[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 13722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05047]



[[Page 13722]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2017-0002-N-6]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

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

ACTION: Notice and comment request.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice 
announces that FRA is forwarding the currently approved Information 
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the 
information collection and its expected burden.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 13, 2017.

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 Administration, 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 
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 November 16, 2016, 
FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting 
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 81 FR 
80714. FRA received no comments in response to this 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, 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. 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 ICR and its expected burden. FRA is 
submitting the new request for clearance by OMB as the PRA requires.
    Title: Track Safety Standards.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0010.
    Abstract: Part 213 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(Track Safety Standards) prescribes minimum safety requirements for 
railroad track that is part of the general railroad system of 
transportation. While the requirements prescribed in Part 213 generally 
apply to specific track conditions existing in isolation, a combination 
of track conditions, none of which individually amounts to a deviation 
from regulatory requirements, may require remedial action to ensure 
safe operations over that track. Qualified persons inspect track and 
take action to allow safe passage of trains and ensure compliance with 
the 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. The rule accounts for a range of vehicle types currently 
used and likely may 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. FRA 
uses this information collection to ensure and enhance rail safety by 
monitoring railroads' compliance with regulatory requirements.
    Type of Request: Extension with change of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 2,762,261.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,816,152 hours.
    Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 17th 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 
collection of information is necessary for DOT to properly perform its 
functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of DOT's estimates of the burden of the proposed 
information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Sarah L. Inderbitzin,
Acting Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2017-05047 Filed 3-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P