Notice2024-31054
Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
Primary source
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Published
December 27, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 105684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31054]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2020-0009]
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 October 24, 2024, the
Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division (Metro Transit)
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension
of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal
railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR parts 219 (Control of
Alcohol and Drug Use), 220 (Railroad Communications), and 234 (Grade
Crossing Safety). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2020-0009.
Specifically, Metro Transit seeks an extension of relief for its
METRO Green Line Light Rail Transit Extension Project, which is partly
adjacent to freight rail service operated by Twin Cities & Western
Railroad (TCWR), with which it will share five highway-rail grade
crossings. Metro Transit seeks extended relief from part 219 (excepting
subpart C), as it has ``adopted an alcohol and drug use policy (``FTA
Safety Sensitive Drug and Alcohol Program'') that complies with
applicable Federal Transit Administration regulations, meeting the
requirements of part 655 (Prevention of Alcohol Misuse and Prohibited
Drug Use in Transit Operations).
Further, Metro Transit seeks an extension of relief from the
entirety of part 220, noting that transit operations ``will be signaled
and dispatched separately from the adjacent TCWR freight railroad'' at
the shared five crossings. Metro Transit states that it ``recognizes
the importance of maintaining clear, effective and prompt
communications between Metro Transit and the freight operator,
particularly related to planned maintenance of way activities and
emergencies.''
Metro Transit also requests relief from Sec. 234.105(c),
Activation failure, which gives requirements for protection of grade
crossings in case of a train warning system activation failure. Because
transit trains are operated by single-person crews, the train operator
cannot simultaneously flag a crossing and move the train through the
crossing. Metro Transit provides two alternative safety procedures
involving sounding the horn followed by moving at restricted speed and
indication using a lunar aspect signal.
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 parties
desire 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">www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Communications received by February 25, 2025 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 the U.S. Department of
Transportation's (DOT) 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 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. 2024-31054 Filed 12-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 27, 2024.
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