Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2011-0001-N-10]

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 11, 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 2130-0008.” Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6216 or (202) 493-6479, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at

Robert.Brogan@dot.gov,

or to Ms. Toone at

Kimberly.Toone@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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 21, 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, § 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 is a brief summary of the currently approved information collection request (ICR) 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 issued revisions to the regulations governing freight power brakes and equipment in October 2008 by adding a new Subpart addressing electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake systems. The revisions are designed to provide for and encourage the safe implementation and use of ECT brake system technologies. These revisions contain specific requirements relating to design, interoperability, training, inspection, testing, handling defective equipment and periodic maintenance related to ECP brake systems. The final rule also identifies provisions of the existing regulations and statutes where FRA is proposing to provide flexibility to facilitate the voluntary adoption of this advanced brake system technology. The collection of information is used by FRA to monitor and enforce current regulatory requirements related to power brakes on freight cars as well as the recently added requirements related to ECP brake systems. 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:

559 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

229.27: Annual Tests

30,000 Locomotives

30,000 tests

15 minutes

7,500

232.3: Applicability—Cars Not Used in Service

559 Railroads

8 cards

10 minutes

1

232.7: Waivers

559 railroads

20 petitions

40 hours

800

232.11: Penalties

559 railroads

1 false record

10 minutes

.17

232.15: Movement of Defective Equipment—Notice of Defective Car/Locomotive and Restrictions

1,620,000 cars/locos

128,400 tags

2.5 minutes

5,350

1,620,000 cars/locos

25,000 notices

3 minutes

1,250

232.17:

Special Approval Procedure

559 railroads

4 petitions

100 hours

400

Petitions—Pre-Revenue Svc Plans

559 railroads

2 petitions

100 hours

200

Copies of Petitions—Special Approval

559 railroads

4 petitions

40 hours

160

Statements of Interest

Public/Railroads

14 statements

8 hours

112

Comments on Special Approval Procedure Petition

Public/Railroads

13 comments

4 hours

52

232.103: General Requirements for All Train Brakes

114,000 cars

70,000 stickers

10 minutes

11,667

232.105: General Requirements For Locomotives

30,000 locomotives

30,000 forms

5 minutes

2,500

232.107:

Air Source Requirements—Plans

10 new railroads

1 plan

40 hours

40

Amendments to Plan

50 Existing Plans

10 amendment

20 hours

200

Record Keeping

50 Existing Plans

1,150 records

20 hours

23,000

232.109:

Dynamic Br. Requirements—Rcd

559 railroads

1,656,000 rcd

4 minutes

110,400

Repair of Inoperative Dynamic Brakes

30,000 locomotives

6,358 records

4 minutes

424

Locomotives w/Inoperative Dynamic Br.

30,000 locomotives

6,358 tags

30 seconds

53

Deactivated Dynamic Brakes: Markings

8,000 locomotives

10 markings

5 minutes

1

Rule Safe Train Handling Procedures

5 new railroads

5 oper. rules

4 hours

20

Amendments

559 railroads

15 amendment

1 hour

15

Over Speed Top Rules—5 MPH Increase

559 railroads

5 requests

20.5 hours

103

Locomotive Engineer Certification Programs—Dynamic Brakes Training

5 new railroads

5 amendments

16 hours

80

232.111:

Train Information Handling

5 new railroads

5 procedures

40 hours

200

Amendments

100 railroads

100 am. proc.

20 hours

2,000

Reports to Train Crews

559 railroads

2,112,000 rpts

10 minutes

352,000

232.203:

Training Requirements: Training Programs—Subsequent Years

15 railroads

5 programs

100 hours

500

Amendments to Written Program

559 railroads

559 am. prog.

8 hours

4,472

Training Records

559 railroads

67,000 records

8 minutes

8,933

Training Notifications

559 railroads

67,000 notices

3 minutes

3,350

Validation/Assessment Plans

559 railroads

1 plan +559 copies

40 hrs./1 min.

49

Amendments to Validation/Assessment Plans

559 railroads

50 amendment

20 hours

1,000

232.205: Class I Brake Test—Initial Terminal Insp.

559 railroads

1,646,000 notices

45 seconds

20,575

232.207:

Class I A Brake Tests: 1000 Mile Insp.

559 railroads

25 designations

30 minutes

13

Subsequent Years

559 railroads

1 designation

1 hour

1

Amendments

559 railroads

5 amendments

1 hour

5

232.209: Class II Brake Tests—Intermediate Insp.

