[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 1, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37606-37612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16403]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2018-0008-N-5]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

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

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its 
implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information 
Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below. Before submitting these 
ICRs to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is 
soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities 
identified below.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
October 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the ICRs 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, Room W33-
497, 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, Room W34-212, 
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 ICR. 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

[[Page 37607]]

Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W33-497, 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, Room W34-
212, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6132).

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. 
See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8-12. Specifically, FRA invites 
interested parties to comment on the following ICRs 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, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology. See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1).
    FRA believes that soliciting public comment may 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) organize 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.
    The summaries below describe the ICRs that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards and Event Recorders.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0004.
    Abstract: The Locomotive Safety Standards at 49 CFR part 229 
require railroads to inspect, repair, and maintain locomotives, 
including their event recorders to ensure they are safe and free of 
defects. Crashworthy locomotive event recorders provide FRA with 
verifiable factual information about how trains are operated. These 
devices are used by FRA and State inspectors for part 229 enforcement. 
The information garnered from crashworthy event recorders is used by 
railroads to monitor railroad operations and by railroad employees 
(locomotive engineers, train crews, dispatchers) to improve train 
handling, and promote the safe and efficient operation of trains 
throughout the country, based on a surer knowledge of different control 
inputs.
    Type of Request: Extension with Change of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.49A.
    Respondent Universe: 741 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.9--Movement of Non-Complying   44 Railroads.......  21,000 tags........  1 minute...........             350
 Locomotives.
229.15--Remote control             44 Railroads.......  3,000 tags.........  2 minutes..........             100
 locomotive--tagging to indicate
 in remote control.
    --Repair record of defective   44 Railroads.......  300 records........  5 minutes..........              25
     OCU linked to remote control
     locomotive.
229.17--Accident Reports.........  44 Railroads.......  1 report...........  15 minutes.........             .25
229.20--Electronic Recordkeeping-- 44 Railroads.......  21,000               1 second...........               6
 Automatic notice to RR each time                        notifications.
 locomotive is due for inspection
 or maintenance.
229.21--Daily Locomotive           741 Railroads......  1,674,400 insp.      31 minutes + 33           3,733,687
 Inspection.                                             reports +            minutes.
                                                         5,215,600 insp.
                                                         reports/records.
    --Written Reports of MU        741 Railroads......  230,000 written      13 minutes.........          49,833
     Locomotive Inspections.                             reports.
Locomotive Inspection & Repair     741 Railroads......  4,000 forms........  16 minutes.........           1,067
 Record--Form FRA F 6180.49A.
229.23--Periodic Inspection:       741 Railroads......  9,500 secondary      2 minutes..........             317
 Secondary record of information                         records.
 on Form FRA F 6180.49A.
    --List of defects/repairs      741 Railroads......  4,000 lists + 4,000  2 minutes + 2                   266
     during inspection provided                          copies.              minutes.
     to RR employees + copies of
     lists.
    --Document from railroad to    741 Railroads......  9,500 documents/     2 minutes..........             317
     employees of all tests                              records.
     conducted since last
     periodic inspection.
229.31--Main reservoir tests:      741 Railroads......  9,500 tests/forms..  8 hours............          76,000
 Periodic inspections--repairs &
 adjustments, & data on Form 49A.
229.33--Out-of-Use Credit for      741 Railroads......  500 out-of-use       5 minutes..........              42
 Locomotives.                                            notations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Recordkeeping Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.25--Periodic Inspection of     741 Railroads......  200 amendment        15 minutes.........              50
 Event Recorders: Written Copy of                        copies.
 Instructions--Amendments.
    --Data Verification Readout    741 Railroads......  4,025 readout        90 minutes.........           6,038
     of Event Recorder.                                  records/reports.
    --Pre-Maintenance Test         741 Railroads......  700 test failure     30 minutes.........             350
     Failures of Event Recorder.                         notations.

