82 FR 38989 - Addressing Electrode-Induced Rail Pitting From Pressure Electric Welding
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 157 (August 16, 2017)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 157 (August 16, 2017)
| Page Range | 38989-38992 | |
| FR Document | 2017-17285 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 16, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 38989-38992] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-17285] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2017-0074; Notice No. 1] Addressing Electrode-Induced Rail Pitting From Pressure Electric Welding AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of draft Safety Advisory; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document provides notice of FRA's intent to issue a Safety Advisory alerting railroads, contractors, and the rail welding industry of the potential for electrode-induced rail pitting and fatigue cracking during the pressure electric rail welding process. Based on investigation and research, FRA believes improper electrode contact to the rail during the welding process can result in electrode- induced pitting that may lead to fatigue fracture and ultimately rail failure. The draft Safety Advisory includes recommendations to help the industry prevent electrode-induced rail pitting and to inspect for and then remediate such pitting if it occurs. FRA invites public comment on all aspects of the draft Safety Advisory. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the draft Safety Advisory provided below on or before October 16, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments in response to this notice may be submitted by any of the following methods:Web site: The Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.Regulations.gov. Follow the Web site's online instructions for submitting comments. Fax: 202-493-2251. Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, [[Page 38990]] Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140 on the Ground level of the West Building, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket name, and docket number for this notice, Docket No. FRA-2017-0074; Notice No. 1. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to http://www.Regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act Statement in this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Matthew Brewer, Staff Director, Rail Integrity Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 500 Broadway, Suite 240, Vancouver, WA 98660, telephone (202) 385-2209; or Mr. Aaron Moore, Trial Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 493-7009. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Draft Safety Advisory FRA routinely conducts investigations of railroad accidents to determine causation and any contributing factors to help the railroad industry implement corrective measures that may prevent similar incidents in the future. Over the past decade, FRA has investigated multiple broken rail accidents in which it found fractures in the rail web. Similarities in the fracture characteristics of the recovered rail fragments in some of these accidents have led FRA to conclude stray arcing may occur during the pressure electric welding process performed to create continuous welded rails. Pressure electric welding is the process of using a hydraulically- operated welding head that clamps around two opposing rail ends, pressing an electrode on each rail, then hydraulically pulling the rail ends together while arcing current through the electrodes into the rails, causing them to essentially melt together to form a continuous rail. FRA believes stray arcing during this process results in the formation of electrode burns or pits on the web, head, or base of the rail. Fractures in the rail may originate from the electrode pits because they behave as stress raisers (also referred to as stress concentrations). Fatigue cracks often develop at locations of stress concentration. Once a fatigue crack initiates, the localized stress encourages the growth of the crack, which may potentially lead to rail failure. FRA believes electrode pitting may be a contributing factor, if not the root cause, in some accidents involving rail web cracking. Figure 1 below shows a photograph of a rail with electrode pits in the web. The location of these electrode pits, when they occur, is typically four to eight inches on either side of the weld. Electrode- induced pitting from pressure electric welding may also occur in the head and base of the rail. At this time, it is unclear whether traditional ultrasonic rail testing can consistently detect electrode- induced pitting. In 2016, FRA's Office of Railroad Safety requested technical support from The National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe) to study the fatigue and fracture behavior of rails with pitting from electrodes used in welding. Volpe enlisted technical support from the U.S. Army's Ben[eacute]t Laboratories (Ben[eacute]t) to conduct forensic examination of three rail sections with electrode-induced pitting in the web from the pressure electric welding process. FRA obtained these rails from members of the railroad industry. Ben[eacute]t's examination included fractography (the science of studying fracture surfaces to identify the origin and causes of fracture), metallography (the science of studying the microstructure of metals to provide information concerning the properties and processing history of metallic alloys), and testing to determine the chemical composition and tensile mechanical properties of the rail steel. Ben[eacute]t confirmed FRA's hypothesis that electrode-induced web fatigue cracking is a result of pitting caused by inadequate electrode- to-rail contact. Specifically, Ben[eacute]t's metallurgical analyses concluded the cracking in the rail web originated from the pitting created by inadequate electrode-to-rail contact during the pressure electric welding process. The fractographic and metallographic examinations revealed evidence of fatigue cracking originating from