Skip to main content
Notice2026-17778

Petition for Approval of Test Program; Extension of Comment Period

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
September 1, 2026

Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration

Abstract

This document extends the period for public comment regarding the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) request for FRA approval of a test program related to a locomotive control system, and the temporary suspension of certain FRA safety regulations in connection with that program.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 168 (Tuesday, September 1, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 168 (Tuesday, September 1, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56280-56281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17778]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2026-1421]


Petition for Approval of Test Program; Extension of Comment 
Period

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; Extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document extends the period for public comment regarding 
the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) request for FRA approval of a 
test program related to a locomotive control system, and the temporary 
suspension of certain FRA safety regulations in connection with that 
program.

DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by September 30, 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: Fred Mottley, Systems Engineer, 
Engineering, Technology, and Automation Division, FRA, telephone: 617-
494-3160, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b1d7c3d4d59fdcdec5c5ddd4c8f1d5dec59fd6dec7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f091d0a0b4102001b1b030a162f0b001b41080019">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 1, 2026, FRA published notice \1\ 
that UP submitted a request for FRA approval of a test program 
(Program) related to a locomotive control system, and the temporary 
suspension of certain FRA safety regulations in connection with the 
Program. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2026-1421.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2026-1421-0002">https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2026-1421-0002</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On August 10, 2026, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and 
Trainmen

[[Page 56281]]

requested that FRA extend the comment period on this petition.\2\ 
Through this notice, FRA is extending the comment period for an 
additional 30 days (until September 30, 2026).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2026-1421-0004">https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2026-1421-0004</a>.
_____________________________________-

    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 relating to the Program 
and associated regulatory suspension requests. 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.
    Communications received by September 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 <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. 2026-17778 Filed 8-31-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>
Indexed from Federal Register on September 1, 2026.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.