[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 2010)] [Notices] [Pages 63889-63892] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2010-26158] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2010-0005-N-19] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 December 17, 2010. 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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 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 2130----- --.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at [email protected], or to Ms. Toone at [email protected]. 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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, 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, 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 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 [[Page 63890]] 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 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average time per Total annual Total annual CFR Section Respondent universe Total annual responses response burden hours burden cost -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 244.13--Safety Integration Plans: 8 railroads 1 plan 340 hours 340 $24,016 Amalgamation of Operations --SIP Development & Quarterly Meetings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 244.17--Procedures 8 railroads 25 reports 40 hours/2 hours 88 5,632 --Responses to FRA Inquiries Re: SIP data 8 railroads 6 responses 8 hours 48 3,072 --Coordination in Implementing Approved 8 railroads 25 phone calls 10 minutes 4 256 SIP 8 railroads 1 request 16 hours 16 2,512 --Request for Confidential Treatment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 244.19--Disposition 8 railroads 2 reports 16 hours 32 2,048 --Comments on Proposed SIP Amendments -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average time per Total annual CFR Section Respondent universe Total annual responses response burden hours ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 229.207--Petition for FRA Approval of New 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 2 petitions 1,050 hours 2,100 Locomotive Crashworthiness Standards Manufacturers 1 petition 1,050 hours 1,050 --Petition for FRA Approval of Substantive 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 1 petitions 400 hours 400 Change to FRA-Approved Crashworthiness Manufacturers Design Standard 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. --Petition for FRA Approval of Non- Manufacturers Substantive Change to FRA-Approved Crashworthiness Design Standard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 229.209--Petition for FRA Approval of 685 Railroads + 4 Loco. 1 petition 2,550 hours 2,550 Alternative Locomotive Crashworthiness Manufacturers Design Standard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 63891]] 229.211--Comments on FRA Notice of 4 Loco. Manuf./RR 10 comments 16 hours 160 Petitions Received by Agency Association/Labor 4 hearings (16 comments) 24 hours 96 --Agency Request for Additional Organizations/Public Information Concerning Petitions: 685 Railroads/4 Loco. Hearings Manuf./Other Interested Parties/Public -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 229.213--Locomotive Manufacturing 685 Railroads 1,000 records or 6 minutes 100 Information: Retention of Required Info. stickers or badge plates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 229.215--Retention of Records--Original 4 Loco. Manuf. 24 loco. rcds. 8 hours 192 Designs 685 Railroads 6 records 4 hours 24 --Retention of Records--Repairs and 6 Loco. Manuf./ 10 records 2 minutes .33 Modifications Rebuilders --Inspection of Records -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Responses: 1,059. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 6,672 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: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average time Form No. Respondent universe Total annual per response Total annual responses (min) burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRA F 6180.4a--MP& E Safety 130 Fed'l & State 30 Forms........... 60 30 Concern and Recommendation Inspectors. Report. FRA F 6180.4b--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 10 Forms........... 60 10 231.1. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4c--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 30 Forms........... 60 30 231.2. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4d--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 3 Forms............ 60 3 231.3. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4e--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 15 Forms........... 60 15 231.4. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4f--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 5 Forms............ 60 5 231.5. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4g--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 30 Forms........... 60 30 231.6. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4h--Check List 231.7.. 130 Fed'l & State 3 Forms............ 60 3 Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4i--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 5 Forms............ 60 5 231.8. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4j--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 5 Forms............ 60 5 231.9. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4k--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 10 Forms........... 60 10 231.21. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4l--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 10 Forms........... 60 10 231.27. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4m--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 10 Forms........... 60 10 231.28. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4n--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 5 Forms............ 30 3 231.138. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4o--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 5 Forms............ 30 3 231.14. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4p--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 5 Forms............ 60 5 231.29. Inspectors. FRA F 6180.4q--Check List Sec. 130 Fed'l & State 5 Forms............ 60 5 231.29. Inspectors. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 63892]] Respondent Universe: Federal and State Safety Inspectors. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Total Responses: 186 forms. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 182 hours. Status: Extension of a currently approved collection. Title: Passenger Train Emergency Systems. OMB Control Number: 2130-0576. Abstract: The collection of information is due to passenger train emergency regulations set forth in 49 CFR 238 to further the safety of passenger train occupants through both enhancements and additions to FRA's existing requirements. The collection of information is used by FRA, railroad employees, rescue workers, and the public. Emergency responders use the information collected to be able to quickly find and understand how to operate passenger cars' emergency windows, doors, and roof hatches so that they can successfully perform their jobs and save lives. The information collected is used by train passengers to: (1) Recognize and immediately report potential emergencies to train crew members; (2) recognize hazards; (3) recognize and know how and when to operate appropriate emergency-related features and equipment, such as fire extinguishers, train doors, and emergency exits; and (4) recognize the potential special needs of fellow passengers, such as children, the elderly, and disabled, during an emergency; and (5) know how to quickly and safely evacuate the train in the event of an emergency, such as a collision, derailment, explosion, fire, or some other unanticipated occurrence. Luminescent or lighted emergency exit markings are used by train passengers and emergency responders to determine where the closest and most accessible emergency exit is located as well as how to operate the emergency exit mechanisms. Records of the inspection, maintenance, and repairs of emergency window and door exits and operational efficiency tests are used by FRA inspectors to monitor railroads' regulatory compliance with this Part. Form Number(s): N/A. Affected Public: Businesses. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Respondent Total annual Average time per Total annual 49 CFR 238 universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 238.113--Emergency Window Exits-- 22 railroads 662 window 60 minutes/90 964 Markings markings minutes/120 minutes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 238.114-Rescue Access Windows 22 railroads 1,092 access 45 minutes 819 window markings ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 238.121--Emergency Communications-- 22 railroads 116 marked 5 minutes 10 Marked Intercom Locations intercom locations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 238.123--Emergency Road Access-- 22 railroads 232 marked roof 30 minutes 116 Markings and Instructions access locations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 238.303--Exterior Calendar Day 22 railroads 150 required 20 minutes 50 Mechanical Inspection of Equip replacement markings --Rescue Access Exterior 22 railroads 150 records 2 minutes 5 Markings/Signage/Instructions --Records of Non-Compliance ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 238.305--Interior Calendar Day Mechanical Inspection of Cars. --Written Notification to Train 22 railroads 260 notifications 1 minute 9 Crew of Non-compliant Car + + 260 notices Notice on Door --Inoperative PA system and 22 railroads 300 notifications 1 minute 5 Notification to Crew --Records of Non-complying 22 railroads 300 records 2 minutes 10 Condition ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 238.307--Periodic Mechanical 22 railroads 32 replacement 20 minutes 11 Inspection of Pass. Cars-- markings Replacement Roof Access Markings ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Respondent Universe: Businesses (railroads). Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Total Responses: 3,554. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,999 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. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. Issued in Washington, DC on October 13, 2010. Kimberly Coronel, Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. 2010-26158 Filed 10-15-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P