the pitting and fast fracture once the fatigue crack reached a critical length. Figure 2 below shows three photographs of the fracture surface of a crack found in one of the rails Ben[eacute]t examined. These photographs support the metallurgical evidence indicative of three stages of fatigue fracture: (1) Crack initiation or formation originating from the pitting; (2) crack propagation or growth by metal fatigue; and (3) final rupture or fast fracture. Figure 3 below shows photographs of the microstructure near the electrode pits in each examined rail, providing further evidence the cracking originated from the pitting created by improper electrode contact during welding. The results from the metallurgical analysis also suggested premature and sudden rail failure may result from high wheel-impact load (e.g., flat wheel), especially in cold-weather environments when the longitudinal rail force is tensile. Results from the chemical analysis and mechanical testing indicated the chemistry and mechanical properties of the rails selected for evaluation were within specifications the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) published, except for the hardness measurements in one rail, which were slightly lower than the AREMA minimum. Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a material to surface indentation produced by a carbide indenter applied at a given load for a given length of time. The lower hardness in that rail, manufactured in the 1950s, may be attributed to lower concentrations (compared to the other two rails) of alloying elements, specifically carbon, silicon, and chromium, which were still within AREMA tolerances. Testing of the chemistry and the mechanical properties revealed all three rails were made from standard quality steel containing no other defects except the electrode-induced pitting. FRA presented its concerns about electrode-induced rail pitting and fatigue cracking to the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee's Rail Integrity Working Group. FRA also advised the Working Group that FRA was considering issuing a safety advisory to ensure all parties are aware of the potential for electrode-induced pitting and fatigue cracking (as identified in the figures below) and the pressure electric welding process is performed properly. (FRA has posted a copy of this notice on its public Web site, www.fra.dot.gov, where you may view the figures below in their full resolution.) BILLING CODE 4910-06-P [[Page 38991]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN16AU17.003 BILLING CODE 4910-06-C Recommended Action: Based on the discussion above, and to prevent future electrode-induced pitting and fatigue cracking which may lead to premature rail failure, FRA recommends railroads, contractors, and the rail welding industry develop and apply appropriate methods to: 1. Prevent electrode-induced rail pitting from occurring by: a. Reviewing proper pre- and post-weld procedures to avoid the development of electrode pitting; [[Page 38992]] b. Improving welder training programs to ensure consistency in welding procedures, especially for the pressure electric welding process; and c. Developing and scheduling appropriate pressure electric welding maintenance and rail testing programs. 2. Identify electrode-induced rail pitting by: a. Inspecting the rail upon completion of welding, and reviewing the documentation in the weld report to help identify if pitting occurred; b. Visually inspecting existing welds for electrode-induced pitting during routine track inspections; and c. Considering alternative methods of identifying electrode-induced pitting, such as ultrasonic testing, machine vision, etc. 3. Remediate any identified electrode-induced pitting by: a. Removing the section of rail containing electrode-induced pitting and re-welding the rail; or b. Developing and applying possible alternative methods to remove electrode-induced pitting, such as drilling, if electrode-induced pitting is found and the section of rail cannot be readily removed or re-welded. FRA requests public comment on all aspects of this draft Safety Advisory. Privacy Act Statement: Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments received into any of DOT's 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 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice. Issued in Washington, DC, on August 10, 2017. Patrick Warren, Executive Director. [FR Doc. 2017-17285 Filed 8-15-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 16, 2017 / Notices 38989
Management and Budget. Comments information collected makes that necessary for the performance of
should be addressed to the attention of possible. It also combats deceptive FMCSA’s functions; (2) the accuracy of
the Desk Officer, Department of business practices as the information the estimated burden; (3) ways for
Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier helps enforcement personnel better FMCSA to enhance the quality,
Safety Administration, and sent via protect consumers by verifying that usefulness, and clarity of the collected
electronic mail to oira_submission@ shippers are receiving information to information; and (4) ways that the
omb.eop.gov, or faxed to (202) 395– which they are entitled by regulation. burden could be minimized without
6974, or mailed to the Office of HHG brokers are required to provide reducing the quality of the collected
Information and Regulatory Affairs, individual shippers the ‘‘Your Rights information. The agency will summarize
Office of Management and Budget, and Responsibilities When You Move’’ or include your comments in the request
Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th booklet and the ‘‘Ready to Move’’ for OMB’s clearance of this information
Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. brochure. They have the option of collection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: providing paper copies or presenting the Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87
Monique Riddick, Commercial information through a link on their on: August 10, 2017.
