[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2014)] [Notices] [Pages 62513-62517] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2014-24688] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2014-0011-N-19] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), DOT. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 the information collection requests (ICRs) below 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 December 16, 2014. 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) 493-6479, 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 [[Page 62514]] 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 is a brief summary of currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes and Drawbars). OMB Control Number: 2130-0008. Abstract: Section 7 of the Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act of 1992, Public Law 102-365, amended Section 202 of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 421, 431 et seq.), empowered the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the Department's rules with respect to railroad power brakes and, where applicable, prescribe standards regarding dynamic brake equipment. In keeping with the Secretary's mandate and the authority delegated from him to the FRA Administrator, FRA issued revisions to the regulations governing freight power brakes and equipment in October 2008 by adding a new subpart addressing electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake systems. The revisions are designed to provide for and encourage the safe implementation and use of ECT brake system technologies. These revisions contain specific requirements relating to design, interoperability, training, inspection, testing, handling defective equipment and periodic maintenance related to ECP brake systems. The final rule also identifies provisions of the existing regulations and statutes where FRA is proposing to provide flexibility to facilitate the voluntary adoption of this advanced brake system technology. The collection of information is used by FRA to monitor and enforce current regulatory requirements related to power brakes on freight cars as well as the recently added requirements related to ECP brake systems. The collection of information is also used by locomotive engineers and road crews to verify that the terminal air brake test has been performed in a satisfactory manner. Form Number(s): None. Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 559 railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Affected Public: Businesses. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total annual Average time per annual CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 229.27--Annual Tests............. 30,000 Locomotives.. 30,000 tests........ 15 minutes.......... 7,500 232.3--Applicability--Cars Not 559 Railroads....... 8 cards............. 10 minutes.......... 1 Used in Service. 232.7--Waivers................... 559 railroads....... 25 petitions........ 80 hours............ 2,000 232.11--Penalties................ 559 railroads....... 1 false record...... 10 minutes.......... 17 232.15--Movement of Defective 1,620,000 cars/locos 128,400 tags........ 2.5 minutes......... 5,350 Equipment. --Notice of Defective Car/ 1,620,000 cars/locos 25,000 notices...... 3 minutes........... 1,250 Locomotive and Restrictions. 232.17--Special Approval 559 railroads....... 4 petitions......... 100 hours........... 400 Procedure. --Petitions--Pre-Revenue Svc 559 railroads....... 2 petitions......... 100 hours........... 200 Plans. --Copies of Petitions-- 559 railroads....... 4 petitions......... 20 hours............ 80 Special Approval. --Statements of Interest..... Public/Railroads.... 14 statements....... 8 hours............. 112 --Comments on Special Public/Railroads.... 13 comments......... 4 hours............. 52 Approval Procedure Petition. 232.103--General Requirements for 114,000 cars........ 70,000 stickers..... 10 minutes.......... 11,667 All Train Brakes. 232.105--General Requirements For 30,000 locomotives.. 30,000 forms........ 5 minutes........... 2,500 Locomotives. 232.107--Air Source Requirements-- 10 new railroads.... 1 plan.............. 40 hours............ 40 Plans. --Amendments to Plan......... 50 Existing Plans... 