82 FR 17327 - Petition for Waiver of Compliance
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 67 (April 10, 2017)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 67 (April 10, 2017)
| Page Range | 17327-17328 | |
| FR Document | 2017-07015 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 67 (Monday, April 10, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 17327-17328] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-07015] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket Number FRA-2016-0126] 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 document dated December 19, 2016, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CMTA) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations for the purchase of four new railcars from Stadler Bussnang AG. Specifically, CMTA is requesting relief from 49 CFR part 229, Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards (229.47, 229.71, 229.135(b)(4)(xviii) and (xix)); 49 CFR part 231, Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (231.14(a)(2), (b)-(d), (f), (g)); and 49 CFR part 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards (238.305, 238.229, 238.230(d), and 238.309(b)). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2016-0028. The Capital Metro commuter rail system consists of a single rail line, known as the Red Line, running from downtown Austin, TX, to Austin's northern suburbs, a distance of 32 miles. The Red Line service began in March 2010. The current operation serves nine stations with a fleet of six diesel multiple unit (DMU) rail vehicles designated as model G1 GTWs, manufactured by Stadler Bussnag AG. Due to steadily increasing ridership and a desire to enhance service, Capital Metro will be adding four additional DMUs, manufactured by Stadler and designated model G4 GTW. The Stadler G4 GTW DMUs are based on the G2 GTW DMUs, which are currently operating at the Denton County Transportation Authority in Denton, TX. The new vehicles are designed and built to current European design and regulatory standards, which differ in several areas from current U.S. design standards and regulations. Capital Metro believes that the design characteristics of the Stadler G4 GTW vehicles provide an equivalent or higher level of safety and security to the passengers and crew. Capital Metro has organized its regulatory compliance efforts into two distinct but related parts: Part 1 represents the ``base'' compliance assessment effort (this petition) and Part 2 represents a separate petition to utilize Alternative Vehicle Technology crashworthiness technology as outlined in ``Technical Criteria and Procedures for Evaluating the Crashworthiness and Occupant Protection Performance of Alternatively-Designed Passenger Rail Equipment for Use in Tier I Service'' and the recent notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Passenger Equipment Safety Standards; Standards for Alternative Compliance and High-Speed Trainsets NPRM (81 FR 88006, December 6, 2016). Noting that certain provisions in 49 CFR part 231 pertaining to safety appliances are statutorily required, and therefore not subject to FRA's waiver authority, CMTA also requested that FRA exercise its authority under 49 U.S.C. 20306 to exempt CMTA from certain provisions of Chapter 203, Title 49 of the United States Code because the G4 GTW DMU vehicles will be equipped with their own array of safety devices resulting in equivalent safety. 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 (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 parties desire 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. [[Page 17328]] 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 May 25, 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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Robert C. Lauby, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2017-07015 Filed 4-7-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 67 / Monday, April 10, 2017 / Notices 17327
The existing automatic train control association, business, labor union, etc.). The Stadler G4 GTW DMUs are based
and Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits on the G2 GTW DMUs, which are
System (ACSES) designs will be comments from the public to better currently operating at the Denton
modified to support the modifications to inform its processes. DOT posts these County Transportation Authority in
the block design with the addition of the comments, without edit, including any Denton, TX. The new vehicles are
new Liberty interlocking. ACSES will personal information the commenter designed and built to current European
enforce a positive stop at each provides, to www.regulations.gov, as design and regulatory standards, which
interlocking and a stop to a train with described in the system of records differ in several areas from current U.S.
failed cab signal equipment unless the notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can design standards and regulations.
‘‘C’’ signal is displayed allowing the be reviewed at https:// Capital Metro believes that the design
failed train to enter the block. www.transportation.gov/privacy. See characteristics of the Stadler G4 GTW
The reason for removal of the signals also https://www.regulations.gov/ vehicles provide an equivalent or higher
is to eliminate maintenance and privacyNotice for the privacy notice of level of safety and security to the
operation of unnecessary hardware no regulations.gov. passengers and crew.
longer needed, and to reduce delays to Capital Metro has organized its
Issued in Washington, DC.
