[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20426-20428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10216]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


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 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 June 24, 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 [email protected], or to Ms. Steward 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: 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,

[[Page 20427]]

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, Sec. 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 three currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Rear-End Marking Devices.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR 
part 221 which requires railroads to furnish a detailed description of 
the type of marking device to be used for the trailing end of rear cars 
in order to ensure rear cars meet minimum standards for visibility and 
display. Railroads are required to furnish a certification that the 
device has been tested in accordance with current ``Guidelines for 
Testing of Rear End Marking Devices.'' Additionally, railroads are 
required to furnish detailed test records which include the testing 
organizations, description of tests, number of samples tested, and the 
test results in order to demonstrate compliance with the performance 
standard.
    Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 2.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 4 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0535.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: Section 20139 of Title 49 of the United States Code 
required FRA to issue rules, regulations, orders, and standards for the 
safety of maintenance-of-way employees on railroad bridges, including 
for ``bridge safety equipment'' such as nets, walkways, handrails, and 
safety lines, and requirements for the use of vessels when work is 
performed on bridges located over bodies of water. FRA has added 49 CFR 
part 214 to establish minimum workplace safety standards for railroad 
employees as they apply to railroad bridges. Specifically, section 
214.15(c) establishes standards and practices for safety net systems. 
Safety nets and net installations are to be drop-tested at the job site 
after initial installation and before being used as a fall-protection 
system; after major repairs; and at six-month intervals if left at one 
site. If a drop-test is not feasible and is not performed, then a 
written certification must be made by the railroad or railroad 
contractor, or a designated certified person, that the net does comply 
with the safety standards of this section. FRA and State inspectors use 
the information to enforce Federal regulations. The information that is 
maintained at the job site promotes safe bridge worker practices.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 6.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Title: Railroad Operating Rules.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0035.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad 
operating rules set forth in 49 CFR part 217 which require Class I and 
Class II railroads to file with FRA copies of their operating rules, 
timetables, and timetable special instructions, and subsequent 
amendments thereto. Class III railroads are required to retain copies 
of these documents at their systems headquarters. Also, 49 CFR 
220.21(b) prescribes the collection of information which requires 
railroads to retain one copy of their current operating rules with 
respect to radio communications and one copy of each subsequent 
amendment thereto. These documents must be made available to FRA upon 
request.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                             Total annual        Average time per     Total annual burden    Total annual burden burden
           CFR section              Respondent universe        responses             response                hours                      cost
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271.7--Copy--FRA-- operating       1 new railroad......  2 submissions.......  1 hour..............  1 hour..............  $35.
 rules, Class I & II RRs.
    Amendments...................  32 railroads........  96 amendments.......  20 minutes..........  32 hours............  $1,120.
Copy of operating rules--Class     20 railroads........  20 submissions......  55 minutes..........  18 hours............  $630.
 III.
    Amendments...................  632 railroads.......  1,896 amendments....  15 minutes..........  474 hours...........  $16,590.
217.9--20 Copy--Prog. for Perf.    20 new railroads....  20 Programs.........  9.92 hours..........  198 hours...........  $6,930.
 of Operational Tests.
    Amendments...................  50 railroads........  150 amendments......  1.92 hours..........  288 hours...........  $10,080.

[[Page 20428]]

 
Oper. Test Reds..................  632 railroads.......  9,120,000...........  5 minutes...........  760,000 hours.......  $34,200,000.
    Summary Tests................  55 railroads........  55 summaries........  1 hour..............  55 hours............  $1.925.
271.11--Copy--Instr. Prog.--       20 new railroads....  20 Programs.........  8 hours.............  160 hours...........  $5,600.
 Employees.
    Amendments...................  632 railroads.......  220 amendments......  55 minutes..........  202 hours...........  $7,070.
220.21(b)--Copy--Op. Rules--Radio  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7.
    Amendments...................  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7...  Incl. under 217.7.
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    Total Responses: 9,122,479 .
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 761,428 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 April 18, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal 
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-10216 Filed 4-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P