10 amendment........ 20 hours............ 200 --Record Keeping............. 50 Existing Plans... 1,150 records....... 20 hours............ 23,000 232.109--Dynamic Br. 559 railroads....... 1,656,000 rcd....... 4 minutes........... 110,400 Requirements--Rcd. [[Page 62515]] --Repair of Inoperative 30,000 locomotives.. 6,358 records....... 4 minutes........... 424 Dynamic Brakes. --Locomotives w/Inoperative 30,000 locomotives.. 6,358 tags.......... 30 seconds.......... 53 Dynamic Br. --Deactivated Dynamic Brakes: 8,000 locomotives... 10 markings......... 5 minutes........... 1 Markings. --Rule Safe Train Handling 5 new railroads..... 5 oper. rules....... 4 hours............. 20 Procedures. --Amendments................. 559 railroads....... 15 amendment........ 1 hour.............. 15 --Over Speed Top Rules--5 MPH 559 railroads....... 5 requests.......... 20.5 hours.......... 103 Increase. --Locomotive Engineer 5 new railroads..... 5 amendments........ 16 hours............ 80 Certification Programs-- Dynamic Brakes Training. 232.111--Train Information 5 new railroads..... 5 procedures........ 40 hours............ 200 Handling. --Amendments................. 100 railroads....... 100 am. proc........ 20 hours............ 2,000 --Reports to Train Crews..... 559 railroads....... 2,112,000 rpts...... 10 minutes.......... 352,000 232.203--Training Requirements: 15 railroads........ 5 programs.......... 100 hours........... 500 Training Programs--Subsequent Years. --Amendments to Written 559 railroads....... 559 am. prog........ 8 hours............. 4,472 Program. --Training Records........... 559 railroads....... 67,000 records...... 8 minutes........... 8,933 --Training Notifications..... 559 railroads....... 67,000 notices...... 3 minutes........... 3,350 --Validation/Assessment Plans 559 railroads....... 1 plan + 559 copies. 40 hrs./1 min....... 49 --Amendments to Validation/ 559 railroads....... 50 amendment........ 20 hours............ 1,000 Assessment Plans. 232.205--Class I Brake Test-- 559 railroads....... 1,646,000 notices... 45 seconds.......... 20,575 Initial Terminal Insp. 232.207--Class I A Brake Tests: 1000 Mile Insp. --Subsequent Years........... 559 railroads....... 5 designations...... 1 hour.............. 5 --Amendments................. 559 railroads....... 5 amendments........ 1 hour.............. 5 232.209--Class II Brake Tests-- 559 railroads....... 1,597,000 comments.. 3 seconds........... 1,331 Intermediate Insp. 232.213--Extended Haul Trains-- 84,000 train 200 designates...... 15 minutes.......... 50 Designations. movements. 232.303--General Requirements-- 1,600,000 freight 5,600 tags.......... 5 minutes........... 467 Track Brake Test. cars. --Location of Last Track 1,600,000 freight 320,000 stencillings 5 minutes........... 26,667 Brake Test/Single Car Test. cars. 232.305--Single Car Tests........ 1,600,000 freight 320,000 tests/rcds.. 45 minutes.......... 240,000 cars. 232.307--Request to Modify Single AAR................. 1 request + 3 copies 20 hours + 5 minutes 20 Car Air Brake Test Procedures. --Statement Affirming That AAR................. 1 statement + 4 30 minutes + 5 1 Request Copies Have been copies. minutes. Served on Designated Employee Representatives. --Comment on Modification RR Industry/Public/ 2 comments.......... 8................... 16 Request. Interested Parties. 232.309--Equipment and Devices-- 640 shops........... 5,000 tests......... 30 minutes.......... 2,500 Tests/Calibrations. 232.403--Design Standards For One- 245 railroads....... 12 requests......... 5 minutes........... 1 way EOT Devices--Unique Code. 232.407--Operations Requiring 2- 245 railroads....... 50,000 30 seconds.......... 417 Way EOTs. communications. 232.409--Inspection and Testing 245 railroads....... 447,500 30 seconds.......... 3,729 of 2-Way EOTs. communications. --Testing Telemetry Equipment 245 railroads....... 32,708 markings..... 60 seconds.......... 545 232.503--Process to Introduce New 559 railroads....... 1 request/letter.... 60 minutes.......... 1 Brake System Technology--Special Approval. --Pre-Revenue Service 559 railroads....... 1 request........... 3 hours............. 3 Demonstration. 232.505--Pre-Revenue Service 559 railroads....... 1 procedure......... 160 hours........... 