# Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A03-21765 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** August 26, 2003 - **Citation:** 68 FR 51323 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. 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 October 27, 2003. 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. Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, 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 ___.” Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6230 or (202) 493-6170, or E-mail to Mr. Brogan at robert.brogan@fra.dot.gov, or to Ms. Steward at debra.steward@fra.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 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and Productivity Improvement, RAD-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), Pub. L. 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 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 the three currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards For Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes and Drawbars). OMB Control Number: 2130-0008. Abstract: Section 7 of the Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act of 1992, Public Law No. 102-365, amended Section 202 of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 421, 431 et seq. ), empowered the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the Department's rules with respect to railroad power brakes and, where applicable, prescribe standards regarding dynamic brake equipment. In keeping with the Secretary's mandate and the authority delegated from him to the FRA Administrator, FRA recently published a comprehensive regulatory revision of the then current requirements related to the inspection, testing, and maintenance of the brake equipment used in freight car operations. The Final Rule focused solely on freight and other non-passenger trains, and codified and solidified the maintenance requirements related to the power brake system and its components. The collection of information is used by FRA to monitor and enforce safety requirements related to power brakes on freight cars. The collection of information is also used by locomotive engineers and road crews to verify that the terminal air brake test has been performed in a satisfactory manner. Form Number(s): None. Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 545 railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Affected Public: Businesses. Reporting Burden: CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses Average time per response Total annual burden hours Total annual burden cost 229.27—Annual Tests 20,000 locomotives 18,000 tests 15 minutes 4,500 $166,500 232.1—Scope—Requests For Earlier Application of Requirements in Subparts A-C, F 545 railroads 4 requests 1 hour 4 224 232.3—Applicability—Cars Not Used in Service 545 railroads 8 cards 10 minutes 1 35 232.7—Waivers 545 railroads 20 petitions 40 hours 800 28,000 232.11—Penalties 545 railroads 1 false record 10 minutes .20 7 232.15—Movement of Defective Equipment 1,620,000 cars/locomotives 128,400 tags 2.5 minutes 5,350 197,950 —Notice of Defective Car/Locomotive and Restrictions 1,620,000 cars/locomotives 25,000 notices 3 minutes 1,060 46,250 232.17—Special Approval Procedure 545 railroads 4 petitions 100 hours 400 22,400 Petitions For Special Approval of Pre-Revenue Service Acceptance Testing Plan 545 railroads 2 petitions 100 hours 200 11,200 —Copies of Petitions For Special Approval Procedure 545 railroads 4 petitions 40 hours 160 5,600 —Statements of Interest Public/railroads 14 statements 8 hours 112 3,920 —Comments on Special Approval Procedure Petition Public/railroads 13 comments 4 hours 52 1,820 232.103—General Requirements For All Train Brakes 370,000 cars 66,660 stickers 10 minutes 11,110 230,644 232.105—General Requirements For Locomotives 20,000 locomotives 20,000 forms 5 minutes 1,667 61,679 232.107—Air Source Requirements—Plans To Monitor All Air Yard Sources: First Year 545 railroads 50 plans 40 2,000 38,080 —Subsequent Years 25 new railroads 1 plan 40 hours 40 2,240 —Amendments to Plan 50 existing plans 10 amendments 20 hours 200 11,200 —Record Keeping 50 existing plans 1,150 records 20 hours 23,000 805,000 —Written Operating Procedures/Plans 545 railroads 37 plans 20 hours 740 41,440 232.109—Dynamic Brake Requirements—Records 545 railroads 1,656,000 records 4 minutes 110,400 3,864,000 —Repair of Inoperative Dynamic Brakes 20,000 locomotives 6,358 records 4 minutes 424 14,840 —Locomotives with Inoperative Dynamic Brakes—Tag 20,000 locomotives 6,358 tags 30 seconds 53 1,961 —Deactivated Dynamic Brakes—Markings 8,000 locomotives 2,800 markings 5 minutes 233 8,621 —Subsequent Years—Markings 8,000 locomotives 20 markings 5 minutes 2 74 —Written Operating Rules—Safe Train Handling 545 railroads 100 oper. rules 4 hours 400 22,400 —Subsequent Years—Safe Train Handling Procedures 5 new railroads 5 oper. rules 4 hours 20 1,120 —Amendments 545 railroads 15 amendments 1 hour 15 525 —Over Speed Top Rules 545 railroads 182 rules 1 hour 182 10,192 —Requests to Increase 5 MPH Overs Speed Restriction 545 