the center line of the
coupler. RTA states that the side corner handholds are not located the
correct distance above the centerline of the coupler.
FRA Docket Number RSGM-94-26
The RTA seeks a temporary waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Railroad Safety Glazing Standards (49 CFR Part 223)
for 14 GO Transit bi-level commuter passenger cars, 2 APCU, and 2
locomotives which do not fully comply with the regulation. The glazing
material installed in the equipment is manufactured to CSA-D263-1972
(ANSI Z.26.1) standards, laminated safety glass suitable for
locomotives and railway cars. The side facing and end facing glazing
material is not in compliance with 49 CFR Section 223.15.
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings
by submitting written reviews, 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 (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number SA-94-
12) and [[Page 170]] must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket
Clerk, Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications
received before February 10, 1995 will be considered by FRA before
final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be
considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning
these proceedings are available for examination during regular business
hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Room 8201, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 27, 1994.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. 94-32243 Filed 12-30-94; 8:45 am]
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