[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66722-66723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29844]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2009-001-N-28]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 February 16, 2010.

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 25, Washington, DC 
20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, 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 2130----
--.'' 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. Toone 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 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information 
Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-
6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 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 currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.
    Title: Designation of Qualified Persons.
    Abstract: The collection of information is used to prevent the 
unsafe movement of defective freight cars. Railroads are required to 
inspect freight cars for compliance and to determine restrictions on 
the movements of defective cars. The collection of information is used 
by FRA to ensure that all freight cars inspections are conducted by 
qualified persons who have demonstrated to their employing railroads a 
knowledge and ability to inspect freight cars for compliance with this 
Part, 49 CFR Part 215.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 728 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.
    Total Responses: 1,200.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the passenger 
train emergency preparedness regulations set forth in 49 CFR Parts 223 
and 239 which require railroads to meet minimum Federal standards for 
the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency preparedness 
plans connected with the operation of passenger trains, including 
freight railroads hosting operations of rail passenger service. The 
regulations require luminescent or lighted emergency markings so that 
passengers and emergency responders can readily determine where the 
closest and most accessible exit routes are located and how the 
emergency exit mechanisms are operated. Windows and doors intended for 
emergency access by responders for extrication of passengers must be 
marked with retro-reflective material so that emergency responders, 
particularly in conditions of poor visibility, can easily distinguish 
them from the less accessible doors and windows. Records

[[Page 66723]]

of the inspection, maintenance and repairs of emergency windows and 
door exits, as well as records of operational efficiency tests, will be 
used to ensure compliance with the regulations.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 22 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

                                                Reporting Burden
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                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR Section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
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223.9(d); 239.107--Marking of      22 railroads.......  4,575 decals/1,950   5 minutes/10                    706
 Emergency Exits.                                        decals.              minutes.
--Marking door and window exits w  22 railroads.......  6,320/1,300 decals.  5 min./10 min......             744
 clear instructions.
                                   22 railroads.......  1,800 window rcds..  20 minutes.........             600
239.101, 239.201--Filing of        3 railroads........  1 plan.............  158 hours..........             158
 Emergency Preparedness Plan.
--Amendments to Emergency Plans..  2 railroads........  1 amendment........  2 hours............               2
239.101(ii)--Maintenance of        22 railroads.......  2 records/lists....  1 hour.............               2
 Current Emergency Phone Numbers.
--Subsequent Years...............  22 railroads.......  25 records/lists...  30 minutes.........              13
239.101(a)(3)--Joint Operations..  50 railroad pairs..  50 plans...........  16 hours...........             800
--Subsequent Years...............  1 railroad pair....  1 plan.............  16 hours...........              16
239.101(a)(5)--Liaison with        3 railroads........  1 plan.............  40 hours...........              40
 Emergency Responders.
--Subsequent Years...............  22 railroads.......  22 updated plans...  40 hours...........             880
239.101(a)(7)(ii) Passenger        3 new railroads/3    1,300 cards/3        5 min./16 hrs./48               396
 Safety Information.                commuter railroads.  progs./3 safety      hrs./8 hrs./24 hrs.
                                                         messages/3 progs./
                                                         3 safety messages.
239.105--Debriefing and Critique.  22 railroads.......  39 debrief sess....  27 hours...........           1,053
239.301--Operational Efficiency    22 railroads.......  22,000 tests/rcds..  15 minutes.........           5,500
 Tests.
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    Total Responses: 39,399.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 10,910 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 December 10, 2009.
Kimberly Coronel,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-29844 Filed 12-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P