[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74496-74500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25893]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2016-0002-N-24]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

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

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its 
implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of proposed information 
collection activities listed below. Before submitting these information 
collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of 
the activities, which are identified in this notice.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than December 27, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following 
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory 
Analysis Division, Federal Railroad Administration, RRS-21, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590; or Ms. Kim 
Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Information 
Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue 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--New.'' Alternatively, comments may be faxed to (202) 493-
6216 or (202) 493-6497, or emailed to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or 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, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory 
Safety Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, 
DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6132). (These telephone numbers are not 
toll free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 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 to allow comment on information 
collection activities before seeking OMB approval to implement them. 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: (1) Whether the information collection activities are 
necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether 
the activities will have practical utility; (2) 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; (3) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (4) ways 
for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on 
the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques and 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 that Federal regulations mandate. In 
summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three 
objectives: (1) Reduce reporting burdens; (2) ensure that it organizes 
information collection requirements in a ``user-friendly'' format to 
improve the use of such information; and (3) 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: Accident/Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0500.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad

[[Page 74497]]

accident reporting regulations in 49 CFR part 225 that require 
railroads to submit monthly reports summarizing collisions, 
derailments, and certain other accidents/incidents involving damages 
above a periodically revised dollar threshold, as well as certain 
injuries to passengers, employees, and other persons on railroad 
property. Because the reporting requirements and the information needed 
regarding each category of accident/incident are unique, a different 
form is used for each category.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.39i; 54; 55; 55A; 56; 57; 78; 81; 97; 
98; 99;107; 150.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 790 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

                                                Reporting Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR Section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
225.6--Consolidated Reporting--    790 railroads......  1 request..........  40 hours...........              40
 Request to FRA by parent
 corporation to treat its
 commonly controlled carriers as
 a single railroad carrier for
 purposes of this part.
--Written agreement by parent      790 railroads......  1 agreement........  2 hours............               2
 corporation with FRA on specific
 subsidiaries included in its
 railroad system.
--Notification by parent           790 railroads......  1 notification + 1   60 minutes.........               2
 corporation regarding any change                        amended agreement.
 in the subsidiaries making up
 its railroad system and amended
 written agreement with FRA.
225.9--Telephonic Reports of       790 railroads......  2,400 phone reports  15 minutes.........             600
 Certain Accidents/Incidents and
 Other Events.
225.11--Reporting of Rail          790 railroads......  2,500 forms........  2 hours/1 hour/123            4,530
 Equipment Accidents/Incidents--                                              minutes.
 Form FRA F 6180.54.
225.12--Rail Equipment Accident/   790 railroads......  1,200 forms........  15 minutes.........             300
 Incident Reports Alleging Human
 Factor as Cause--Form FRA F
 6180.81.
--Part I Form FRA F 6180.78        790 railroads......  800 notices + 4,000  10 minutes + 3                  334
 (Notices).                                              copies.              minutes.
--Joint operations...............  790 railroads......  100 requests.......  20 minutes.........              33
--Late identification............  790 railroads......  20 attachments + 20  15 minutes.........              10
                                                         notices.
--Employee statement               Railroad employees.  60 statements......  1.5 hours..........              90
 supplementing Railroad Accident
 Report (Part II Form FRA F
 6180.78).
--Employee confidential letter...  Railroad employees.  10 letters.........  2 hours............              20
225.13--Late Reports--Railroad     790 railroads......  25 late reports....  1 hour.............              25
 discovery of improperly omitted
 Report of Accident/Incident.
--Railroad late/amended Report of  790 railroads......  25 amended reports   1 hour + 3 minutes.              27
 Accident/Incident based on                              + 40 copies.
 employee statement supplementing
 Railroad Accident Report.
225.18--Railroad narrative report  790 railroads......  12 reports.........  30 minutes.........               6
 of possible alcohol/drug
 involvement in accident/incident.
--Reports required by section      790 railroads......  5 reports..........  30 minutes.........               3
 219.209(b) appended to rail
 equipment accident/incident
 report.
225.19--Rail-Highway Grade         790 railroads......  2,100 forms........  2 hours/1 hour.....           4,000
 Crossing Accident/Incident
 Report--Form FRA F 6180.57.
--Death, Injury, or Occupational   790 railroads......  3,243 forms........  60 min./60 min 195            3,700
 Illness (Form FRA F 6180.55a).                                               min.
225.21--Railroad Injury and        790 railroads......  9,480 forms........  10 minutes.........           1,580
 Illness Summary: Form FRA F
 6180.55.
225.21--Annual Railroad Report of  790 railroads......  790 forms..........  15 minutes.........             198
 Employee Hours and Casualties,
 By State--Form FRA F 6180.56.
225.21/25--Railroad Employee       790 railroads......  13,700 forms.......  60 minutes.........          13,700
 Injury and/or Illness Record--
 Form FRA F 6180.98.
--Copies of forms to employees...  790 railroads......  411 form copies....  2 minutes..........              14
225.21--Initial Rail Equipment     790 railroads......  11,800 forms.......  30 minutes.........           5,900
 Accident/Incident Record--Form
 FRA F 6180.97.
--Completion of Form FRA F         790 railroads......  1 form.............  30 minutes.........               1
 6180.97 because of rail
 equipment involvement.
225.21--Alternative Record for     790 railroads......  300 forms..........  75 minutes.........             375
 Illnesses Claimed to Be Work
 Related--Form FRA F 6180.107.
225.21--Highway User Statement--   790 railroads......  950 letters/forms..  50 minutes.........             792
 Railroad cover letter and Form
 FRA F 6180.150 sent out to
 potentially injured travelers
 involved in a highway-rail grade
 crossing accident/incident.

