82_FR_30101
Page Range | 29976-29979 | |
FR Document | 2017-13746 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 29976-29979] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-13746] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2017-0002-N-17] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of Transportation ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of proposed information collection activities listed below. Before submitting these information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in this notice. DATES: Comments must be received no later than August 29, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the information collection activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590; or Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 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-XXXX,'' (the relevant OMB [[Page 29977]] control number for each ICR is listed below) and should also include the title of the ICR. Alternatively, comments may be faxed to (202) 493-6216 or (202) 493-6497, or emailed to Mr. Brogan at [email protected], or 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, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll free.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 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 to allow comment on information collection activities before seeking OMB approval of the activities. See 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 parties to comment on the following summary of proposed information collection activities regarding: (1) Whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (2) 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; (3) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (4) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques and 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 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 comments received will advance three objectives: (1) Reduce reporting burdens; (2) ensure it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user-friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (3) 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 FRA will submit for OMB clearance as the PRA requires: Title: Railroad Operating Rules. OMB Control Number: 2130-0035. Abstract: The collection of information is due to regulations in 49 CFR part 217 which require Class I and Class II railroads to file with FRA copies of their operating rules, timetables, and timetable special instructions, and subsequent amendments. The regulations require Class III railroads to retain copies of these documents at their systems headquarters. Also, 49 CFR 220.21(b) prescribes the collection of information by requiring railroads to retain one copy of their current operating rules with respect to radio communications and one copy of each subsequent amendment. Railroads must make these documents available to FRA upon request. Through these rules, FRA learns the condition of operating rules and practices of trains and instructions railroads provide their employees on operating practices. Form Number(s): N/A. Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 755 railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Affected Public: Businesses. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Respondent Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR section universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 217.7--Copy--FRA--Operating 2 new railroads... 2 submissions..... 1 hour............ 2 hours. rules, timetables, Class I & II RRs. --Amendments.................... 55 railroads...... 165 amendments.... 20 minutes........ 55 hours. --Copy of operating rules/ 5 new railroads... 5 submissions..... 55 minutes........ 5 hours. timetables, etc. by Class III. --Amendments by Class III 704 railroads..... 2,013 amendments.. 15 minutes........ 503 hours. Railroads. 217.9--Records of Qualification. 755 railroads..... 4,732 records..... 2 minutes......... 158 hours. --Written Prog. of Operational 5 new railroads... 5 programs........ 9.92 hours........ 50 hours. Tests. --Records of Operational Tests/ 755 railroads..... 9,120,000 records. 5 minutes......... 760,000 hours. Inspections. --Amendments.................... 55 railroads...... 165 amendments.... 70 minutes........ 193 hours. --Quarterly Review of Accident/ 37 railroads...... 148 reviews....... 2 hours........... 296 hours. Incident Data/ Prior Op. Tests/ Insp. --Designated Officers & Conduct 37 railroads...... 37 designations + 5 seconds + 2 148 hours. of 6 Mo. Rev. 74 reviews. hours. --Designated Officers & Conduct Amtrak + 33 34 designations + 5 seconds + 2 136 hours. of Six Month Review by railroads. 68 reviews. hours. Passenger/ Commuter Railroads. --Records of Periodic Reviews... 101 railroads..... 290 review records 1 minute.......... 5 hours. --Annual Summary on Operational 101 railroads..... 71 summary records 61 minutes........ 72 hours. Tests/Insp. --FRA Disapproval of RR Program 755 railroads..... 5 supporting 1 hour............ 5 hours. of Operational Tests/Insp. & documents. Response by RR. --Amended Prog. Docs............ 755 railroads..... 5 amended 30 minutes........ 3 hours. documents. 271.11--Instruction of Program 755 railroads..... 130,000 instr. 8 hours........... 1,040,000 hours. Employees. employees. --New RR & Copy of Program of 5 new railroads... 5 Programs........ 8 hours........... 40 hours. Op. Tests. [[Page 29978]] --Amendments to Op. Rules Instr. 755 railroads..... 110 amendments.... 30 minutes........ 55 hours. Program. 218.95--Instruction, Training, 755 railroads..... 98,000 records.... 5 minutes......... 8,167 hours. Examination--Records. --Response to FRA Disapproval of 755 railroads..... 5 written/oral 1 hour............ 5 hours. Program. submissions. --Programs Needing Amendment.... 755 railroads..... 5 amended programs 30 minutes........ 3 hours. 218.97--Employee Copy of Written 755 railroads..... 4,732 copies...... 6 minutes......... 473 hours. Procedures. --Good Faith Challenges by RR 98,000 RR 15 challenges..... 10 minutes........ 3 hours. Employees. Employees. --RR Responses to Empl. 15 railroads...... 