81 FR 26619 - Renewal of Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 85 (May 3, 2016)

Under with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks renewal of six currently-approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewed approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in this notice.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26619-26621]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10317]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2016-0002-N-12]


Renewal of Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its 
implementing regulations, FRA seeks renewal of six currently-approved 
information collection activities. Before submitting these information 
collection requirements (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for renewed approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on 
specific aspects of the activities identified in this notice.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than July 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the information 
activities described in this notice by mail to either: Mr. Robert 
Brogan, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Regulatory Safety 
Analysis Division, RRS-21, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, 
Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, FRA, 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 ____.'' 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, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Regulatory Safety Analysis Division, RRS-
21, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 
(telephone: (202) 493-6292), or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, 
FRA, 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

[[Page 26620]]

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 
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 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); 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote 
its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens 
associated with the collection of information Federal regulations 
mandate. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance 
three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) organize 
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 are brief summaries of six currently-approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for OMB clearance as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Filing of Dedicated Cars.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0502.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently-approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 215 contains standards for freight car 
safety and prescribes certain conditions to be followed for the 
movement of freight cars in dedicated service. Dedicated service means 
the exclusive assignment of railroad cars to the transportation of 
freight between specified points under the conditions defined in Sec.  
215.5(d), including stenciling, or otherwise displaying, in clear 
legible letters on each side of the car body the words ``Dedicated 
Service.'' A railroad must identify those cars in a written report to 
FRA before the railroad assigns the cars to dedicated service. The 
railroad must file that report with FRA not less than 30 days before 
the cars operate in dedicated service. FRA uses the information 
collected under Sec.  215.5(d) to determine the number of railroads 
affected, the number and type of cars involved, the commodities being 
carried, and the territorial and speed limits within which the cars 
will be operated. FRA reviews these reports to determine if the 
equipment is safe to operate and if the operation qualifies for 
dedicated service. The information collected indicates to FRA and State 
inspectors that the particular or ``dedicated'' cars are in special 
service and that certain restrictions apply to their movement under 
part 215. Cars not in compliance may be cited for violations by FRA 
inspectors. Railroads also use the information collected to provide 
identification and control so that dedicated cars remain in the 
prescribed service.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 4.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 4 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Special Notice for Repairs.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently-approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.8; FRA F 6180.8A.
    Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 216, FRA and State inspectors may issue 
a Special Notice for Repairs to notify railroads in writing of an 
unsafe condition involving a locomotive, car, or track. The railroad 
must notify FRA in writing when the equipment is returned to service or 
the track restored to a condition permitting operations at speeds 
authorized for a higher class, specifying the repairs completed. FRA 
and State inspectors use this information to remove from service 
freight cars, passenger cars, and locomotives until they can be 
restored to a serviceable condition. They also use this information to 
reduce the maximum authorized speed on a section of track until repairs 
can be made.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 72.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 20 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Rear-End Marking Devices.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently-approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 221 contains requirements for rear end 
marking devices and railroads must give FRA a detailed description of 
the type of marking devices used for any locomotive operating singly or 
for cars or locomotives operating at the end of a train (trailing end) 
to ensure they meet minimum standards for visibility and display. 
Specifically, part 221 requires railroads to furnish a certification 
that each device has been tested in accordance with current 
``Guidelines for Testing of Rear End Marking Devices.'' Additionally, 
part 221 requires railroads to furnish detailed test records, which 
include the testing organizations, description of tests, number of 
samples tested, and the test results, to demonstrate compliance with 
the performance standard.
    Respondent Universe: 728 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Responses: 4.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 39 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Locomotive Certification (Railroad Noise Compliance 
Regulations).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0527.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently-approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 210 pertains to FRA's noise enforcement 
procedures, which encompass rail yard noise source standards published 
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA has the authority to 
set these standards under the Noise Control Act of 1972. Information 
FRA collects under part 210 is necessary to ensure compliance with EPA 
noise standards for new locomotives.
    Respondent Universe: 2 Locomotive manufacturers.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total annual        Average time per     Total annual
           CFR section            Respondent universe       responses             response         burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
210.27--New Loco. Certification-- 2 Locomotive         2 requests........  30 minutes...........               1
 Requests for Information.         Manufacturers.

[[Page 26621]]

 
    --Identification of           2 Locomotive         790 badges/plates.  30 minutes...........             395
     Locomotives.                  Manufacturers.
210.31--Operation Standards--     2 Locomotive         790 recorded        3 hours..............           2,370
 Measurement of Loco. Noise        Manufacturers.       measurements.
 Emissions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Responses: 1,582.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 2,766 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Railroad Police Officers.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0537.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently-approved collection.
    Affected Public: Railroads and States.
    Form(s): None.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 207 requires railroads to notify states 
of all designated police officers who perform their duties outside of 
their respective jurisdictions. This requirement is necessary to verify 
proper police authority.
    Total Estimated Responses: 70.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 181 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Foreign Railroads' Foreign-Based (FRFB) Employees Who 
Perform Train or Dispatching Service in the United States.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0555.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently-approved collection.
    Abstract: For foreign-based railroads with an FRA-approved foreign 
workplace alcohol and drug testing program equivalent to subparts B, E, 
F, and G of 49 CFR part 219, this FRA regulation requires removal from 
service of FRFB train and dispatching service employees testing 
positive for unauthorized use of alcohol and drugs. Part 219 testing 
enhances safety and serves as a deterrent to other FRFB train and 
dispatching service employees who might be tempted to engage in the 
unauthorized use of drugs or alcohol. FRA uses this collection of 
information to determine the compliance of FRFB train and dispatching 
service employees and their employers with the prohibitions against the 
abuse of alcohol and controlled substances as spelled out in part 219.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Respondent Universe: 2 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Foreign-based railroads and their employees.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Total annual       Average time per     Total annual
           CFR section            Respondent universe       responses             response         burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.4--Recognition of Foreign     2 railroads........  1 petition.........  10 hours............              10
 Railroads' Workplace Testing
 Programs: Petitions to Agency.
    --Comments on Petition......  2 railroads/public.  2 comments + 2       2 hours.............               4
                                                        comment copies.
219.401/403/3/405--Voluntary      2 railroads........  1 self-referral....  2 hours.............               2
 Referral.
219.4032/405 -Evaluation by       2 railroads........  4 reports/referrals  2 hours.............               8
 Substance Abuse Professional.
219.405(c)(1)--Report by a Co-    2 railroads........  1 report...........  5 minutes...........             .08
 worker.
219.609--Notice by Employee       311 employees......  3 documented         30 minutes..........               2
 Asking to be Excused from                              excuses.
 Random Alcohol Testing.
219.903--Retention of Urine Drug  2 railroads........  80 records.........  5 minutes...........               7
 Testing Records.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 94.
    Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 33 hours.
    Status: Regular review.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b) and 
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.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2016.
Corey Hill,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-10317 Filed 5-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P