[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43837-43839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12406]


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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 October 2, 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 17, 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 2130-0008.'' 
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 21, 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), 
Pub. L. No. 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 request (ICR) that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards For Freight and 
Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes and Drawbars).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0008.
    Abstract: Section 7 of the Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act 
of 1992, Public Law No. 102-365, amended Section 202 of the Federal 
Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 421, 431 et seq.), empowered the 
Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the Department's 
rules with respect to railroad power brakes and, where applicable, 
prescribe standards regarding dynamic brake equipment. In keeping with 
the Secretary's mandate and the authority delegated from him to the FRA 
Administrator, FRA recently published a comprehensive regulatory 
revision of the then current requirements related to the inspection, 
testing, and maintenance of the brake equipment used in freight car 
operations. The Final Rule focused solely on freight and other non-
passenger trains, and codified and solidified the maintenance 
requirements related to the power brake system and its components. The 
collection of information is used by FRA to monitor and enforce safety 
requirements related to power brakes on freight cars. The collection of 
information is also used by locomotive engineers and road crews to 
verify that the terminal air brake test has been performed in a 
satisfactory manner.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 545 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Reporting Burden:

[[Page 43838]]



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                                  Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual    Total annual
         CFR section               universe        responses       per response    burden hours     burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.27--Annual Tests.........  20,000           18,000 tests...  15 minutes.....           4,500        $166,500
                                Locomotives.
232.1--Scope--Requests For     545 Railroads..  4 requests.....  1 hour.........               4             224
 Earlier Application of
 Requirements in Subparts A-
 C, F.
232.3--Applicability--Cars     545 Railroads..  8 cards........  10 minutes.....               1              35
 Not Used in Service.
232.7--Waivers...............  545 railroads..  20 petitions...  40 hours.......             800          28,000
232.11--Penalties............  545 railroads..  1 false record.  10 minutes.....             .20               6
232.15--Movement of Defective  1,620,000 cars/  128,400 tags...  2.5 minutes....           5,350         197,950
 Equipment.                     locomotives.
232.15--Notice of Defective    1,620,000 cars/  25,000 notices.  3 minutes......           1,250          46,250
 Car/Locomotive and             locomotives.
 Restrictions.
232.17--Special Approval       545 railroads..  4 petitions....  100 hours......             400          22,400
 Procedure.
--Petitions For Special        545 railroads..  2 petitions....  100 hours......             200          11,200
 Approval of Pre-Revenue
 Service Acceptance Testing
 Plan.
--Copies of Petitions For      545 railroads..  4 petitions....  40 hours.......             160           5,600
 Special Approval Procedure.
--Statements of Interest.....  Public/          14 statements..  8 hours........             112           3,920
                                Railroads.
--Comments on Special          Public/          13 comments....  4 hours........              52           1,820
 Approval Procedure Petition.   Railroads.
232.103--General Requirements  370,000 cars...  66,660 stickers  10 minutes.....          11,110         230,644
 For All Train Brakes.
232.105--General Requirements  20,000           20,000 forms...  5 minutes......           1,667          61,679
 For Locomotives.               locomotives.
232.107--Air Source            545 railroads..  50 plans.......  40 hours.......           2,000         112,000
 Requirements--Plans To
 Monitor All Air Yard
 Sources: First Year.
--Subsequent Years...........  25 new           1 plan.........  40 hours.......              40           2,240
                                railroads.
--Amendments to Plan.........  50 Existing      10 amendments..  20 hours.......             200          11,200
                                Plans.
--Record Keeping.............  50 Existing      1,150 records..  20 hours.......          23,000         805,000
                                Plans.
--Written Operating            545 railroads..  37 plans.......  20 hours.......             740          41,440
 Procedures/Plans.
232.109--Dynamic Brake         545 railroads..  1,656,000        4 minutes......         110,400       3,864,000
 Requirements--Records.                          records.
--Repair of Inoperative        20,000           6,358 records..  4 minutes......             424          14,840
 Dynamic Brakes.                locomotives.
--Locomotives with             20,000           6,358 tags.....  30 seconds.....              53           1,961
 Inoperative Dynamic Brakes--   locomotives.
 Tag.
--Deactivated Dynamic Brakes-- 8,000            2,800 markings.  5 minutes......             233           8,621
 Markings.                      locomotives.
--Subsequent Years--Markings.  8,000            20 markings....  5 minutes......               2              74
                                locomotives.
--Written Operating Rules--    545 railroads..  100 oper. rules  4 hours........             400          22,400
 Safe Train Handling.
--Subsequent Years--Safe       5 new railroads  5 oper. rules..  4 hours........              20           1,120
 Train Handling Procedures.
--Amendments.................  545 railroads..  15 amendments..  1 hour.........              15             525
--Over Speed Top Rules.......  545 railroads..  545 rules......  1 hour.........             545          30,520
--Requests to Increase 5 MPH   545 railroads..  5 requests.....  20.5 hours.....             103           3,605
 Over Speed Restriction.
--Locomotive Engineer          545 railroads..  100 amendments.  16 hours.......           1,600          89,600
 Certification Programs/
 PBrake.
--Subsequent Years...........  5 new railroads  5 amendments...  16 hours.......              80           4,480
232.111--Train Information     545 railroads..  545 procedures.  140 hours......          21,890       1,225,840
 Handling--Procedures.
--Subsequent Years...........  10 new           10 procedures..  40 hours.......             400          22,400
                                railroads.
--Amendments.................  100 railroads..  100 amendments.  20 hours.......           2,000          70,000
--Reports to Train Crews.....  545 railroads..  2,112,000 rpts.  10 minutes.....         352,000      13,024,000
232.203--Training              545 railroads..  300 programs...  100 hours......          30,000       1,680,000
 Requirements: Training
 Programs.
--Subsequent Years...........  15 railroads...  1 program......  100 hours......             100           5,600
--Amendments to Written        545 railroads..  545 amendments.  8 hours........           4,360         152,600
 Program.
--Training Records...........  545 railroads..  67,000 records.  8 minutes......           8,933         312,655
--Training Notifications.....  545 railroads..  67,000 notices.  3 minutes......           3,350         117,250
--Validation/Assessment Plans  545 railroads..  545 copies.....  40 hours/1                   49           2,375
                                                                  minute.
Amendments to Validation/      545 railroads..  50 amendments..  20 hours.......           1,000          35,000
 Assessment Plans.
232.205--Class I Brake Test--  545 railroads..  1,656,000......  45 minutes.....         20,7000         931,500
 Initial Terminal Insp.
232.207--Class I A Brake       545 railroads..  25 designations  30 minutes.....              13             455
 Tests: 1000 Mile Insp.
--Subsequent Years...........  545 railroads..  1 designation..  1 hour.........               1              35
--Amendments.................  545 railroads..  5 amendments...  1 hour.........               5             175
232.209--Class II Brake        545 railroads..  1,600,000        3 seconds......           1,333          59,985
 Tests--Intermediate Insp.                       commnt.