trains caused by failures of the signals. regulatory compliance efforts into two
Robert C. Lauby, distinct but related parts: Part 1
A copy of the petition, as well as any
written communications concerning the Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, represents the ‘‘base’’ compliance
Chief Safety Officer. assessment effort (this petition) and Part
petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov and in person at [FR Doc. 2017–07018 Filed 4–7–17; 8:45 am] 2 represents a separate petition to utilize
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s BILLING CODE 4910–06–P Alternative Vehicle Technology
(DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 crashworthiness technology as outlined
New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140, in ‘‘Technical Criteria and Procedures
Washington, DC 20590. The Docket DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION for Evaluating the Crashworthiness and
Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m. Occupant Protection Performance of
Federal Railroad Administration Alternatively-Designed Passenger Rail
to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays. [Docket Number FRA–2016–0126] Equipment for Use in Tier I Service’’
Interested parties are invited to and the recent notice of proposed
participate in these proceedings by Petition for Waiver of Compliance rulemaking (NPRM) on Passenger
submitting written views, data, or Equipment Safety Standards; Standards
In accordance with part 211 of Title for Alternative Compliance and High-
comments. FRA does not anticipate 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
scheduling a public hearing in Speed Trainsets NPRM (81 FR 88006,
this document provides the public December 6, 2016).
connection with these proceedings since notice that by a document dated
the facts do not appear to warrant a Noting that certain provisions in 49
December 19, 2016, the Capital CFR part 231 pertaining to safety
hearing. If any interested parties desire Metropolitan Transportation Authority
an opportunity for oral comment and a appliances are statutorily required, and
(CMTA) has petitioned the Federal therefore not subject to FRA’s waiver
public hearing, they should notify FRA, Railroad Administration (FRA) for a
in writing, before the end of the authority, CMTA also requested that
waiver of compliance from certain FRA exercise its authority under 49
comment period and specify the basis provisions of the Federal railroad safety
for their request. U.S.C. 20306 to exempt CMTA from
regulations for the purchase of four new certain provisions of Chapter 203, Title
All communications concerning these
railcars from Stadler Bussnang AG. 49 of the United States Code because the
proceedings should identify the
Specifically, CMTA is requesting relief G4 GTW DMU vehicles will be
appropriate docket number and may be
from 49 CFR part 229, Railroad equipped with their own array of safety
submitted by any of the following
Locomotive Safety Standards (229.47, devices resulting in equivalent safety.
methods:
• Web site: http:// 229.71, 229.135(b)(4)(xviii) and (xix)); A copy of the petition, as well as any
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 49 CFR part 231, Railroad Safety written communications concerning the
instructions for submitting comments. Appliance Standards (231.14(a)(2), (b)– petition, is available for review online at
• Fax: 202–493–2251. (d), (f), (g)); and 49 CFR part 238, www.regulations.gov and in person at
• Mail: Docket Operations Facility, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 (238.305, 238.229, 238.230(d), and (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140, 238.309(b)). FRA assigned the petition New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590. Docket Number FRA–2016–0028. Washington, DC 20590. The Docket
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey The Capital Metro commuter rail Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m.
Avenue SE., Room W12–140, system consists of a single rail line, to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. known as the Red Line, running from except Federal Holidays.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, downtown Austin, TX, to Austin’s Interested parties are invited to
except Federal Holidays. northern suburbs, a distance of 32 miles. participate in these proceedings by
Communications received by May 25, The Red Line service began in March submitting written views, data, or
2017 will be considered by FRA before 2010. The current operation serves nine comments. FRA does not anticipate
final action is taken. Comments received stations with a fleet of six diesel scheduling a public hearing in
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
after that date will be considered if multiple unit (DMU) rail vehicles connection with these proceedings since
practicable. designated as model G1 GTWs, the facts do not appear to warrant a
Anyone can search the electronic manufactured by Stadler Bussnag AG. hearing. If any interested parties desire
form of any written communications Due to steadily increasing ridership and an opportunity for oral comment and a
and comments received into any of our a desire to enhance service, Capital public hearing, they should notify FRA,
dockets by the name of the individual Metro will be adding four additional in writing, before the end of the
submitting the comment (or signing the DMUs, manufactured by Stadler and comment period and specify the basis
document, if submitted on behalf of an designated model G4 GTW. for their request.
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![17328 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 67 / Monday, April 10, 2017 / Notices
All communications concerning these of a signal system. FRA assigned the scheduling a public hearing in
proceedings should identify the petition Docket Number FRA–2015– connection with these proceedings since
appropriate docket number and may be 0004. the facts do not appear to warrant a
submitted by any of the following Applicant: CSX Transportation, Inc., hearing. If any interested parties desire
methods: Mr. Jody Cox, Chief Engineer an opportunity for oral comment and a
• Web site: http:// Communications & Signals, 500 Water public hearing, they should notify FRA,
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online Street, Speed Code J–350, Jacksonville, in writing, before the end of the
instructions for submitting comments. FL 32202. comment period and specify the basis
• Fax: 202–493–2251. On August 10, 2015, FRA granted for their request.
