[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 106 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26915-26916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13042]



[[Page 26915]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2009-0001-N-12]


Notice of Request for Comments on Information Collection 
Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information 
Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The 
ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their 
expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment 
period soliciting comments on the following collections of information 
was published on March 24, 2009 (74 FR 12443).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 6, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 (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, 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 March 24, 2009, FRA published a 60-day notice 
in the Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was 
seeking OMB approval. 74 FR 12443. FRA received no comments after 
issuing this 60-day 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 summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The revised 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Filing of Dedicated Cars
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0502
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Abstract: Title 49, Part 215 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
prescribes certain conditions to be followed for the movement of 
freight cars that are not in compliance with this Part. These cars must 
be identified in a written report to FRA before they are assigned to 
dedicated service, and the words ``Dedicated Service'' must be 
stenciled on each side of the freight car body. FRA uses the 
information to determine whether the equipment is safe to operate and 
that the operation qualifies for dedicated service. See 49 CFR 215.5 
(c) (2), 215.5 (d).
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 4 hours.

    Title: Remotely Controlled Switch Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0516.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Abstract: Title 49, Section 218.30 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), ensures that remotely controlled switches are lined 
to protect workers who are vulnerable to being struck by moving cars as 
they inspect or service equipment on a particular track or, 
alternatively, occupy camp cars. FRA believes that production of 
notification requests promotes safety by minimizing mental lapses of 
workers who are simultaneously handling several tasks. Sections 218.30 
and 218.67 require the operator of remotely controlled switches to 
maintain a record of each notification requesting blue signal 
protection for 15 days. Operators of remotely controlled switches use 
the information as a record documenting blue signal protection of 
workers or camp cars. This record also serves as a valuable resource 
for railroad supervisors and FRA inspectors monitoring regulatory 
compliance.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 60,038 hours.

    Title: Bad Order and Home Shop Card.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0519.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 215, each railroad is required to 
inspect freight cars placed in service and take the necessary remedial 
action when defects are identified. Part 215 defects are specific in 
nature and relate to items that have or could have caused accidents or 
incidents. Section 215.9 sets forth specific procedures that railroads 
must follow when it is necessary to move defective cars for repair 
purposes. For example, railroads must affix a ``bad order'' tag 
describing each defect to each side of the freight car. It is 
imperative that a defective freight car be tagged ``bad order'' so that 
it may be readily identified and moved to another location for repair 
purposes only. At the repair point, the ``bad order'' tag serves as a 
repair record. Railroads must retain each tag for 90 days to verify 
that proper repairs were made at the designated location. FRA and State 
inspectors review all pertinent records to determine whether defective 
cars presenting an immediate hazard are being moved in transportation.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 15,750 hours.
    Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, 
Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Alternatively, comments may be sent via e-
mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office 
of Management and Budget, at the following address: [email protected].
    Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed 
collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Department, including

[[Page 26916]]

whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of 
the Department's estimates of the burden of the proposed information 
collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the 
collections 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 May 29, 2009.
Kimberly Orben,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-13042 Filed 6-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P