[[Page 74498]]

 
--Form FRA F 6180.150 completed    950 Injured          660 forms..........  45 minutes.........             495
 by highway user and sent back to   Individuals.
 railroad.
225.25 (h)--Posting of Monthly     790 railroads......  9,480 lists........  5 minutes..........             790
 Summary.
225.27--Retention of Records.....  790 railroads......  13,700 records.....  2 minutes..........             457
--Record of Form FRA F 6180.107..  790 railroads......  300 records........  2 minutes..........              10
--Record of Monthly Lists........  790 railroads......  9,480 records......  2 minutes..........             316
--Record of Form FRA F 6180.97...  790 railroads......  11,800 records.....  2 minutes..........             393
--Record of Employee Human Factor  790 railroads......  1,740 records......  2 minutes..........              58
 Attachments.
225.33--Internal Control Plans--   790 railroads......  10 amendments......  6 hours............              60
 Amendments.
225.35--Access to Records and      15 railroads.......  200 lists..........  20 minutes.........              67
 Reports.
225.37--Optical Media Transfer of  8 railroads........  200 transfers......  3 minutes..........              10
 Reports, Updates, and Amendments.
--Electronic Submission of         790 railroads......  2,400 submissions..  3 minutes..........             120
 Reports, Updates, and Amendments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 103,976.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 39,058 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Railroad Communications.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0524.
    Abstract: FRA amended its radio standards and procedures to promote 
compliance by making the regulations more flexible; to require wireless 
communications devices, including radios, for specified classifications 
of railroad operations and roadway workers; and to retitle this part to 
reflect its coverage of other means of wireless communications such as 
cellular telephones, data radio terminals, and other forms of wireless 
communications to convey emergency and need-to-know information. The 
new rule establishes safe, uniform procedures covering the use of radio 
and other wireless communications within the railroad industry.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 725 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

                                                Reporting Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR Section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
220.8--Waivers Petitions.........  725 railroads......  6 petition letters.  60 minutes.........               6
220.25--Instruction of Employees.  725 railroads......  91,000 instructed    30 minutes.........          45,500
                                                         employees.
--Subsequent Years...............  725 railroads......  12,5400 instructed   10 minutes.........           2,090
                                                         employees.
--Operational Testing of           725 railroads......  100,000 tests/       5 minutes..........           8,333
 Employees.                                              record.
220.37--Testing Radio and          725 railroads......  780,000 tests......  30 seconds.........           6,500
 Wireless Communication Equipment.
220.61--Transmission of Mandatory  725 railroads......  7,200,000            1.5 minutes........         180,000
 Directives.                                             directives.
--Marking Mandatory Directives...  725 railroads......  624,000 marks......  15 seconds.........           2,600
220.307--Railroad Written          725 railroads......  10 written           60 minutes.........              10
 Document Stating Authorized                             documents.
 Business Purpose for Taking
 Video/Photo with Railroad-
 Supplied Electronic Device.
--Safety Briefing for Use of       725 railroads......  5,460,000 briefings  1 minute...........          91,000
 Railroad-Supplied Electronic
 Device in Cab of Controlling
 Locomotive.
220.313--Railroad Written Program  5 new railroads....  5 amended written    60 minutes.........               5
 of Instruction and Examination                          Instruction
 on Part 220 Requirements.                               Programs.
--Training of Railroad Employees   730 railroads......  5,000 Trained        15 minutes.........           1,250
 on Part 220 Requirements.                               Employees.
--Employee Training Records......  730 railroads......  5,000 records......  5 minutes..........             417
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 14,277,567.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 337,717 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Safety Integration Plans.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0557.
    Abstract: FRA and the Surface Transportation Board, working in 
conjunction with each other, have issued joint final rules establishing 
procedures for the development and implementation of safety integration 
plans (SIPs) by a Class I railroad proposing to engage in certain 
specified merger, consolidation, or acquisition of control transactions 
with another Class I railroad, or a Class II railroad with which it 
proposes to amalgamate operations. The scope of the transactions 
covered under the two rules is the same. FRA uses the information 
collected (the required SIPs), to maintain and promote a safe rail 
environment by ensuring that affected railroads (Class Is and some 
Class IIs) address critical safety issues

