[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38220-38221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09867]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2023-0096]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that on November 13, 2023, Union 
Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) 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 231 
(Railroad Safety Appliance Standards). FRA assigned the petition Docket 
Number FRA-2023-0096.
    Specifically, UPRR requested a waiver from 49 CFR 231.27(h), 
Uncoupling levers, to disable the uncoupling levers on prototype rail 
tie cars used solely in ``Rail Train'' service, which is UPRR's non-
revenue service to maintain its rail network. UPRR seeks to disable the 
uncoupling levers when moving both loaded and empty cars. The cars 
would be used solely for delivering rail ties to maintenance-of-way 
(MoW) employees through the UPRR network, and they are equipped with 
additional air and electrical train lines that risk damage if the cars 
become inadvertently uncoupled. In support of its request, UPRR states 
that the ``prototype cars reduce risk for MoW personnel by eliminating 
the current risks associated with machine unloading of ties from 
gondola cars.''
    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 https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Communications received by July 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

[[Page 38221]]

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. 2024-09867 Filed 5-6-24; 8:45 am]
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