[Federal Register: January 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 10)]
[Notices]
[Page 2084-2085]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ja07-103]
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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 renewal of the following currently
approved 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 March 19, 2007.
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 25, 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-----
--.'' 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 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 25, 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 104-13, section 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 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
[[Page 2085]]
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.
Below is a brief summary of currently approved information
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
Title: Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.
Abstract: The collection of information is due to the passenger
train emergency preparedness regulations set forth in 49 CFR Parts 223
and 239 which require railroads to meet minimum Federal standards for
the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency preparedness
plans connected with the operation of passenger trains, including
freight railroads hosting operations of rail passenger service. The
regulations require luminescent or lighted emergency markings so that
passengers and emergency responders can readily determine where the
closest and most accessible exit routes are located and how the
emergency exit mechanisms are operated. Windows and doors intended for
emergency access by responders for extrication of passengers must be
marked with retro-reflective material so that emergency responders,
particularly in conditions of poor visibility, can easily distinguish
them from the less accessible doors and windows. Records of the
inspection, maintenance and repairs of emergency windows and door
exits, as well as records of operational efficiency tests, will be used
to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 18 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Respondent Total annual Average time Total annual Total annual
CFR section universe responses per response burden hours burden cost
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223.9(d); 239.107--Marking of 18 railroads... 10,475 decals.. 5 minutes...... 873 $27,936
Emergency Exits.
--Marking door and window 18 railroads... 6,320/1,300 4 min./5 min... 614 19,648
exits w clear instructions. decals.
239.107(b)--Records of 18 railroads... 1,800 window 20 min./3 min.. 690 22,080
Inspection, Maintenance, & rcds. + 1,800
repair. door records.
239.101, 239.201--Filing of 2 railroads.... 1 plan......... 158 hours...... 158 9,638
Emergency Preparedness Plan.
--Amendments to Emergency 2 railroads.... 1 amendment.... 2 hours........ 2 74
Plans.
239.101 (ii)--Maintenance of 2 railroads.... 2 records...... 1 hour......... 2 74
Current Emergency Phone
Numbers.
--Subsequent Years........... 18 railroads... 19 records..... 30 minutes..... 10 370
239.101(a)(3)--Joint 2 railroad 2 plans........ 16 hours....... 32 1,568
Operations. pairs.
--Subsequent Years........... 1 railroad pair 1 plan......... 16 hours....... 16 784
239.101(a)(5)--Liaison with 2 railroads.... 1 plan......... 6 hours........ 6 222
Emergency Responders.
--Subsequent Years........... 20 railroads... 40 plans/1,200 40 hrs./5 min.. 1,700 71,400
copies.
239.101(a)(7)(ii) Passenger 5/12 railroads. 1,300 cards/5 5 min./16 hrs./ 812 31,088
Safety Information. progs./5 48 hrs./8 hrs.
safety
messages/12
progs./12 msgs.
239.105--Debriefing and 20 railroads... 5 debrief sess. 27 hours....... 135 2,160
Critique.
239.301--Operational 20 railroads... 11,075 tests/ 15 minutes..... 2,768 127,328
Efficiency Tests. rcds.
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Total Responses: 35,376.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 7,818 hours.
Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.
Abstract: The collection of information is used to prevent the
unsafe movement of defective freight cars. Railroads are required to
inspect freight cars for compliance and to determine restrictions on
the movements of defective cars.
Form Number(s): None.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.
Total Responses: 1,200.
Type of Request: 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.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Issued in Washington, DC on January 11, 2007.
D.J. Stadtler,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-487 Filed 1-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P