160 Acceptance Testing Plan: Maintenance Procedure-- Subsequent Years. --Amendments................. 559 railroads....... 1 amendment......... 40 hours............ 40 --Design Descriptions-- 559 railroads....... 1 petition.......... 67 hours............ 67 Petitions. --Results Pre-Revenue Service 559 railroads....... 1 report............ 13 hours............ 13 Acceptance Testing. --Description of Brake 559 railroads....... 5 descriptions...... 40 hours............ 200 Systems Technologies Previously Used in Revenue Service. 232.603--ECP Requirements: 4 railroads......... 1 plan.............. 160 hours........... 160 Brakes--Configuration Management Plans. --Updated Plans in Subsequent 4 railroads......... 1 plan.............. 60 hours............ 60 Years. --Modification of Standards-- 4 railroads......... 1 request + 4 copies 8 hours + 5 minutes. 8 Requests. --RR Statement Affirming Copy 4 railroads......... 4 statements + 24 60 minutes + 5 6 of Modification Request to copies. minutes. Employee Reps. --Comments on Modification Public/Interested 4 comments.......... 2 hours............. 8 Request. Parties. 232.605--ECP Training Programs... 4 railroads......... 4 programs.......... 100 hours........... 400 --Programs in Subsequent 4 railroads......... 2 programs.......... 100 hours........... 200 Years. --ECP Trained Employees...... 4 railroads......... 6,409 workers....... 8 hrs./24 hrs....... 10,512 --ECP Trained Employees-- 4 railroads......... 6,409 workers....... 1 hr./8 hrs......... 30,264 Subsequent Yr. [[Page 62516]] --ECP Trained Employees-- 4 railroads......... 6,409 records....... 4 minutes........... 855 Records. --ECP Trained Employees--Sub. 4 railroads......... 6,409 records....... 4 minutes........... 428 Records. --RR/Contractor Assessment of 4 railroads......... 4 amended Plans..... 40 hours............ 160 ECP Training Programs-- Amended Plans. --ECP Amended Operating Rules 4 railroads......... 4 am. rules......... 24 hours............ 96 --Amended Locomotive Engineer 4 railroads......... 4 programs.......... 40 hours............ 160 Certification Programs. 232.607--ECP Trains Inspection/ 4 railroads......... 10,000 tests + 90 minutes + 45 15,125 Testing:--Notification to 10,000 notices. seconds. Locomotive Engineer. --Cars Added en Route--Tests/ 4 railroads......... 1,000 tests + 1,000 60 minutes + 45 1,006 Notifications. notices. seconds. --Non-ECP Cars Added-- 2000 Cars........... 200 insp. + 400 tags 5 minutes + 2.5 34 Inspections and Tagging of minutes. Defective Equipment. 232.609--Handling of Defective 25 Cars............. 50 tags............. 2.5 minutes......... 2 Equipment w/ECP Brake Systems-- Tagging. --Train in ECP Mode w/Less 20 Cars............. 20 insp. + 40 tags.. 5 minutes + 2.5 3 Than 85% of Cars w/Operative minutes. Brakes--Insp. + Tagging. --Freight Cars w/ECP Systems 75 cars............. 150 tags............ 2.5 minutes......... 6 Found with Defective Non- Safety Appliance--Tagging. --Conventional Train 500 cars............ 1,000 tags.......... 2.5 minutes......... 42 Operating with ECP Stand Alone Brake Systems--Tagging. --Procedures for Handling ECP 4 railroads......... 4 procedures........ 24 hours............ 96 Brake System Repairs. --Submission to FRA of ECP 4 railroads......... 4 lists............. 8 hours............. 32 Brake System Repair Locations--Lists. --Notice to FRA of Change in 4 railroads......... 1 notification...... 60 minutes.......... 1 List. 232.611--Periodic Maintenance 500 freight Cars.... 500 inspection and 10 minutes.......... 83 Inspection and Repair of ECP records. Cars Before Release from Repair Shop or Track. --Petitions for Special AAR................. 1 petition + 2 24 + 5 minutes...... 24 Approval of Pre-Revenue copies. Service Acceptance Testing Plan. --Single Car Brake Test on 2,500 freight Cars.. 2,500 tests/records. 45 minutes.......... 1,875 ECP Retrofitted Cars. --Modification of Single Car AAR................. 1 procedure......... 40 hours............ 40 Test Standard. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,677,683. Total Estimated Annual Burden: 991,451 hours. Status: Extension without Change of a Currently Approved Collection. Title: Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees. OMB Control Number: 2130-0571. Abstract: The collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads covered by this rule establish and implement--by specified dates--noise monitoring, hearing conservation, and audiometric testing programs, as well as hearing conservation training programs, to protect their employees against the damaging and potentially dangerous effects of excessive noise in the everyday rail environment. Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 460 railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total annual Average time per annual CFR section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 227.9--Waivers................... 460 Railroads....... 5 petitions......... 60 minutes.......... 5 227.103--Noise Monitoring Program 460 Railroads....... 460 programs........ 3 hours/30 hours/600 5,128 hours. --Notification of Employee of 460 Railroads....... 905 lists........... 30 minutes.......... 453 Monitoring. 227.107--Hearing Conservation 460 railroads....... 461 HCPs............ 150 hrs/2 hrs/31 hrs/ 2,875 Program (HCP). 7.5 hours. --Revised Hearing 460 railroads....... 5 HCPs.............. 1.74 hours.......... 9 Conservation Programs (HCPs). 227.109--Audiometric Testing 85,600 Employees.... 7,100 a-grams....... 25 minutes.......... 2,958 Program--Existing Employees-- Baseline Audiograms. --Periodic Audiograms........ 85,600 Employees.... 8,000 a-grams....... 10 minutes.......... 1,333 --Evaluation of Audiograms... 85,600 Employees.... 2,330 eval. + 93 6 min./2.5 hrs...... 280 retests. --Problem Audiograms/& 8,000 Employees..... 45 documents........ 10 minutes.......... 8 required documents to Medical Professional. --Follow-up Procedures-- 8,000 Employees..... 93 notices.......... 15 minutes.......... 8 Notifications. --Fitting/Training of 240 Employees....... 240 tr. session..... 2 minutes........... 8 Employees: Hearing Protectors. --Referrals For Clinical/ 240 Employees....... 20 referrals........ 2 hours............. 40 Otological Exam. [[Page 62517]] --Notification to Employee of 240 Employees....... 20 notices.......... 5 minutes........... 2 Need: Otological Examination. --New Audiometric 240 Employees....... 20 notices.......... 5 minutes........... 2 Interpretation. 227.111--Audiometric Test 1,000 Mobile Vans... 1,000 tests......... 45 minutes.......... 750 Requirements. 227.117--Hearing Protection 460 Railroads....... 50 evaluations...... 30 minutes.......... 25 Attenuation--Evaluation. --Re-Evaluations............. 460 Railroads....... 10 re-evals......... 30 minutes.......... 5 227.119--Hearing Conservation 460 Railroads/AAR... 441 programs........ 1 hour/58 hrs/30 353 Training Program--Development. minutes. --Employee Training.......... 460 Railroads....... 26,000 tr. Employees 30 minutes.......... 13,000 --Periodic Training.......... 460 Railroads....... 7,100 tr. Employees. 30 minutes.......... 3,550 227.121--Record Keeping-- 460 Railroads....... 30 requests + 30 10 minutes + 15 13 Authorization: Records. responses. minutes. --Request for Copies of 460 Railroads....... 150 requests + 150 21 minutes + 45 166 Reports. responses. minutes. --Records Transfer When 460 Railroads....... 10 records.......... 24 minutes.......... 4 Carrier Becomes Defunct. --Railroad Audiometric Test 460 Railroads....... 26,000 records...... 2 minutes........... 867 Records. --Hearing Conservation 460 Railroads....... 54,000 records...... 45 seconds.......... 675 Program (HCP) Records. 229.121--Locomotive Cab Noise-- 3 Equipment 700 tests/records... 40 minutes + 5 111 Tests/Certification. Manufacturers. minutes. --Equipment Maintenance: 460 Railroads....... 3,000 reports + 1 minute + 1 minute. 100 Excessive Noise Reports. 3,000 record. --Maintenance Records........ 460 Railroads....... 3,750 records....... 1 minute............ 63 --Internal Auditable 460 Railroads....... 460 systems......... 36 min. + 8.25 hours 506 Monitoring Systems. Appendix H--Static Test Protocols/ 700 Locomotives..... 2 retests + 2 10 minutes + 5 1 Records. records. minutes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Estimated Annual Responses: 145,682. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 33,928 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. Rebecca Pennington, Chief Financial Officer. [FR Doc. 2014-24688 Filed 10-16-14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P