[[Page 37608]]

 
229.135--Removal of event          741 Railroads......  1,000 removal tags.  1 minute...........              17
 recorder from service--Tags.
    --Preserving Locomotive Event  741 Railroads......  3,100 data reports.  15 minutes.........             775
     Recorder Accident Data--
     reports.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Other Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.27--Annual tests of event      741 Railroads......  700 tests/records..  90 minutes.........           1,050
 recorders w/self-monitoring
 feature displaying a failure
 indication--tests.
229.29--Calibration of Locomotive  741 Railroads......  88,000 tests/        60 seconds.........           1,467
 Air Flow Meter--Tests.                                  records.
229.46--Tagging locomotive with    741 Railroads......  2,100 tags.........  2 minutes..........              70
 inoperative or ineffective
 automatic/independent brake that
 can only be used in trailing
 position.
229.85--Marking of all doors,      741 Railroads......  1,000 re-paintings/  3 minutes..........              50
 cover plates, or barriers having                        decals.
 direct access to high voltage
 equipment with words ``Danger
 High Voltage'' or with word
 ``Danger''.
229.123--Locomotives equipped      741 Railroads......  20 markings/         4 minutes..........               1
 with a pilot, snowplow, & plate                         stencils.
 with clearance above 6 inches--
 Marking/stenciling with words
 ``9 inch Maximum End Plate
 Height, Yard or Trail Service
 Only''.
    --Notation in Remarks section  741 Railroads......  20 notations.......  2 minutes..........               1
     of Form FRA F6180.49A of
     pilot, snowplow, or end
     plate clearance above 6
     inches.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.303--Requests to FRA for on-   741 Railroads......  20 requests........  8 hours............             160
 track testing of products
 outside a facility.
229.307--Safety Analysis for each  741 Railroads......  50 safety analysis   240 hours..........          12,000
 product subject to this Subpart--                       documents.
 Document establishing minimum
 requirements.
229.309--Safety critical changes   741 Railroads......  10 notifications...  16 hours...........             160
 to product subject to this
 Subpart--Notice to FRA.
    --Report by product suppliers  3 Manufacturers....  30 reports.........  8 hours............             240
     and private owners to
     railroads of any safety-
     critical changes to product.
229.311--Notice to FRA by          741 Railroads......  50 notifications...  2 hours............             100
 railroad before placing product
 in service.
    --Railroad document provided   741 Railroads......  50 documents.......  2 hours............             100
     to FRA upon request
     demonstrating product meets
     Safety Analysis requirements
     for life cycle of product.
    --Railroad maintenance of      741 Railroads......  50 databases.......  4 hours............             200
     data base of all safety
     relevant hazards encountered
     after product is placed in
     service.
    --Written report to FRA        741 Railroads......  10 written reports.  2 hours............              20
     disclosing frequency of
     safety relevant hazards for
     product exceeding threshold
     set forth in Safety Analysis.
    --Final Report to FRA on       741 Railroads......  10 written final     4 hours............              40
     results of analyses and                             reports.
     counter measures to reduce
     frequency of safety related
     hazards.
229.313--Product testing results   741 Railroads......  120,000 product      5 minutes..........          10,000
 and records.                                            testing records.
229.315--Railroad maintenance of   741 Railroads......  45 manuals + 255     40 hours + 5 hours.           3,075
 Operations and Maintenance                              manuals.
 Manual containing all documents
 related to installation,
 maintenance, repair,
 modification, & testing of a
 product subject to this Part.
    --RR Configuration Management  741 Railroads......  45 plans + 255       8 hours + 2 hours..             870
     Control Plan.                                       plans.
    --Positive ID of safety-       741 Railroads......  60,000 identified    5 minutes..........           5,000
     critical components.                                components.
229.317--RR Establishment and      741 Railroads......  300 programs.......  40 hours...........          12,000
 Implementation of Training
 Qualification program for
 products subject to this Subpart.
    --Employees trained under RR   741 Railroads......  10,000 trained       60 minutes.........          10,000
     program.                                            employees.

