Petition for Waiver of Compliance

In accordance with part 211 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document dated November 14, 2016, The Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) has 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 236. FRA assigned the petition docket number FRA-2016-0111.

BRC seeks relief from certain requirements of part 236; specifically sections 236.377 Approach Locking, 236.378 Time Locking, 236.379 Route Locking, 236.380 Indication Locking, and 236.381 Traffic Locking, on vital microprocessor-based systems. BRC proposes to verify and test signal locking systems controlled by microprocessor-based equipment by use of alternative procedures every 4 years after initial baseline testing or program change as follows:

• Verifying the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)/Check Sum/Universal Control Number (UNC) of the existing location's specific application logic to the previously tested version.
• Testing the appropriate interconnection to the associated signaling hardware equipment outside of the processor (switch indication, track indication, searchlight signal indication, approach locking (if external)) to verify correct and intended inputs to and outputs from the processor are maintained.
• Analyze and compare the results of the 4-year alternative testing with the results of the baseline testing performed at the location and submit the results to the FRA.

Many of BRC's Interlockings, control points, and other locations are controlled by solid-state, vital microprocessor-based systems. These systems use programmed logic equations in lieu of relays or other mechanical components for control of both vital and non-vital functions. The logic does not change once a microprocessor-based system has been tested and locking tests are documented on installation.

A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov and in person at the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

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, 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 by any of the following methods:

• Web site: http://www.regulations.gov Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• Mail: Docket Operations Facility, US Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

Communications received by February 2, 2017 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered as far as practicable.

Anyone is able to 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.). In accordance with 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 www.dot.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.