Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Federal RegisterFeb 26, 2008
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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 (ICRs) 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 April 28, 2008.
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. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff, RAD-43, 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
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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff, RAD-43, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., 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 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 is a brief summary of the currently approved ICRs that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:
Title:
Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards and Event Recorder.
OMB Control Number:
2130-0004.
Abstract:
The Locomotive Inspection requires railroads to inspect, repair, and maintain locomotives and event recorders so that they are safe, free of defects, and can be placed in service without peril to life. Crashworthy locomotive event recorders provide FRA with verifiable factual information about how trains are maintained and operated, and are used by FRA and State inspectors for Part 229 rule enforcement. The information garnered from crashworthy event recorders is also used by railroads to monitor railroad operations and by railroad employees (locomotive engineers, train crews, dispatchers) to improve train handling, and promote the safe and efficient operation of trains throughout the country, based on a surer knowledge of different control inputs.
Affected Public:
Businesses.
Respondent Universe:
744 Railroads.
Frequency of Submission:
On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
CFR section
Respondent universe
Total annual responses
Average time per response
Total annual burden hours
Total annual burden cost
229.9—Movement of Non-Complying Locomotives
744 Railroads
21,000 tags
1 minute
350
$12,950
229.17—Accident Reports
744 Railroads
1 report
15 minutes
.25
11
229.21—Daily Inspection
744 Railroads
5,655,000 rcds
1 or 3 minutes
189,583
8,341,652
—MU Locomotives: Written Reports
744 Railroads
250 reports
3 minutes
13
572
Form FRA F 6180.49A Locomotive Insp/Repair Rcd
744 Railroads
7,250 forms
2 minutes
242
8,954
210.31—Locomotive Noise Emission Test
744 Railroads
100 tests/remarks
15 minutes
25
925
229.23/229.27/229.29/229.31—Periodic Inspection/Annual Biennial Tests/Main Res. Tests
744 Railroads
87,000 tests
8 hours
696,000
25,752,000
229.33—Out-of Use Credit
744 Railroads
500 notations
5 minutes
42
1,554
229.25(1)—Test: Every Periodic Insp.—Written Copies of Instruction
744 Railroads
200 amendments
15 minutes
50
1,700
229.25(2)—Duty Verification Readout Record
744 Railroads
4,025 records
90 minutes
6,038
181,140
229.25(3)—Pre-Maintenance Test—Failures
744 Railroads
700 notations
30 minutes
350
10,500
229.135(A.)—Removal From Service
744 Railroads
1,000 tags
1 minute
17
629
229.135(B.)—Preserving Accident Data
744 Railroads
2,800 reports
15 minutes
700
23,800
New Requirements
229.27—Annual Tests
744 Railroads
700 test records
90 minutes
1,050
31,500
229.135(b)(1) & (2)—Equipment Rqmnts—Mag Tape Replacements
744 Railroads
850 Cert. Mem Modules
2 hours + 200 hours
1,900
1,500
229.135(b)(3)—Equipment Rqmnts—Lead Locomotives
744 Railroads
600 Cert. Mem Modules
2 hours
1,200
1,500
229.135(b)(4)—Equipment Rqmnts—MU Locomotives
744 Railroads
255 Cert. Mem Modules
2 hours
510
1,500
229.135(b)(5)—Equipment Rqmnts—Other Locomotives
744 Railroads
1,000 Cert. Mem Modules
2 hours
2,000
1,500
Total Responses:
5,783,231.
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
900,070 hours.
Form(s):
FRA F 6180.49A.
Status:
Regular Review.
Title:
Qualifications For Locomotive Engineers.
OMB Control Number:
2130-0533.
Abstract:
Section 4 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 1988 (RSIA), Public Law 100-342, 102 Stat. 624 (June 22, 1988), later amended and re-codified by Public Law 103-272, 108 Stat. 874 (July 5, 1994), required that FRA issue regulations to establish any necessary program for certifying or licensing locomotive engineers. The collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads employ and properly train qualified individuals as locomotive engineers and designated supervisors of locomotive engineers. The collection of information is also used by FRA to verify that railroads have established required certification programs for locomotive engineers and that these programs fully conform to the standards specified in the regulation.