• Mail: Docket Operations Facility, conditional approval to CSX’s block All communications concerning these
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 signal application under Docket Number proceedings should identify the
New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140, FRA–2015–0004, which sought appropriate docket number and may be
Washington, DC 20590. approval of the proposed submitted by any of the following
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey discontinuance of an automatic block methods:
Avenue SE., Room W12–140, signal (ABS) system between control • Web site: http://
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. point (CP) Mitchell, milepost (MP) OOQ www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 256.0 and CP NE Vernia, MP OOQ instructions for submitting comments.
except Federal Holidays. 314.6, on the Hoosier Subdivision, • Fax: 202–493–2251.
Communications received by May 25, Louisville Division, at Mitchell, IN. The • Mail: Docket Operations Facility,
2017 will be considered by FRA before conditions of approval were: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
final action is taken. Comments received 1. CSX may retire the signal system in New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140,
after that date will be considered as far place for a time period not to exceed 2 Washington, DC 20590.
as practicable. years from August 10, 2015. • Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey
Anyone is able to search the 2. Traffic levels are to be tracked to Avenue SE., Room W12–140,
electronic form of any written identify any change. Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
communications and comments 3. Distant approach signals to CP and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
received into any of our dockets by the Mitchell and NE Vernia are to be except Federal Holidays.
name of the individual submitting the installed. Communications received by May 25,
4. CSX must notify FRA’s regional 2017 will be considered by FRA before
comment (or signing the document, if
office when the signal system is retired final action is taken. Comments received
submitted on behalf of an association,
in place. after that date will be considered if
business, labor union, etc.). In
5. CSX may request permanent
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT practicable.
discontinuance of the signal system 6
solicits comments from the public to Anyone can search the electronic
months prior to the expiration of the 2-
better inform its processes. DOT posts form of any written communications
year period.
these comments, without edit, including In the February 10, 2017, letter CSX and comments received into any of our
any personal information the requests permanent discontinuance of dockets by the name of the individual
commenter provides, to the signal system as defined in submitting the comment (or signing the
www.regulations.gov, as described in Condition 5 of FRA’s August 10, 2015, document, if submitted on behalf of an
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– conditional approval. CSX will comply association, business, labor union, etc.).
14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at with Conditions 3 and 4 upon approval Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. of a permanent discontinuance. comments from the public to better
See also https://www.regulations.gov/ The reason for the proposed inform its processes. DOT posts these
privacyNotice for the privacy notice of discontinuance is that ABS is no longer comments, without edit, including any
regulations.gov. needed due to traffic level reductions. personal information the commenter
The subdivision is being used for provides, to www.regulations.gov, as
Robert C. Lauby,
storage only. The Hoosier Subdivision described in the system of records
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can
Chief Safety Officer. has been out of service since the Surface
Transportation Board approved the be reviewed at https://
[FR Doc. 2017–07015 Filed 4–7–17; 8:45 am]
discontinuance of service, in April www.transportation.gov/privacy. See
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P also https://www.regulations.gov/
2010. There has been no traffic in 2015
or 2016 over this segment. The ABS will privacyNotice for the privacy notice of
be discontinued and replaced with track regulations.gov.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
warrant control D–505 rules. Robert C. Lauby,
Federal Railroad Administration A copy of the petition, as well as any Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety
written communications concerning the Chief Safety Officer.
[Docket Number FRA–2015–0004]
petition, is available for review online at [FR Doc. 2017–07012 Filed 4–7–17; 8:45 am]
Notice of Application for Approval of www.regulations.gov and in person at BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
Discontinuance or Modification of a the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Railroad Signal System (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., W12–140,
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Under part 235 of Title 49 of the Code Washington, DC 20590. The Docket
of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m. Federal Railroad Administration
U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
the public notice that on February 10, [Docket Number FRA–2017–0007]
except Federal Holidays.
2017, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSX) Interested parties are invited to Petition for Waiver of Compliance
petitioned the Federal Railroad participate in these proceedings by
Administration (FRA) seeking approval submitting written views, data, or In accordance with part 211 of Title
for the discontinuance or modification comments. FRA does not anticipate 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
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Document Created: 2017-04-08 03:31:27
Document Modified: 2017-04-08 03:31:27
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 17327 |
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