[[Page 37609]]

 
    --Periodic refresher training  741 Railroads......  1,000 re-trained     60 minutes.........           1,000
     of employees.                                       employees.
    --RR regular and periodic      741 Railroads......  300 evaluations....  4 hours............           1,200
     evaluation of effectiveness
     of its training program.
    --RR record of individuals     741 Railroads......  10,000 records.....  10 minutes.........           1,667
     designated as qualified
     under this Section.
Appendix F to Part 229--Guidance   741 Railroads/3      1 3rd party          4,000 hours........           4,000
 for Verification and Validation    Manufacturers.       assessment.
 of Products--3rd Party
 Assessments.
    --Final Report of Assessment.  741 Railroads/3      1 final report.....  80 hours...........              80
                                    Manufacturers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 7,509,648.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 3,933,791 hours.
    Title: Railroad Signal System.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0006.
    Abstract: The regulations pertaining to railroad signal systems are 
contained in 49 CFR parts 233 (Signal System Reporting Requirements), 
235 (Instructions Governing Applications for Approval of a 
Discontinuance or Material Modification of a Signal System), and 236 
(Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, 
Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control 
Systems, Devices, and Appliances). Section 233.5 provides that each 
railroad must report to FRA within 24 hours after learning of an 
accident or incident arising from signal failure (e.g., failure of a 
signal appliance, device, method or system to function or indicate as 
required by 49 CFR part 236 that results in a more favorable aspect 
than intended) or other condition hazardous to the movement of a train. 
Section 233.7 provides that each railroad must report signal failures 
within 15 days in accordance with the instructions printed on Form FRA 
F 6180.14.
    Part 235 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations sets forth 
the specific conditions under which FRA will approve the modification 
or discontinuance of railroad signal systems. These regulations also 
describe the process that should be followed by a railroad to seek such 
an approval. The application process prescribed under 49 CFR part 235 
enables FRA to obtain the necessary information to make logical and 
informed decisions concerning railroad requests to modify or 
discontinue signal systems. Section 235.5 requires railroads to apply 
for FRA approval to discontinue or materially modify railroad signal 
systems. However, section 235.7 cites signal system changes that do not 
require FRA approval such as removal of an interlocking where a 
drawbridge has been permanently closed by the formal approval of 
another governmental agency. Section 235.8 allows railroads to seek 
relief from the requirements in 49 CFR part 236. Sections 235.10, 
235.12, and 235.13 explain where the application must be submitted, 
what information must be included, what the format should be, and who 
is authorized to sign the application. FRA provides public notice 
concerning applications for relief and allows individuals and 
organizations to protest the granting of an application for relief. 
Section 235.20 describes the protest process, including essential 
information that must accompany the protest, the address for filing the 
protest, the time limit for filing the protest, and the requirement 
that a person requesting a public hearing explain why written 
statements cannot be used to explain his or her position.
    49 CFR part 236 contains FRA's signal system requirements. Section 
236.110 requires that the results of signal system tests required under 
Sec. Sec.  236.102-109; Sec. Sec.  236.376-236.387; Sec. Sec.  236.576-
577; and Sec. Sec.  236.586-589 be recorded on pre-printed forms 
provided by the railroad or by electronic means, subject to FRA 
approval. These forms must show the name of the railroad, place and 
date of the test conducted, type of equipment tested, results of the 
test, describe any repairs, replacements, and adjustments performed on 
the equipment that has been tested, and the condition in which the 
equipment was left. This section also requires that the employee 
conducting the test must sign the form and that the record be retained 
at the office of the supervisory official. Test results made in 
compliance with Sec.  236.587, must be retained for 92 days. The 
results of all other tests required under Sec. Sec.  236.102-109; 
Sec. Sec.  236.376-236.387; Sec. Sec.  236.576-577; Sec.  236.586; and 
Sec. Sec.  236.588-589, including results of periodic tests, must be 
retained until the next record is filed, but no less than one year. 
Additionally, Sec.  236.587 requires each railroad to make a departure 
test of the cab signal, automatic train stop, or train control devices 
on locomotives before the locomotives enter equipped territory. This 
section further requires that whoever performs the departure test must 
certify in writing that the test was properly performed. The 
certification and test results must be posted in the locomotive cab 
with a copy of the certification and test results retained at the 
office of the supervisory official. However, if it is impractical to 
leave a copy of the certification and test results at the location 
where the test is conducted, then the test results must be transmitted 
to the dispatcher or another designated official who must keep a 
written record of the test results and the name of the person 
performing the test. All records prepared under this section are 
required to be retained for 92 days. Finally, Sec.  236.590 requires 
railroads to clean and inspect the pneumatic apparatus of automatic 
train stop, train control, or cab signal devices on locomotives as 
required by Sec.  229.29(a).
    Type of Request: Extension with Change of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.14.
    Respondent Universe: 1 Class I railroad.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
233.5--Accidents resulting from    741 Railroads......  10 telephone calls.  30 minutes.........               5
 signal failure--telephone report
 to FRA.

