[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77143-77144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24643]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2015-0036]


Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on October 13, 2023, Union 
Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) petitioned the Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver of compliance from 
certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained 
at 49 CFR part 232 (Brake

[[Page 77144]]

System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and 
Equipment; End-of-Train Devices). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-
2015-0036.
    Specifically, UPRR requests to continue operating extended haul 
trains for distances of up to 1,680 miles, beyond the limit of 1,500 
miles stated in 49 CFR 232.213, Extended haul trains. In support of its 
request, UPRR states that it reviews with FRA ``the list of trains 
associated with this waiver at a frequency of no less than once per 
quarter'' and ``adjustments are made accordingly.'' UPRR further 
explains that ``over a 56-month period, the incident rate has been no 
more than .055%[, which were] four events comprised of wheelset, axle, 
and journal bearing defects.'' UPRR also notes that for the eight-year 
history of this waiver, UPRR ``has not identified any adverse effect on 
the safety of operations'' and that the waiver extension would 
``continue to support personnel safety, reduce critical resource idle 
time, and have a positive impact on the environment.''
    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 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 January 8, 2024 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), the 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. 2023-24643 Filed 11-7-23; 8:45 am]
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