[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 3744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00977]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0001]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
provides the public notice that on December 31, 2019, Canadian Pacific 
Railway (CP) 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 232, Brake System Safety 
Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment; 
End-of-Train Devices. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2020-
0001.
    Specifically, CP proposes to implement a virtual simulation as a 
third alternative to satisfy the ``hands-on'' portion of periodic 
refresher training required by 49 CFR 232.203(b)(8). Refresher training 
is required at intervals not to exceed 3 years, and shall consist of 
classroom and hands-on training, as well as testing. CP states that the 
simulation will improve consistency and quality of training.
    The simulation is based on performance of a Class I freight air 
brake test and is designed to place the user in a virtual realistic 
scenario. The user is required to perform a variety of inspection tasks 
including, but not limited to, identifying closed cut-out cocks, 
uncoupled air hoses, closed angle cocks, improperly positioned retainer 
valves, and using a two-way end of train telemetry device. Users are 
required to successfully complete all tasks in the scenario. CP 
proposes to limit the class size to 12 students and seeks to apply this 
waiver systemwide to all CP operating personnel (e.g., trainmen, 
enginemen, and field supervisors responsible for performing freight air 
brakes tests.)
    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 Ave. 
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 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, 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 March 9, 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 https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-00977 Filed 1-21-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P