Enforcement and Investigations Internet Web site. The broker is required Kelly Regal,
Division, U. S. Department of to document with signed receipts that Associate Administrator, Office of Research
Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier the individual shipper was provided and Information Technology.
Safety Administration, West Building those materials. HHG brokers are also [FR Doc. 2017–17307 Filed 8–15–17; 8:45 am]
6th Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., required to provide the list of HHG BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
Washington, DC 20590–0001. motor carriers for which it would
Telephone: 202–366–8045; email arrange transportation to move a
monique.riddick@dot.gov. potential individual shipper’s HHG, and DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There
that broker’s identification information:
1. Assigned USDOT number; and Federal Railroad Administration
were no comments received from the
2. Address.
60-day Federal Register notice (82 FR With this renewal, FMCSA makes a [Docket No. FRA–2017–0074; Notice No. 1]
14102) published on March 16, 2017. change to the collection to an
Background: FMCSA amended then- Addressing Electrode-Induced Rail
adjustment in estimate. A program Pitting From Pressure Electric Welding
existing regulations for brokers in estimate change of 19,522 annual
response to Title IV, Subtitle B of the burden hours is the result of the AGENCY: Federal Railroad
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, removal of a 1,000 burden-hours that are Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for no longer applicable. There is also an Transportation (DOT).
Users (SAFETEA–LU) (Pub. L. 109–59) updated estimate in the number of ACTION: Notice of draft Safety Advisory;
and a petition for rulemaking from the household goods brokers which also request for comment.
American Moving and Storage contributes to the change of 19,522 in
Association (AMSA). The final rule, the calculated burden hours. SUMMARY: This document provides
titled ‘‘Brokers of Household Goods Title: Practices of Household Goods notice of FRA’s intent to issue a Safety
Transportation by Motor Vehicles,’’ (75 Brokers. Advisory alerting railroads, contractors,
FR 72987, Nov. 29, 2010), amended 49 OMB Control Number: 2126–0048. and the rail welding industry of the
CFR part 371, by providing additional Type of Request: Reinstatement of an potential for electrode-induced rail
consumer protection responsibilities for information collection. pitting and fatigue cracking during the
brokers of HHG. Specifically, section Respondents: Brokers of Household pressure electric rail welding process.
4212 of SAFETEA–LU directs the Goods. Based on investigation and research,
Secretary to require HHG brokers to Estimated Number of Respondents: FRA believes improper electrode
provide individual shippers with the 543 brokers. contact to the rail during the welding
following information whenever a Estimated Time per Response: 0.25 process can result in electrode-induced
broker has contact with a shipper or hours per day × 240 workdays for pitting that may lead to fatigue fracture
potential shipper: transactions per household goods and ultimately rail failure. The draft
1. The broker’s USDOT number. broker; 20 hours per year per broker for Safety Advisory includes
2. The FMCSA booklet titled ‘‘Your Web site/ad modifications; 10 hours per recommendations to help the industry
Rights and Responsibilities When You year per household goods broker for prevent electrode-induced rail pitting
Move.’’ creating a list of carriers; 0.5 hours per and to inspect for and then remediate
3. A list of all authorized motor month × 12 months per household such pitting if it occurs. FRA invites
carriers providing transportation of goods broker for confirming required public comment on all aspects of the
HHG used by the broker and a statement information; 0.083 hour per year × 36.8 draft Safety Advisory.
