[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2011)] [Notices] [Pages 18294-18298] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2011-7463] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA 2011-001-N-4] 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 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 May 31, 2011. 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 25, 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 ---- .'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493- 6216 or (202) 493-6479, 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 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 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD- [[Page 18295]] 20, 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, 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 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 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 are brief summaries of three currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: OMB Control Number: 2130-0035. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Businesses. Form Number(s): N/A. Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad operating rules set forth 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 thereto. Class III railroads are required to retain copies of these documents at their systems headquarters. Also, 49 CFR 220.21(b) prescribes the collection of information which requires railroads to retain one copy of their current operating rules with respect to radio communications and one copy of each subsequent amendment thereto. These documents must be made available to FRA upon request. Through these rules, FRA learns the condition of operating rules and practices with respect to trains and instructions provided by the railroad to their employees in operating practices. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 217.7--Copy--FRA--Operating 1 new railroad...... 1 submission....... 1 hour............. 1 rules, timetables, Class I & II RRs. --Amendments................. 55 railroads........ 165 amendments..... 20 Minutes......... 55 --Copy of operating rules-- 20 new railroads.... 20 submissions..... 55 Minutes......... 18 Class III. --Amendments................. 632 railroads....... 1,896 amendments... 15 Minutes......... 474 217.9--Railroad and Railroad 687 railroads....... 4,732 field trained 8 hours............ 37,856 Testing Officer Responsibilities. officers/training sessions. --Records.................... 687 railroads....... 4,732 records...... 2 minutes.......... 158 Copy--Prog. for Perf. of 20 new railroads.... 20 Programs........ 9.92 hours......... 198 Operational Tests. --Records of Operational 687 railroads....... 9,180,000 records.. 5 minutes.......... 765,000 Tests/Inspections. --Amendments................. 55 railroads........ 165 amendments..... 1.92 hours......... 317 --Quarterly Review of 687 railroads....... 148 reviews........ 1 hour............. 148 Accident/Incident Data/Prior Op. Tests/Insp. --Designated Officers & 687 railroads....... 37 designations + 5 seconds + 1 hour. 74 Conduct of 6 Mo. Rev. 74 reviews. --Designated Officers & 687 railroads....... 20 designations + 5 seconds + 1 hour. 34 Conduct of Six Month Review 34 reviews. by Passenger/Commuter Railroads. --Records of Periodic Reviews 687 railroads....... 589 review records. 1 minute........... 10 --Annual Summary on 687 railroads....... 37 summary records. 61 minutes......... 38 Operational Tests/Insp. --FRA Disapproval of RR 687 railroads....... 20 supporting 1 hour............. 20 Program of Operational Tests/ documents. Insp. & Response by RR. --Amended Prog. Docs......... 687 railroads....... 20 amended 30 minutes......... 10 documents. 271.11--Instruction of Program 687 railroads....... 130,000 instr. 8 hours............ 1,040,000 Employees. employees. --New RR & Copy of Program of 20 new railroads.... 20 Programs........ 8 hours............ 160 Op. Tests. --Amendments to Op. Rules 687 railroads....... 220 amendments..... 55 minutes......... 202 Instr. Program. 218.95--Instruction, Training, 687 railroads....... 98,000 records..... 5 minutes.......... 8,167 Examination--Records. --Response to FRA Disapproval 687 railroads....... 50 written/oral 1 hour............. 50 of Program. submissions. --Programs Needing Amendment. 687 railroads....... 20 amended programs 30 minutes......... 10 218.97--Written Procedures on 687 railroads....... 687 written 2 hours............ 1,374 Good Faith Challenges by procedures. Employees Re: Actions. --Employee Copy of Written 687 railroads....... 130,000 copies..... 6 minutes.......... 13,000 Procedures. [[Page 18296]] --Employee Copy of Amended 687 railroads....... 130,000 copies..... 