[Federal Register: November 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 222)]
[Notices]
[Page 65128-65131]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19no07-120]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, 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 approval of the following
information collection activities. Before submitting these information
collection requirements 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 January 18, 2008.
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, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC
20590, or Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff, RAD-
43, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., 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 2130-0557,
OMB control number 2130-0564, or OMB control number 2130-0565.''
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6230 or (202) 493-6170, or via E-mail to Mr. Brogan at
robert.brogan@dot.gov, or to Ms. Christodoulou at
gina.christodoulou@dot.gov. Please refer to the assigned OMB control
number or collection title 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, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6292) or Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff,
RAD-43, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail
Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6139). (These
telephone numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Public Law No. 104-13, 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 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
[[Page 65129]]
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
Below is a brief summary of current information collection
activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under
the PRA:
Title: Safety Integration Plans.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0557.
Abstract: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Surface
Transportation Board (STB), working in conjunction with each other,
have issued joint final rules establishing procedures for the
development and implementation of safety integration plans (``SIPs'' or
``plans'') by a Class I railroad proposing to engage in certain
specified merger, consolidation, or acquisition of control transactions
with another Class I railroad, or a Class II railroad with which it
proposes to amalgamate operations. The scope of the transactions
covered under the two rules is the same. FRA uses the information
collected, notably the required SIPs, to maintain and promote a safe
rail environment by ensuring that affected railroads (Class Is and some
Class IIs) address critical safety issues unique to the amalgamation of
large, complex railroad operations.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Respondent Universe: Class I Railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
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Average time per Total annual burden Total annual
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses response hours burden cost
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244.13--Safety Integration Plans:
Amalgamation of Operations--SIP 8 railroads............ 1 plan................. 340 hours............. 340 hours............. $24,016
Development & Quarterly Meetings.
244.17--Procedures.................... 8 railroads............ 25 reports............. 40 hours/2 hours...... 88 hours.............. 5,632
--Responses to FRA Inquiries Re: SIP 8 railroads............ 6 responses............ 8 hours............... 48 hours.............. 3,072
data.
--Coordination in Implementing 8 railroads............ 25 phone calls......... 10 minutes............ 4 hours............... 256
Approved SIP.
--Request for Confidential Treatment.. 8 railroads............ 1 request.............. 16 hours.............. 16 hours.............. 2,512
244.19--Disposition:
--Comments on Proposed SIP 8 railroads............ 2 reports.............. 16 hours.............. 32 hours.............. 2,048
Amendments.
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Total Responses: 60.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 528 hours.
Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
Title: Locomotive Crashworthiness.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0564.
Abstract: In a final rule published June 28, 2006, the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) issued comprehensive standards for
locomotive crashworthiness. These crashworthiness standards are
intended to help protect locomotive cab occupants in the event of a
locomotive collision. The collection of information is used by FRA to
ensure that locomotive manufacturers and railroads meet minimum
performance standards and design load requirements for newly
manufactured and re-manufactured locomotives in order to help protect
locomotive cab occupants in the event that one of these covered
locomotives collides with another locomotive, the rear of another
train, a piece of on-track equipment, a shifted load on a freight car
on an adjacent parallel track, or a highway vehicle at a rail-highway
grade crossing.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Respondent Universe: 685 Railroads/4 Locomotive Manufacturers.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
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Total annual Average time per Total annual burden Total annual
CFR section Respondent universe responses response hours burden cost
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229.207--Petition for FRA Approval 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 2 petitions.......... 1,050 hours......... 2,100 hours........ $4,000
of New Locomotive Crashworthiness Manufacturers.
Standards.
--Subsequent Years--Petitions..... 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 1 petition........... 1,050 hours......... 1,050 hours........ 2,000
Manufacturers.
--Petition for FRA Approval of 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 2 petitions.......... 1,050 hours......... 2,100 hours........ 254,000
Substantive Change to FRA- Manufacturers.
Approved Crashworthiness Design
Standard.
--Petition for FRA Approval of Non- 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 4 petitions.......... 400 hours........... 1,600 hours........ 183,000
Substantive Change to FRA- Manufacturers.
Approved Crashworthiness Design
Standard.
229.109--Petition for FRA Approval 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 1 petition........... 2,550 hours......... 2,550 hours........ 2,000
of Alternative Locomotive Manufacturers.
