[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80714-80716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27521]


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 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2016-0002-N-25]


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 this information 
collection request (ICR) 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 January 17, 2017.

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, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 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 2130-0010,'' and should also include the title of the collection 
of information. 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 
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. 
See 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: Track Safety Standards.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0010.
    Abstract: Part 213 prescribes minimum safety requirements for 
railroad track that is part of the general railroad system of 
transportation. While the requirements prescribed in this part 
generally apply to specific track conditions existing in isolation, a 
combination of track conditions, none of which individually amounts to 
a deviation from the requirements in this part, may require remedial 
action to provide safe operations over that track. Qualified persons 
inspect track and take action to allow safe passage of trains and 
ensure compliance with prescribed Track Safety Standards. In March 
2013, FRA amended the Track Safety Standards and Passenger Equipment 
Safety Standards applicable to high-speed and high cant deficiency 
train operations to promote the safe interaction of rail vehicles with 
the tracks over which they operate. The final rule revised limits for 
vehicle response to track perturbations and added new limits as well. 
The rule accounts for a range of vehicle types that are currently used 
and may likely be used in future high-speed or high cant deficiency 
rail operations, or both. The rule is based on the results of 
simulation studies designed to identify track geometry irregularities 
associated with unsafe wheel/rail forces and accelerations, thorough 
reviews of vehicle qualification and revenue service test data, and 
consideration of international practices. The information collection 
associated with the Track Safety Standards is used by FRA to ensure and 
enhance rail safety by monitoring complete compliance with all 
regulatory requirements.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 728 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Reporting Burden:

[[Page 80715]]



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                                      Respondent
            CFR section                universe          Total annual        Average time  per     Total annual
                                      (railroads)         responses               response         burden hours
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213.14--Excepted track--                       236  20 orders............  15 minutes...........               5
 Identification--Notification to
 FRA--Removal of Track.
 Segment From Excepted Statues                 236  15 notices...........  10 minutes...........               3
213.5--Responsibility of for                   728  10 notices...........  8 hours..............              80
 Compliance--Track Owners--
 Assignment to Another Person--
 Notice to FRA.
213.7--Designation of qualified                728  1,500 names..........  10 minutes...........             250
 persons to supervise certain
 renewals and inspect track.
    --Individuals Designated under              37  80,000 trained         8 hours..............         640,000
     paragraphs (a) or (b) of this                   Employees.
     section who inspect CWR and
     have completed CWR Training
     Course.
    --Employees authorized by                   37  80,000 auth. + 80,000  10 min. + 60 min.....          93,333
     Track Owner to prescribe CWR                    exams.
     Remedial Actions.
    --Designations (Partially                   37  250 names............  10 min...............               2
     Qualified under Paragraph c).
213.17--Waiver: Petitions.........             728  6 petitions..........  24 hours.............             144
213.57--Curves; elevations and                 728  2 requests...........  40 hours.............              80
 speed limits--Requests for higher
 curving speeds.
    --Implementation Notification              728  2 notifications......  8 hours..............              16
     to FRA.
    --Written Consent of Track                 728  2 consents...........  45 minutes...........               2
     Owner to RR provide service
     over track w/same equip.
213.110--Gage restraint                        728  5 notices + 1 tech.    45 minutes + hours...               8
 measurement systems--Implementing                   report.
 GRMS--Notice to FRA and Technical
 Report.
    --GRMS Output Reports.........             728  50 reports...........  5 minutes............               4
    --GRMS Exception Reports......             728  50 reports...........  5 minutes............               4
    --Procedures For Maintaining               728  4 procedures.........  2 hours..............               8
     GRMS Data.
    --GRMS Training to Qualified               728  2 tr. programs + 5     16 hours/session or               112
     Employees.                                      sessions.              program.
    --GRMS Inspections--Two Most               728  50 records...........  2 hours..............             100
     Recent Records.
213.118--Continuous weld rail                  279  279 revised plans....  4 hours..............           1,116
 (CWR); plan review and approval--
 Track Owner Plans to FRA.
    --Notice to FRA & to Affected              279  279 notices + 80,000   15 minutes + 2                  2,737
     Employees of Plan's Effective                   notices.               minutes.
     Date.
    --FRA Required Revisions to                279  20 revisions.........  2 hours..............              40
     CWR Plans; Further FRA
     Amendments to CWR Plans.
    --Annual Retraining of CWR                 279  20 plans.............  1 hour...............              20
     Employees.
213.119--Continuous weld rail                   37  80,000 worker........  30 minutes...........          40,000
 (CWR); plan contents--Annual
 Retraining of CWR Employees.
    --Records of CWR Installations             279  2,000 records........  10 minutes...........             333
     and CWR Maintenance.
    --Records of Rail Joint                    279  360,000 rcds.........  2 minutes............          12,000
     Inspections.
    --Records of CWR Periodic                  279  480,000 rcds.........  1 minute.............           8,000
     Inspections.
    --CWR Procedures Manual.......             279  279 Manuals..........  10 minutes...........              47
213.233--Track Inspections By                  728  12,500 notations.....  1 minute.............             208
 Person/Vehicle--Records.
213.237--Inspection of rail--RR                 10  50 requests..........  15 minutes...........              13
 request to Change Designation of
 a Rail Inspection Segment or
 establish a New Segment.
    --After FRA approval, RR                    10  50 notices + 120       15 minutes + 15                    43
     Notice to FRA and RR                            notices.               minutes.
     Employees of Effective Date.
    --RR/Track Owner Notice to FRA              10  12 notices...........  15 minutes...........               3
     that Service Failure Rate
     Target Identified in
     213.237(a) is not Achieved.
    --RR/Track Owner Letter of                  10  12 letters + 12 plans  15 minutes...........               6
     Explanation Why Service
     Failure Target Rate has not
     been Achieved and Provision
     of Remedial Action Plan to
     FRA.
213.241--Track and Rail Inspection             728  1,542,089 records....  Varies with                1, 672,941
 Records.                                                                   Inspection Type.
213.303--Responsibility for                      2  1 notice.............  8 hours..............               8
 compliance--High Speed Track:
 Notice to FRA of Assignment of
 Responsibility.
213.305--Designation of qualified                2  20 designation.......  10 minutes...........               3
 individuals.
213.317--Waiver Petitions.........               2  1 petition...........  80 hours.............              80
213.329--Curves; elevation, and                  2  2 documents..........  80 hours.............             160
 speed limitations--Submission of
 Testing Results Specified in
 213.329(d) to FRA for Each Type
 of Vehicle RR/Track Owner
 requests Approval.

