[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13714-13717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05046]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2017-0002-N-1]


Proposed Renewal of Agency Information Collection Activities; 
Comment Request

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

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. Before submitting these information collection 
requests (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 below.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than May 15, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any of the following information 
collection activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory 
Safety Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kim 
Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, 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-XXXX'' (the relevant OMB control number for each ICR is 
listed below), and should also include the title of the collection. 
Alternatively, comments may be faxed to (202) 493-6216 or (202) 493-
6497, or emailed to Mr. Brogan at [email protected], or to 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 Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, 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 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 of the activities. 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 parties to comment on the 
following summary of 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) 
how FRA can enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information being collected; and (4) how FRA can 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); 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1).
    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 it organizes 
information collection requirements in a ``user-friendly'' format to 
improve the use of such information; and (3) accurately assess the 
resources

[[Page 13715]]

expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 
3501.
    Below is a brief summary of currently approved information 
collection activities FRA will submit for renewed clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.
    Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 239, Passenger Train Emergency 
Preparedness, FRA requires railroads to meet minimum Federal standards 
for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency 
preparedness plans connected with the operation of passenger trains, 
including freight railroads hosting passenger rail service operations. 
To help ensure compliance with the regulation, FRA requires railroads 
to conduct operational tests of their personnel responsible for 
implementing the emergency preparedness plans. Requirements formerly in 
Sec.  [thinsp]239.107 related to doors have been moved to Sec.  
[thinsp]238.112. Requirements formerly in Sec.  [thinsp]239.107 related 
to windows have been moved to Sec.  [thinsp]238.307. See 78 FR 71785, 
Nov. 29, 2013.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Respondent Universe: 45 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                   Respondent universe      Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section                  (railroads)          responses             response        burden hours
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239.13--waivers..................  45 railroads.......  1 waiver petition..  20 hours...........              20
239.101/201/203--emergency         45 railroads.......  45 amended plans...  31.33 hours........           1,410
 preparedness plan: amended plans.
--subsequent years: amended        45 railroads.......  9 amended plans....  31.33 hours........             282
 emergency preparedness plans.
--non-substantive changes to       45 railroads.......  4 amended plans....  1 hour.............               4
 emergency preparedness plan.
--emergency preparedness plans     2 new railroads....  2 new plans........  80 hours...........             160
 for new/start-up railroads.
--initial training of railroad     45 railroads.......  540 initially        8 hours............           4,320
 control center and emergency                            trained employees.
 response communications center
 personnel on emergency
 preparedness plan (EPP)
 provisions.
--periodic EPP training of same    45 railroads.......  54 periodically      4 hours............             216
 groups of employees.                                    trained employees.
--initial EPP training of new      45 railroads.......  135 trained new      8 hours............           1,080
 railroad employees and                                  employees.
 contractor/contracted employees.
239.101(a)(1)(ii)--RR designation  45 railroads.......  45 designations....  5 minutes..........               4
 of employees responsible for
 maintaining emergency phone
 numbers for use in contacting
 outside emergency responders and
 appropriate RR officials that a
 passenger emergency has occurred.
--commuter/inter city passenger    45 railroads.......  2 lists/updated      1 hour.............               2
 RRs gathering/keeping emergency                         records.
 phone numbers.
239.101(a)(3)--coordinating        45 railroads.......  1 coordinated plan.  16 hours...........              16
 applicable portions of emergency
 preparedness plan between each
 railroad hosting passenger
 service and each railroad that
 provides or operates such
 service.
239.101(a)(5)--Updating emergency  45 railroads.......  45 updated plans...  40 hours...........           1,800
 responder liaison information
 and conducting emergency
 simulation.
239.101(a)(7)--RR dissemination    2 new railroads....  1,300 cards/2        5 minutes/16 hours/             300
 of information regarding                                programs/2 safety    48 hours/8 hours/
 emergency procedures/                                   messages + 2         24 hours.
 instructions.                                           programs + 2
                                                         safety messages.
239.105--Debrief and critique      45 railroads.......  79 debrief/critique  27 hours...........           2,133
 sessions.                                               sessions.
239.301(a)--RR operational tests/  45 railroads.......  25,000 operational   15 minutes.........           6,250
 inspection of on-board, control                         tests/inspections.
 center, & emergency response
 center personnel.
--(b) and (c) maintenance and      45 railroads.......  25,000 records.....  2 minutes..........             833
 retention of operational tests/
 inspection records.
--(d) RR retention of 1 copy of    45 railroads.......  90 program copies/   3 minutes..........               5
 operational testing & inspection                        records.
 program.
--(e) RR six-month review of       45 railroads.......  90 periodic reviews/ 2 hours............             180
 tests/inspections and                                   analyses.
 adjustments to program of
 operational tests/inspections.
--(f) RR annual summary of tests/  45 railroads.......  45 annual summaries  5 minutes + 1 min..               5
 inspections & record of each                            + 30 annual
 summary.                                                summary hard
                                                         copies.
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 69,670.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 21,470 hours.
    Type of Request: Regular Review of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.