Affected Public:
Businesses.
Respondent Universe:
744 railroads.
Frequency of Submission:
On occasion; annually; tri-annually.
Reporting Burden:
CFR section
Respondent
universe
Total annual
responses
Average time per response
Total annual burden hours
Total annual burden cost
240.9—Waivers
744 railroads
3 waivers
1 hour
3
$114
240.11—Certific. Programs
744 railroads
50 amend. prog
1 hour
50
1,900
New Cert. Prog
20 New railroads
20 cert. programs
40 hours
800
30,400
Final Review
20 railroads
20 reviews
1 hour
20
760
Material Changes to Cert. Program
744 railroads
30 modified programs
45 minutes
23
874
240.105(a)—Selection Criteria for DSLEs—Rpts
744 railroads
5 amendments
1 hour
5
190
(b) Approval Plan—Amendments
744 railroads
5 amendments
1 hour
5
190
240.109—Candidate's written comments on prior safety data
13,333 candidates
25 responses
60 minutes
25
1,175
240.111/App C—Driver's License Data
13,333 candidates
13,333 requests
15 minutes
3,333
156,651
—NDR Match—notifications and requests for data
744 railroads
133 responses + 133 requests
15 minutes
67
2,848
—Written response from candidate on driver's lic. data
744 railroads
20 cases and comments
15 minutes
5
235
240.111(g)—Notice to RR of Absence of License
40,000 candidates
4 letters
15 minutes
1
47
240.111(h)—Duty to furnish data on prior safety conduct as motor vehicle op
744 railroads
200 phone calls
10 minutes
33
1,551
240.113—Notice to RR Furnishing Data on Prior Safety Conduct—Diff. RR
13,333 candidates
267 requests + 267 responses
15 min./30 min
200
8,203
240.119—Self-referral to EAP re: active substance abuse disorder
40,000 locomotive engineers
50 self-referrals
5 minutes
4
188
240.121—Criteria—Vision/Hearing; Acuity Data—New Railroads
20 railroads
20 copies
15 minutes
5
190
240.121—Criteria—Vision/Hearing; Acuity Data—Cond. Certification
744 railroads
20 reports
1 hour
20
760
240.121—Criteria—Vision/Hearing; Acuity Data—Not Meeting Standards
744 railroads
10 notifications
15 minutes
3
141
240.201/221—List of Certified Loco. Engineers
744 railroads
744 updates
15 minutes
186
7,068
240.201/221—List of Qualified DSLEs
744 railroads
744 updated lists
15 minutes
186
7,068
240.201/223/301—Loco. Engineers Certificate
40,000 candidates
13,333 certificates
5 minutes
1,111
42,218
240.201/223—List of Auth Empl
744 railroads
5 lists
15 minutes
1
38
240.205—Data to EAP Counselor
744 railroads
133 records
5 minutes
11
517
240.207—Medical Certificate
40,000 candidates
13,333 certificates
70 minutes
15,555
1,711,050
—Written determinations waiving use of corrective device
744 railroads
10 determinations
2 hours
20
2,200
240.219—Denial of Certification
13,333 candidates
30 letters +30 responses
1 hour
60
2,550
—Notification
744 railroads
30 notifications
1 hour
30
1,140
240. 229—Requirements For Joint Operations
321 railroads
184 calls
5 minutes
15
705
240.309—RR Oversight Resp.: Poor Safety Conduct—Noted
15 railroads
6 annotations
15 minutes
2
98
Testing Rqmnts
240.209/213—Written Tests
40,000 candidates
13,333 tests
2 hours
26,666
1,013,308
240.211/213—Perf. Test
40,000 candidates
13,333 tests
2 hours
26,666
1,013,308
240.303—Annual operational monitor observation
40,000 candidates
40,000 tests/docs.
