Notice2021-18509
Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 27, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 164 (Friday, August 27, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 164 (Friday, August 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 48292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18509]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2018-0100]
Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this
document provides the public notice that on July 27, 2021, Norfolk
Southern Corporation (NS) petitioned the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) for an amendment 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. The relevant
FRA Docket Number is FRA-2018-0100.
Specifically, NS requests to amend an existing waiver from the
requirements of 49 CFR 232.203, Training requirements, to allow
electronic air brake test refresher training via customized simulation
software in place of hands-on training. The current waiver applies to
conductors and supervisors and is limited to an 18-month pilot program
for freight car repair personnel reporting for duty at Birmingham,
Alabama; Elkhart, Indiana; Enola, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Missouri;
Macon, Georgia; Norfolk, Virginia; and Portsmouth, Ohio.
As the pilot period has concluded, NS requests to amend the waiver
to allow electronic air brake test training as an optional replacement
for hands-on training for refresher training of freight car repair
personnel on the entire NS system. In support of its request, NS states
that (1) all personnel intended for inclusion have already received
electronic training; (2) feedback from electronically-trained personnel
has been positive; (3) delivering training electronically achieves
safety benefits; and (4) NS has improved the training since the
original pilot waiver was granted.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications
concerning the petition, is available for review online at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
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.
All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number and may be submitted at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Communications received by October 12, 2021 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.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), the U.S.
Department of Transportation (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
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>. See also <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice">https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice</a> for the
privacy notice of <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>.
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-18509 Filed 8-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 27, 2021.
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