[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 104 (Monday, June 2, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23417-23418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09914]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2025-0043]
Notice of Petition for Special Approval of Alternative Standard
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that Caltrain
petitioned FRA for a special approval of an alternative standard
concerning periodic maintenance of brake equipment.
DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by July 2, 2025. FRA
will consider comments received after that date to the extent
practicable.
ADDRESSES:
Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going
to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions
for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to
https://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal information.
Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any
submitted comments or materials.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for accessing the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derrick Griffith, Railroad Safety
Specialist, FRA Motive Power & Equipment Division, email:
[email protected], phone: 202-366-4000.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) and pursuant to 49 CFR 238.21, this document provides
the public notice that by letter dated March
[[Page 23418]]
14, 2025, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain)
petitioned FRA for a special approval of an alternative standard to 49
CFR 238.309(b)(4), Periodic brake equipment maintenance. FRA assigned
the petition Docket Number FRA-2025-0043.
Caltrain requests approval of an alternative standard to 49 CFR
238.309(b)(4), which requires brake equipment on diesel multiple unit
(DMU) and multiple unit (MU) locomotives to be periodically cleaned,
repaired, and tested, among other maintenance, every 736 days. Instead,
Caltrain proposes to increase the duration of the maintenance interval
to a minimum of 1,840 days (with a goal of 3,680 days) for its Stadler
KISS electric multiple units (EMUs), which are equipped with air
dryers. As justification of its request, Caltrain states that the
braking system for its EMUs has been designed for a maximum operating
speed of 110 miles per hour and provides for ``fail-safe friction brake
effort.'' Caltrain also proposes that a test committee is formed, with
representatives from FRA as well as the EMU and brake manufacturers, to
``oversee all aspects of the waiver process'' and ``support the test
and inspection activities.''
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.
Communications received by July 2, 2025 will be considered by FRA
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be
considered if practicable.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications
and comments received into any of FRA's 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 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. 2025-09914 Filed 5-30-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P