that the broker is not a motor carrier explanations on average per household DATES: Interested persons are invited to
providing transportation of HHG. goods broker; 4 hours per year × 5 submit comments on the draft Safety
The collection of information required agreements per household goods broker Advisory provided below on or before
in the referenced final rule assists for annual agreements through turnover; October 16, 2017.
shippers in their business dealings with and 10 hours per year per household ADDRESSES: Comments in response to
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
interstate HHG brokers. The information goods broker for disclosure and records. this notice may be submitted by any of
collected is used by prospective Expiration Date: July 31, 2017. the following methods:
shippers to make informed decisions Frequency of Response: On occasion. • Web site: The Federal eRulemaking
about contracts, services ordered, Estimated Total Annual Burden: Portal, www.Regulations.gov. Follow the
executed, and settled. The HHG broker 70,000 hours. Web site’s online instructions for
is often the primary contact for Public Comments Invited: You are submitting comments.
individual shippers and in the best asked to comment on any aspect of this • Fax: 202–493–2251.
position to educate shippers and information collection, including: (1) • Mail: Docket Management Facility,
prepare them for a successful move. The Whether the proposed collection is U.S. Department of Transportation,
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![38992 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 16, 2017 / Notices
b. Improving welder training SUMMARY: Ride the Ducks International, closing date will also be filed and will
programs to ensure consistency in LLC (RTDI), has determined that certain be considered to the fullest extent
welding procedures, especially for the model year (MY) 1996–2014 Ride the possible.
pressure electric welding process; and Ducks International Stretch Amphibious When the petition is granted or
c. Developing and scheduling passenger vehicles (APVs) do not fully denied, notice of the decision will also
appropriate pressure electric welding comply with Federal Motor Vehicle be published in the Federal Register
maintenance and rail testing programs. Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, pursuant to the authority indicated at
2. Identify electrode-induced rail Windshield Defrosting and Defogging the end of this notice.
pitting by: Systems. RTDI filed a noncompliance All comments, background
a. Inspecting the rail upon completion information report dated March 15, documentation, and supporting
of welding, and reviewing the 2017. RTDI also petitioned NHTSA on materials submitted to the docket may
documentation in the weld report to April 12, 2017, for a decision that the be viewed by anyone at the address and
help identify if pitting occurred; subject noncompliance is times given above. The documents may
b. Visually inspecting existing welds inconsequential as it relates to motor also be viewed on the Internet at https://
for electrode-induced pitting during vehicle safety. www.regulations.gov by following the
routine track inspections; and DATES: The closing date for comments online instructions for accessing the
c. Considering alternative methods of on the petition is September 15, 2017. dockets. The docket ID number for this
identifying electrode-induced pitting, ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
petition is shown in the heading of this
such as ultrasonic testing, machine invited to submit written data, views, notice.
vision, etc. and arguments on this petition. DOT’s complete Privacy Act
3. Remediate any identified electrode- Comments must refer to the docket and Statement is available for review in a
induced pitting by: notice number cited in the title of this Federal Register notice published on
a. Removing the section of rail notice and submitted by any of the April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477–78).
