Petition for Waiver of Compliance

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Federal RegisterFeb 3, 2016
81 Fed. Reg. 5814 (Feb. 3, 2016)

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 September 22, 2015, Amtrak 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 238—Passenger Equipment Safety Standards. FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2016-0003.

Amtrak seeks a temporary waiver of compliance from the requirements of 49 CFR 238.125—Marking and instructions for emergency egress and rescue access, referencing American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Standard PR-PS-S_002-98, Rev.3, “Standard for Emergency Signage for Egress/Access of Passenger Rail Equipment;” and 49 CFR 238.127—Low-location emergency exit path marking, referencing APTA Standard PR-PS-S-004-99, Rev.2 “Standard for Low-location Exit Path Marking” for a period of 4 years. Amtrak has strived to meet the deadline to comply with these regulations, but is now seeking this temporary relief because the materials that its current vendor has been installing are not fully compliant. This relief will provide Amtrak the proper time to produce internally and purchase from outside vendors the new compliant decals sufficient for over 1,250 rail cars.

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 U.S. 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, U.S. 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 March 21, 2016 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 http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Robert C. Lauby,

Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.

[FR Doc. 2016-01966 Filed 2-2-16; 8:45 am]

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