2 hours
80,000
3,920,000
240.303—Annual operating rules compliance test
40,000 candidates
40,000 tests
1 hour
40,000
1,960,000
Recordkeeping
240.215—Retaining Info. Supporting Determination
744 railroads
13,333 records
30 minutes
6,667
253,346
240.305—Engineer's Notice of Non-Qualific
40,400 engineers or candidates
100 notifications
5 minutes
8
376
—Relaying Non-qual. Status to other certifying railroad
800 engineers
2 letters
30 minutes
1
47
240.307—Notice to Engineer of Disqualification
744 railroads
650 letters
1 hour
650
24,700
240.309—Railroad Annual Review
28 railroads
28 reviews
40 hours
1,120
71,680
—Report of findings
28 railroads
6 reports
1 hour
6
384
Total Responses:
163,997.
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
203,568 hours.
Status:
Regular Review.
Title:
Railroad Worker Protection.
OMB Control Number:
2130-0539.
Type of Request:
Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public:
Railroads.
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.
CFR section
Respondent
universe
Total annual
responses
Average time per response
Total annual burden hours
Total annual burden cost
Form FRA F 6180.199—Part 214 Railroad Workplace Safety Violation Report Form
350 Safety Inspectors
200 forms
4 hours
800
$28,800
214.311—Written Procedure of Challenges Made to On-Track Safety Procedures—Program Amendments
744 Railroads
20 amend./584 prog. amend
20 hours/4 hours
2,736
103,968
—Subsequent Years: Safety Programs
5 Railroads
5 safety prog
250 hours
1,250
47,500
214.313—Responsibility of Individual Roadway Workers—Good Faith Challenges
20 Railroads
80 challenges
4 hours
320
11,520
214.315/335—Supervision and Communication Job Briefings
50,000 Roadway Empl
16,350,000 brf
2 minutes
545
19,620,000
214.321—Exclusive Track Occupancy—Working Limits—Written Authorities
85,853 Roadway Workers
700,739 auth
40 seconds
7,786
280,296
214.325—Train Coordination—Communications
50,000 Roadway Workers
36,500 comm
15 seconds
152
55,472
214.327—Inaccessible Track—Establishing Working Limits
50,000 Roadway Workers
50,000 Occurrences
10 minutes
8,333
299,988
214.337—On-Track Safety Procedures for Lone Workers: Train Detection—Written Statements
744 Railroads
2,080,000 stat
30 seconds
17,333
623,988
214.355—Training and Qualification for Operators of Roadway Maintenance Machines
50,000 Roadway Workers
50,000 records
2 minutes
1,667
63,346
214.503—Good Faith Challenges; Procedures for Notification and Resolution
50,000 Roadway Workers
125 notific
10 minutes
21 hours
756
—Resolution Procedures
744 Railroads
10 procedures
2 hours
20 hours
760
214.505—Req'd Environmental Control and Protection Systems For New On-Line Roadway Maintenance Machines with Enclosed Cabs
744 Railroads
9 lists
1 hour
9 hours
342
214.507—Required Safety Equipment for New On-Track Roadway Maint. Machines—Stickers
744 Railroads
1,000 stickers
5 minutes
83
2,988
214.511—Req'd Audible Warning Devices—Roadway Maintenance Machines—I.D
744 Railroads
3,700 devices
5 minutes
308
11,088
214.513—Retrofitting Existing On-track RMM
744 Railroads
2,300 Identific
5 minutes
192
6,912
214.515—Overhead Covers For Existing On-Track Roadway Maintenance Machines (RMM)
744 Railroads
500 requests + 500 responses
10 min. + 20 min
250
9,334
214.517—Retrofitting of Existing On-Track RMM Manufactured After 1991
744 Railroads
6,000 stencils
5 minutes
500
18,000
214.518—Safe and secure positions for riders
744 Railroads
7,500 markings
5 minutes
625
22,500
214.523—Hi-Rail Vehicles—Inspections—Rcds
744 Railroads
2,000 recds
60 minutes
2,000
72,000
—Non-Complying Conditions—Tags + Reports
744 Railroads
500 tags + 500 reports
10 min. + 15 min
208
7,488
214.527—On-Track RMM; Inspection for Compliance; Repair Schedules—Tags + Reports
744 Railroads
550 tags + 550 reports
5 min. + 15 min
184
6,624
214.533—Schedule of Repairs; Subject to Availability of Parts—Records
744 Railroads
250 records
15 minutes
63
2,394
Total Responses:
19,294,122
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
589,840 hours.
