81 FR 91998 - Petition for Waiver of Compliance

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 243 (December 19, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 91998]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30445]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2016-0111]


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 November 14, 2016, The Belt Railway Company of Chicago 
(BRC) 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-2016-0111.
    BRC seeks relief from certain requirements of part 236; 
specifically sections 236.377 Approach Locking, 236.378 Time Locking, 
236.379 Route Locking, 236.380 Indication Locking, and 236.381 Traffic 
Locking, on vital microprocessor-based systems. BRC proposes to verify 
and test signal locking systems controlled by microprocessor-based 
equipment by use of alternative procedures every 4 years after initial 
baseline testing or program change as follows:
     Verifying the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)/Check Sum/
Universal Control Number (UNC) of the existing location's specific 
application logic to the previously tested version.
     Testing the appropriate interconnection to the associated 
signaling hardware equipment outside of the processor (switch 
indication, track indication, searchlight signal indication, approach 
locking (if external)) to verify correct and intended inputs to and 
outputs from the processor are maintained.
     Analyze and compare the results of the 4-year alternative 
testing with the results of the baseline testing performed at the 
location and submit the results to the FRA.
    Many of BRC's Interlockings, control points, and other locations 
are controlled by solid-state, vital microprocessor-based systems. 
These systems use programmed logic equations in lieu of relays or other 
mechanical components for control of both vital and non-vital 
functions. The logic does not change once a microprocessor-based system 
has been tested and 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 and in person at the Department of Transportation's 
(DOT) 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, US 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 February 2, 2017 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.). 
In accordance with 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 be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC
Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-30445 Filed 12-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P