[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18672-18673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07035]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2013-0002-N-6]


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 (ICRs) 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 28, 2013.

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. 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) 493-6497, or via email 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 17, 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 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:
    Title: Filing of Dedicated Cars.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0502.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    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. Dedicated 
service means the exclusive assignment of railroad cars to the 
transportation of freight between specified points under the following 
conditions: (1) The cars are operated primarily on track that is inside 
an industrial or other non-railroad installation; and only occasionally 
over track of a railroad; (2) The cars are not operated at speeds of 
more than 15 miles per hour; and over track of a railroad--(A) for more 
than 30 miles in one direction; or (B) on a round trip for more than 60 
miles; (3) The cars are not freely interchanged among railroads; (4) 
The words ``Dedicated Service'' are stenciled, or otherwise displayed, 
in clear legible letters on each side of the car body; and (5) The cars 
have been examined and found safe to operate in dedicated service. 
These cars must be identified in a written report to FRA before they 
are assigned to dedicated service, and these reports must be filed with 
FRA 30 days before the cars operate in dedicated service. FRA uses the 
information collected under Sec.  215.5(d) to determine the number of 
railroads affected, the number and type of cars involved, the 
commodities being carried, and the territorial and speed limits within 
which the cars will be operated. FRA reviews these reports to determine 
if the equipment is safe to operate and if the operation qualifies for 
dedicated service. The information collected indicates to FRA 
inspectors that the particular or ``dedicated'' car is in special 
service and that certain exceptions have been provided for

[[Page 18673]]

regarding the application of this regulation spelled out in Sec.  
215.3. Cars not in compliance with Sec.  215.5(d) will be cited for 
violations by FRA inspectors. The information collected is also used by 
railroads to provide identification and control so that dedicated cars 
remain in the prescribed service.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 4.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 4 hours.
    Title: Special Notice for Repairs.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.8; FRA F 6180.8A.
    Abstract: The Special Notice for Repairs is issued to notify the 
carrier in writing of an unsafe condition involving a locomotive, car, 
or track. The carrier must return the form after repairs have been 
made. The collection of information is used by State and Federal 
inspectors to remove freight car or locomotives until they can be 
restored to a serviceable condition. It is also used by State and 
Federal inspectors to reduce the maximum authorized speed on a section 
of track until repairs can be made.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 32.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 10 hours.
    Title: Remotely Controlled Switch Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0516.
    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.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 728 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

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                                                                                   Average time
            CFR section              Respondent universe        Total annual       per response    Total annual
                                                                 responses           (minute)      burden hours
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218.30--Blue signal protection of   70 railroads.........  3,600,000                           1          60,000
 workmen.                                                   notifications.
218.77--Protection of occupied      4 railroads..........  2,300 notifications..               1              38
 camp cars.
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    Total Estimated Responses: 3,602,300.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 60,038 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Title: Bad Order and Home Shop Card.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0519.
    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.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

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                                                                                   Average time
            CFR section              Respondent universe        Total annual       per response    Total annual
                                                                 responses           (minutes)     burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
215.9--Movement of Defective Cars   728 railroads........  150,000 tags.........               5          12,500
 for Repair--Tagging.
--Notifications of Removal of       728 railroads........  75,000 notifications.               2           2,500
 Defective Car Tags.
215.11--Designated Inspectors--     718 railroads........  45,000 records.......               1             750
 Records.
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     Respondent Universe: 728 railroads.
    Total Estimated Responses: 270,000.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 15,750 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 21, 2013.
Rebecca Pennington,
Chief Financial Officer, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-07035 Filed 3-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P