[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5437-5438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3005]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with Title 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby 
given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received from 
CSX Transportation (CSXT), Burlington Northern Santa Fe and New York 
Air Brake Corporation (NYAB) requests for a waiver of compliance with a 
requirement of Federal rail safety standards. The petitions are 
described below, including the regulatory provisions involved and the 
nature of the relief being requested.

CSX Transportation (CSXT) Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and 
New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB) Waiver Petition Docket Number 
H-95-3

    The CSXT, BNSF and NYAB individually seek waivers of compliance 
with certain provisions of the Locomotive Safety Regulations (Title 49 
CFR Part 229). CSXT, BNSF and NYAB are each requesting a temporary 
waiver of compliance with Sec. 229.29, for all of their locomotives 
equipped with the New York Air Break Company/Knorr Brake Corporation 
Computer Controlled Brake (CCB). This includes all locomotives 
currently built or on order plus any that may be ordered for delivery 
up to month 48 of the test period.
    The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) has also 
petitioned the FRA for a similar waiver. This was published in the 
Federal Register on July 31, 1995 (Vol. 60, No. 146, Page 39069). Since 
the three petitions apply to the same type of brake equipment and for 
the same time interval, FRA is combining the three petitions under 
Docket Number H-95-3.
    Section 229.29 stipulates that all brake valves must be cleaned, 
tested and inspected every 736 calendar days. On January 29, 1985, FRA 
published a notice granting approval for the 26-L type air brake 
equipment to be cleaned, inspected and tested every 1104 calendar days 
(Vol. 50, No. 19, Page 3910). The petition requests that the CCB brake 
valves be maintained on a 5-year test interval.
    The CCB brake equipment combines certain pneumatic features of the 
26L brake with microprocessor controls. The CCB pneumatic and electro-
pneumatic devices rely on poppet valve and seat technology which has 
been proven in service in other Knorr brake equipment.
    The CCB system consists of a console desk controller, an electronic 
control system unit and a pneumatic interface unit. The electronic 
control system unit contains the logic processor (computer), power 
supply, input/output interfaces, diagnostic program and brake operation 
programs. The desk console controller contains the standard automatic 
and independent brake operating handles. The console controller also 
contains a direct connection to brake pipe which is utilized for 
emergency brake applications. The pneumatic interface unit contains the 
connections to the standard train line and locomotive multiple unit 
pneumatic lines. The pneumatic unit contains all of the devices which 
are driven by the electronic control system to perform all functions 
currently carried out by the 26-L brake system.
    The brake system includes advanced diagnostics and a self test 
program. The self test program is manually initiated and provides a 
test of all electronic and pneumatic interface functions. Any faults 
detected are displayed on the system unit. In-service faults are 
detected and stored in nonvolatile memory. The railroad states that 
safety is enhanced by the CCB Equipment in (1) Constant vigilance for 
deviation from performance by the microcomputer, (2) the control of 
faults to a known safe condition, and (3) the capability of warning the 
operator of a fault condition. These features are not available in the 
existing 26-L Brake Equipment. Life of all components are rated in 
excess of 5-years.
    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 ERA, in 
writing, before and end of the comment period and specify the basis for 
their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the 
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number H-95-3) 
and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of 
Chief Counsel, ERA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received within 45 days of the 
date of publication of this notice will be considered by FRA before 
final action action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning 
these proceedings are available for examination during regular business 
hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Room 8201, 

[[Page 5438]]
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 7, 1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program 
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 96-3005 Filed 2-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4190-06-M