[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 64 (Monday, April 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15588-15589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7655]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2009-0001-N-7]


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 June 5, 2009.

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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 
20590, or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., 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-
6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Ms. Jackson 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, 1200 
New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, 
RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., 
Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6073). (These 
telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law No. 104-13, 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

[[Page 15589]]

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 three currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:

    Title: Stencilling Reporting Mark on Freight Cars.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0520.
    Abstract: Title 49, Section 215.301 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, sets forth certain requirements that must be followed by 
railroad carriers and private car owners relative to identification 
marks on railroad equipment. FRA, railroads, and the public refer to 
the stencilling to identify freight cars.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Respondent Universe: 718 railroads.
    Total Estimated Responses: 20,000 cars stencilled.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 15,000 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.
    Title: Rear-End Marking Devices.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR 
Part 221 which requires railroads to furnish a detailed description of 
the type of marking device to be used for the trailing end of rear cars 
in order to ensure rear cars meet minimum standards for visibility and 
display. Railroads are required to furnish a certification that the 
device has been tested in accordance with current ``Guidelines For 
Testing of Rear End Marking Devices.'' Additionally, railroads are 
required to furnish detailed test records which include the testing 
organizations, description of tests, number of samples tested, and the 
test results in order to demonstrate compliance with the performance 
standard.
    Respondent Universe: 718 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Responses: 4.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 8 hours.
    Status: Regular review.

    Title: Locomotive Certification (Noise Compliance Regulations).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0527.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: Part 210 of title 49 of the United States Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) pertains to FRA's noise enforcement procedures, which 
encompass rail yard noise source standards published by the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA has the authority to set 
these standards under the Noise Control Act of 1972. The information 
collected by FRA under Part 210 is necessary to ensure compliance with 
EPA noise standards for new locomotives.

Respondent Universe: 2 Locomotive Manufacturers

    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

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                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
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210.27--New Loco. Certification--  2 Locomotive Manuf.  40 requests........  30 minutes.........              20
 Requests for Information.
--Identification of Locomotives..  2 Locomotive Manuf.  790 badges/plates..  30 minutes.........             395
210.31--Operation Standards--      2 Locomotive Manuf.  790 recorded         3 hours............           2,370
 Measurement of Loco Noise                               measurements.
 Emissions.
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    Total Estimated Responses: 1,620.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 2,785 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 March 31, 2009.
Kimberly Orben,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-7655 Filed 4-3-09; 8:45 am]
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