80 FR 65848 - Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 207 (October 27, 2015)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 207 (October 27, 2015)
| Page Range | 65848-65850 | |
| FR Document | 2015-27195 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 65848-65850] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-27195] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2015-0007-N-27] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the renewal Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on August 5, 2015. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 27, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Safety Regulatory Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 25, 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 [[Page 65849]] 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 issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), and 1320.12. On August 5, 2015, FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on ICR that the agency is seeking OMB approval. See 80 FR 35712. FRA received one comment in response to this notice. The Association of American Railroads submitted a comment on October 5 on behalf of its member railroads and itself. In its letter, AAR recommended four changes to the PTC Implementation Status Update Questionnaire. First, AAR recommended that FRA adjust its estimate of the amount of time required to fill out each questionnaire/form (Form FRA F 6180.162). Second, AAR/its members recommended that FRA ``clarify the second survey question,'' which relates to the ``current number of full mission capable PTC equipped locomotives completely implemented under the regulation.'' In particular, ``the railroads recommend that FRA specify that this question pertains to the locomotives which have been fully equipped with PTC hardware.'' Third, AAR/its members recommended that ``FRA clarify the fourth survey question,'' which relates to the ``. . . current number of fully mission capable PTC equipped track segments completely implemented under the regulations. The railroads recommend that FRA refer to track miles instead of the unclear reference to `track segment.' '' Last, AAR stated ``the railroads request that FRA ensures that the comment box for the fourteenth question be large enough to accept substantial comments regarding the status of each individual railroad's PTC implementation status.'' Regarding AAR's first recommendation, FRA based its estimate on the average amount of time that it would take all railroads--Class Is, Class IIs, Class IIIs, and passenger railroads--to complete the questionnaire each month on an ongoing basis. FRA realizes that it might take some railroads longer than the estimated average amount of time to complete the questionnaire. However, FRA does not agree with AAR's comment that it will take all affected railroads an average of three hours each month to complete the questionnaire. FRA believes that 30 minutes is a more accurate estimate of the average amount of time that it will take railroads to complete the questionnaire on a recurring monthly basis. Accordingly, FRA is modifying its estimate to reflect this higher number. Regarding AAR's second recommendation relating to the second survey question, FRA is modifying footnote number 2 of the questionnaire to make clear that this question pertains to locomotives fully equipped with PTC hardware and software. Regarding AAR's third recommendation, FRA is taking a flexible approach and is modifying footnote number 3 of the questionnaire to state that railroads use a uniform unit of measurement that is consistent for the fourth survey question. Thus, track miles would be fine as a uniform unit of measurement. Last, regarding AAR's recommendation about enlarging the comment box for the fourteenth question, FRA is expanding the comment box to the maximum number of characters permitted on the electronic version of the questionnaire/form. Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30 day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30 day notice informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. The summary below describes the nature of the information collection request (ICR) and the expected burden. The revised request is being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by the PRA. Title: PTC Implementation Status Update Questionnaire. OMB Control Number: 2130-0612. Abstract: The statutory and regulatory deadline for Positive Train Control (PTC) system implementation is December 31, 2015. Congress and FRA are concerned that the railroads will not make the mandated deadline. To date, the vast majority of railroads have not submitted, in accordance with 49 CFR 236.1009 and 236.1015, a PTC Safety Plan (PTCSP) and have not submitted, in accordance with 49 CFR 236.1035, a request for testing approval to support a PTCSP, which is necessary to achieve PTC System Certification and operate in revenue service. So that Congress and FRA may better understand the status of each railroad's implementation efforts and be able to monitor affected railroads progress on a continuing basis until full implementation is achieved, FRA is seeking accurate and up-to-date information under its investigative authority pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, and 20902, and 49 CFR 236.1009(h). The railroads' responses will also be used for compliance purposes. On July 24, 2015, OMB granted Emergency Processing approval for the PTC Implementation Status Update Questionnaire information collection for a period of 180 days. This approval currently expires on January 31, 2016. FRA is now seeking a three-year approval under Regular Clearance Procedures from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Type of Request: Extension with Change of an Approved Information Collection previously approved under Emergency Processing Procedures. Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads). Form(s): FRA F 6180.162. Total Annual Estimated Responses: 456. Total Annual Estimated Burden: 228 hours. Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments may also be sent via email to OMB at the following address: [email protected]. Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimates of the burden of the proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it [[Page 65850]] within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 20, 2015. Corey Hill, Acting Executive Director. [FR Doc. 2015-27195 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![65848 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Notices
hours each day, 365 days each year. You meet the needs of specific mission; (2) the accuracy of the
can obtain electronic submission and constituencies within our customer estimated burden; (3) ways for the
retrieval help and guidelines under the universe. FMCSA to enhance the quality,
‘‘help’’ section of the Federal The FMCSA Information Technology usefulness, and clarity of the collected
eRulemaking Portal Web site. If you Services Survey Portal will entail information; and (4) ways that the
want us to notify you that we received considerable expenditure of Federal burden could be minimized without
your comments, please include a self- Government dollars over the years and reducing the quality of the collected
addressed, stamped envelope or will fundamentally impact the nature of information. The agency will summarize
postcard, or print the acknowledgement the relationship between the Agency or include your comments in the request
page that appears after submitting and its Federal, State, and industry for OMB’s clearance of this information
comments online. Comments received customers. Consequently, the Agency collection.
after the comment closing date will be intends to conduct regular and ongoing Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87
included in the docket and will be assessments of customer satisfaction on: October 20, 2015.
considered to the extent practicable. with the Information Technology G. Kelly Regal,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Services Survey. Associate Administrator for Office of
Katherine Cooper, Department of The primary purposes of this Research and Information Technology.
Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier assessment are to:
[FR Doc. 2015–27205 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am]
Safety Administration, West Building • Determine the extent to which the
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
6th Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., FMCSA Portal functionality continues
Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: to meet the needs of Agency customers;
202–366–3843 email: • Identify and prioritize additional
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
katherine.cooper@dot.gov. modifications; and
• Determine the extent that the Federal Railroad Administration
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FMCSA Portal has impacted FMCSA’s
relationships with its main customer [Docket No. FRA–2015–0007–N–27]
Background
groups.
Title II, section 207 of the E- The assessment will address: Proposed Agency Information
Government Act of 2002 requires • Overall customer satisfaction; Collection Activities; Comment
Government agencies to improve the • Customer satisfaction against Request
methods by which government specific items;
information, including information on AGENCY: Federal Railroad
• Performance of systems integrator Administration (FRA), Department of
the Internet, is organized, preserved, against agreed objectives;
and made accessible to the public. To Transportation (DOT).
• Desired adjustments and
meet this goal, FMCSA plans to provide ACTION: Notice and request for
modifications to systems;
comments.
a survey on the FMCSA Portal, allowing • Demonstrated value of investment
users to assess its functionality. This to FMCSA and DOT; SUMMARY: In compliance with the
functionality includes the capability for • Items about the FMCSA Portal that Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
Federal, State, and industry users to customers like best; and notice announces that the renewal
access the Agency’s existing safety IT • Customer ideas for making the Information Collection Request (ICR)
systems with a single set of credentials FMCSA Portal better. abstracted below is being forwarded to
and have easy access to safety data Title: Information Technology the Office of Management and Budget
about the companies that do business Services Survey Portal Customer (OMB) for review and comment. The
with FMCSA. The Information Satisfaction Assessment. ICR describes the nature of the
Technology program will also focus on OMB Control Number: 2126–0042. information collection and its expected
improving the accuracy of data to help Type of Request: Extension of the burden. The Federal Register notice
ensure information, such as carrier currently-approved information with a 60-day comment period soliciting
name and address, is valid and reliable. collection request. comments on the following collections
FMCSA’s legacy information systems Respondents: Federal, State, and of information was published on August
are currently operational. However, industry customers/users. 5, 2015.
having this many stand-alone systems Estimated Number of Respondents:
has led to data quality concerns, a need DATES: Comments must be submitted on
3,392.
for excessive IDs and passwords, and Estimated Time per Response: Five (5) or before November 27, 2015.
significant operational and maintenance minutes. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
costs. Integrating our information Expiration Date: 05/31/2016. Robert Brogan, Safety Regulatory
technologies with our business Frequency of Response: 4 times per Analysis Division, RRS–21, Federal
processes will, in turn, improve our year. Railroad Administration, 1200 New
operations considerably, particularly in Estimated Total Annual Burden: 283 Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 25,
terms of data quality, ease of use, and hours [91 hours (273 industry user Washington, DC 20590 (Telephone:
reduction of maintenance costs. respondents × 5 minutes/60 minutes to (202) 493–6292), or Ms. Kimberly
In early 2007, FMCSA’s Information complete survey × 4 times per year) + Toone, Office of Information
Technology program launched a series 192 hours (575 Federal and State Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad
of releases of a new FMCSA Portal to its government respondents × 5 minutes/60 Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
minutes to complete survey × 4 times
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal, State and industry customers. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC
Over the coming years, more than 15 per year) = 283]. 20590 (Telephone: (202) 493–6132).
releases are planned. These releases will Public Comments Invited: You are (These telephone numbers are not toll-
use portal technology to fuse and asked to comment on any aspect of this free.)
provide numerous services and information collection, including: (1) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
functions via a single user interface and Whether the proposed collection is Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
provide tailored services that seek to necessary for the agency to perform its (PRA), Public Law 104–13, sec. 2, 109
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![65850 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Notices
within 30 days of publication of this subsidize continued rail service will be rerouted over other lines; (3) no formal
notice in the Federal Register. due no later than February 4, 2016, or complaint filed by a user of rail service
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. 10 days after service of a decision on the Line (or by a state or local
granting the petition for exemption, government entity acting on behalf of
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 20, whichever occurs first. Each OFA must such user) regarding cessation of service
2015.
be accompanied by a $1,600 filing fee. over the Line either is pending with the
Corey Hill, See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). Surface Transportation Board (Board) or
Acting Executive Director. All filings in response to this notice with any U.S. District Court or has been
[FR Doc. 2015–27195 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] must refer to Docket No. AB 1236X and decided in favor of complainant within
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P must be sent to: (1) Surface the two-year period; and (4) the
Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7(c)
Washington, DC 20423–0001; and (2) (environmental report), 49 CFR 1105.11
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Rose-Michele Nardi, Transport Counsel, (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12
PC, 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR
Surface Transportation Board 300, Washington, DC 20006. Replies to 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental
[Docket No. AB 1236X] the petition are due on or before agencies) have been met.
