81 FR 7628 - Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 29 (February 12, 2016)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 29 (February 12, 2016)
| Page Range | 7628-7629 | |
| FR Document | 2016-02892 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 29 (Friday, February 12, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 7628-7629] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-02892] [[Page 7628]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA 2016-0002-N-4] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FRA hereby gives notice that it is submitting the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Emergency Processing under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. FRA requests that OMB authorize the collection of information identified below seven days after publication of this Notice for a period of 180 days. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Regulatory Safety 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, Information Collection Clearance Officer, 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 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 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. Organizations and individuals desiring to submit comments on these information collection requirements should send them directly to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 725 17th St. NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments may also be sent via email to the Office of Management and Budget at the following address: [email protected]. Below is a brief summary of the currently approved ICR that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Bridge Safety Standards. OMB Control Number: 2130-0586. Abstract: On July 15, 2010, FRA published its Bridge Safety Standards Final Rule. See 75 FR 41281. The final rule on bridge safety standards normalized and established federal requirements for railroad bridges. The final rule established minimum requirements to assure the structural integrity of railroad bridges and to protect the safe operation of trains over those bridges. The final rule required railroads/track owners to implement bridge management programs to prevent the deterioration of railroad bridges and to reduce the risk of human casualties, environmental damage, and disruption to the Nation's transportation system that would result from a catastrophic bridge failure. Bridge management programs were required to include annual inspection of bridges as well as special inspections, which must be conducted if natural or accidental events cause conditions that warrant such inspections. Lastly, the final rule required railroads/track owners to audit bridge management programs and bridge inspections and to keep records mandated under 49 CFR part 237. This final rule culminated FRA's efforts to develop and promulgate bridge safety regulations and fulfilled the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-432, Division A) mandate. The information collected is used by FRA to ensure that railroads/ track owners meet Federal standards for bridge safety and comply with all the requirements of this regulation. In particular, the collection of information is used by FRA to confirm that railroads/track owners adopt and implement bridge management programs to properly inspect, maintain, modify, and repair all bridges that carry trains over them for which they are responsible. Railroads/track owners must conduct annual inspections of railroad bridges. Further, railroads/track owners must incorporate provisions for internal audit into their bridge management program and must conduct internal audits of bridge inspection reports. The internal audit information is used by railroads/track owners to verify that the inspection provisions of the bridge management program are being followed and to continually evaluate the effectiveness of their bridge management program and bridge inspection activities. FRA uses this information to ensure that railroads/track owners implement a safe and effective bridge management program and bridge inspection regime. On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) (Pub. L. 114-94). Section 11405, ``Bridge Inspection Reports,'' provides a means for a State or a political subdivision of a State to obtain a public version of a bridge inspection report generated by a railroad for a bridge located within their respective jurisdiction. While the FAST Act specifies that requests for such reports are to be filed with the Secretary of Transportation, the responsibility for fulfilling these requests is delegated to FRA. See 49 CFR 1.89. FRA is revising its currently approved information collection to account for the additional burden that will be incurred by States and political subdivisions of States requesting a public version of a bridge inspection report generated by a railroad for a bridge located within their respective jurisdiction. FRA has developed a new Form titled ``Bridge Inspection Report Public Version Request Form'' to facilitate such requests by States and their political subdivisions. Additionally, FRA is [[Page 7629]] revising its currently approved information collection to account for the additional burden that will be incurred by railroads to provide the public version of a bridge inspection report upon agency request to FRA. As provided under 49 CFR 1320.13, FRA is requesting emergency processing for this new collection of information as specified in the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations. FRA cannot reasonably comply with normal clearance procedures since they would be reasonably likely to disrupt the collection of information. With the recent passage of the FAST Act, FRA expects States and their political subdivisions to immediately request a public version of bridge inspection reports that affect critical infrastructure within their jurisdiction to ensure public safety. Upon receipt of such requests, FRA will require railroads to submit to the agency a public version of the most recent bridge inspection report. Therefore, FRA is requesting OMB approval as soon as possible (i.e., 7 days after publication of this Notice) for this collection of information. Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.167. Affected Public: States/Political Subdivisions of States and Businesses. Respondent Universe: 50 States/State Political Subdivisions and 693 Railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Reporting Burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW FAST ACT REQUIREMENTS: --Form FRA F 6180.167........ 50 States/State 75 forms........... 5 minutes.......... 6 Political Subdivision. --Railroad Submission to FRA 693 Railroads...... 75 reports......... 60 minutes......... 75 of Bridge Inspection Report-- Public Version. 237.3--Notifications to FRA of 693 Railroads...... 15 notifications... 90 minutes......... 22.5 Assignment of Bridge Responsibility. --Signed Statement by 693 Railroads...... 15 signed 30 minutes......... 7.5 Assignee Concerning Bridge statements. Responsibility. 237.9--Waivers--Petitions........ 693 Railroads...... 6 petitions........ 4 hours............ 24 23731/33--Development/Adoption of 693 Railroads...... 5 plans............ 24 hours........... 120 Bridge Management Program. 237.57--Designation of Qualified 693 Railroads...... 1,000 designations. 30 minutes......... 400 Individuals. 237.71--Determination of Bridge 693 Railroads...... 2,000 8 hours............ 16,000 Load Capacities. determinations. 237.73--Issuance of Instructions 693 Railroads...... 2,000 instructions. 2 hours............ 4,000 to Railroad Personnel by Track Owner. 237.105--Special Bridge 693 Railroads...... 7,500 insp. and 12.50 hours........ 93,750 Inspections and Reports/Records. reports/records. --Special Underwater 693 Railroads...... 50 insp. and 40 hours........... 2,000 Inspections. Reports/rcds. 237.107 and 237.109--Nationwide 693 Railroads...... 15,450 insp. & 4 hours............ 61,800 Annual Bridge Inspections-- reports. Reports. --Records.................... 693 Railroads...... 15,450 records..... 1 hour............. 15,450 --Report of Deficient 693 Railroads...... 50 reports......... 30 minutes......... 25 Condition on a Bridge. 237.111--Review of Bridge 693 Railroads...... 2,000 insp. rpt. 30 minutes......... 1,000 Inspection Reports by RR Bridge reviews. Engineers. --Prescription of Bridge 693 Railroads...... 200 insp. proc. 30 minutes......... 100 Insp. Procedure modifications. Modifications After Review. 237.131--Design of Bridge 693 Railroads...... 1,250 designs...... 16 hours........... 20,000 Modifications or Bridge Repairs. --Bridge Modification Repair 693 Railroads...... 1,250 br. mod. 1.50 hours......... 1,875 Reviews/Supervisory Efforts. repair reviews. --Common Standard Designed by 693 Railroads...... 50 standards....... 24 hours........... 1,200 Railroad Bridge Engineer. 237.153--Audits of Inspections... 693 Railroads...... 725 insp. audits... 80 hours/24 hours/6 5,534 hours. 237.155--Documents and Records: --Establishment of RR 693 Railroads...... 5 systems.......... 80 hours........... 400 Monitoring and Info. Technology Security Systems for Electronic Recordkeeping. --Employees Trained in System 693 Railroads...... 100 employees...... 8 hours............ 800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Estimated Responses for New FAST Act Requirements: 150. Total Estimated Responses for Entire Information Collection: 49,271. Total Estimated Total Annual Burden for New FAST Act Requirements: 81 hours. Total Estimated Total Annual Burden Entire Information Collection: 224,689 hours. Type of Request: Emergency Clearance to the revision of a currently approved information 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. Issued in Washington, DC, on February 9, 2016. Corey Hill, Acting Executive Director. [FR Doc. 2016-02892 Filed 2-11-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![7628 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 29 / Friday, February 12, 2016 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION clarity of the information being required railroads/track owners to audit
collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to bridge management programs and
Federal Railroad Administration minimize the burden of information bridge inspections and to keep records
collection activities on the public by mandated under 49 CFR part 237. This
[Docket No. FRA 2016–0002–N–4]
automated, electronic, mechanical, or final rule culminated FRA’s efforts to
Proposed Agency Information other technological collection develop and promulgate bridge safety
Collection Activities; Comment techniques or other forms of information regulations and fulfilled the Railroad
Request technology (e.g., permitting electronic Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Pub. L.
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 110–432, Division A) mandate.
