[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 57988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15488]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2019-0064]


Petition for Amendment of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that by letters dated February 28, 
2024, and May 13, 2024, BNSF Railway (BNSF) petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) for an amendment 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-2019-0064.
    Specifically, BNSF requests to add a location to its existing 
waiver from Sec.  232.205(b)(2), Single car air brake tests, which 
permits BNSF to change the repair track designation (per Sec.  232.303, 
General requirements) so that the track on which in-train wheel 
replacements are performed is not designated a shop or repair track. 
Accordingly, a single car air brake test (SCABT) is not required on 
each car undergoing an in-train wheelset replacement, but BNSF proposes 
to perform a SCABT on any car with an FRA-condemnable wheel defect as 
defined in Sec.  232.303(b)(5). The relief currently applies to 
specific yard tracks for wheelset replacement at several BNSF 
facilities, and with this request, BNSF seeks to add the Missoula, 
Montana, location to the program.
    In support of its request, BNSF states that this program ``reduces 
the number of wheels in revenue service with elevated KIP impact 
readings contributing to the safety and longevity of [the] rail 
infrastructure.'' Further, BNSF states that the program ``enhances 
safety by improving the reliability of the rolling stock and 
simultaneously reducing potential causes of surface rail defects that 
can elevate the risks of derailments'' from higher KIP wheels.
    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 September 16, 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 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. 2024-15488 Filed 7-15-24; 8:45 am]
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