80 FR 30110 - Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 100 (May 26, 2015)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting the information collection request (ICR) below for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30110-30112]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12584]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2015-0007-N-14]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its 
implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently 
approved information collection activities. Before submitting the 
information collection request (ICR) below for clearance by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on 
specific aspects of the activities identified below.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than July 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following 
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of 
Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 
20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 
35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge 
receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed 
stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-0006.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via email to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Ms. Toone at [email protected]. Please 
refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence 
submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this 
notice in a subsequent notice and include them in its information 
collection submission to OMB for approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning 
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information 
Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-
6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 104-13, sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 
44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 
1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days notice to the public 
for comment on information collection activities before seeking 
approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 
5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA 
invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of 
proposed information collection activities regarding (i) whether the 
information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly 
execute its functions, including whether the activities will have 
practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden 
of the information collection activities, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways 
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
being

[[Page 30111]]

collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information 
collection activities on the public by automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of 
responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(i)-
(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its 
efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated 
with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. In 
summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three 
objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes 
information collection requirements in a ``user friendly'' format to 
improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the 
resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 
44 U.S.C. 3501.
    Below is a brief summary of currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Railroad Signal System Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0006.
    Abstract: The regulations pertaining to railroad signal systems are 
contained in 49 CFR parts 233 (Signal System Reporting Requirements), 
235 (Instructions Governing Applications for Approval of a 
Discontinuance or Material Modification of a Signal System), and 236 
(Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, 
Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Systems, Devices, and 
Appliances). Section 233.5 provides that each railroad must report to 
FRA within 24 hours after learning of an accident or incident arising 
from the failure of a signal appliance, device, method, or system to 
function or indicate as required by part 236 of this Title that results 
in a more favorable aspect than intended or other condition hazardous 
to the movement of a train. Section 233.7 sets forth the specific 
requirements for reporting signal failures within 15 days in accordance 
with the instructions printed on Form FRA F 6180.14.
    Finally, Sec.  233.9 sets forth the specific requirements for the 
``Signal System Five Year Report.'' It requires that every five years 
each railroad must file a signal system status report. The report is to 
be prepared on a form issued by FRA in accordance with the instructions 
and definitions provided. Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
part 235 sets forth the specific conditions under which FRA approval of 
modification or discontinuance of railroad signal systems is required 
and prescribes the methods available to seek such approval. The 
application process prescribed under part 235 provides a vehicle 
enabling FRA to obtain the necessary information to make logical and 
informed decisions concerning carrier requests to modify or discontinue 
signaling systems. Section 235.5 requires railroads to apply for FRA 
approval to discontinue or materially modify railroad signaling 
systems. Section 235.7 defines material modifications and identifies 
those changes that do not require agency approval. Section 235.8 
provides that any railroad may petition FRA to seek relief from the 
requirements under 49 CFR part 236. Sections 235.10, 235.12, and 235.13 
describe where the petition must be submitted, what information must be 
included, the organizational format, and the official authorized to 
sign the application. Section 235.20 sets forth the process for 
protesting the granting of a carrier application for signal changes or 
relief from the rules, standards, and instructions.
    This section provides the information that must be included in the 
protest, the address for filing the protest, the item limit for filing 
the protest, and the requirement that a person requesting a public 
hearing explain the need for such a forum. Section 236.110 requires 
that the test results of certain signaling apparatus be recorded and 
specifically identify the tests required under Sec. Sec.  236.102-109; 
Sec. Sec.  236.377-236.387; Sec. Sec.  236.576; 236.577; and Sec. Sec.  
236.586-589. Section 236.110 further provides that the test results 
must be recorded on pre-printed or computerized forms provided by the 
carrier and that the forms show the name of the railroad, place and 
date of the test conducted, equipment tested, test results, repairs, 
and the condition of the apparatus. This section also requires that the 
employee conducting the test must sign the form and that the record be 
retained at the office of the supervisory official having the proper 
authority. Results of tests made in compliance with Sec.  236.587 must 
be retained for 92 days, and results of all other tests must be 
retained until the next record is filed, but in no case less than one 
year. Additionally, Sec.  236.587 requires each railroad to make a 
departure test of cab signal, train stop, or train control devices on 
locomotives before that locomotive enters the equipped territory. This 
section further requires that whoever performs the test must certify in 
writing that the test was properly performed. The certification and 
test results must be posted in the locomotive cab with a copy of the 
certification and test results retained at the office of the 
supervisory official having the proper authority. However, if it is 
impractical to leave a copy of the certification and test results at 
the location of the test, the test results must be transmitted to 
either the dispatcher or one other designated official who must keep a 
written record of the test results and the name of the person 
performing the test. All records prepared under this section are 
required to be retained for 92 days. Finally, Sec.  236.590 requires 
the carrier to clean and inspect the pneumatic apparatus of automatic 
train stop, train control, or cab signal devices on locomotives every 
736 days, and to stencil, tag, or otherwise mark the pneumatic 
apparatus indicating the last cleaning date.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.47; FRA F 6180.14.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 1 Class I railroad.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                      Respondent         Total annual      Average time per      Total annual
           CFR Section                 universe            responses           response          burden hours
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233.5--Accidents resulting from   754 railroads.....  10 telephone calls  30 minutes........  5 hours.
 signal failure--telephone
 report to FRA.
233.7--Signal Failure Reports...  754 railroads.....  100 reports.......  15 minutes........  25 hours.
235.5--Filing of Applications     80 railroads......  20 applications...  10 hours..........  200 hours.
 for changes to Signal Systems.
235.8--Relief from requirements   80 railroads......  24 relief requests/ 2.5 hours.........  60 hours.
 of Part 236 of this Title.                            applications.
235.20--Protests against          80 railroads......  35 protest letters  30 minutes........  18 hours.
 application for relief from
 Part 236 requirements.

[[Page 30112]]

 
236.110--Results of Tests made    80 railroads......  936,660 forms.....  27 minutes.15       393,397 hours.
 in compliance with sections                                               minutes.
 236.102-109; sections 236.376-
 387; section 236.576; section
 236.577; sections 236.586-589;
 and sec. 236.917(a)--Records.
236.587--Departure Test--Record.  18 railroads......  730,000 tests/      4 minutes.........  48,667 hours.
                                                       records.
236.590--Pneumatic Apparatus--    18 railroads......  6,697 stencilings/  22.5 minutes......  2,511 hours.
 Inspection, cleaning, and                             tags.
 results of Inspection--Record.
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    Total Estimated Responses: 1,673,546.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 444,883 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 
1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not 
conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Rebecca Pennington,
Chief Financial Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-12584 Filed 5-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P