[[Page 80716]]

 
    --Notification to FRA by RR/                 2  3 notifications......  40 hours.............             120
     Track Owner of Implementation
     of Higher Curving Speeds at
     least 30 calendar days before
     Proposed Implementation.
    --Written Consent of Track                   2  3 written consents...  45 minutes...........               2
     Owner to Another RR that
     provides Service w/Same
     Vehicle Type.
213.333--RR Request to FRA                     728  1 request............  8 hours..............               8
 concerning Track Geometry
 Measurement taken from a distance
 different from that Specified
 under 213.333(b)(1).
    --RR TGMS Output Reports......              10  18 reports...........  20 hours.............             360
    --RR Copy of plot and                       10  13 reports...........  20 hours.............             260
     exception report by
     qualifying TGMS performing
     inspection.
    --Notification to Track                     10  10 notices...........  40 hours.............             400
     Personnel when Onboard
     Accelerometers indicate
     possible track-related
     problems.
213.333--RR Request to FRA for                  10  10 requests..........  40 hours.............             400
 Alternative Location of Devices
 Measuring Lateral Accelerations
 Mounted on a Truck Frame.
    --RR Track Owner Monitoring                 10  4 data reports.......  8 hours..............              32
     Data Calendar Year Report to
     FRA.
213.341--Initial inspection of new               2  2 reports............  16 hours.............              32
 rail and welds: Mill Inspection--
 Report.
    --Welding Plant Inspection--                 2  2 reports............  16 hours.............              32
     Report.
    --Inspection of Field Welds--                2  125 records..........  20 minutes...........              42
     Records.
213.343--Continuous welded rail                  2  150 records..........  10 minutes...........              25
 (CWR)--History--Records.
213.345--Vehicle Qualification                  10  10 programs..........  120 hours............           1,200
 Testing--Qualification Program
 for All Vehicle Types intended to
 Operate at Class 6 Speeds or
 Above or at Any Curving Speed
 more than 5 Inches of Cant
 Deficiency.
    --Qualification Program for                 10  10 programs..........  80 hours.............             800
     All Vehicle Types intended to
     Operate at Class 7 Speeds or
     Above or at Any Curving Speed
     more than 6 Inches of Cant
     Deficiency.
    --Track Owner Consent for                  728  1 written consent....  8 hours..............               8
     Another Railroad that
     Provides Service with Same
     Vehicle Type Over Its Track
     to Submit Documents to FRA.
213.347--Automotive or railroad                  1  2 plans..............  8 hours..............              16
 crossings at grade--Protection
 Plans.
213.369--Inspection records.......               2  500 records..........  1 minute.............               8
    --Inspection Records of                      2  50 records...........  5 minutes............               4
     Defects and Remedial Actions.
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 2,800,634.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 2,475,698 hours.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b) and 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 November 7, 2016.
Patrick T. Warren,
Acting Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-27521 Filed 11-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P