[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44745-44746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21820]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 2 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 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following 
proposed activities by mail to either: Ms. Gloria Swanson Eutsler, 
Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. 
MaryAnn Johnson, Office of Information Technology and Productivity 
Improvement, RAD-23, Federal Railroad Administration, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., 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) 632-3843 or (202) 632-3876, or E-mail to Ms. Eutsler 
at [email protected], or to Ms. Johnson 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:
Ms. Gloria Swanson Eutsler, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, 
RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 632-3318) or MaryAnn Johnson, 
Office of Information Technology and Productivity Improvement, RAD-23, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 632-3226). (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 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 2 currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Special Notice for Repairs (49 CFR 216).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
    Abstract: FRA and State inspectors have the authority to 
immediately order the cessation of use of unsafe equipment, reduce the 
authorized operating speed on a section of track, or recommend that 
track be removed from service when they are found to be immediately 
unsafe for service. The railroad may, within 5 days after receiving 
such notice, appeal to FRA.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.8 and 8a.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 680 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

[[Page 44746]]



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                                                                                                                                                Total   
                                                                                                                                                annual  
  Information collection requirement           Respondent universe                   Total responses             Average time per response      burden  
                                                                                                                                                hours   
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Special Notices for Repair...........  680 Railroads.....................  200 notices.......................  5 minutes...................           17
Emergency Order--Track...............  680 Railroads.....................  2 Orders..........................  1 hour......................            2
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 19.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Title: Designation of Qualified Persons (49 CFR 215).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.
    Abstract: Under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, the 
Federal Railroad Administration promulgated the Freight Car Safety 
Standards--49 CFR part 215. These standards require each railroad to 
conduct regular inspections and take necessary remedial action relative 
to repairs or movement for repairs of defective railroad freight cars. 
Under part 215.11, railroads are required to designate persons 
qualified to inspect freight cars for compliance with part 215 and 
persons who shall determine restrictions on movements of defective 
cars. Inspectors are designated as qualified to inspect freight cars to 
ensure that the cars receive a full and accurate inspection for 
compliance with part 215. Under ``Movement of Defective Cars for 
Repair'' designated inspectors are necessary to determine what repairs 
are necessary for defective freight cars. Repairs to railroad freight 
cars are divided into two categories. ``Running'' or light repairs are 
confined to defects to freight cars requiring movement of equipment and 
repair personnel to the freight car's location. The freight car's 
defect or damage repairs can be performed at that location. The second 
category is specialized or heavy repairs. the freight car must be moved 
to a location where specialized equipment is located. This type of 
movement for repairs involves freight cars that may not be safely moved 
without precaution. The movement must be authorized by an employee 
knowledgeable about equipment limitations which might include speed, 
track structure, curvature or other conditions that normally would not 
be of concern.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 680 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Annual Responses: 1,500 records.
    Average Time per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 C.F.R. 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, D.C. on August 11, 1997.
Hung Phan,
Acting Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, 
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-21820 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-M