[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54632-54633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19397]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0068]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that on August 14, 
2020, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American 
Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) (Petitioners), on 
behalf of themselves and their member railroads, petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain 
provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 
CFR part 236, Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the 
Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train 
Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances. FRA assigned the petition 
Docket Number FRA-2020-0068.
    Specifically, Petitioners request relief from 49 CFR 236.1021, 
which governs the Request for Amendment (RFA) process when material 
modifications are made to a mixed-certification Interoperable Train 
Control Positive Train Control (PTC) system or its accompanying Safety 
Plan (PTCSP). Petitioners state that the RFA process when modifications 
are made to a PTCSP is a time consuming and significant undertaking for 
both FRA and railroad staff, involving submission of a voluminous 
amount of information and likely a lengthy review and approval process. 
Petitioners further state that frequently occurring modifications to 
account for regular PTC technology updates of the FRA-certified PTC 
system are necessary to allow for the continued successful and safe 
operation of the PTC system.
    Petitioners assert that approval of this waiver request would 
eliminate undue paperwork, administrative burdens, and delays to 
modifications that are intended to improve the functioning of existing 
PTC systems. Petitioners also contend that approval would result in 
significant resource and cost savings to both FRA and the railroads.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at http://www.regulations.gov.
    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 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 (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by October 19, 2020 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.). 
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 
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 http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.


[[Page 54633]]


    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-19397 Filed 9-1-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


