Notice2026-01327
Notice of Petition for 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
January 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
This document provides the public notice that Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) petitioned FRA for relief from certain regulations concerning training requirements.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 15 (Friday, January 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 2989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01327]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2021-0042]
Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that Union Pacific
Railroad (UPRR) petitioned FRA for relief from certain regulations
concerning training requirements.
DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by February 23, 2026.
FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent
practicable.
ADDRESSES:
Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going
to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and following the online instructions
for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; this includes any personal information.
Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any
submitted comments or materials.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the
online instructions for accessing the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Check Kam, Rail Safety Specialist, FRA
Motive Power & Equipment Division, telephone: 202-366-2139, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eb88838e8880c5808a86ab8f849fc58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97f4fff2f4fcb9fcf6fad7f3f8e3b9f0f8e1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by
undated letter received October 10, 2025 UPRR petitioned FRA for relief
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 Docket Number is FRA-2021-0042.
Specifically, UPRR seeks relief from Sec. 232.203(b)(8), Training
requirements, to use three-dimensional simulations using web-based or
desktop software to satisfy the ``hands-on'' portion of periodic
refresher training for transportation employees.\1\ UPRR states that it
believes the ``systematic, blending training curriculum . . . exceeds
the training objectives'' of the regulations.
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\1\ UPRR notes that this petition is a resubmittal, as FRA
denied UPRR's past request in this docket in <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2021-0042-0006">https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2021-0042-0006</a>.
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In support of its request, UPRR states that ``using simulations
enhances employee safety by allowing learners to practice in
controlled, low-risk settings, reducing the chance of incidents or
injuries compared to a real-world training.'' Further, UPRR suggests
that that the ``more controlled training environment allows UP's
designated instructors to observe and evaluate a user's ability,''
reduces subjectivity of evaluators, and is more user-centered, as it is
self-paced.
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.
Communications received by February 23, 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 <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. 2026-01327 Filed 1-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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