[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 238 (Thursday, December 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69119-69122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30652]


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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 February 9, 2004.

[[Page 69120]]


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 25, 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), 
Public Law 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. Sec.  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 three currently approved 
information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by 
OMB as required under the PRA:
    Title: Track Safety Standards (Gage Restraint Measurement Systems 
Amendment).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0010.
    Abstract: Qualified persons inspect track and take action to allow 
safe passage of trains and ensure compliance with prescribed Track 
Safety Standards. FRA amended the Track Safety Standards to provide 
procedures for track owners to use Gage Restraint Measurement Systems 
(GRMS) to assess the ability of their track to maintain proper gage. 
Under the current Track Safety Standards, track owners must evaluate a 
track's gage restraint capability through visual inspections conducted 
at frequencies and intervals specified in the standards. With this 
amendment, track owners may monitor gage restraint on a designated 
track segment using GRMS procedures. Individuals employed by the track 
owner to inspect track must be permitted to exercise their discretion 
in judging whether the track segment should also be visually inspected 
by a qualified track inspector.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Respondent
         CFR section              universe       Total annual      Average time    Total annual    Total annual
                                 (railroads)       responses      per  response    burden hours     burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
213.14--Excepted Track.......             160  25 orders.......  15 minutes.....               6            $228
    --Notification to FRA--               160  20 notifications  10 minutes.....               3             114
     Removal of Track Segment
     From Excepted Statutes.
213.5--Responsibility of                  685  12 notifications  8 hours........              96           3,648
 Track Owners--Assignment.
213.7--Designation of                     685  1,500 names.....  10 minutes.....             250           9,500
 Qualified Persons to
 Supervise Certain Renewals
 and Inspect Track.
    --Designations (Partially              31  250 names.......  10 minutes.....              42           1,596
     Qualified under
     Paragraph c).
213.17--Exeptions............             685  8 petitions.....  24 hours.......             192           7,296
213.57--Curves; Elevations &              685  4 requests......  40 hours.......             160           6,080
 Speed Limits.
    --Notification to FRA....             685  2 notifications.  45 minutes.....               2              76
    --Requests for FRA                      1  4 test plans....  16 hours.......              64           2,432
     Approval--Test Plans.
213.110--Gage Restraint Meas.             685  40 notifications  45 minutes/4                 46           1,748
 Syts.--Implementing.                           + 4 tech. rpts.   hrs.                                    46,250

[[Page 69121]]

