[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18294-18298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7463]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2011-001-N-4]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

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

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 May 31, 2011.

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 ---- .'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6216 or (202) 493-6479, 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-

[[Page 18295]]

20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 
35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6139). (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 three currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0035.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad 
operating rules set forth in 49 CFR part 217 which require Class I and 
Class II railroads to file with FRA copies of their operating rules, 
timetables, and timetable special instructions, and subsequent 
amendments thereto. Class III railroads are required to retain copies 
of these documents at their systems headquarters. Also, 49 CFR 
220.21(b) prescribes the collection of information which requires 
railroads to retain one copy of their current operating rules with 
respect to radio communications and one copy of each subsequent 
amendment thereto. These documents must be made available to FRA upon 
request. Through these rules, FRA learns the condition of operating 
rules and practices with respect to trains and instructions provided by 
the railroad to their employees in operating practices.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section              Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
217.7--Copy--FRA--Operating        1 new railroad......  1 submission.......  1 hour.............           1
 rules, timetables, Class I & II
 RRs.
    --Amendments.................  55 railroads........  165 amendments.....  20 Minutes.........          55
    --Copy of operating rules--    20 new railroads....  20 submissions.....  55 Minutes.........          18
     Class III.
    --Amendments.................  632 railroads.......  1,896 amendments...  15 Minutes.........         474
217.9--Railroad and Railroad       687 railroads.......  4,732 field trained  8 hours............      37,856
 Testing Officer Responsibilities.                        officers/training
                                                          sessions.
    --Records....................  687 railroads.......  4,732 records......  2 minutes..........         158
    Copy--Prog. for Perf. of       20 new railroads....  20 Programs........  9.92 hours.........         198
     Operational Tests.
    --Records of Operational       687 railroads.......  9,180,000 records..  5 minutes..........     765,000
     Tests/Inspections.
    --Amendments.................  55 railroads........  165 amendments.....  1.92 hours.........         317
    --Quarterly Review of          687 railroads.......  148 reviews........  1 hour.............         148
     Accident/Incident Data/Prior
     Op. Tests/Insp.
    --Designated Officers &        687 railroads.......  37 designations +    5 seconds + 1 hour.          74
     Conduct of 6 Mo. Rev.                                74 reviews.
    --Designated Officers &        687 railroads.......  20 designations +    5 seconds + 1 hour.          34
     Conduct of Six Month Review                          34 reviews.
     by Passenger/Commuter
     Railroads.
    --Records of Periodic Reviews  687 railroads.......  589 review records.  1 minute...........          10
    --Annual Summary on            687 railroads.......  37 summary records.  61 minutes.........          38
     Operational Tests/Insp.
    --FRA Disapproval of RR        687 railroads.......  20 supporting        1 hour.............          20
     Program of Operational Tests/                        documents.
     Insp. & Response by RR.
    --Amended Prog. Docs.........  687 railroads.......  20 amended           30 minutes.........          10
                                                          documents.
271.11--Instruction of Program     687 railroads.......  130,000 instr.       8 hours............   1,040,000
 Employees.                                               employees.
    --New RR & Copy of Program of  20 new railroads....  20 Programs........  8 hours............         160
     Op. Tests.
    --Amendments to Op. Rules      687 railroads.......  220 amendments.....  55 minutes.........         202
     Instr. Program.
218.95--Instruction, Training,     687 railroads.......  98,000 records.....  5 minutes..........       8,167
 Examination--Records.
    --Response to FRA Disapproval  687 railroads.......  50 written/oral      1 hour.............          50
     of Program.                                          submissions.
    --Programs Needing Amendment.  687 railroads.......  20 amended programs  30 minutes.........          10
218.97--Written Procedures on      687 railroads.......  687 written          2 hours............       1,374
 Good Faith Challenges by                                 procedures.
 Employees Re: Actions.
    --Employee Copy of Written     687 railroads.......  130,000 copies.....  6 minutes..........      13,000
     Procedures.

