Locomotive Crashworthiness

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration 49 CFR Parts 229 and 238 [Docket No. FRA-2004-17645, Notice No. 1] RIN 2130-AB23 AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: FRA is proposing to establish comprehensive, minimum standards for locomotive crashworthiness. Locomotive crashworthiness protection is necessary because locomotive collisions can result in crew injuries and fatalities. These proposed performance standards are intended to help protect locomotive cab occupants in the event of a locomotive collision. Examples of locomotive collision scenarios considered include collisions with another locomotive, the rear of another train, a piece of on-track equipment, a shifted load on a freight car on an adjacent parallel track, or a highway vehicle at a rail-highway grade crossing. These proposed crashworthiness standards must be met by demonstrating compliance with either the proposed rule's performance standards or an FRA-approved design standard. DATES: Written Comments: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before January 3, 2005. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent possible without incurring additional expense or delay. Public Hearing: Upon specific request, FRA will hold public hearings as appropriate to receive oral comments from any interested party. Written request for hearing must be received on or before Janua…