[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61120-61121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27777]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2017-0123]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
provides the public notice that on November 27, 2017, the Canadian 
National Railway (CN) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration 
(FRA) for relief from the requirements of 49 CFR 236.23, Aspects and 
indications, to allow CN to display a dark aspect as a ``stop.'' FRA 
assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2017-0123.
    The regulation requires that a red signal aspect must be displayed 
for a ``stop'' indication. In its petition, CN requests relief from 
this requirement, and explains that with the use of advanced processor 
technology in the railway signaling field, failsafe checks that have 
never before been incorporated into the wayside signal system can now 
economically be provided. In CN's particular case, the

[[Page 61121]]

solid-state electronics have the ability to monitor lamp driver 
circuits for foreign and/or undesired voltage. CN explains that if the 
lamp driver monitoring circuits detect foreign or undesirable voltage, 
all voltage produced by the lamp driver is switched off by the central 
processing unit as defined by the executive software. CN states that 
this relief would allow a continuing and industry-wide practice that 
ensures absolute safety under undesirable conditions. These conditions 
include but are not limited to, component failures on lamp driver 
modules, grounds, incorrect9*/wiring and cross connections.
    CN's position is that it is far safer to remove all operating 
voltage to affected lamps, versus running the risk of having an 
undesired aspect displayed. The relief is sought for all current solid-
state applications and all future solid-state applications on CN 
Southern Region, inclusive of all United States properties.
    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 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 parties 
desire 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:
     Website: 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 February 9, 2018 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.). 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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,
Associate Administrator for Safety Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-27777 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


