[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 174 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54716-54717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20458]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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 June 24, 2004 (69 FR 35421).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before October 12, 2004.

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 17, 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 June 24, 2004, FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal 
Register soliciting comment on this ICR that the agency was seeking OMB 
approval. 69 FR 35421. FRA received no comments after issuing this 
notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information collection 
activities have been re-evaluated 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 summary below describes the nature of the information 
collection requirement (ICR) and the expected burden. The revised 
requirement is being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by the 
PRA.
    Title: Railroad Communications (Formerly Radio Standards and 
Procedures).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0524.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Abstract: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) amended its 
radio standards and procedures to promote compliance by making the 
regulations more flexible; to require wireless communications devices, 
including radios, for specified classifications of railroad operations 
and roadway

[[Page 54717]]

workers; and to re-title this part to reflect its coverage of other 
means of wireless communications such as cellular telephones, data 
radio terminals, and other forms of wireless communications to convey 
emergency and need-to-know information. The new rule established safe, 
uniform procedures covering the use of radio and other wireless 
communications within the railroad industry.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 255,371.
    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 September 2, 2004.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal 
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-20458 Filed 9-8-04; 8:45 am]
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