Document
Notice of Petition for Special Approval of Alternative Standard
This document provides the public notice that IS Technology Solutions (IS Tech) petitioned FRA for special approval of an alternative standard concerning single car air brake te...
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter received December 22, 2026, IS Tech petitioned FRA for special approval of an alternative standard for certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 238 (Passenger Equipment Safety Standards). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2025-1149.
Specifically, IS Tech seeks special approval to use an automatic signal car testing device (ASCTD) in lieu of a manual single car testing device (MSCTD) as an alternate standard for compliance with § 238.311,
Single car test.
Further, IS Tech proposes an annual calibration of the ASCTD instead of calibration every 92 days of the MSCTD.
In its petition, IS Tech states that ASCTDs have been used for “several years as a faster and more accurate alternative” to MSCTDs. IS Tech explains that the subject device has additional hardware, functionalities, and programming for testing of passenger cars but is based on the AAR S-4027 specification for testing of freight cars.
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 April 30, 2026 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.