[[Page 74499]]

unique to the amalgamation of large, complex railroad operations.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Respondent Universe: Class I railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
244.13--Safety Integration Plans:
 Amalgamation of Operations.
--SIP Development & Quarterly      8 railroads........  1 plan.............  340 hours..........             340
 Meetings.
244.17--Procedures--Reports to     8 railroads........  25 reports.........  40 hours + 2 hours.              88
 FRA.
--Responses to FRA Inquiries Re:   8 railroads........  6 responses........  8 hours............              48
 SIP data.
--Coordination in Implementing     8 railroads........  25 phone calls.....  10 minutes.........               4
 Approved SIP.
--Request for Confidential         8 railroads........  1 request..........  16 hours...........              16
 Treatment.
244.19--Disposition--Comments on   8 railroads........  2 reports..........  16 hours...........              32
 Proposed SIP Amendments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 60.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 528 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Passenger Train Emergency Systems.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0576.
    Abstract: The collection of information is due to passenger train 
emergency regulations in 49 CFR part 238 to further the safety of 
passenger train occupants through both enhancements and additions to 
FRA's existing regulations. In its final rule issued on November 29, 
2013 (see 78 FR 71785), FRA added requirements for emergency passage 
through vestibule and other interior passageway doors and enhanced 
emergency egress and rescue signage requirements. FRA also established 
requirements for low-location emergency exit path markings to assist 
occupants in reaching and operating emergency exits, particularly under 
conditions of limited visibility. Moreover, FRA added standards to 
ensure emergency lighting systems are provided in all passenger cars 
and enhanced requirements for the survivability of emergency lighting 
systems in new passenger cars. The purpose of this part is to prevent 
collisions, derailments, and other occurrences involving railroad 
passenger equipment that cause injury or death to railroad employees, 
railroad passengers, or the general public and to mitigate the 
consequences of such occurrences to the extent they cannot be 
prevented.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Railroads/businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 30 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR Section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
238.112--Door Emergency Egress     30 railroads.......  45,804 markings/     15 minutes.........          11,451
 and Rescue Access Systems--                             signs/instructions.
 markings, signage, instructions.
--Passenger car exterior doors     30 railroads.......  30,536 exterior      15 minutes.........           7,634
 intended for emergency access by                        door markings.
 responders marked with retro-
 reflective material and
 instructions provided for their
 use.
--Markings and instructions--      30 railroads.......  1,340 marked panels/ 15 minutes.........             335
 interior door panels/windows.                           windows.
--Testing of car door removable    30 railroads.......  17 tested cars/      90 minutes.........              26
 panels, removable windows,                              records.
 manual override devices, & door
 retention mechanisms as part of
 periodic mechanical inspection--
 Record.
238.113--Emergency Window Exits--  30 railroads.......  662 window markings  60 min./90 min./120             964
 markings/and instructions.                                                   minutes.
--Periodic testing of              30 railroads.......  17 tested cars/      30 minutes.........               9
 representative sample of car                            records.
 emergency exit windows as part
 of periodic mechanical
 inspection--Record.
238.114--Rescue Access Windows--   30 railroads.......  1,092 access window  45 minutes.........             819
 Markings with retro-reflective                          markings.
 material on each exterior car.
238.121--Emergency Communication-- 30 railroads.......  116 marked intercom  5 minutes..........              10
 Marking of each intercom                                locations (58 new
 intended for passenger use on                           cars with two
 new Tier I & Tier II passenger                          locations per car).
 cars.
238.303--Exterior calendar day     30 railroads.......  150 replacement      20 minutes.........              50
 mechanical inspection of                                required markings.
 passenger equipment: Replacement
 of missing, illegible, or
 inconspicuous markings, signage,
 & instructions.
--Record of noncomplying marking,  30 railroads.......  150 noncompliance    2 minutes..........               5
 signage, or instruction.                                records.
238.305--Interior calendar day     30 railroads.......  260 notifications +  1 minute...........               9
 mechanical inspection of                                260 notices.
 passenger cars: Written
 notification to train crew of
 noncomplying condition and
 posting notice on door of
 defective condition.

[[Page 74500]]

 
--Written notification to train    30 railroads.......  300 written          1 minute...........               5
 crew of car with non-functioning                        notifications.
 PA or intercom system.
--Record of noncomplying           30 railroads.......  300 records........  2 minutes..........              10
 condition.
--Railroad written procedures for  30 railroads.......  30 written           40 hours...........           1,200
 mitigating hazards of                                   procedures.
 noncomplying condition.
--Written notification to train    30 railroads.......  458 written          2 minutes..........              15
 crew of noncomplying condition.                         notifications.
238.307--Records of inspection,    30 railroads.......  7,634 inspection     5 minutes..........             636
 testing, and maintenance of                             and testing
 passenger car emergency window                          records.
 exits.
--Replacement of missing,          30 railroads.......  32 required          20 minutes.........              11
 illegible, or inconspicuous                             markings.
 emergency roof access markings/
 instructions on cars.
238.311--Single Car Test:          30 railroads.......  30 APTA copies.....  15 minutes.........               8
 Railroad copy of APTA Standard
 (SS-M-005-98) for railroad head
 trainer.
--Other railroad copies of APTA    30 railroads.......  360 copies (12       2 minutes..........              12
 Standard.                                               copies per
                                                         railroad).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 89,780.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 23,325 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA 
informs all interested parties 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 October 21, 2016.
Patrick Warren,
Acting Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-25893 Filed 10-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P