[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27626-27627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12488]


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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 July 21, 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, 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, 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

[[Page 27627]]

information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
    Below are brief summaries of the three currently approved 
information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by 
OMB as required under the PRA:
    Title: State Safety Participation Regulations and Remedial Actions.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0509.
    Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR 
part 212, and requires qualified state inspectors to provide various 
reports to FRA for monitoring and enforcement purposes concerning state 
investigative, inspection, and surveillance activities regarding 
railroad compliance with Federal railroad safety laws and regulations. 
Additionally, railroads are required to report to FRA actions taken to 
remedy certain alleged violations of law.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.10; FRA F 6180.29/29A/33; FRA F 6180.61; 
FRA F 6180.67; FRA F 6180.68/68A/69/96/96A/96B.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: States and railroads.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                  Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual    Total annual
         CFR section               universe        responses       per response    burden hours     burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application For Participation  15 States......  15 updates.....  2.5 hours......              38          $1,748
Training Funding Agreement...  30 States......  30 agreements..  1 hour.........              30           1,380
Inspector Training             30 States......  300 vouchers...  1 hour.........             300          12,600
 Reimbursement.
Supervisor Travel              30 States......  30 vouchers....  1 hour.........              30           1,380
 Reimbursement.
Annual Work Plan.............  30 States......  30 reports.....  15 hours.......             450          20,700
Inspection Form..............  30 States......  18,000 reports.  15 minutes.....           4,500         189,000
Violation Form...............  30 States......  629 reports....  4 hours........           2,516         105,672
Remedial Actions Reports.....  573 Railroads..  5,048 reports..  15 minutes.....           1,262          80,768
Violation Report Challenge...  573 Railroads..  1,010            1 hour.........           1,010          64,640
                                                 challenges.
Delayed Reports..............  573 Railroads..  505 reports....  30 minutes.....             253          16,192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 25,597.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 10,389 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Certification of Glazing Materials.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0525.
    Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR 
Part 223, which requires the certification and permanent marking of 
glazing materials by the manufacturer. The manufacturer is also 
responsible for making available test verification data to railroads 
and FRA upon request.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 5 manufacturers.
    Total Responses: 25,211.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 119 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Two-Way End-of-Train Devices.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0540.
    Abstract: Section 20141 of the United States Code amended the 
Federal Rail Safety Laws by adding certain statutory mandates related 
to power brake safety, specifically regarding two-way end-of-train 
telemetry devices (two-way EOTs). This Section required two-way end-of-
train devices (or devices able to perform the same function) on road 
trains other than locals, road switchers, or work trains to enable the 
initiation of emergency braking from the rear of the train. The 
information collected enhances rail safety by ensuring that the 
locomotive engineer is notified if someone other than a train crew 
member tests the two-way end-of-train devices at the initial terminal 
or other point of installation to confirm that the device is capable of 
initiating an emergency power brake application from the rear of the 
train. The information collected is also used to by FRA to verify that 
the end-of-train telemetry equipment is properly calibrated for 
accuracy according to the manufacturer's specifications at least every 
365 days. Additionally, the information collected verifies that the 
two-way end-of-train devices standards--such as the front unit having a 
manually operated switch that is labeled ``Emergency'' which can 
initiate an emergency brake transmission to the rear unit (when 
activated)--are met.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: Railroads.
    Total Responses: 521,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,042 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 May 14, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-12488 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]
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