[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18478-18479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05283]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2007-28454]


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 January 23, 2024, and 
February 13, 2024, 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 System Safety Standards 
for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment; End-of-Train 
Devices). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2007-28454.
    Specifically, UPRR requests to extend its existing waiver in this 
docket, which provides conditional relief from the requirements for 
performing the single car air brake test (SCABT) as prescribed in 49 
CFR 232.305(b)(2), Single car air brake tests. The relief allows UPRR 
to replace non-FRA condemnable wheelsets on railcars as part of an in-
train wheelset replacement program at North Platte, Nebraska; South 
Morrill, Nebraska; and Roseville, California, without the need to also 
perform the SCABT as required, if the car has not received a SCABT 
within the previous 12 months.
    In support of its request, UPRR states that the in-train repair 
``wheel change outs have allowed for a reduced stress state[,] 
resulting in fewer derailments attributed to broken rails, joint bars, 
and other track infrastructure deterioration.'' UPRR also asserts that 
there has been a ``41% reduction in wheel, axle, and bearing related 
incidents'' on UPRR.
    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 www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Communications received by May 13, 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), 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.


[[Page 18479]]


    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-05283 Filed 3-12-24; 8:45 am]
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