559 railroads

1,600,000 comments

3 seconds

1,333

232.213:

Extended Haul Trains—Designations

84,000 train movements

100 designations

15 minutes

25

Records

84,000 train movements

25,200 records

20 minutes

8,400

232.303:

General Requirements—Track Brake Test

1,600,000 freight cars

5,600 tags

5 minutes

467

Location of Last Track Brake Test/Single Car Test

1,600,000 freight cars

320,000 stenciling

5 minutes

26,667

232.305: Single Car Tests

1,600,000 freight cars

320,000 tests/rcds

45 minutes

240,000

232.309: Equipment and Devices—Tests/Calibrations

640 shops

5,000 tests

30 minutes

2,500

232.403: Design Standards For One-way EOT Devices—Unique Code

245 railroads

12 requests

5 minutes

1

232.407: Operations Requiring 2-Way EOTs

245 railroads

50,000 commun

30 seconds

417

232.409:

Inspection and Testing of 2-Way EOTs

245 railroads

450,000 commun

30 seconds

3,750

Testing Telemetry Equipment

245 railroads

32,708 markings

60 seconds

545

232.503:

Process to Introduce New Brake System Technology—Special Approval

559 railroads

1 request/letter

60 minutes

1

Pre-Revenue Service Demonstration

559 railroads

1 request

3 hours

3

232.505:

Pre-Revenue Service Acceptance Testing Plan: Maintenance Procedure—1st Year

559 railroads

1 procedure

160 hours

160

Subsequent Years

559 railroads

1 amendment

40 hours

40

Amendments

559 railroads

1 petition

67 hours

67

Design Descriptions—Petitions

559 railroads

1 report

13 hours

13

Results Pre-Revenue Service Acceptance Testing

559 railroads

5 descriptions

40 hours

200

Description of Brake Systems Technologies Previously Used in Revenue Service

232.603:

ECP Requirements Brakes—Configuration Management Plans

4 railroads

1 plan

160 hours

160

Updated Plans in Subsequent Years

4 railroads

1 plan

160 hours

160

Modification of Standards—Requests

4 railroads

1 request + 4 copies

8 hours + 5 minutes

8

RR Statement Affirming Copy of Modification Request to Employee Reps.

4 railroads

4 statements + 24 copies

60 minutes + 5 minutes

6

Comments on Modification Request

Public/Interested Parties

4 comments

2 hours

8

232.605:

ECP Training Programs

4 railroads

4 programs

100 hours

400

Programs in Subsequent Years

4 railroads

2 programs

100 hours

200

ECP Trained Employees

4 railroads

6,409 empl.

8 hrs./24 hrs.

10,512

ECP Trained Employees—Subsequent Yr

4 railroads

6,409 empl.

1 hr./8 hrs.

30,264

ECP Trained Employees—Records

4 railroads

6,409 records

4 minutes

855

ECP Trained Employees—Sub. Records

4 railroads

6,409 records

4 minutes

428

RR/Contractor Assessment of ECP Training Programs—Amended Plans

4 railroads

4 amended plans

40 hours

160

232.607:

ECP Trains Inspection/Testing

4 railroads

10,000 tests + 10,000 notices

90 minutes + 45 seconds

15,125

Notification to Locomotive Engineer:

Cars Added en Route—Tests/Notifications

4 railroads

1,000 tests + 1,000 notices

60 minutes + 45 seconds

1,006

Non-ECP Cars Added—Inspections and Tagging of Defective Equipment

2000 Cars

200 insp. + 400 tags

5 minutes + 2.5 minutes

34

232.609:

Handling of Defective Equipment w/ECP Brake Systems—Tagging

25 Cars

50 tags

2.5 minutes

2

Train in ECP Mode w/Less Than 85% of Cars w/Operative Brakes—Insp. + Tagging

20 Cars

20 insp. + 40 tags

5 minutes + 2.5 minutes

3

Freight Cars w/ECP Systems Found with Defective Non-Safety Appliance—Tagging

75 Cars

150 tags

2.5 minutes

6

Conventional Train Operating with ECP Stand Alone Brake Systems—Tagging

500 Cars

1,000 tags

2.5 minutes

42

Procedures for Handling ECP Brake System Repairs

4 railroads

4 procedures

24 hours

96

Submission to FRA of ECP Brake System Repair Locations—Lists

4 railroads

4 lists

8 hours

32

Notice to FRA of Change in List

4 railroads

1 notification

60 minutes

1

232.611:

Periodic Maintenance Inspection and Repair of ECP Cars Before Release from Repair Shop or Track

500 freight Cars

500 inspection and records

10 minutes

83

Petitions for Special Approval of Pre-Revenue Service Acceptance Testing Plan

AAR

1 petition + 2 copies

24 hours + 5 minutes

24

Single Car Brake Test on ECP Retrofitted Cars

2,500 freight Cars

2,500 tests/Records

45 minutes

1,875

Modification of Single Car Test Standard

AAR

1 procedure

40 hours

40

Total Responses:

8,677,078.

Total Estimated Total Annual Burden:

990,276 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 5, 2011 .

Kimberly Coronel,

Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration.

[FR Doc. 2011-20464 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P