[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17749-17750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9737]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Title 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby
given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a
waiver request from Long Island Railroad (LIRR)--in addition to the
previously announced CSX Transportation (CSXT), Burlington Northern
Santa Fe, New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB), and National Railroad
Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) requests--for a waiver of compliance
with a requirement of Federal rail safety standards. The petitions are
described below, including the regulatory provisions involved and the
nature of the relief being requested;
Long Island Railroad (LIRR);
CSX Transportation (CSXT);
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF);
New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB); and
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
Waiver Petition Docket Number H-95-3
The LIRR, CSXT, BNSF, NYAB and Amtrak individually seek temporary
waivers of compliance with Section 229.29 of the Locomotive Safety
Regulations (Title 49 CFR Part 229).
Because these petitions apply to the same type of brake equipment
and for the same time interval, FRA is combining them under Docket
Number H-95-3.
Section 229.29 stipulates that all brake valves must be cleaned,
tested and inspected every 736 calendar days. On January 29, 1985, FRA
published a notice granting approval for the 26-L type air brake
equipment to be cleaned, inspected and tested every 1104 calendar days,
(Vol.50, No. 19, Page 3910). The petition requests that the CCB brake
valves be maintained on a 5- year test interval.
The CCB brake equipment combines certain pneumatic features of the
26L
[[Page 17750]]
brake with microprocessor controls. The CCB pneumatic and electro-
pneumatic devices rely on poppet valve and seat technology which has
been proven in service in other Knorr brake equipment.
The CCB system consists of a console desk controller, an electronic
control system unit and a pneumatic interface unit. The electronic
control system unit contains the logic processor (computer), power
supply, input/output interfaces, diagnostic program and brake operation
programs. The desk console controller contains the standard automatic
and independent brake operating handles. The console controller also
contains a direct connection to brake pipe which is utilized for
emergency brake applications. The pneumatic interface unit contains the
connections to the standard train line and locomotive multiple unit
pneumatic lines. The pneumatic unit contains all of the devices which
are driven by the electronic control system to perform all functions
currently carried out by the 26-L brake system.
The brake system includes advanced diagnostics and a self- test
program. The manually initiated self-test program tests all electronic
and pneumatic interface functions. Detected faults are displayed on the
system unit. In-service faults are detected and stored in nonvolatile
memory. The railroad states that safety is enhanced by the CCB
Equipment in (1) constant vigilance for deviation from performance by
the microcomputer, (2) the control of faults to a known safe condition,
and (3) the capability of warning the operator of a fault condition.
These features are not available in the existing 26-L Brake Equipment.
Life of all components are rated in excess of 5-years.
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 (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number H-95-3)
and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of
Chief Counsel, FRA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW.,
Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received within 45 days of the
date of publication of this notice will be considered by FRA before
final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be
considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning
these proceedings are available for examination during regular business
hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) in Room 8201, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh
Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
Issued in Washington, DC on April 16, 1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program
Implementation.
[FR Doc. 96-9737 Filed 4-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
