IS Tech Petitions FRA for Alternative Air Brake Test Standard

Regs.gov: Federal Railroad Administration

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

The Federal Railroad Administration published notice that IS Technology Solutions petitioned for special approval to use an automatic signal car testing device (ASCTD) as an alternative to manual single car testing devices for compliance with 49 CFR § 238.311. The petition also proposes annual device calibration instead of the current 92-day calibration cycle.

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What changed

IS Technology Solutions petitioned FRA under 49 CFR Part 211 for special approval to use ASCTD in lieu of MSCTD for single car air brake tests under § 238.311 (Passenger Equipment Safety Standards). IS Tech states ASCTDs have been used for several years as a faster and more accurate alternative, with the subject device based on AAR S-4027 specification for freight cars but with additional hardware and programming for passenger cars.

Interested parties should submit written comments by April 30, 2026. If approved, this alternative standard could set precedent for other rail operators seeking similar approvals. Entities should monitor this proceeding to understand potential implications for brake testing compliance methodologies.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This document provides the public notice that IS Technology Solutions (IS Tech) petitioned FRA for special approval of an
alternative standard concerning single car air brake tests.

DATES:

FRA must receive comments on the petition by April 30, 2026. FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent
practicable.

ADDRESSES:

Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going to https://www.regulations.gov and following the online instructions for submitting comments.

Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket

     number. All comments received will be posted without change to *https://www.regulations.gov;* this includes any personal information. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the 
     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
     section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any submitted comments or materials.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for accessing the docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Derrick Griffith, Railroad Safety Specialist, FRA Motive Power & Equipment Division, telephone: 202-493-6322, email: derrick.griffith@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter received
December 22, 2026, IS Tech petitioned FRA for special approval of an alternative standard for 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-2025-1149.

Specifically, IS Tech seeks special approval to use an automatic signal car testing device (ASCTD) in lieu of a manual single
car testing device (MSCTD) as an alternate standard for compliance with § 238.311, Single car test. Further, IS Tech proposes an annual calibration of the ASCTD instead of calibration every 92 days of the MSCTD.

In its petition, IS Tech states that ASCTDs have been used for “several years as a faster and more accurate alternative” to
MSCTDs. IS Tech explains that the subject device has additional hardware, functionalities, and programming for testing of
passenger cars but is based on the AAR S-4027 specification for testing of freight cars.

A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at www.regulations.gov.

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 and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in
writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.

Communications received by April 30, 2026 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after
that date will be considered if practicable.

Privacy Act

Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of FRA's 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.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to 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 https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC.

John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2026-06198 Filed 3-30-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P