AGENCY: Federal Railroad 3506(c)(2)(A)(I)–(iv); 5 CFR The information collected is used by
Administration (FRA), Department of 1320.8(d)(1)(I)–(iv). FRA believes that FRA to ensure that railroads/track
Transportation. soliciting public comment will promote owners meet Federal standards for
ACTION: Notice and request for its efforts to reduce the administrative bridge safety and comply with all the
comments. and paperwork burdens associated with requirements of this regulation. In
the collection of information mandated particular, the collection of information
SUMMARY: FRA hereby gives notice that by Federal regulations. In summary, is used by FRA to confirm that
it is submitting the following FRA reasons that comments received railroads/track owners adopt and
information collection request (ICR) to will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce implement bridge management
the Office of Management and Budget reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it programs to properly inspect, maintain,
(OMB) for Emergency Processing under organizes information collection modify, and repair all bridges that carry
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. requirements in a ‘‘user friendly’’ format trains over them for which they are
FRA requests that OMB authorize the to improve the use of such information; responsible. Railroads/track owners
collection of information identified and (iii) accurately assess the resources must conduct annual inspections of
below seven days after publication of expended to retrieve and produce railroad bridges. Further, railroads/track
this Notice for a period of 180 days. information requested. See 44 U.S.C. owners must incorporate provisions for
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 3501. internal audit into their bridge
Robert Brogan, Information Collection Organizations and individuals management program and must conduct
Clearance Officer, Regulatory Safety desiring to submit comments on these internal audits of bridge inspection
Analysis Division, RRS–21, Federal information collection requirements reports. The internal audit information
Railroad Administration, 1200 New should send them directly to the Office is used by railroads/track owners to
Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 25, of Management and Budget, Office of verify that the inspection provisions of
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) Information and Regulatory Affairs, 725 the bridge management program are
493–6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, 17th St. NW., Washington, DC 20503, being followed and to continually
Information Collection Clearance Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments evaluate the effectiveness of their bridge
Officer, Office of Information may also be sent via email to the Office management program and bridge
Technology, RAD–20, Federal Railroad of Management and Budget at the inspection activities. FRA uses this
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. following address: oira_submissions@ information to ensure that railroads/
SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC omb.eop.gov. track owners implement a safe and
Below is a brief summary of the effective bridge management program
20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6132).
currently approved ICR that FRA will and bridge inspection regime.
(These telephone numbers are not toll-
submit for clearance by OMB as On December 4, 2015, President
free.) required under the PRA: Obama signed into law the Fixing
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Title: Bridge Safety Standards. America’s Surface Transportation Act
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 OMB Control Number: 2130–0586. (FAST Act) (Pub. L. 114–94). Section
(PRA), Public Law 104–13, sec. 2, 109 Abstract: On July 15, 2010, FRA 11405, ‘‘Bridge Inspection Reports,’’
Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at published its Bridge Safety Standards provides a means for a State or a
44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), and its Final Rule. See 75 FR 41281. The final political subdivision of a State to obtain
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part rule on bridge safety standards a public version of a bridge inspection
1320, require Federal agencies to normalized and established federal report generated by a railroad for a
provide notice to the public for requirements for railroad bridges. The bridge located within their respective
comment on information collection final rule established minimum jurisdiction. While the FAST Act
activities before seeking approval for requirements to assure the structural specifies that requests for such reports
reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 integrity of railroad bridges and to are to be filed with the Secretary of
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), protect the safe operation of trains over Transportation, the responsibility for
1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, those bridges. The final rule required fulfilling these requests is delegated to
FRA invites interested respondents to railroads/track owners to implement FRA. See 49 CFR 1.89.
comment on the following summary of bridge management programs to prevent FRA is revising its currently approved
proposed information collection the deterioration of railroad bridges and information collection to account for the
activities regarding (i) whether the to reduce the risk of human casualties, additional burden that will be incurred
information collection activities are environmental damage, and disruption by States and political subdivisions of
asabaliauskas on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES2
necessary for FRA to properly execute to the Nation’s transportation system States requesting a public version of a
its functions, including whether the that would result from a catastrophic bridge inspection report generated by a
activities will have practical utility; (ii) bridge failure. Bridge management railroad for a bridge located within their
the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of the programs were required to include respective jurisdiction. FRA has
burden of the information collection annual inspection of bridges as well as developed a new Form titled ‘‘Bridge
activities, including the validity of the special inspections, which must be Inspection Report Public Version
methodology and assumptions used to conducted if natural or accidental Request Form’’ to facilitate such
determine the estimates; (iii) ways for events cause conditions that warrant requests by States and their political
FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and such inspections. Lastly, the final rule subdivisions. Additionally, FRA is
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 29 / Friday, February 12, 2016 / Notices 7629
revising its currently approved procedures since they would be Therefore, FRA is requesting OMB
information collection to account for the reasonably likely to disrupt the approval as soon as possible (i.e., 7 days
additional burden that will be incurred collection of information. With the after publication of this Notice) for this
by railroads to provide the public recent passage of the FAST Act, FRA collection of information.
version of a bridge inspection report expects States and their political Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.167.
upon agency request to FRA. subdivisions to immediately request a
Affected Public: States/Political
As provided under 49 CFR 1320.13, public version of bridge inspection
Subdivisions of States and Businesses.
FRA is requesting emergency processing reports that affect critical infrastructure
for this new collection of information as within their jurisdiction to ensure Respondent Universe: 50 States/State
specified in the Paperwork Reduction public safety. Upon receipt of such Political Subdivisions and 693
Act of 1995 and its implementing requests, FRA will require railroads to Railroads.
regulations. FRA cannot reasonably submit to the agency a public version of Frequency of Submission: On
comply with normal clearance the most recent bridge inspection report. occasion.
