[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85321-85323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2016-0002-N-27]


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 the renewals and reinstatements of the information 
collection requests (ICRs) abstracted below are being forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs 
describe the information collections and their expected burden. On 
September 23, 2016, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period 
for public comment on the ICRs.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 27, 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

[[Page 85322]]

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, 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. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 
3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), and 1320.12. On September 23, 2016, 
FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting 
comment on ICRs for which it is now seeking OMB approval. 81 FR 65698-
656701. FRA received no comments in response to that notice.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 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. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 
60 FR 44978, 44983, August 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. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should 
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication 
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summary below describes the ICRs and their expected burdens.

    Title: Alleged Violation Reporting Form.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0590.
    Abstract: The Alleged Violation Reporting Form is a response to 
section 307(b) of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, signed into 
law by President George W. Bush on October 16, 2008, which requires FRA 
to ``provide a mechanism for the public to submit written reports of 
potential violations of Federal railroad safety and hazardous materials 
transportation laws, regulations, and orders to the Federal Railroad 
Administration.'' The Alleged Violation Reporting Form allows the 
general public to submit alleged violations directly to FRA. The form 
allows FRA to collect information necessary to investigate the alleged 
violation and to follow up with the submitting party.
    The Alleged Violation Reporting Form collects the name, telephone 
number and email address of the person submitting the alleged 
violations; the preferred method to contact the person; the railroad or 
company name that committed the alleged violation, the date and time 
the alleged violation occurred; the location the alleged violation 
occurred; and details about the alleged violation. All information is 
voluntary. FRA collects the information via a form on the FRA public 
Web site. FRA may share the information collected with FRA employees, 
State DOT partners, and law enforcement agencies.
    Type of Request: Extension with change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: General Public.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.151.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 80 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 480.
    Status: Regular Review.

    Title: Remotely Controlled Switch Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0516.
    Abstract: The regulations at 49 CFR 218.30 and 218.77 ensure 
remotely controlled switches are properly lined to protect workers who 
are vulnerable to being struck by moving cars as they inspect or 
service rolling equipment on a particular track or, alternatively, 
occupy camp cars. FRA believes that creating required notifications 
promotes safety by minimizing mental lapses of workers who are 
simultaneously handling several tasks. Sections 49 CFR 218.30 and 
218.77 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.
    Type of Request: Extension with change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 30,420 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 1,825,150.
    Status: Regular Review.

    Title: Bad Order and Home Shop for Repair Card/Tag.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0519.
    Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 215, each railroad must inspect freight 
cars placed in service and take necessary remedial action when defects 
are identified. Part 215 defects are items that have caused accidents 
or incidents by freight cars being inadvertently left in service when 
not properly tagged. A railroad freight car which has any component 
described as defective in part 215 may be moved to another location for 
repair only after the railroad has complied the process in Sec.  215.9 
to ensure the movement is done safely. Section 215.9 requires railroads 
to attach a ``bad order'' or ``home shop for repair'' card/tag (tag) 
describing each defect to each side of the freight car. It is 
imperative that a defective freight car be tagged so it may be readily 
identified as defective and moved to another location for repair 
purposes only. At the repair location, the tag serves as a record that 
the notification requirements under Sec.  215.9(a)(3) have been 
provided to ensure proper handling of freight cars. Railroads must 
retain each tag for 90 days to verify proper repairs were made at the 
designated location. When inspecting a freight car, FRA and State 
inspectors also review tags to determine whether defective cars are 
being properly moved according to Sec.  215.9.
    Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 15,750 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 270,000.
    Status: Regular Review.

    Title: Stenciling Freight Cars.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0520.
    Abstract: The requirements for stenciling freight cars that are 
placed in service are under 49 CFR 215.301. Section 215.301 requires 
railroads and private car owners to stencil or otherwise display 
identification marks on freight cars. The identification marks are used 
by both FRA and the railroads. FRA uses the identification marks to 
determine the 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 this information to 
determine if the freight car is safe to operate, if the operation 
qualifies for dedicated service, and is excluded from part 215. 
Railroads use the required information to provide identification and 
control so that dedicated cars remain in the prescribed service. In 
addition, it indicates to FRA that the car is in special service and 
certain exceptions have been provided for, with respect to part 215.

[[Page 85323]]

    Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved 
collection that expired.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 18,750 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 25,000.
    Status: Regular Review.

    Title: Grade Crossing Safety.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0534.
    Abstract: FRA believes that highway-rail grade crossing (grade 
crossing) accidents resulting from warning system failures can be 
reduced. Accordingly, FRA's regulations require railroads to take 
specific responses in the event of an activation failure (when a grade 
crossing warning system fails to indicate the arrival of a train at 
least 20 seconds prior to the train's arrival at the crossing or to 
indicate the presence of a train occupying the crossing). Specifically, 
railroads must report to FRA every impact between on-track railroad 
equipment and an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm 
vehicle, or pedestrian at a highway-rail grade crossing involving a 
crossing warning system activation failure. Notification must be 
provided to the National Response Center within 24 hours of occurrence 
at the stipulated toll-free telephone number. Additionally, railroads 
must report to FRA within 15 days each activation failure of a highway-
rail grade warning system. Form FRA F 6180.83, ``Highway-Rail Grade 
Crossing Warning System Report,'' must be used for this purpose and 
completed using the instructions printed on the form. With this 
information, FRA can correlate accident data and equipment malfunctions 
with the types of circuits and age of equipment. FRA can then identify 
the causes of activation malfunctions and investigate them to determine 
whether periodic maintenance, inspection, and testing standards are 
effective.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement with change of a previously approved 
collection that expired.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 3,425 hours.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 15,372.
    Status: Regular Review.

    Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0535.
    Abstract: Under 49 U.S.C. 20139, FRA must issue rules, regulations, 
orders, and standards for the safety of maintenance-of-way employees on 
railroad bridges, including for ``bridge safety equipment'' such as 
nets, walkways, handrails, and safety lines, along with requirements 
for using vessels when work is performed on bridges located over bodies 
of water. FRA added 49 CFR part 214 to establish minimum workplace 
safety standards for railroad employees performing work on railroad 
bridges. Specifically, 49 CFR 214.105(c) establishes standards and 
practices for safety net systems. Safety nets and net installations 
must be drop-tested at the job site after initial installation and 
before being used as a fall-protection system, after major repairs, and 
at 6-month intervals if left at one site. If a drop-test is not 
feasible and is not performed, then the railroad or railroad 
contractor, or designated competent person, must certify the net and 
its installation comply with the provisions of this section by 
preparing a certification record prior to the use of the net. The 
certification must identify the net, the date it was determined the net 
was in compliance with this section, and the signature of the person 
making this determination. Such person's signature must certify the net 
and its installation comply with this section. The most recent 
certification for each net installation must be available at the 
jobsite where the subject net is located. FRA and State inspectors use 
the information to enforce Federal regulations. The information 
maintained at the job site promotes safe bridge worker practices.
    Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Annual Estimated Burden: 1 hour.
    Total Annual Estimated Responses: 6.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Addressee: 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 DOT to properly perform 
its functions, including: (1) Whether the information will have 
practical utility; the accuracy of DOT'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.

Patrick Warren,
Acting Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-28394 Filed 11-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P