[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 141 (Monday, July 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44185-44186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15800]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2020-0087]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
provides

[[Page 44186]]

the public notice that on June 28, 2022, Illinois Central Railroad 
Company, for itself and on behalf of the U.S. railroad subsidiaries 
operating under the Canadian National Railway Company (CN), resubmitted 
a petition to 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. The relevant FRA Docket Number is FRA-2020-0087.
    Specifically, CN resubmits a request to use software technology to 
implement a virtual three-dimensional simulation as an 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 must consist of classroom and 
hands-on training, as well as testing. CN cites FRA's January 10, 2022, 
denial \1\ of its previous petition and states that its June 28, 2022, 
resubmission addresses the concerns raised in FRA's decision letter. In 
support of its petition, CN explains that the proposed ``systematic, 
blended training curriculum'' ``exceeds the training objectives'' 
required by the regulation ``and is designed to increase user 
proficiency'' and ``reduc[e] air brake defects across the CN network.'' 
CN notes that it ``only plans to use this requested waiver for 
refresher training of employees in train and engine service,'' and not 
for any other craft.
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    \1\ https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2020-0087-0006.
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    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 at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Communications received by September 8, 2022 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), U.S. Department of Transportation (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/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-15800 Filed 7-22-22; 8:45 am]
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