[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34990-34992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9402]


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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 August 15, 2006.

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 Mr. Victor Angelo, Office of Support Systems, RAD-43, 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 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 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6292) or Victor Angelo, Office of Support Systems, RAD-43, 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), 
Public Law 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 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.

[[Page 34991]]

    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 6180.33/61/67/96/96A/109/110/111/112.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: States and Railroads.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                   Average time
         CFR Section              Respondent       Total annual    per response    Total annual    Total annual
                                   universe         responses         (hours)      burden hours     burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application For Participation  15 States.......  15 updates.....            2.5               38          $1,748
Training Funding Agreement...  30 States.......  30 agreements..            1                 30           1,380
Inspector Training             30 States.......  300 vouchers...            1                300          12,600
 Reimbursement.
Annual Work Plan.............  30 States.......  30 reports.....           15                450          20,700
Inspection Form (Form FRA F    30 States.......  18,000 forms...            0.25           4,500         189,000
 6180.96).
Violation Report--Motive,      19 States.......  200 reports....            4                800          33,600
 Power, and Equipment
 Regulations (Form FRA F
 6180.109).
Violation Report--Operating    13 States.......  40 reports.....            4                160           6,720
 Practices Regulations (Form
 FRA F 6180.67).
Violation Report--Hazardous    14 States.......  100 reports....            4                400          16,800
 Materials Regulations (Form
 FRA F 6180.110).
Violation Report-- Hours of    13 States.......  21 reports.....            4                 84           3,528
 Service Law (F 6180.33).
Violation Report--Accident/    17 States.......  10 reports.....            4                 40           1,680
 Incident Reporting Rules
 (Form FRA F 6180.61).
Violation Report--Track        17 States.......  158 reports....            4                632          26,544
 Safety Regulations (Form FRA
 F 6180.111).
Violation Report--Signal and   17 States.......  100 reports....            4                400          16,800
 Train Control Regulations
 (Form FRA F 6180.112).
Remedial Actions Reports.....  573 Railroads...  5,048 reports..            0.25           1,262          80,768
Violation Report Challenge...  573 Railroads...  1,010                      1              1,010          64,640
                                                  challenges.
Delayed Reports..............  573 Railroads...  505 reports....            0.5              253          16,192
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    Total Responses: 25,567.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 10,359 hours.
    Status: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    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.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                   Average time
         CFR Section              Respondent       Total annual    per response    Total annual    Total annual
                                   universe         responses         (hours)      burden hours     burden cost
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223.17--Identification of      4 Manufacturers.  200 stencilings            0.25              50          $1,500
 Equipped Locomotives,
 Passenger Cars, and
 Cabooses--Stenciling.
223.17--Appendix A--Requests   5 Manufacturers.  10 requests....            0.25               3              90
 for Glazing Certification
 Information.
--Material Identification:     5 Manufacturers.  25,000 pieces..           0.002              52           1,560
 Marked Units of Glazing.
--New Manufacturers: Testing   5 Manufacturers.  1 Test.........              14              14
 and Verification Data.
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    Total Responses: 25,211.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 119 hours.
    Status: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Hours of Service Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0005.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad 
hours of service regulations set forth in 49 CFR part 228 which require 
railroads to collect the hours of duty for covered employees, and 
records of train movements. Railroads whose employees have exceeded 
maximum duty limitations must report the circumstances. Also, a 
railroad that has developed plans for construction or reconstruction of 
sleeping quarters (subpart C of 49 CFR part 228) must obtain approval 
of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by filing a petition 
conforming to the requirements of sections 228.101, 228.103, and 
228.105.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.3.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 687 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

[[Page 34992]]



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                                                                   Average time
         CFR Section              Respondent       Total annual    per response    Total annual    Total annual
                                   universe         responses         (hours)      burden hours     burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.11--Hours of Duty Records  632 railroads...  27,375,000          0.033/0.167       2,962,500    $103,687,500
                                                  recds..
228.17--Dispatchers of Train   150 Dispatch      54,750 records.               6         328,500      11,497,500
 Movements.                     Offices.
228.19--Monthly Reports of     300 railroads...  1,800 reports..               2           3,600         126,000
 Excess Service.
228.103--Construction of       632 railroads...  1 petition.....              16              16             560
 Employee Sleeping Quarters.
45 U.S.C. 61-641--Hours of     15 railroads....  12 petitions...              10             120           4,200
 Service Act.
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    Total Responses: 27,431,563.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,294,736 hours.
    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 June 12, 2006.
D.J. Stadlter,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-9402 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P