[[Page 18296]]

 
    --Employee Copy of Amended     687 railroads.......  130,000 copies.....  3 minutes..........       6,500
     Procedures.
    --Good Faith Challenges by RR  98,000 RR Employees.  15 challenges......  10 minutes.........           3
     Employees.
    --RR Responses to Empl.        687 railroads.......  15 responses.......  5 minutes..........           1
     Challenge.
    --Immediate Review of          687 railroads.......  5 immediate reviews  15 minutes.........           1
     Employee Challenge.
    --RR Officer Explanation of    687 railroads.......  5 explanations.....  1 minute...........            .08
     Federal Law Protection
     Against Retaliation.
    --Documented Protest by RR     687 railroads.......  10 written protests  15 minutes.........           3
     Employee.
    --Copies of Protests.........  687 railroads.......  10 protest copies..  1 minute...........            .17
    --Further Reviews............  687 railroads.......  3 further reviews..  15 minutes.........           1
    --Written Verification         687 railroads.......  10 verification      10 minutes.........           2
     Decision to Employee.                                decisions.
    --Copy of Written Procedures   687 railroads.......  760 copies of        5 minutes..........    63 hours
     at RR Hdtrs.                                         procedures.
    --Copy of Verification         687 railroads.......  20 verification      5 minutes..........           2
     Decision at RR Headquarters                          decision copies.
     & Division Headquarters.
218.99--Shoving or Pushing
 Movements:
    --Operating Rule               687 railroads.......  687 rule             1 hour.............         687
     Modifications.                                       modifications.
    --Locomotive Engineer Job      100,000 RR Employees  60,000 job           1 minute...........       1,000
     Briefing Before Movement.                            briefings.
    --Point Protection             100,000 RR Employees  87,600,000           1 minute + 1 minute   2,920,000
     Determinations & Signals/                            determinations +
     Instructions to Control                              87,600,000 signals/
     Movements.                                           instructions.
    --Remote Control Movements-    100,000 RR Employees  876,000              1 minute...........      14,600
     Verbal Confirmation.                                 confirmations.
    --Remote Control               100,000 RR Employees  876,000              1 minute...........      14,600
     Determinations That Zone Is                          determinations.
     Not Jointly Occupied/Track
     Clear.
    --Dispatcher Authorized Train  6,000 RR Dispatchers  30,000 auth.         1 minute...........         500
     Movements.                                           movements.
    --Written Procedures to        687 railroads.......  41 written           30 minutes.........          21
     Determine Track Occupancy.                           procedures.
    --Track Location--Designation  687 railroads.......  41 track             30 minutes.........          21
                                                          designations.
218.101--Operating Rule Re:        687 railroads.......  687 amended op.      30 minutes.........         344
 Leaving Rolling & On-Track MOW                           rules.
 Equipment in the Clear.
218.103--Hand-Operated Switches--  687 railroads.......  687 modified         1 hour.............         687
 RR Operating Rule That Complies                          operating rules.
 with 218.103.
    --Specification of Minimum     687 railroads.......  632 modified op.     30 minutes.........         316
     Job Briefing Requirements.                           rules.
    --Employee Operating or        687 railroads.......  1,125,000 job        1 minute...........      18,750
     Verifying Position of Hand-                          briefings.
     operated Switches: Job
     Briefings.
218.105--Additional Requirements   687 railroads.......  60,000 job           1 minute...........       1,000
 for Hand Operated Main Track                             briefings.
 Switches--Job Briefing.
    --Roadway Worker Report on     687 railroads.......  100,000 empl.        1 minute + 1 minute       3,334
     Position of Switches to                              reports + 100,000
     Roadway Worker in Charge                             conveyances.
     (RWIC) or Designated
     Employee Conveying
     Information to RWIC.
    --Dispatcher Acknowledgment    687 railroads.......  60,000               30 seconds + 5              583
     of Switch Position and                               acknowledgment +     seconds.
     Employee Confirmation to                             60,000
     Train Dispatcher.                                    confirmations.
218.109--Hand Operated Fixed       687 railroads.......  562,500 hours......  30 seconds.........       4,688
 Derails: Job Briefings.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Responses: 188,794,835.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 4,855,081 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Title: Roadway Worker Protection.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0539.
    Abstract: This rule establishes regulations governing the 
protection of railroad employees working on or near railroad tracks. 
The regulation requires that each railroad devise and adopt a program 
of on-track safety to provide employees working along the railroad with 
protection from the hazards of being struck by a train or other on-
track equipment. Elements of this on-track safety program include an 
on-track safety manual; a clear delineation of employers' 
responsibilities, as well as employees' rights and responsibilities 
thereto; well- defined procedures for communication and protection; and 
annual on-track safety training. The program adopted by each railroad 
is subject to review and approval by FRA.
    Form Number(s): FRA 6180.119.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form FRA F 6180.119..............  350 Safety           150 report forms...  4 hours............             600
                                    Inspectors.
    --RR Workplace Safety
     Violation Report Form.
214303/309--On-Track Safety
 Programs.

