Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake Systems

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, 232, and 238 [Docket No. FRA-2006-26175, Notice No. 1] RIN 2130-AB84 AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: FRA proposes revisions to the regulations governing freight power brakes and equipment by adding a new subpart addressing electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake systems. The proposed regulations are designed to provide for and encourage the safe implementation and use of ECP brake system technologies. The proposal contains specific requirements relating to design, interoperability, training, inspection, testing, handling defective equipment, and periodic maintenance related to ECP brake systems. The document also identifies provisions of the existing regulations and statutes where FRA is proposing to provide flexibility to facilitate the introduction of this advanced brake system technology. DATES: (1) Written comments must be received by November 5, 2007. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent possible without incurring additional expenses or delays. (2) FRA will hold an oral public hearing on a date to be announced in a forthcoming notice. ADDRESSES: Comments: Comments related to Docket No. FRA-2006-26175, may be submitted by any of the following methods: Web site: Until September 28, 2007, comments should be filed at http://dms.dot.gov . After September 28…