[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48216-48217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12278]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2006-24216]


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 by letters received on March 
25, 2024, and April 26, 2024, the Sacramento Regional Transit District 
(SacRT) 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 222 (Use 
of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings), part 229 
(Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards), and part 234 (Grade Crossing 
Safety). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2006-24216.
    Specifically, SacRT requested to extend its existing relief for its 
rail fixed guideway public transit operation that shares limited 
connections in corridors with Union Pacific Railroad. SacRT requested 
continued relief from part 222 for grade crossings on its Gold Line 
(except the Jackson grade crossing), as the light rail ``operates 
frequent service within proximity to residential areas,'' and 
``sounding horns would be a noise nuisance.'' Alternatively, SacRT uses 
a gong 200 feet prior and through the crossings.
    Additionally, SacRT sought to extend the relief from Sec.  229.125, 
Headlights and auxiliary lights, to substitute driving lights, which do 
not meet the 200,000-candela requirement, in place of the railroad head 
lamp. The alternative lights are used when the light rail shares 
traffic lanes with automobiles, for the safety of other drivers. In its 
April 26, 2024, letter SacRT clarified that this relief would only 
apply to its legacy vehicles, which it plans to start decommissioning 
within the next 10 years.
    Finally, SacRT requested to extended the relief from Sec.  
234.105(c)(3), Activation failure, to allow the light rail operator to 
``stop the train[] prior to entering the failed grade crossing, operate 
at restricted speed (10 [miles per hour] max), and sound a horn audible 
while traveling through the crossing.''
    SacRT additionally requested that its fleet of S700 light rail 
vehicles be included in this waiver, which will ``provide a modern 
travel experience for the public'' with easier access at doorways and 
improved accessibility with wider aisles.
    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 August 5, 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 the

[[Page 48217]]

U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) 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.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-12278 Filed 6-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P