[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54917-54918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19626]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2016-0002-N-18]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice 
announces that FRA is forwarding the renewal of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) abstracted below to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describe 
the nature of the information collections and expected burdens. The 
Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting 
comments on the ICRs was published on May 3, 2016.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 16, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Safety 
Regulatory Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590, (202) 
493-6292, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, Office of Administration, Office of Information Technology, 
RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493-6132. These telephone 
numbers are not toll-free.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520 (1995), 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. See 44 U.S.C. 
3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), and 1320.12. On May 3, 2016, 
FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting 
comment on ICRs for which FRA is seeking OMB approval. See 81 FR 26619. 
FRA received no comments in response to that notice.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed ICRs, it must 
provide 30 days for public comment. See 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. 
See 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 
44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes 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. 
See 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should submit 
their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best 
ensure their full consideration. See 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 
44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summary below describes the nature of the ICRs and expected 
burdens. FRA is submitting the renewal request for OMB clearance the 
PRA requires.
    Title: Filing of Dedicated Cars.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0502.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 215 contains standards for freight car 
safety and prescribes certain conditions railroads must follow to move 
freight cars in dedicated service. Dedicated service means the 
exclusive assignment of railroad cars to the transportation of freight 
between specified points under the conditions defined in Sec.  
215.5(d), including stenciling, or otherwise displaying, in clear 
legible letters on each side of the car body the words ``Dedicated 
Service.'' A railroad must identify those cars in a written report to 
FRA before the railroad assigns the cars to dedicated service. The 
railroad must file that report with FRA not less than 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 and State 
inspectors the particular or ``dedicated'' cars are in special service 
and that certain restrictions apply to their movement under part 215. 
FRA inspectors may cite cars not in compliance for violations. 
Railroads also use the information collected to provide identification 
and control so dedicated cars remain in the prescribed service.
    Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 4 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 4.
    Title: Special Notice for Repairs.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
    Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 216, FRA and State inspectors may issue 
a Special Notice for Repairs to notify railroads in writing of an 
unsafe condition involving a locomotive, car, or track. The railroad 
must notify FRA in writing when the equipment is returned to service or 
the track restored to a condition permitting operations at speeds 
authorized for a higher class, specifying the repairs completed. FRA 
and State inspectors use this information to remove from service 
freight cars, passenger cars, and locomotives until they can be 
restored to a serviceable condition. They also use this information to 
reduce the maximum authorized speed on a section of track until repairs 
can be made.
    Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): Form FRA F 6180.8; Form FRA F6180.8a.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 20 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 72.
    Title: Rear-End Marking Devices.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.

[[Page 54918]]

    Abstract: FRA regulations in 49 CFR part 221 contain requirements 
for rear end marking devices and for railroads to give FRA a detailed 
description of the type of marking devices used for any locomotive 
operating singly or for cars or locomotives operating at the end of a 
train (trailing end) to ensure they meet minimum standards for 
visibility and display. Specifically, part 221 requires railroads to 
furnish a certification it has tested each device consistent with 
current ``Guidelines for Testing of Rear End Marking Devices.'' 
Additionally, part 221 requires railroads to furnish detailed test 
records, which include the testing organizations, description of tests, 
number of samples tested, and the test results, to demonstrate 
compliance with the performance standard.
    Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 39 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 4.
    Title: Locomotive Certification (Noise Compliance Regulations).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0527.
    Abstract: FRA's noise enforcement procedures in 49 CFR part 210, 
encompass rail yard noise source standards the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) publishes. EPA has authority to set these standards under 
the Noise Control Act of 1972. Information FRA collects under part 210 
is necessary to ensure compliance with EPA noise standards for new 
locomotives.
    Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): Form FRA F 6180.49A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 2,767 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 1,582.
    Title: Railroad Police Officers.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0537.
    Abstract: FRA regulations in 49 CFR part 207 require railroads to 
notify states of all designated police officers who perform duties 
outside of their respective jurisdictions. This is necessary to verify 
proper police authority.
    Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 181 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 70.
    Title: Foreign Railroads Foreign-Based (FRFB) Employees Who Perform 
Train or Dispatching Service in the United States.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0555.
    Abstract: For foreign-based railroads with an FRA-approved foreign 
workplace alcohol and drug testing program equivalent to 49 CFR part 
219, subparts B, E, F, and G, this FRA regulation requires removal from 
service of FRFB train and dispatching service employees who test 
positive for unauthorized use of alcohol and drugs. Part 219 testing 
enhances safety and serves as a deterrent to other FRFB train and 
dispatching service employees who might be tempted to use unauthorized 
drugs or alcohol. FRA uses this collection of information to determine 
the compliance of FRFB train and dispatching service employees and 
their employers with the prohibitions against the abuse of alcohol and 
controlled substances spelled out in part 219.
    Request: Extension with change of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 27 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 91.
    Addresses: 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. Comments may also be sent via email to OMB 
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: (1) Whether the information 
will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimates 
of the burden of the proposed information collections; (2) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (3) 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 August 12, 2016.
Sarah L. Inderbitzin,
Acting Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016-19626 Filed 8-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P