 
    GRMS Output Reports......             685  150 reports.....  5 minutes......              13             494
    --GRMS Exception Reports.             685  150 reports.....  5 minutes......              13             494
    --Procedures For                      685  10 doc. proc....  2 hours........              20             760
     Maintaining GRMS Data.
    --GRMS Training..........             685  10 training       16 hours.......             560          21,280
                                                prog. + 25 tr.
                                                sessions.
    --GRMS Inspections--Two               685  200 records.....  2 hours........             400          15,200
     Most Recent Records.
213.119--Continuous Weld Rail             150  3,000 records...  10 minutes.....             500          19,500
 (CWR)--Records.
213.233--Track Inspections By             685  2,500 notations.  1 minute.......              42           1,260
 Person/Vehicle--Rcds.
213.241--Inspection Records..             685  20,000..........  5 minutes......       1,763,941      52,918,230
213.303--Responsibility for                 2  1 petition......  8 hours........               8             304
 Compliance--High Speed
 Track: Assignment of
 Responsibility.
213.305--Designation of Fully               2  150 designations  10 minutes.....              25             950
 Qualified Individuals.
    --Designation of                        2  15 designations.  10 minutes.....               3             114
     Partially Qualified
     Individuals.
213.317--Exemption From Any/                2  1...............  24 hours.......              24             912
 All Requirements.
213.329--Curves, Elevation,                 2  3 notifications.  40 hours.......             120           4,560
 and Higher Speed Limits.
    --Passenger/Commuter                    2  3 notifications.  45 minutes.....               2              76
     Service Over More Than 1
     Trk..
213.333--Track Geometry                     3  18 reports......  20 hours.......             360          10,800
 Measurement Sys.--Rpts..
    --Track/Vehicle                         1  1 written proc..  8 hours........               8             304
     Measurement Perf. Sys.--
     Procedures.
    --Exception Printouts....               2  13 printouts....  20 hours.......             260           7,800
213.341--Initial Inspection--               2  2 reports.......  8 hours........              16             608
 New Rail/Welds Mill Insp.
    --Welding Plant                         2  2 reports.......  8 hours........              16             608
     Inspection.
    --Inspection of Field                   2  200 records.....  20 minutes.....              67           2,546
     Welds--Records.
213.343--Continuous Weld                    2  200 records.....  10 minutes.....              33           1,254
 Rail--History--Records.
213.345--Vehicle                            1  2 reports.......  16 hours.......              32           1,216
 Qualification Testing--
 Results/Rcds.
213.14--Excepted Track.......             160  25 orders.......  15 minutes.....               6             228
    --Notification to FRA--               160  20 notifications  10 minutes.....               3             114
     Removal of Track Segment
     From Excepted Statues.
213.5--Responsibility of                  685  12 notifications  8 hours........              96           3,648
 Track Owners--Assignment.
213.7--Designation of                     685  1,500 names.....  10 minutes.....             250           9,500
 Qualified Persons to
 Supervise Certain Renewals
 and Inspect Track.
    --Designations (Partially              31  250 names.......  10 minutes.....              42           1,596
     Qualified under
     Paragraph c).
213.17--Excemptions..........             685  8 petitions.....  24 hours.......             192           7,296
213.57--Curves; Elevations &              865  4 requests......  40 hours.......             160           6,080
 Speed Limits.
    --Notification to FRA....             685  2 notifications.  45 minutes.....               2              76
    --Requests for FRA                      1  4 test plans....  16 hours.......              64           2,432
     Approval--Test Plans.
213.110--Gage Restraint Meas.             685  40 notifications  45 minutes/4                 46           1,748
 Sys.--Implementing.                            + 4 tech rpts.    hrs.                                    46,250
    --GRMS Output Reports....             685  150 reports.....  5 minutes......              13             494
    --GRMS Exception Reports.             685  150 reports.....  5 minutes......              13             494
    --Procedures For                      685  10 doc. proc....  2 hours........              20             760
     Maintaining GRMS Data.
    --GRMS Training..........             685  10 training       16 hours.......             560          21,280
                                                prog. + 25 tr.
                                                sessions.
    --GRMS Inspections--Two               685  200 records.....  2 hours........             400          15,200
     Most Recent Records.
213.119--Continuous Weld Rail             150  3,000 records...  10 minutes.....             500          19,500
 (CWR)--Records.
213.233--Track Inspections By             685  2,500             1 minute.......              42           1,260
 Person/Vehicle--Rcds.                          notifications.
213.241--Inspection Records..             685  20,000 records..  5 minutes......       1,763,941      52,918,230

[[Page 69122]]

 
213.303--Responsibility for                 2  1 petition......  8 hours........               8             304
 Compliance--High Speed
 Track; Assignment of
 Responsibility.
213.347--Automotive or RR                   1  2 plans.........  8 hours........              16             608
 Crossing at Grade--Plans.
213.353--Turnouts and                       1  1 guide book....  40 hours.......              40           1,520
 Crossovers.
213.361--Right of Way--Class                1  1 plan..........  40 hous........              40           1,520
 8 & 9--Plan Approv..
213.369--Inspection Records..               2  500 records.....  1 minute.......               8             240
213.369--Inspection Records..               2  500 records.....  1..............               8             240
    --Designation records....               2  2 designations..  15 minutes.....               1              38
    --Inspection Records of                 2  50 records......  5 minutes......               4             120
     Defects and Remedial
     Actions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 1,635,052.
    Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,767,433 hours.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Special Notice For Repairs.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
    Abstract: The Special Notice For Repairs is issued to notify the 
carrier in writing of an unsafe condition involving a locomotive, car, 
or track. The carrier must return the form after repairs have been 
made. The collection of information is used by State and Federal 
inspectors to remove freight car or locomotives until they can be 
restored to a serviceable condition. It is also used by State and 
Federal inspectors to reduce the maximum authorized speed on a section 
of track until repairs can be made.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.8; FRA F 6180.8a.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 58.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 7 hours.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Designation of Qualified Persons.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.
    Abstract: The collection of information is used to prevent the 
unsafe movement of defective freight cars. Railroads are required to 
inspect freight cars for compliance and to determine restrictions on 
the movements of defective cars.

    Form Number(s): None.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.
    Total Responses: 1,200.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    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 December 5, 2003.
Maryann Johnson,
Acting Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, 
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-30652 Filed 12-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P