[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 239 (Friday, December 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80223-80224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27270]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0092]


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 November 12, 
2020, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) 
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 238, Passenger Equipment Safety 
Standards. FRA

[[Page 80224]]

assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2020-0092.
    Specifically, SEPTA requests relief from 49 CFR 238.131, Exterior 
side door safety systems--new passenger cars and locomotives used in 
passenger service, and 49 CFR 238.133, Exterior side door safety 
systems--all passenger cars and locomotives used in a passenger 
service, as they pertain to the exterior side door safety system 
interface with the Siemens ACS-64 ``Sprinter'' electric locomotives. 
SEPTA notes the ACS-64 ``Sprinter'' locomotive uses similar operating 
controls and software to the SC-44 ``Charger'' diesel-electric 
locomotives, for which FRA granted relief in Docket Number FRA-2018-
0029.
    SEPTA proposes installing similar software in the ACS-64 
locomotives, as that developed for the SC-44, to allow such locomotives 
to be operated in ``Yard Mode.'' When ``Yard Mode'' is activated, it 
allows low speed operation of the locomotive without activating the 
door by-pass device. The ``Yard Mode'' software monitors the door 
summary circuit trainline, along with other trainlines and locomotive 
operating parameters, determining whether the locomotive is operating 
in a lite consist (locomotives only) or a passenger car consist. This 
solution involves multi-step software verification along with multiple 
deliberate acts and confirmations by an operator to enable ``Yard 
Mode.'' When ``Yard Mode'' is active, the locomotive may not be 
operated above 10 miles per hour.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
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 January 25, 2021 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered as far as 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. 2020-27270 Filed 12-10-20; 8:45 am]
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