[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7535-7537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3400]


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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 April 19, 2004.

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 25, 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

[[Page 7536]]

control number 2130-0545.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted 
via facsimile to (202) 493-6230 or (202) 493-6170, or via 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), 
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 
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
    Below is a brief summary of currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the passenger 
train emergency preparedness regulations set forth in 49 CFR parts 223 
and 239 which require railroads to meet minimum Federal standards for 
the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency preparedness 
plans connected with the operation of passenger trains, including 
freight railroads hosting operations of rail passenger service. The 
regulations require luminescent or lighted emergency markings so that 
passengers and emergency responders can readily determine where the 
closest and most accessible exit routes are located and how the 
emergency exit mechanisms are operated. Windows and doors intended for 
emergency access by responders for extrication of passengers must be 
marked with retro-reflective material so that emergency responders, 
particularly in conditions of poor visibility, can easily distinguish 
them from the less accessible doors and windows. Records of the 
inspection, maintenance and repairs of emergency windows and door 
exits, as well as records of operational efficiency tests, will be used 
to ensure compliance with the regulations.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 18 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    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
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233.13--Waivers..............  18 railroads...  6 requests.....  2 hours........              12            $456
223.9(d); 239.107--Marking of  18 railroads...  10,475 decals..  5 minutes......             873          25,317
 Emergency Exits.
    --Marking door and window  18 railroads...  1,300/6,320      4 min./5 min...             614          17,806
     exists w clear                              decals.
     instructions.
239.107(b)--Records of         18 railroads...  1,800 window     20 min./3 min..             690          20,010
 inspection, Maintenance, &                      rcds. + 1,800
 repair.                                         door records.
239.101, 239.201--Filing of    2 railroads....  2 plans........  158 hours......             316          20,856
 Emergency Preparedness Plan.
    --Amendments to Emergency  2 railroads....  2 amendments...  3.2 hours......               6             228
     Plans.
239.101(ii)--Maintenance of    2 railroads....  2 records......  1 hour.........               2              76
 Current Emergency Phone
 Numbers.
    --Subsequent Years.......  18 railroads...  20 records.....  30 minutes.....              10             380
239.101(a)(3)--Joint           4 railroad       4 plans........  16 hours.......              64           3,328
 Operations.                    pairs.
    --Subsequent Years.......  1 railroad pair  1 plan.........  16 hours.......              16             832
239.101(a)(5)--Liaison with    2 railroads....  2 plans........  6 hours........              12             456
 Emergency Responders.
    --Subsequent Years.......  20 railroads...  19 plans/1,200   30 min./5 min..             110           4,180
                                                 copies.
239.101(a)(7)(ii) Passenger    5/12 railroads.  1,300 cards/5    5 min./16 hrs./             812          30,060
 Safety Information.                             progs./5         48 hrs./8 hrs..
                                                 safety
                                                 messages/12
                                                 progs./12
                                                 msgs..

[[Page 7537]]

 
239.105--Debriefing and        18 railroads...  5 debrief sess.  27 hours.......             135           2,190
 Critique.
239.301--Operational           18 railroads...  11,075 tests/    5 minutes......             923          38,766
 Efficiency Tests.                               rcds..
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    Total Responses: 35,363.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,595 hours.
    Status: 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 February 10, 2004.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal 
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-3400 Filed 2-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P