3 minutes.......... 6,500 Procedures. --Good Faith Challenges by RR 98,000 RR Employees. 15 challenges...... 10 minutes......... 3 Employees. --RR Responses to Empl. 687 railroads....... 15 responses....... 5 minutes.......... 1 Challenge. --Immediate Review of 687 railroads....... 5 immediate reviews 15 minutes......... 1 Employee Challenge. --RR Officer Explanation of 687 railroads....... 5 explanations..... 1 minute........... .08 Federal Law Protection Against Retaliation. --Documented Protest by RR 687 railroads....... 10 written protests 15 minutes......... 3 Employee. --Copies of Protests......... 687 railroads....... 10 protest copies.. 1 minute........... .17 --Further Reviews............ 687 railroads....... 3 further reviews.. 15 minutes......... 1 --Written Verification 687 railroads....... 10 verification 10 minutes......... 2 Decision to Employee. decisions. --Copy of Written Procedures 687 railroads....... 760 copies of 5 minutes.......... 63 hours at RR Hdtrs. procedures. --Copy of Verification 687 railroads....... 20 verification 5 minutes.......... 2 Decision at RR Headquarters decision copies. & Division Headquarters. 218.99--Shoving or Pushing Movements: --Operating Rule 687 railroads....... 687 rule 1 hour............. 687 Modifications. modifications. --Locomotive Engineer Job 100,000 RR Employees 60,000 job 1 minute........... 1,000 Briefing Before Movement. briefings. --Point Protection 100,000 RR Employees 87,600,000 1 minute + 1 minute 2,920,000 Determinations & Signals/ determinations + Instructions to Control 87,600,000 signals/ Movements. instructions. --Remote Control Movements- 100,000 RR Employees 876,000 1 minute........... 14,600 Verbal Confirmation. confirmations. --Remote Control 100,000 RR Employees 876,000 1 minute........... 14,600 Determinations That Zone Is determinations. Not Jointly Occupied/Track Clear. --Dispatcher Authorized Train 6,000 RR Dispatchers 30,000 auth. 1 minute........... 500 Movements. movements. --Written Procedures to 687 railroads....... 41 written 30 minutes......... 21 Determine Track Occupancy. procedures. --Track Location--Designation 687 railroads....... 41 track 30 minutes......... 21 designations. 218.101--Operating Rule Re: 687 railroads....... 687 amended op. 30 minutes......... 344 Leaving Rolling & On-Track MOW rules. Equipment in the Clear. 218.103--Hand-Operated Switches-- 687 railroads....... 687 modified 1 hour............. 687 RR Operating Rule That Complies operating rules. with 218.103. --Specification of Minimum 687 railroads....... 632 modified op. 30 minutes......... 316 Job Briefing Requirements. rules. --Employee Operating or 687 railroads....... 1,125,000 job 1 minute........... 18,750 Verifying Position of Hand- briefings. operated Switches: Job Briefings. 218.105--Additional Requirements 687 railroads....... 60,000 job 1 minute........... 1,000 for Hand Operated Main Track briefings. Switches--Job Briefing. --Roadway Worker Report on 687 railroads....... 100,000 empl. 1 minute + 1 minute 3,334 Position of Switches to reports + 100,000 Roadway Worker in Charge conveyances. (RWIC) or Designated Employee Conveying Information to RWIC. --Dispatcher Acknowledgment 687 railroads....... 60,000 30 seconds + 5 583 of Switch Position and acknowledgment + seconds. Employee Confirmation to 60,000 Train Dispatcher. confirmations. 218.109--Hand Operated Fixed 687 railroads....... 562,500 hours...... 30 seconds......... 4,688 Derails: Job Briefings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Estimated Responses: 188,794,835. Total Estimated Annual Burden: 4,855,081 hours. Status: Regular Review. Title: Roadway Worker Protection. OMB Control Number: 2130-0539. Abstract: This rule establishes regulations governing the protection of railroad employees working on or near railroad tracks. The regulation requires that each railroad devise and adopt a program of on-track safety to provide employees working along the railroad with protection from the hazards of being struck by a train or other on- track equipment. Elements of this on-track safety program include an on-track safety manual; a clear delineation of employers' responsibilities, as well as employees' rights and responsibilities thereto; well- defined procedures for communication and protection; and annual on-track safety training. The program adopted by each railroad is subject to review and approval by FRA. Form Number(s): FRA 6180.119. Affected Public: Businesses. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form FRA F 6180.119.............. 350 Safety 150 report forms... 4 hours............ 600 Inspectors. --RR Workplace Safety Violation Report Form. 214303/309--On-Track Safety Programs. [[Page 18297]] --Amendments to Program...... 