15 responses...... 5 minutes......... 1 hour. Challenge. --Immediate Review of Employee 15 railroads...... 5 immediate 30 minutes........ 3 hours. Challenge. reviews. --RR Officer Explanation of 15 railroads...... 5 explanations.... 1 minute.......... .08 hour. Federal Law Protection Against Retaliation. --Documented Protest by RR 10 railroads...... 10 written 15 minutes........ 3 hours. Employee. protests. --Copies of Protests............ 10 railroads...... 10 protest copies. 1 minute.......... .17 hour. --Further Reviews............... 10 railroads...... 3 further reviews. 15 minutes........ 1 hour. --Written Verification Decision 10 railroads...... 10 verification 10 minutes........ 2 hours. to Employee. decisions. --Copy of Written Procedures at 755 railroads..... 755 copies of 5 minutes......... 63 hours. RR Hdqtr. procedures. --Copy of Verification Decision 755 railroads..... 20 verification 5 minutes......... 2 hours. at RR Headquarters & Division decision copies. Headquarters. 218.99--Shoving or Pushing Movements. --Operating Rule Modifications.. 755 railroads..... 32 rule 1 hour............ 32 hours. modifications. --Locomotive Engineer Job 130,000 RR 180,000 job 1 minute.......... 3,000 hours. Briefing Before Movement. Employees. briefings. --Point Protection 130,000 RR 87,600,000 1 minute + 1 2,920,000 hours. Determinations & Signals/ Employees. determinations + minute. Instructions to Control 87,600,000 Movements. signals/ instructions. --Remote Control Movements-- 130,000 RR 876,000 1 minute.......... 14,600 hours. Verbal Confirmation. Employees. confirmations. --Remote Control Determinations 130,000 RR 876,000 1 minute.......... 14,600 hours. That Zone Is Not Jointly Employees. confirmations. Occupied/Track Clear. --Dispatcher Authorized Train 6,000 RR 30,000 auth. 1 minute.......... 500 hours. Movements. Dispatchers. movements. 218.101--Operating Rule Re: 755 railroads..... 32 amended op. 30 minutes........ 16 hours. Leaving Rolling & On-Track MOW rules. Equipment in the Clear. 218.103--Hand-Operated Switches-- 755 railroads..... 32 modified 1 hour............ 32 hours. RR Operating Rule That Complies operating rules. w/Sec. 218.103. --Specification of Minimum Job 755 railroads..... 5 modified op. 30 minutes........ 3 hours. Briefing Requirements. rules. --Employee Operating or 755 railroads..... 1,125,000 job 1 minute.......... 18,750 hours. Verifying Position of Hand- briefings. operated Switches: Job Briefings. 218.105--Additional Requirements 755 railroads..... 60,000 job 1 minute.......... 1,000 hours. for Hand-Operated Main Track briefings. Switches--Job Briefing. --Roadway Worker Report on 7704 railroads.... 100,000 empl. 1 minute + 1 3,334 hours. Position of Switches to Roadway reports + 100,000 minute. Worker in Charge (RWIC) or conveyances. Designated Employee Conveying Information to RWIC. --Dispatcher Acknowledgment of 755 railroads..... 60,000 30 seconds + 5 583 hours. Switch Position and Employee acknowledgment + seconds. Confirmation to Train 60,000 Dispatcher. confirmations. 218.109--Hand-Operated Fixed 755 railroads..... 562,500 job 30 seconds........ 4,688 hours. Derails: Job Briefings. briefings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Responses: 188,591,125. Total Estimated Annual Burden: 4,797,590 hours. Type of Request: Extension with change of a currently approved ICR (extension with change reflects revised estimates for some rule requirements). Title: Track Safety Standards; Concrete Crossties. OMB Control Number: 2130-0592. Abstract: On April 1, 2011, FRA amended the Federal Track Safety Standards to promote the safety of railroad operations over track constructed with concrete crossties. FRA mandated specific requirements for effective concrete crossties, for rail fastening systems connected to concrete crossties, and for automated inspections of track constructed with concrete crossties. FRA uses the information collected under 49 CFR 213.234 to ensure automated track inspections of track constructed with concrete crossties are carried out as specified in the rule to supplement visual inspections by Class I and Class II railroads, intercity passenger railroads, and commuter railroads or small [[Page 29979]] government jurisdictions that serve populations greater than 50,000. Form Number(s): N/A. Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 18 railroads Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Respondent Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR Section universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 213.234--Automated Inspection of 18 Railroads...... 75 reports........ 8 hours........... 600 hours. Track Constructed with Concrete Crossties: Exception Reports Listing All Exception to Sec. 213.109(d)(4). --Copies of Exception Report 18 Railroads...... 75 report copies.. 12 minutes........ 15 hours. Provided to Designated Person under Sec. 213.234(e)(1). --Field Verification of 18 Railroads...... 75 verification... 2 hours........... 150 hours. Exception Reports. --Records of Inspection Data.... 18 Railroads...... 75 records........ 30 minutes........ 38 hours. --Institution of Procedures by 18 Railroads...... 18 procedures..... 4 hours........... 72 hours. Track Owner to Maintain Integrity of Track Data Collected by the Measurement System. --Training by Track Owner: 18 Railroads...... 2,000 trained 2 hours........... 4,000 hours. Annual Training in Handing Rail employees. Seat Deterioration Exceptions to All Persons Designated Fully Qualified under Sec. 213.7. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Responses: 2,318 Total Estimated Annual Burden: 4,875 hours Type of Request: Extension with change of a currently approved ICR (extension with change reflects revised estimates for some rule requirements) Under 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. Sarah L. Inderbitzin, Acting Chief Counsel. [FR Doc. 2017-13746 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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 received no later than August 29, 2017. | |
Contact | Mr. Robert Brogan, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll free.) | |
FR Citation | 82 FR 29976 |