83 FR 36667 - Petition for Waiver of Compliance

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 146 (July 30, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36667-36668]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16212]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2018-0052]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
provides the public notice that by letter dated June 4, 2018, 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 236. FRA assigned 
the petition Docket Number FRA-2018-0052.
    NS seeks a waiver of compliance from cab signal system requirements 
found in 49 CFR 236.566, Locomotive of each train operating in train 
stop, train control, or cab signal territory; equipped. Specifically, 
NS seeks relief to operate non-equipped locomotives in

[[Page 36668]]

the following locations: Operations on the Conemaugh Line, Pittsburg 
Division, from control point (CP) Kiski at milepost (MP)-LC 47.8 near 
Freeport, PA to CP Pennnear near Pittsburgh, PA at MP-LC 77.9, with an 
absolute block to be established in advance of each non-equipped 
movement and covering the following operations:
    (a) Work Trains, Wreck Trains and Ballast cleaners to and from 
work.
    (b) Engines and rail diesel cars moving to and from shops.
    (c) Engines used in switching and transfer service, with or without 
cars, operating at Restricted Speed not exceeding 15 miles per hour.
    NS provides the following justification for relief. First, NS 
states that ``relief is in the public interest,'' and is ``important to 
maintaining efficient rail operations in the region.'' Second, NS 
explains exemptions have been granted for the ``operation of non-
equipped locomotives in cab signal system territory at nearby locations 
on the NS and the relief requested'' is a ``consistent extension of 
those currently granted exceptions.'' Moreover, NS states this waiver 
would update relief previously granted regarding Ex Parte No. 171 by 
the Interstate Commerce Commission at 286 I. C. C. 709. Finally, NS 
contends ``the requested relief will not have a negative material 
impact on 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 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:
     Website: 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 September 13, 2018 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered if practicable.
    Anyone can 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.dotransportation.gov/privacy. See also http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-16212 Filed 7-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P