REPORTING BURDEN
Average time per Total annual
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses response burden hours
NEW FAST ACT REQUIREMENTS:
—Form FRA F 6180.167 .............................. 50 States/State Political 75 forms ....................... 5 minutes ..................... 6
Subdivision.
—Railroad Submission to FRA of Bridge In- 693 Railroads ............... 75 reports ..................... 60 minutes ................... 75
spection Report—Public Version.
237.3—Notifications to FRA of Assignment of 693 Railroads ............... 15 notifications ............. 90 minutes ................... 22.5
Bridge Responsibility.
—Signed Statement by Assignee Con- 693 Railroads ............... 15 signed statements ... 30 minutes ................... 7.5
cerning Bridge Responsibility.
237.9—Waivers—Petitions .................................. 693 Railroads ............... 6 petitions ..................... 4 hours ......................... 24
23731/33—Development/Adoption of Bridge 693 Railroads ............... 5 plans ......................... 24 hours ....................... 120
Management Program.
237.57—Designation of Qualified Individuals ...... 693 Railroads ............... 1,000 designations ....... 30 minutes ................... 400
237.71—Determination of Bridge Load Capac- 693 Railroads ............... 2,000 determinations ... 8 hours ......................... 16,000
ities.
237.73—Issuance of Instructions to Railroad 693 Railroads ............... 2,000 instructions ......... 2 hours ......................... 4,000
Personnel by Track Owner.
237.105—Special Bridge Inspections and Re- 693 Railroads ............... 7,500 insp. and reports/ 12.50 hours .................. 93,750
ports/Records. records.
—Special Underwater Inspections ............... 693 Railroads ............... 50 insp. and Reports/ 40 hours ....................... 2,000
rcds.
237.107 and 237.109—Nationwide Annual 693 Railroads ............... 15,450 insp. & reports 4 hours ......................... 61,800
Bridge Inspections—Reports.
—Records ..................................................... 693 Railroads ............... 15,450 records ............. 1 hour ........................... 15,450
—Report of Deficient Condition on a Bridge 693 Railroads ............... 50 reports ..................... 30 minutes ................... 25
237.111—Review of Bridge Inspection Reports 693 Railroads ............... 2,000 insp. rpt. reviews 30 minutes ................... 1,000
by RR Bridge Engineers.
—Prescription of Bridge Insp. Procedure 693 Railroads ............... 200 insp. proc. modi- 30 minutes ................... 100
Modifications After Review. fications.
237.131—Design of Bridge Modifications or 693 Railroads ............... 1,250 designs ............... 16 hours ....................... 20,000
Bridge Repairs.
—Bridge Modification Repair Reviews/Su- 693 Railroads ............... 1,250 br. mod. repair 1.50 hours .................... 1,875
pervisory Efforts. reviews.
—Common Standard Designed by Railroad 693 Railroads ............... 50 standards ................ 24 hours ....................... 1,200
Bridge Engineer.
237.153—Audits of Inspections ........................... 693 Railroads ............... 725 insp. audits ............ 80 hours/24 hours/6 5,534
hours.
237.155—Documents and Records:
—Establishment of RR Monitoring and Info. 693 Railroads ............... 5 systems ..................... 80 hours ....................... 400
Technology Security Systems for Elec-
tronic Recordkeeping.
—Employees Trained in System .................. 693 Railroads ............... 100 employees ............. 8 hours ......................... 800
Total Estimated Responses for New Type of Request: Emergency displays a currently valid OMB control
asabaliauskas on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES2
FAST Act Requirements: 150. Clearance to the revision of a currently number.
Total Estimated Responses for Entire approved information collection. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.
Information Collection: 49,271.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 Issued in Washington, DC, on February 9,
Total Estimated Total Annual Burden
CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA 2016.
for New FAST Act Requirements: 81
hours. informs all interested parties that it may Corey Hill,
Total Estimated Total Annual Burden not conduct or sponsor, and a Acting Executive Director.
Entire Information Collection: 224,689 respondent is not required to respond [FR Doc. 2016–02892 Filed 2–11–16; 8:45 am]
hours. to, a collection of information unless it BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:38 Feb 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00133 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\12FEN1.SGM 12FEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_7657/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2016-02-12 01:24:20
Document Modified: 2016-02-12 01:24:20
| 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. | |
| Contact | Mr. Robert Brogan, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Regulatory Safety 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, Information Collection Clearance Officer, 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 | 81 FR 7628 |
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