
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 92 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29611-29612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11216]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2016-0046]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document 
dated April 28, 2016, Union Railroad (UR) petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) for renewal of a waiver of compliance 
from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations 
contained at 49 CFR part 229--Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards. 
This regulatory relief was initially granted by FRA in 1980 and is due 
to expire in 2017 under the ``sunset clause'' added to 49 CFR 229.19--
Prior waivers, in 2012. This relief was formerly handled under Docket 
Number LI-80-24; however FRA has updated the docket numbering system 
and assigned this petition Docket Number FRA-2016-0046.
    The waiver in Docket Number LI-80-24 granted UR relief from the 
requirement of 49 CFR 229.123--Pilots, snowplows, end plates, that 
locomotives be equipped with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate extending 
across both rails for 121 locomotives, 32 of which remain in service. 
These locomotives are not equipped with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate 
but have hose boxes or brackets above the rails with open space 
between. UR states that these locomotives operate over yard and 
mainline track, within and between three steel mills. The total track 
length of UR is 20 miles, with three public grade crossings (two with 
gates and flashers, one with flashers only) and trains are limited to 
20 mph. UR reports that there have been no known safety-related 
incidents or operating difficulties associated with this waiver.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    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, 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 by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by June 27, 2016 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered as far as practicable.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written 
communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the

[[Page 29612]]

name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, 
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
In accordance with 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 www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records 
notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-11216 Filed 5-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