November 16, 2015. As a condition to this exemption, any
New York & Atlantic Railway Persons seeking further information employee adversely affected by the
Company—Discontinuance of Service concerning discontinuance procedures abandonment shall be protected under
Exemption—in Queens County, N.Y. may contact the Board’s Office of Public Oregon Short Line Railroad—
Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Abandonment Portion Goshen Branch
On October 7, 2015, New York &
Compliance at (202) 245–0238 or refer Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham &
Atlantic Railway Company (NYA) filed
to the full abandonment or Bonneville Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C.
with the Surface Transportation Board
discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR 91 (1979). To address whether this
(Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502
part 1152. Questions concerning condition adequately protects affected
for exemption from the provisions of 49
environmental issues may be directed to employees, a petition for partial
U.S.C. 10903 to discontinue freight
the Board’s Office of Environmental revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d)
operations over the following two
Analysis (OEA) at (202) 245–0305. must be filed.
segments of rail line: (1) An Provided no formal expression of
approximately 0.69-mile segment Assistance for the hearing impaired is
available through the Federal intent to file an offer of financial
located between milepost 0.0 and assistance (OFA) has been received, this
milepost 0.69, in Long Island City, N.Y., Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
800–877–8339. exemption will become effective on
and traversing through United States November 26, 2015, unless stayed
Board decisions and notices are
Postal Service Zip Code 11101 and (2) pending reconsideration. Petitions to
available on our Web site at
an approximately 0.38-mile segment stay that do not involve environmental
‘‘WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.’’
located between milepost 0.82 and issues,1 formal expressions of intent to
Decided: October 22, 2015.
milepost 1.2, in Long Island City, N.Y.,
By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, file an OFA under 49 CFR
and traversing through United States
Director, Office of Proceedings. 1152.27(c)(2),2 and interim trail use/rail
Postal Service Zip Code 11101
banking requests under 49 CFR 1152.29
(collectively, the Subject Segments). Andrea Pope-Matheson, must be filed by November 6, 2015.
NYA is not the owner of the Subject Clearance Clerk. Petitions to reopen or requests for
Segments. Long Island Railroad [FR Doc. 2015–27395 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] public use conditions under 49 CFR
Company (LIRR), is the owner of the
BILLING CODE 4915–01–P 1152.28 must be filed by November 16,
Subject Segments, and has advised NYA
2015, with the Surface Transportation
that, based on information in LIRR’s
Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington,
possession, the Subject Segments do not DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DC 20423–0001.
contain federally granted rights-of-way. A copy of any petition filed with the
Any documentation in NYA’s Surface Transportation Board Board should be sent to WCL’s
possession will be made available representative: Audrey L. Brodrick,
[Docket No. AB 303 (Sub-No. 47X)]
promptly to those requesting it. Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 N. Wacker
The interest of railroad employees Wisconsin Central Ltd.—Abandonment Dr., Suite 920, Chicago, IL 60606.
will be protected by the conditions set Exemption—in Lincoln County, Wis. If the verified notice contains false or
forth in Oregon Short Line Railroad— misleading information, the exemption
Abandonment Portion Goshen Branch Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL), a is void ab initio.
Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian WCL has filed a combined
Bonneville Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C. National Railway Company has filed a environmental and historic report that
91 (1979). verified notice of exemption under 49 addresses the effects, if any, of the
Because this is a discontinuance CFR pt. 1152 subpart F—Exempt
proceeding and not an abandonment Abandonments to abandon 1 The Board will grant a stay if an informed
proceeding, trail use/rail banking and approximately 0.49 miles of railroad decision on environmental issues (whether raised
public use conditions are not line (the Line). The Line extends by a party or by the Board’s Office of Environmental
between mileposts 132.89 and 133.38, Analysis (OEA) in its independent investigation)
appropriate. cannot be made before the exemption’s effective
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
By issuance of this notice, the Board in Tomahawk, Lincoln County, Wis., date. See Exemption of Out-of-Serv. Rail Lines, 5
is instituting an exemption proceeding and traverses United States Postal I.C.C. 2d 377 (1989). Any request for a stay should
pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final Service Zip Code 54487. be filed as soon as possible so that the Board may
decision will be issued by January 25, WCL has certified that: (1) No local take appropriate action before the exemption’s
effective date.
2016. traffic has moved over the Line for at 2 Each OFA must be accompanied by the filing
Any offer of financial assistance least two years; (2) there is no overhead fee, which is currently set at $1,600. See 49 CFR
(OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) to traffic on the Line that would have to be 1002.2(f)(25).
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Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:35:43
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:35:43
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be submitted on or before November 27, 2015. | |
| Contact | Mr. Robert Brogan, Safety Regulatory Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 25, 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.) | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 65848 |
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