[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44189-44190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17614]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2013-0064]


Petition for Modification of Single Car Air Brake Test Procedures

    In accordance with Part 232 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document 
dated June 6, 2013, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) has 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) per 49 CFR 232.307 
to modify the single car air brake test procedures located in AAR 
Standard S-486, Code of Air Brake System Tests for Freight Equipment--
Single Car Test, and required pursuant to 49 CFR 232.305(a). FRA 
assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2013-0064.
    The requested revisions editorially change sections for the 
purposes of clarity and organizational efficiency. The sections, 
paragraphs, and parts of AAR Standard S-486 that AAR requests to be 
modified are as follows:
    Sec.  2.1.3: Changed choke diameters of Position 5 and the 3/8-inch 
cock. Position 5 diameters changed from 0.147 to 
0.136, reducing the discharge rate to prevent an undesired 
emergency on cars with short brake pipes. Also, the choke in the 3/8-
inch cock valve changed from 0.266 (17/64) to 
0.313 (5/16), increasing the discharge rate to 
ensure emergency application on cars with long brake pipes.
    Sec. Sec.  2.2.4-2.2.6: Revised for clarification with no technical 
changes.
    Sec.  2.2.7: Added a reference to use RP-5599 (hook-and-eye) as the 
adjustment procedure.
    Sec.  2.3: Revised into a step-by-step procedure, no technical 
changes.
    Sec.  3.1: Moved steps related to safety up in the procedure so 
they could be performed first. Appendix A was added for 
troubleshooting. The specific location for the brake cylinder gage was 
added. A setup instruction for the retaining valve was added.
    Sec.  3.1.1: Clarified and added details regarding operation of the 
empty/load valve designs.
    Sec.  3.2: Revised for clarification with no technical changes.
    Sec.  3.5.2: Added a requirement to soap all fittings to check for 
leakage during the system leakage test.
    Sec.  3.6.4: Added more detail to check for slack during hand brake 
release.
    Sec.  3.7: Added new section to condition slack adjuster at the 
beginning of the test with blocks (two applications and two releases).
    Sec. Sec.  3.8.1, 3.8.2: Changed from 30 to 40 psi to improve 
efficiency.
    Sec. Sec.  3.9.4, 3.10.2.2: Added criteria for brake cylinder 
pressure.
    Sec.  3.11: Added time criteria to ensure brake pipe exhaust.
    Sec.  3.12.5: Added time and pressure criteria.
    Sec.  3.13: Added criteria for brake pipe pressure to set up for 
next test.
    Sec.  3.14: Reinstated the applied leakage test.
    Sec.  3.16: Added steps for slack adjuster conditioning without 
blocks.
    Sec.  3.18.1: Added criteria for piston travel +/- 0.5.
    Sec.  3.20: Changed from 20 to 17 psi.
    Sec.  4.1: Changed from 20 to 30 psi to get past the equalization 
pressure for consistency.
    Sec.  4.1.2: Added criteria for piston travel +/- 0.5.
    Sec.  4.2: Changed from 3 to 4 minutes for consistency.
    Sec. Sec.  4.2.1, 4.5, 4.6: Added 12 psi criteria.
    Sec.  4.6.5: Changed from 20 to 17 psi.
    Sec. Sec.  5.3.1, 6.3.1: Changed rotary valve calibration rate from 
2 to 1.5 seconds.
    Sec. Sec.  5.3.4, 6.3.4: Added criteria of 0.5 seconds to rate.
    Sec.  7.3: Revised calibration procedure per request of FRA.
    These technical revisions are also highlighted in the PDF file of 
the revised standard, which FRA has included in the docket to this 
proceeding.

[[Page 44190]]

    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. 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 September 23, 2013 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered as far as practicable. Pursuant to 49 CFR 
232.307(d), if no comment objecting to the requested modification is 
received by September 23, 2013, or if FRA does not issue a written 
objection to the requested modification, the modification will become 
effective by October 7, 2013.
    Anyone is able to 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.). 
See http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice 
of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477).

Robert C. Lauby,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Regulatory and Legislative 
Operations.
[FR Doc. 2013-17614 Filed 7-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P