60 railroads + 584 20 amended programs 20 hours; 4 hours.. 2,736 railroads. + 584 amended prog.. --Subsequent Years: New 5 railroads........ 5 safety programs.. 250 hours.......... 1,250 Programs. 214.313--Roadway Worker Challenge 20 railroads....... 80 challenges...... 4 hours............ 320 to Directive. 214.315/335--Supervision and 50,000 Roadway 16,350,000 2 minutes.......... 545,000 Communication--Job Briefings. Workers. briefings. 214.321--Exclusive Track 8,583 Employees/ 700,739 written 1 minute........... 11,679 Occupancy: Written Authorities. Roadway Workers. authorities. 214.325--Train Coordination: 50,000 Roadway 36,500 15 seconds......... 152 Roadway Worker Communication Workers. communications. with Train Crew. 214.327--Inaccessible Track: 703 railroads...... 50,000 occurrences. 10 minutes......... 8,333 Establishment and Direction by Roadway Worker in Charge. 214.337--On-Track Safety for Lone 703 railroads...... 2,080,000 30 seconds......... 17,333 Workers. statements. --Written Statement of On- Track Safety by Lone Worker. 214.343/345347/349/351/353/355-- 50,000 Roadway 50,000 trained 4.50 hours......... 225,000 Training. Workers. employees. --Training Records........... 50,000 Roadway 50,000 records..... 2 minutes.......... 1,667 Workers. 214.503--Good Faith Challenges-- 50,000 Roadway 125 notifications.. 10 minutes......... 21 Notification. Workers. --Resolution Procedures...... 644 railroads...... 10 procedures...... 2 hours............ 20 214.505--List of New/Designated 644 railroads...... 9 lists............ 1 hour............. 9 Existing On-Track Roadway Maintenance Machines Conforming with Paragraph (a) of This Section. 214.507--Built Light Weight 644 railroads...... 1,000 stickers/ 5 minutes.......... 83 Displayed on Each New Roadway stencils. Maintenance Machine (RMM). 214.511--Clearly Identifiable 644 railroads...... 3,700 identified 5 minutes.......... 308 Horn Triggering Mechanism on mechanisms. Each New RMM. 214.513--Clearly Identifiable 703 railroads...... 200 identified 5 minutes.......... 17 Horn Triggering Mechanism on mechanisms. Each Existing RMM. 214.515--Overhead Covers for 644 railroads...... 500 employee 10 minutes + 20 250 Existing RMMs--Requests and RR requests + 500 RR minutes. Responses. responses. 214.517--Display of Light Weight 644 railroads...... 500 stencils/ 5 minutes.......... 42 on Existing RMMs. displays. 214.518--Safe and Secure Position 644 railroads...... 1,000 stencils/ 5 minutes.......... 83 on On- Track RMMs--Clearly marks/notices. Identified. 214.523-Hi-Rail Vehicles-- 644 railroads...... 2,000 inspections/ 1 hour............. 2,000 Inspections and Records. records. --Tagging and Reporting Non- 644 railroads...... 500 tags + 500 10 minutes + 15 208 compliant Conditions. reports. minutes. 214.527--On-Track RMMs--Tagging 644 railroads...... 550 tags + 550 5 minutes + 15 184 and Reporting of Non-complying reports. minutes. Conditions. 214.533--Schedule of Repairs for 644 railroads...... 250 records........ 15 minutes......... 63 Hi-Rail Vehicles and RMMs-- Compliance Records. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Estimated Responses: 19,329,972. Total Estimated Annual Burden: 817,358 hours. Status: Regular Review. OMB Control Number: 2130-0552. Title: Locomotive Cab Sanitation Standards. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Businesses. Form Number(s): N/A. Abstract: The collection of information is used by FRA to promote rail safety and the health of railroad workers by ensuring that all locomotive crew members have access to toilet/sanitary facilities--on as needed basis--which are functioning and hygienic. Also, the collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads repair defective locomotive toilet/sanitary facilities within 10 calendar days of the date on which these units becomes defective. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 229.137(d)--Defective Locomotive 744 railroads...... 11,700 tags/notices 90 seconds......... 293 Toilet Facility--Tagging. 229.137(e) Defective But Sanitary 744 railroads...... 7,956 tags/notices. 90 seconds......... 199 Locomotive Toilet Facility-- Tagging. 229.137(f) Switching or Transfer 744 railroads...... 93,600 notations... 30 seconds......... 780 Service--Defective Locomotive Toilet Facility--Notation on Daily Inspection Report. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 18298]] Total Estimated Responses: 113,256. Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,272 hours. Status: Regular Review. 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 March 25, 2011. Kimberly Coronel, Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. 2011-7463 Filed 3-31-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P