railroads 5 requests 20.5 hours 103 3,605 —Locomotive Engineer Certification Programs/PBrake 545 railroads 100 amendments 16 hours 1,600 89,600 —Subsequent Years 5 new railroads 5 amendments 16 hours 80 4,480 232.111—Train Information Handling—Procedures 545 railroads 182 procedures 50 hours 9,100 509,600 —Subsequent Years 10 new railroads 10 procedures 40 hours 400 22,400 —Amendments 100 railroads 33 amendments 20 hours 660 23,100 —Reports to Train Crews 545 railroads 2,112,000 rpts 10 minutes 352,000 13,024,000 232.203—Training Requirements: Training Programs 545 railroads 100 programs 100 hours 10,000 560,000 —Subsequent Years 15 railroads 1 program 100 hours 100 5,600 —Amendments to Written Program 545 railroads 182 amendments 8 hours 1,456 50,960 —Training Records 545 railroads 67,000 records 8 minutes 8,933 312,655 —Training Notifications 545 railroads 67,000 notices 3 minutes 3,350 117,250 —Validation/Assessment Plans 545 railroads 545 copies 40 hours/1 minute 49 2,375 Amendments to Validation/Assessment Plans 545 railroads 50 amendments 20 hours 1,000 35,000 232.205—Class I Brake Test—Initial Terminal Insp 545 railroads 1,656,000 notices 45 seconds 20,700 931,500 232.207—Class I A Brake Tests: 1000 Mile Insp 545 railroads 8 designations 30 minutes 4 140 —Subsequent Years 545 railroads 1 designation 1 hour 1 35 —Amendments 545 railroads 5 amendments 1 hour 5 175 232.209—Class II Brake Tests—Intermediate Insp 545 railroads 1,600,000 3 seconds 1,333 59,985 232.213—Extended Haul Trains—Designations 84,000 train movements 100 designations 15 minutes 25 875 —Records 84,000 train movements 25,200 records 20 minutes 8,400 294,000 232.303—General Requirements—Track Brake Test 1,600,000 freight cars 5,600 tags 5 minutes 467 17,279 —Location of Last Track Brake Test/Single Car Test 1,600,000 freight cars 320,000 stenciling 5 minutes 26,667 986,679 232.305—Single Car Tests 1,600,000 freight cars 320,000 tests/rcds 45 minutes 240,000 8,400,000 232.309—Equipment and Devices—Tests/Calibrations 640 shops 5,000 tests 30 minutes 2,500 92,500 232.403—Design Standards For One-way EOT Devices—Unique Code 245 railroads 12 requests 5 minutes 1 35 232.407—Operations Requiring 2-Way EOTs 245 railroads 50,000 30 commun 30 seconds 417 18,765 232.409—Inspection and Testing of 2-Way EOTs 245 railroads 450,000 commun 30 seconds 3,750 138,750 —Testing Telemetry Equipment 245 railroads 32,708 markings 60 seconds 545 20,165 232.503—Process to Introduce New Brake System Technology—Special Approval 545 railroads 1 request/letter 60 minutes 1 56 —Pre-Revenue Service Demonstration 545 railroads 1 request 3 hours 3 168 232.505—Pre-Revenue Service Acceptance Testing Plan: Maintenance Procedure—1st Year 545 railroads 1 procedure 160 hours 160 8,920 —Subsequent Years 545 railroads 1 procedure 160 hours 160 8,920 —Amendments 545 railroads 1 amendment 40 hours 40 1,400 —Design Descriptions—Petitions 545 railroads 1 petition 67 hours 67 3,752 —Results Pre-Revenue Service Acceptance Testing 545 railroads 1 report 13 hours 13 455 —Description of Brake Systems Technologies Previously Used in Revenue Service 545 railroads 5 descriptions 40 hours 200 7,000 Total Responses: 8,643,075. Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 857,415 hours. Status: Regular Review. Title: Regional Inspection Point Listing Forms. OMB Control Number: 2130-0551. Abstract: Through a direct comparison of inspection data with accident/incident data, the collection of information aims to develop a profile county-by-county of what there is to inspect, and how much inspection activity was done by Federal and State railroad inspectors each year nationwide. The information collected will produce “snapshots” which will allow FRA to determine where the gaps are in inspection territories so that it can focus inspection resources where they will do the most good. As a result of the collection of information, FRA will be better able to equalize inspector workloads, and will be better able to make informed hiring decisions regarding the most effective placement of new inspectors. More targeted inspections will permit FRA to maximize its limited resources, and will serve to enhance overall safety on the nation's rail system. Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.106(a)-(e). Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 545 railroads. Reporting Burden: CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses Average time per response Total annual burden Total annual burden cost FRA 6180.106(a) 20 inspectors 280 records 5 (in minutes) 23 $736 FRA 6180.106(b) 35 inspectors 315 records 5 (in minutes) 26 832 FRA 6180.106(c) 30 inspectors 300 records 5 (in minutes) 25 800 FRA 6180.106(d) 12 inspectors 108 records 5 (in minutes) 9 288 FRA 6180.106(e) 40 inspectors 360 records 5 (in minutes) 30 960 Total Responses: 1,363. Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 113 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 August 19, 2003. Kathy A. Weiner, Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. 03-21765 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A03-21765. Public record. Not legal advice.