[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 50950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16457]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2023-0031]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance; Reopening of Comment Period

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that by communication received July 
7, 2023, Amtrak requested that the Federal Railroad Administration 
(FRA) re-open the period for public comment on Amtrak's request for a 
waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad 
safety regulations contained at 49 CFR parts 215 (Railroad Freight Car 
Safety Standards), 229 (Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards), 232 
(Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger 
Trains and Equipment; End-of-Train Devices), and 238 (Passenger 
Equipment Safety Standards). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2023-
0031.
    Specifically, Amtrak requests to re-open the comment period 
regarding its petition to use virtual reality simulation assessments to 
satisfy the ``hands-on'' portion of periodic refresher training to 
remain qualified per Sec.  215.11(b), Sec.  229.5, Sec.  232.203(b)(8), 
and Sec.  238.109. Amtrak requested that FRA re-open the comment period 
for an additional 45 days ``to allow Amtrak more time to address some 
of the concerns the labor organizations outline in their comments.'' 
Previously, FRA had published a notice establishing a comment period 
open until July 5, 2023 (88 FR 29176, May 5, 2023).\1\ By this notice, 
FRA grants Amtrak's request to re-open the comment period for 45 days.
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    \1\ See https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2023-0031-0002.
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    A copy of the communication, the petition, as well as any written 
communications concerning the petition, are 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 party 
desires 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 18, 2023 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. 2023-16457 Filed 8-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P