[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12971-12972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6424]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Notice and Request for Comments

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information 
Collection Requirement (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period 
soliciting comments on the following collection of information was 
published on January 16, 2003 (68 FR 2393).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 17, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, 
Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 
20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292), 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 (telephone: (202) 493-6139). (These telephone 
numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Pub. L. 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 issue two notices seeking public 
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve 
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 
1320.12. On January 16, 2003, FRA published a 60-day notice in the 
Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was seeking 
OMB approval. 68 FR 2393.
    FRA received three comments after issuing this notice. The first 
comment or letter that FRA received was from the Brotherhood of 
Railroad Signalmen (BRS). The BRS supports the proposed study and 
remarked: ``The BRS contends that the Work Schedules and Sleep Patterns 
of Railroad Signalmen, OMB No. 2130-NEW, study will help the FRA and 
the rail industry to develop an understanding of the work schedule-
related fatigue issues that affect

[[Page 12972]]

signalmen. Once this study is complete, the BRS will continue to work 
with the FRA and the rail industry in order to promote work schedules 
that will reduce the fatigue level of railroad signalmen. The BRS also 
hopes that after this study is completed, the FRA diligently moves 
forward in their effort to examine the effects of fatigue on other non-
operating crafts, such as, but not limited to: track maintenance 
personnel, locomotive and car repair personnel; and telecommunications 
personnel.''
    The second comment or letter that FRA received came from the 
American Train Dispatchers Department (ATDD). The ATDD also supports 
the proposed study and observed: ``The ATDD applauds the efforts of the 
Federal Railroad Administration and supports them in proposing a study, 
which will focus on the cause and effect of fatigue issues that 
influence the performance of duties and responsibilities of signalmen. 
Their analysis of data can only contribute to the understanding of this 
most important issue, which will benefit not only signalmen, but many 
other non-operating crafts as well.''
    The third and final comment or letter that FRA received came from 
the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE). The BMWE too 
supports the proposed study and stated the following: ``Fatigue 
continues to be a factor for the non-operating crafts within the rail 
industry, especially in view of working conditions, expanded 
territories, frequent changes in workweek and starting times, erratic 
call schedules, etc. Members of the BRS, like those of the BMWE, are 
subject to a number of work schedule-related factors which can lead to 
fatigue induced accident and incidents. As such, we support the study 
contemplated in the above-referenced notice to assist FRA and the rail 
industry in understanding the impact of work schedules, territory size, 
call schedules, working conditions, and other factors which may 
contribute to BRS employee fatigue. Based on the anticipated success of 
the BRS study, BMWE believes FRA should systematically and individually 
examine the cause and effect of fatigue on other non-operating crafts, 
inclusive of BMWE.'' None of these three comments addressed the issue 
of burden hour estimates or burden cost estimates. After carefully 
reviewing these comments, DOT announces that these information 
collection activities have been reevaluated and certified under 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 
CFR 1320.12(c).
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or 
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30 day 
notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 
60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30 day notice 
informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords 
the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a 
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should 
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication 
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden, and are being 
submitted for clearance by OMB as required by the PRA.
    Title: Work Schedules and Sleep Patterns of Railroad Signalmen.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-NEW.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Affected Public: Rail workers.
    Abstract: In a continuing effort to improve rail safety and to 
reduce the number of injuries and fatalities to rail workers, FRA and 
the rail industry have recently focused on the issue of fatigue among 
train and engine crew personnel. Because railroading is an around-the-
clock, seven-days-a-week operation and because a wide array of workers 
are needed to both operate and to maintain the nation's railroads, 
other crafts--besides train and engine crews--can also be subject to 
fatigue. The non-operating crafts, including locomotive and car repair, 
track maintenance, signal system maintenance and telecommunications, 
fall into this second category. FRA is proposing a study which will 
focus on signalmen, one of the non-operating crafts. FRA seeks to 
develop an understanding of the work schedule-related fatigue issues 
that affect signalmen. The proposed study has two primary purposes: (1) 
It aims to document and characterize the work/rest schedules and sleep 
patterns of the signalmen; and (2) It intends to examine the 
relationship between these schedules and level of alertness/fatigue for 
the individuals who work these schedules. Subjective ratings from 
participants of their alertness/sleepiness on both work and non-work 
days will be an integral part of this study. The data will be collected 
through the use of a daily diary or log, as well as a brief background 
questionnaire for each participant. Analysis of the diary data will 
allow FRA to assess whether or not there are any work-related fatigue 
issues for signalmen.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 850 hours.
    Addressee: Send comments regarding this information collection to 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20503, 
Attention: FRA Desk Officer.
    Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB 
receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 13, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal 
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-6424 Filed 3-17-03; 8:45 am]
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