Petition for Waiver of Compliance

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 from

CSX Transportation (CSXT), Burlington Northern Santa Fe and New York

Air Brake Corporation (NYAB) 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.

CSX Transportation (CSXT) Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and

New York Air Brake Corporation (NYAB) Waiver Petition Docket Number

H-95-3

The CSXT, BNSF and NYAB individually seek waivers of compliance

with certain provisions of the Locomotive Safety Regulations (Title 49

CFR Part 229). CSXT, BNSF and NYAB are each requesting a temporary

waiver of compliance with Sec. 229.29, for all of their locomotives

equipped with the New York Air Break Company/Knorr Brake Corporation

Computer Controlled Brake (CCB). This includes all locomotives

currently built or on order plus any that may be ordered for delivery

up to month 48 of the test period.

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) has also

petitioned the FRA for a similar waiver. This was published in the

Federal Register on July 31, 1995 (Vol. 60, No. 146, Page 39069). Since

the three petitions apply to the same type of brake equipment and for

the same time interval, FRA is combining the three petitions 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 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 self test program is manually initiated and provides a

test of all electronic and pneumatic interface functions. Any faults

detected 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 ERA, in

writing, before and 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, ERA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.,

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 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 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Room 8201,

[[Page 5438]]

Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 7, 1996.

Phil Olekszyk,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program

Implementation.

[FR Doc. 96-3005 Filed 2-9-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4190-06-M