Document
Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
This document provides the public notice that CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) petitioned FRA for an extension of relief from certain regulations concerning virtual simulation tr...
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter received on March 19, 2025, CSXT petitioned FRA for an extension of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 232 (Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment; End-of-Train Devices). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2020-0008.
Specifically, CSXT seeks an extension of relief from § 232.203(b)(8),
Training requirements,
to use three-dimensional simulations using web-based or desktop software to satisfy the “hands-on” portion of required training, in connection with periodic refresher training for conductors and supervisory personnel responsible for performing Class I air brake tests.
In support of its request, CSXT states that the simulator-based training “measures proficiency in a completely objective manner” and “ensures that users receive identical instruction, are measured in a uniform fashion, and encounter the same conditions throughout testing.” CSXT adds that the simulation training provides the employee the opportunities to rectify “a wide variety of defects that are difficult to replicate during traditional hands-on training.” Further, as FRA's conditions stipulate that students must be able to opt out of the simulated training, since 2021, CSXT reports that no students have elected to do so.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov.
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 and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.
Communications received by July 7, 2025 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of FRA's 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.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to 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/privacy-notice
for the privacy notice of
regulations.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.