[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19142-19143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7314]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 19143]]

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 approval of the following 
information collection activities. Before submitting these information 
collection requirements (ICRs) 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 13, 2005.

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 Mr. Victor Angelo, Office of Support Systems, 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 2130-----.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6068 or (202) 493-6170, or E-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Mr. Angelo 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 Victor Angelo, Office of Support Systems, RAD-20, Federal 
Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, 
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6470). (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 the currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Supplemental Qualifications Statement for Railroad Safety 
Inspector Applicants.
    Form Number: FRA-F-120.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0517.
    Abstract: The Supplemental Qualifications Statement for Railroad 
Safety Inspector Applicants is an information collection instrument 
used by FRA to gather additional background data so that FRA can 
evaluate the qualifications of applicants for the position of Railroad 
Safety Inspector. The questions cover a wide range of general and 
specialized skills, abilities, and knowledge of the five types of 
railroad safety inspector positions.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000 Applicants.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 3 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 6,000 hours.
    Status: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Railroad Worker Protection (49 CFR 214).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0539.
    Abstract: This rule establishes regulations governing the 
protection of railroad employees working on or near railroad tracks. 
The regulation requires that each railroad devise and adopt a program 
of on-track safety to provide employees working along the railroad with 
protection from the hazards of being struck by a train or other on-
track equipment. Elements of this on-track safety program include an 
on-track safety manual; a clear delineation of employers' 
responsibilities, as well as employees' rights and responsibilities 
thereto; well-defined procedures for communication and protection; and 
annual on-track safety training. The program adopted by each railroad 
is subject to review and approval by FRA. Part 214 regulations have 
been deemed different enough from the Part 213 regulations as to 
require a separate and distinct reporting form (new Form FRA F 
6180.119). Regardless of discipline, the FRA inspector will complete 
the new Roadway Workplace Safety Violation Report Form (FRA F 6180.119) 
when recommending civil penalties for Part 214 infractions.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Form Number: FRA F 6180.119.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 579 railroads.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 589,139 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 April 6, 2005.
D.J. Stadlter,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-7314 Filed 4-11-05; 8:45 am]
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