containing electrode-induced pitting following methods: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
and re-welding the rail; or • Mail: Send comments by mail I. Overview: Ride the Ducks
b. Developing and applying possible addressed to U.S. Department of International, LLC (RTDI), has
alternative methods to remove Transportation, Docket Operations, M– determined that certain model year
electrode-induced pitting, such as 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room (MY) 1996–2014 Ride the Ducks
drilling, if electrode-induced pitting is W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., International Stretch Amphibious
found and the section of rail cannot be Washington, DC 20590. passenger vehicles (APVs) do not fully
readily removed or re-welded. • Hand Delivery: Deliver comments comply with paragraph S4.1 of Federal
FRA requests public comment on all by hand to U.S. Department of Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)
aspects of this draft Safety Advisory. Transportation, Docket Operations, M– No. 103, Windshield Defrosting and
Privacy Act Statement: Anyone can 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room Defogging Systems. RTDI filed a
search the electronic form of all W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., noncompliance information report
comments received into any of DOT’s Washington, DC 20590. The Docket dated March 15, 2017, pursuant to 49
dockets by the name of the individual Section is open on weekdays from 10 CFR 573, Defect and Noncompliance
submitting the comment (or signing the a.m. to 5 p.m. except Federal Holidays. Responsibility and Reports. RTDI also
comment, if submitted on behalf of an • Electronically: Submit comments petitioned NHTSA on April 12, 2017,
association, business, labor union, etc.). electronically by logging onto the pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and
You may review DOT’s complete Federal Docket Management System 30120(h) and 49 CFR part 556, for an
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal (FDMS) Web site at https:// exemption from the notification and
Register published on April 11, 2000 www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C.
(65 FR 19477), or you may visit http:// instructions for submitting comments. Chapter 301 on the basis that this
www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice. • Comments may also be faxed to noncompliance is inconsequential as it
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 10, (202) 493–2251. relates to motor vehicle safety.
2017. Comments must be written in the This notice of receipt of RTDI’s
Patrick Warren, English language, and be no greater than petition is published under 49 U.S.C.
Executive Director. 15 pages in length, although there is no 30118 and 30120 and does not represent
[FR Doc. 2017–17285 Filed 8–15–17; 8:45 am] limit to the length of necessary any agency decision or other exercise of
attachments to the comments. If judgment concerning the merits of the
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
comments are submitted in hard copy petition.
form, please ensure that two copies are II. Vehicles Involved: Approximately
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION provided. If you wish to receive 105 MY 1996–2014 Ride the Ducks
confirmation that comments you have International Stretch APVs,
National Highway Traffic Safety submitted by mail were received, please manufactured between January 1, 1996,
Administration enclose a stamped, self-addressed and December 31, 2014, are potentially
postcard with the comments. Note that involved.
[Docket No. NHTSA–2017–0035; Notice 1] all comments received will be posted III. Noncompliance: RTDI explained
that the noncompliance is that the
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
without change to https://
Ride the Ducks International, LLC, www.regulations.gov, including any subject vehicles were manufactured
Receipt of Petition for Decision of personal information provided. without a windshield defrosting and
Inconsequential Noncompliance All comments and supporting defogging system, as required by
materials received before the close of paragraph S4.1 of FMVSS No. 103.
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
business on the closing date indicated IV. Rule Text: Paragraph S4.1 of
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
above will be filed in the docket and FMVSS No. 103 states in pertinent part:
Department of Transportation (DOT).
will be considered. All comments and S4.1 Each vehicle shall have a
ACTION: Receipt of petition.
supporting materials received after the windshield defrosting and defogging system
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Document Created: 2017-08-16 10:27:21
Document Modified: 2017-08-16 10:27:21
| 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 | |
| Action | Notice of draft Safety Advisory; request for comment. | |
| Dates | Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the draft Safety Advisory provided below on or before October 16, 2017. | |
| Contact | Mr. Matthew Brewer, Staff Director, Rail Integrity Division, Office of Railroad Safety, FRA, 500 Broadway, Suite 240, Vancouver, WA 98660, telephone (202) 385-2209; or Mr. Aaron Moore, Trial Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 493-7009. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 38989 |
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