Form(s):
FRA F 6180.119.
Status:
Regular Review.
Title:
Locomotive Cab Sanitation Standards.
OMB Control Number:
2130-0552.
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.
Affected Public:
Businesses.
Respondent Universe:
Railroads.
Reporting Burden:
CFR section
Respondent
universe
Total annual
responses
Average time per
response
Total annual
burden hours
Total annual
burden cost
229.137(d)—Sanitation—Locomotive Defective or Unsanitary Toilet Facility Placed in Trailing Service—Clear Markings: Unavailable For Use
744 Railroads
7,800 notices
90 seconds
195
$6,435
229.137(e)—Sanitation—Locomotive Defective Toilet Facility—Clear Markings: Unavailable For Use
744 Railroads
5,200 notices
90 seconds
130
4,290
229.139(d)—Servicing—Locomotive Used in Transfer or Switching Service with Defective Toilet Facility—Date Defective
744 Railroads
93,600 notations
30 seconds
780
25,740
Total Responses:
106,600.
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
1,105 hours.
Status:
Regular Review.
Title:
Positive Train Control.
OMB Control Number:
2130-0553.
Abstract:
The collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that new or novel signal and train control technologies, essentially electronic or processor-based systems, meet the “performance standard” stipulated in FRA's final rule and work as intended in the U.S. rail environment. These new signal and train control technologies are known as “Positive Train Control” (PTC).
Affected Public:
Businesses.
Respondent Universe:
Railroads.
Reporting Burden:
CFR section
Respondent
universe
Total annual
responses
Average time per response
Total annual burden hours
Total annual burden cost
234.275—Processor-Based Systems—Deviations from Product Safety Plan (PSP)—Letters
85 Railroads
25 letters
4 hours
100
$3,800
236.18—Software Management Control Plan
85 Railroads
45 plans
100 hours
4,500
297,000
236.905—Railroad Safety Program Plan (RSPP)
85 Railroads
15 plans
250 hours
3,750
153,000
—Response to FRA Request For Add'l Information
85 Railroads
2 documents
8 hours
16
608
—FRA Approval of RSPP Modifications
85 Railroads
5 amendments
60 hours
300
13,080
236.907—Product Safety Plan (PSP)—Development
85 Railroads
30 plans
240 hours
7,200
900,000
236.909—Minimum Performance Standard
85 Railroads
7 petitions
8 hours
56
3,696
—Petitions For Review and Approval
—Performance of Full Risk Assessment
85 Railroads
5 assessments
3,000 hours
15,000
1,875,000
—Subsequent Years—Full Risk Assessment
85 Railroads
7 assessments
1,200 hours
8,400
1,050,000
—Abbreviated Risk Assessment
85 Railroads
25 assessments
240 hours
6,000
750,000
—Subsequent Years—Abbrev. Risk Assessment
85 Railroads
10 assessments
60 hours
600
75,000
Alternative Risk Assessment
85 Railroads
5 assessments
3,000 hours
15,000
1,875,000
236.911—Exclusions—Notification to FRA
85 Railroads
20 notifications
80 hours
1,600
60,800
—Election to Have Excluded Products Covered By Submitting a Product Safety Plan (PSP)
85 Railroads
2 plans
240 hours
480
18,240
236.913—Notification/Submission to FRA of Joint Product Safety Plan
85 Railroads
5 notices/plans
240 hours
1,200
45,600
—Petitions For Approval/Informational Filings
85 Railroads
32 petitions
40 hours
1,280
48,640
—Responses to FRA Request for Further Info. After Informational Filing
85 Railroads
20 documents
40 hours
800
30,400
—Responses to FRA Request for Further Info. After Agency Receipt of Notice of Product Development—Technical Consultations
85 Railroads
5 consultations
120 hours
600
75,000
—Petitions for Final Approval
85 Railroads
20 petitions
40 hours
800
30,400
—FRA Receipt of Petition & Request For Info
85 Railroads