[[Page 18297]]

 
    --Amendments to Program......  60 railroads + 584   20 amended programs  20 hours; 4 hours..           2,736
                                    railroads.           + 584 amended
                                                         prog..
    --Subsequent Years: New        5 railroads........  5 safety programs..  250 hours..........           1,250
     Programs.
214.313--Roadway Worker Challenge  20 railroads.......  80 challenges......  4 hours............             320
 to Directive.
214.315/335--Supervision and       50,000 Roadway       16,350,000           2 minutes..........         545,000
 Communication--Job Briefings.      Workers.             briefings.
214.321--Exclusive Track           8,583 Employees/     700,739 written      1 minute...........          11,679
 Occupancy: Written Authorities.    Roadway Workers.     authorities.
214.325--Train Coordination:       50,000 Roadway       36,500               15 seconds.........             152
 Roadway Worker Communication       Workers.             communications.
 with Train Crew.
214.327--Inaccessible Track:       703 railroads......  50,000 occurrences.  10 minutes.........           8,333
 Establishment and Direction by
 Roadway Worker in Charge.
214.337--On-Track Safety for Lone  703 railroads......  2,080,000            30 seconds.........          17,333
 Workers.                                                statements.
    --Written Statement of On-
     Track Safety by Lone Worker.
214.343/345347/349/351/353/355--   50,000 Roadway       50,000 trained       4.50 hours.........         225,000
 Training.                          Workers.             employees.
    --Training Records...........  50,000 Roadway       50,000 records.....  2 minutes..........           1,667
                                    Workers.
214.503--Good Faith Challenges--   50,000 Roadway       125 notifications..  10 minutes.........              21
 Notification.                      Workers.
    --Resolution Procedures......  644 railroads......  10 procedures......  2 hours............              20
214.505--List of New/Designated    644 railroads......  9 lists............  1 hour.............               9
 Existing On-Track Roadway
 Maintenance Machines Conforming
 with Paragraph (a) of This
 Section.
214.507--Built Light Weight        644 railroads......  1,000 stickers/      5 minutes..........              83
 Displayed on Each New Roadway                           stencils.
 Maintenance Machine (RMM).
214.511--Clearly Identifiable      644 railroads......  3,700 identified     5 minutes..........             308
 Horn Triggering Mechanism on                            mechanisms.
 Each New RMM.
214.513--Clearly Identifiable      703 railroads......  200 identified       5 minutes..........              17
 Horn Triggering Mechanism on                            mechanisms.
 Each Existing RMM.
214.515--Overhead Covers for       644 railroads......  500 employee         10 minutes + 20                 250
 Existing RMMs--Requests and RR                          requests + 500 RR    minutes.
 Responses.                                              responses.
214.517--Display of Light Weight   644 railroads......  500 stencils/        5 minutes..........              42
 on Existing RMMs.                                       displays.
214.518--Safe and Secure Position  644 railroads......  1,000 stencils/      5 minutes..........              83
 on On- Track RMMs--Clearly                              marks/notices.
 Identified.
214.523-Hi-Rail Vehicles--         644 railroads......  2,000 inspections/   1 hour.............           2,000
 Inspections and Records.                                records.
    --Tagging and Reporting Non-   644 railroads......  500 tags + 500       10 minutes + 15                 208
     compliant Conditions.                               reports.             minutes.
214.527--On-Track RMMs--Tagging    644 railroads......  550 tags + 550       5 minutes + 15                  184
 and Reporting of Non-complying                          reports.             minutes.
 Conditions.
214.533--Schedule of Repairs for   644 railroads......  250 records........  15 minutes.........              63
 Hi-Rail Vehicles and RMMs--
 Compliance Records.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Responses: 19,329,972.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 817,358 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0552.
    Title: Locomotive Cab Sanitation Standards.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Abstract: The collection of information is used by FRA to promote 
rail safety and the health of railroad workers by ensuring that all 
locomotive crew members have access to toilet/sanitary facilities--on 
as needed basis--which are functioning and hygienic. Also, the 
collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads 
repair defective locomotive toilet/sanitary facilities within 10 
calendar days of the date on which these units becomes defective.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.137(d)--Defective Locomotive   744 railroads......  11,700 tags/notices  90 seconds.........             293
 Toilet Facility--Tagging.
229.137(e) Defective But Sanitary  744 railroads......  7,956 tags/notices.  90 seconds.........             199
 Locomotive Toilet Facility--
 Tagging.
229.137(f) Switching or Transfer   744 railroads......  93,600 notations...  30 seconds.........             780
 Service--Defective Locomotive
 Toilet Facility--Notation on
 Daily Inspection Report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 18298]]

    Total Estimated Responses: 113,256.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,272 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 25, 2011.
Kimberly Coronel,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-7463 Filed 3-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P