Crashworthiness Design Standard.
229.211--Comments on FRA Notice of 4 Loco. Manuf./RR Association/ 10 comments.......... 16 hours............ 160 hours.......... 6,400
Petitions Received by Agency. Labor Organizations/Public.
--Agency Request for Additional 685 Railroads/4 Loco. Manuf./Other 4 hearings (16 24 hours............ 96 hours........... 3,840
Information Concerning Petitions: Interested Parties/Public. comments).
Hearings.
229.213--Locomotive Manufacturing 685 Railroads..................... 700 records or 6 minutes........... 70 hours........... 2,800
Information: Retention of stickers or badge
Required Info. plates.
229.215--Retention of Records-- 4 Loco. Manuf..................... 24 loco. rcds........ 8 hours............. 192 hours.......... 7,680
Original Designs.
[[Page 65130]]
--Retention of Records--Repairs 685 Railroads..................... 6 records............ 4 hours............. 24 hours........... 960
and Modifications.
--Inspection of Records........... 6 Loco. Manuf./Rebuilders........ 10 records........... 2 minutes........... .33 hour........... 13
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Total Responses: 764.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 9,942 hours.
Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
Title: Safety Appliance Concern Recommendation Report; Guidance
Checklist Forms.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0565.
Abstract: In an ongoing effort to conduct more thorough and more
effective inspections of railroad freight equipment and to further
enhance safe rail operations, FRA has developed a safety concern
recommendation report form, and a group of guidance checklist forms
that facilitate railroad, rail car owner, and rail equipment
manufacturer compliance with agency Railroad Safety Appliance Standards
regulations. In lieu of completing an official inspection report (Form
FRA F 6180.96), which takes subject railroad equipment out of service
and disrupts rail operations, Form FRA F 6180.4a enables Federal and
State safety inspectors to report to agency headquarters systemic or
other safety concerns. FRA headquarters safety specialists can then
contact railroads, car owners, and equipment manufacturers to address
the reported issue(s) and institute necessary corrective action(s) in a
timely fashion without unnecessarily having to take affected rail
equipment out of service, unless deemed defective. Forms FRA F
6180.4(b)-(m) are used in conjunction with the Special Inspection of
Safety Appliance Equipment form (Form FRA F 6180.4) to assist Federal
Motive, Power, and Equipment (MP&E) field inspectors in ensuring that
critical sections of 49 CFR part 231 (Railroad Safety Appliance
Standards), pertaining to various types of freight equipment, are
complied with through use of a check-off list. By simplifying their
demanding work, check-off lists for 12 essential sections of part 231
ensure that FRA MP&E field personnel completely and thoroughly inspect
each type of freight car for compliance with its corresponding section
in part 231. The Guidance Checklist forms may later be used by state
field inspectors as well. FRA believes that this collection of
information will result in improved construction of newly designed
freight cars and improved field inspections of all freight cars
currently in use. This, in turn, will serve to reduce the number of
accidents/incidents and corresponding injuries and fatalities that
occur every year due to unsafe or defective equipment that was not
promptly repaired/replaced.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.4(a)-(m).
Affected Public: Businesses.
Reporting Burden:
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Total annual Average time Total annual
Form No. Respondent responses per response burden hours Total annual
universe (forms) (minutes) (hours) burden cost
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FRA F 6180.4a--MP&E Safety 100 Fed'l & 50 60 50 $2,450
Concern and Recommendation State
Report. Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4b--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 20 60 20 980
231.1. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 20 60 20 980
231.2. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4d--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 10 60 10 490
231.3. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4e--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 5 60 5 245
231.4. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4f--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 5 60 5 245
231.5. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4g--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 30 60 30 1,470
231.6. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4h--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 5 60 5 245
231.7. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4i--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 5 60 5 245
231.8. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4j--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 5 60 5 245
231.9. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4k--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 50 60 50 2,450
231.21. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4l--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 25 60 25 1,225
231.27. State
Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4m--Check List Sec. 100 Fed'l & 10 60 10 490
231.28. State
Inspectors.
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Respondent Universe: Federal and State Safety Inspectors.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Responses: 240 Forms.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 240 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.
[[Page 65131]]
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2007.
D.J. Stadtler,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-22593 Filed 11-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P