[[Page 13716]]

    Title: Locomotive Cab Sanitation Standards.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0552.
    Abstract: FRA's locomotive cab sanitation standards, 49 CFR 229.137 
and 229.139, prescribe minimum standards for locomotive sanitation 
facilities. FRA uses this collection of information to promote rail 
safety and the health of railroad workers by ensuring all locomotive 
crew members have access to functioning and hygienic toilet/sanitary 
facilities on an as needed basis. FRA also uses this collection of 
information to ensure railroads timely repair defective locomotive 
sanitary facilities.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Frequency of Submission: One-time.
    Respondent Universe: 744 railroads.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
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229.137(d)--Defective locomotive   744 railroads......  11,700 tags/notices  90 seconds.........             293
 toilet facility--Tagging.
229.137(e) Defective but sanitary  744 railroads......  7,956 tags/notices.  90 seconds.........             199
 locomotive toilet facility--
 Tagging.
229.139(d) Switching or transfer   744 railroads......  93,600 notations...  30 seconds.........             780
 service--defective locomotive
 toilet facility--Notation on
 daily inspection report.
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    Total Estimated Responses: 113,256.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,272 hours.
    Type of Request: Regular Review of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Title: Locomotive Crashworthiness.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0564.
    Abstract: FRA's Locomotive Crashworthiness Design Requirements (49 
CFR part 229, subpart D) prescribe minimum crashworthiness standards 
for locomotives. These crashworthiness standards are intended to help 
protect locomotive cab occupants in the event of a collision or other 
accident involving a locomotive. FRA uses the collection of information 
to ensure railroads use locomotives that meet the prescribed minimum 
performance standards and design load requirements for newly 
manufactured and re-manufactured locomotives.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses/Public/Interested Parties.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion; One-time.
    Respondent Universe: 725 railroads/4 Locomotive Manufacturers.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
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229.207(b)--Petition for FRA       725 railroads/4      2 petitions........  1,050 hours........           2,100
 approval of new locomotive         locomotive
 crashworthiness design.            manufacturers.
--(c) Petition for FRA approval    725 railroads/4      1 petition.........  1,050 hours........           1,050
 of substantive changes to FRA-     locomotive
 approved locomotive                manufacturers.
 crashworthiness design standard.
--(d) Petition for FRA approval    725 railroads/4      1 petition.........  400 hours..........             400
 of non-substantive changes to      locomotive
 existing FRA approved locomotive   manufacturers.
 crashworthiness design standard.
229.209(b)--Petition for FRA       725 railroads/4      1 petition.........  2,550 hours........           2,550
 approval of alternative            locomotive
 locomotive crashworthiness         manufacturers.
 design.
229.211--(b)(2) Processing of      725 railroads/4      5 comments.........  16 hours...........              80
 petition--comments to FRA on       locomotive
 petitions.                         manufacturers.
--(b)(3) Additional information    725 railroads/4      2 hearings (8        24 hours...........              48
 obtained from public at FRA        locomotive           comments per
 hearings.                          manufacturers/       hearing @3 hours
                                    public/other         each).
                                    interested parties.
229.213(a) Locomotive              725 railroads......  1,000 records/       6 minutes..........             100
 manufacturing information:                              stickers/badge
 retention by railroads.                                 plates.
239.215--(a) Manufacturer          4 locomotive         24 locomotive        8 hours............             192
 retention of original locomotive   manufacturers.       records.
 designs.
--(b) Owner/lessee retention of    725 railroads/       6 locomotive         4 hours............              24
 records regarding repair or        locomotive lessees.  crashworthiness
 modification to locomotive                              modification/
 crashworthiness features.                               repair records.
--(c) Inspection of records        725 railroads/4      10 records.........  2 minutes..........              33
 required in 239.215(a)&(b) from    locomotive
 custodian upon FRA request.        manufacturers.
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    Total Estimated Responses: 1,052.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 6,544 hours.
    Type of Request: Regular Review of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Title: Critical Incident Stress Plans.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0602.
    Abstract: FRA issued its Critical Incident Stress Plans Final Rule 
(49 CFR part 272), on March 25, 2014. See 79 FR 16218. Part 272 
requires Class I, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads to 
develop, and submit to FRA for approval, critical incident stress plans 
that provide appropriate support services be offered to their employees 
who are affected by a critical incident as defined in 49 CFR 272.9. FRA 
uses the information collected to ensure the minimum standards of Part 
272 are met.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses/Rail Labor Unions.

[[Page 13717]]

    Frequency of Submission: One-time.
    Respondent Universe: 34 railroads.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
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272.103--(a) Railroad submission   34 railroads.......  34 updated/modified  16 hours...........             544
 of updated/modified existing                            plans.
 critical incident stress plan
 (CISP) to FRA for approval.
--(b) RR CISP copy to 5 labor      34 railroads.......  170 plan copies....  5 minutes..........              14
 organizations.
--(c)(1) Rail labor organization   5 employee labor     65 comments........  3 hours............             195
 comment to FRA on CISP             organizations.
 submission.
--(2)(1) Rail labor affirmative    5 employee labor     65 certifications..  15 minutes.........              16
 statement to FRA that comment      organizations.
 copy has been served on railroad.
(e) Copy to RR employees of        34 railroads.......  169,500 copies.....  5 minutes..........          14,125
 updated/modified CISP.
(f) RR copy to FRA inspector upon  34 railroads.......  136 plan copies....  5 minutes..........              11
 request of CISP.
272.105--Requirement to file CISP  34 railroads.......  34 CISP electronic   5 minutes..........               3
 electronically.                                         submissions.
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    Total Estimated Responses: 170,004.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 14,908 hours.
    Type of Request: Regular Review of a Currently Approved Information 
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.

Sarah L. Inderbitzin,
Acting Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2017-05046 Filed 3-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P