10 documents
80 hours
800
30,400
—Agency Consultations To Decide on Petition
85 Railroads
10 consultations
40 hours
400
15,200
—Other Petitions for Approval
85 Railroads
5 petitions
60 hours
300
11,400
—FRA acknowledges receipt of petitions
85 Railroads
10 documents
40 hours
400
15,200
236.913 Petitions for Approval/Informational Filings—Comments
Public/RR Community
10 comments
8 hours
80
2,960
Product Safety Plan (PSP)—3rd Party Assessment
85 Railroads
3 assessments
4,000 hours
12,000
1,500,000
Product Safety Plan—Amendments
85 Railroads
15 amendments
40 hours
600
22,200
236.917—Retention of Records
85 Railroads
22 documents
40 hours
880
33,440
Report of Inconsistencies with PSP to FRA
85 Railroads
40 reports
20 hours
800
30,400
236.919—Operations & Maintenance Manual
85 Railroads
30 manuals
120 hours
3,600
136,800
—Plans For Proper Maintenance, Repair, Inspection of Safety-Critical Products
85 Railroads
30 plans
200 hours
6,000
228,000
—Hardware/Software/Firmware Revisions
85 Railroads
5 revisions
40 hours
200
7,600
—Identification of Safety-Critical Components
85 Railroads
10,000 markings
10 minutes
1,667
51,667
236.921—Training
85 Railroads
30 Training Prog
400 hours
12,000
456,000
—Training of Signalmen & Dispatchers
85 Railroads
220 sessions
40 hours/20 hrs
8,400
1,050,000
236.923—Task Analysis/Basic Reqmnts—Recds
85 Railroads
4,400 records
10 minutes
733
27,854
Total Responses:
15,145.
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
117,342 hours.
Status:
Regular Review.
Title:
Post-Traumatic Stress in Train Crew Members After a Critical Incident.
OMB Control Number:
2130-0567.
Abstract:
Nearly 1,000 fatalities occur every year in this country from trains striking motor vehicles at grade crossings and individual trespassers along the track. These events can be very traumatic to train crew members, who invariably are powerless to prevent such collisions. Exposure of train crews to such work-related traumas can cause extreme stress and result in safety-impairing behaviors, such as are seen in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Acute Stress Disorder. Most railroads have Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) intervention programs designed to mitigate problems caused by exposure to these traumas. However, they are quite varied in their approach, and it is not certain which components of these programs are most effective. The purpose of this collection of information is to identify “best practices” for CISD programs in the railroad industry. By means of written and subsequent oral interviews with train crew members that will each take approximately 45 minutes, the approved study aims to accomplish the following: (1) Benchmark rail industry best practices of CISD programs; (2) Establish the extent of traumatic stress disorders due to grade crossing and trespasser incidents in the rail industry (not by region or railroad) and identify at-risk populations; and (3) Evaluate the effectiveness of individual components of CISD programs. It should be noted that only the components of CISD programs will be evaluated, not an individual railroad's overall intervention program.
Affected Public:
Train Crew Members.
Respondent Universe:
2,000 Train Crew Members.
Frequency of Submission:
On Occasion.
Form(s):
FRA F 6180.120; FRA F 6180.121; FRA F 6180.122.
Estimated Annual Burden:
3,000 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 February 20, 2008.
D.J. Stadtler,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-3606 Filed 2-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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