[[Page 43839]]

 
232.213--Extended Haul         84,000 train     100              15 minutes.....              25             875
 Trains--Designations.          movements.       designations.
--Records....................  84,000 train     25,200 records.  20 minutes.....           8,400         294,000
                                movements.
232.303--General               1,600,000        5,600 tags.....  5 minutes......             467          17,279
 Requirements--Track Brake      freight cars.
 Test.
--Location of Last Track       1,600,000        320,000          5 minutes......          26,667         986,679
 Brake Test/Single Car Test.    freight cars.    stenciling.
232.305--Single Car Tests....  1,600,000        320,000 tests/   45 minutes.....         240,000       8,880,000
                                freight cars.    rcds..
232.309--Equipment and         640 shops......  5,000 tests....  30 minutes.....           2,500          92,500
 Devices--Tests/Calibrations.
232.403--Design Standards For  245 railroads..  12 requests....  5 minutes......          1 hour              35
 One-way EOT Devices--Unique
 Code.
232.407--Operations Requiring  245 railroads..  50,000 commun..  30 seconds.....             417          18,765
 2-Way EOTs.
232.409--Inspection and        245 railroads..  450,000 commun.  30 seconds.....           3,750         138,750
 Testing of 2-Way EOTs.
--Testing Telemetry Equipment  245 railroads..  32,708 markings  60 seconds.....             545          20,165
232.503--Process to Introduce  545 railroads..  1 request/       60 minutes.....               1              56
 New Brake System Technology--                   letter.
 Special Approval.
--Pre-Revenue Service          545 railroads..  1 request......  3 hours........               3             168
 Demonstration.
232.505--Pre-Revenue Service   545 railroads..  1 procedure....  160 hours......             160           8,960
 Acceptance Testing Plan:
 Maintenance Procedure--1st
 Year.
--Subsequent Years...........  545 railroads..  1 procedure....  160 hours......             160           8,960
--Amendments.................  545 railroads..  1 amendment....  40 hours.......              40           1,400
--Design Description-          545 railroads..  1 petition.....  67 hours.......              67           3,752
 Petitions.
--Results Pre-Revenue Service  545 railroads..  1 report.......  13 hours.......              13             455
 Acceptance Testing.
--Description of Brake         545 railroads..  5 descriptions.  40 hours.......             200           7,000
 Systems Technologies
 Previously Used in Revenue
 Service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 8,644,448.
    Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 895,011 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    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 July 24, 2006.
D.J. Stadtler,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-12406 Filed 8-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P