[[Page 37610]]

 
233.7--Signal Failure Reports....  741 Railroads......  20 reports.........  15 minutes.........               5
235.5--Filing of Applications for  80 Railroads.......  20 applications....  10 hours...........             200
 changes to Signal Systems.
235.8--Relief from requirements    80 Railroads.......  10 relief requests/  2.5 hours..........              25
 of Part 236 of this Title.                              applications.
235.20--Protests against           80 Railroads.......  20 protest letters.  30 minutes.........              10
 application for relief from Part
 236 requirements.
236.110--Results of Tests made in  80 Railroads.......  796,161 forms +      27 minutes. 15              393,397
 compliance with sections 236.102-                       140,499 forms.       minutes.
 109; sections 236.376-387;
 section 236.576; section
 236.577; sections 236.586-589;
 and sec. 236.917(a)--Records.
236.587--Departure Test--Record..  18 Railroads.......  730,000 tests/       4 minutes..........          48,667
                                                         records.
236.590--Pneumatic Apparatus--     18 Railroads.......  6,697 stencilings/   22.5 minutes.......           2,511
 Inspection, cleaning, and                               tags.
 results of Inspection--Record.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 1,673,437.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 444,820 hours.
    Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and 
Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0008.
    Abstract: Recognizing the importance of upgrading rail 
technologies, Congress in 1980 passed the Rock Island Railroad 
Transition and Employee Assistance Act (the ``Rock Island Act''), 
which, inter alia, provides statutory relief for the implementation of 
new technologies. More specifically, when certain statutory 
requirements preclude the development or implementation of more 
efficient railroad transportation equipment or other transportation 
innovations, the applicable section of the Rock Island Act, currently 
codified at 49 U.S.C. 20306, provides the Secretary of Transportation 
with the authority to grant an exemption to those requirements based on 
evidence received and findings developed at a hearing. In accordance 
with that statute, FRA held a public hearing and invoked its 
discretionary authority under 49 U.S.C. 20306 to provide a limited 
exemption from Sec.  20303 for freight trains and freight cars 
operating with electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake systems. 
In doing so, FRA revised the regulations governing freight power brakes 
and equipment in October 2008 by adding a new subpart G. The revisions 
are designed to provide for and encourage the safe implementation and 
use of ECP brake system technologies. These revisions contain specific 
requirements relating to design, interoperability, training, 
inspection, testing, handling defective equipment, and periodic 
maintenance related to ECP brake systems. The final rule also provides 
flexibility to facilitate the voluntary adoption of this advanced brake 
system technology. The collection of information is used by FRA to 
monitor and enforce regulatory requirements related to power brakes on 
freight cars, including the requirements related to ECP brake systems. 
The collection of information is also used by locomotive engineers and 
road crews to verify that the terminal air brake test has been 
performed in a satisfactory manner.
    Type of Request: Extension with Change of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 1 Class I railroad.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.27--Annual Tests.............  30,000 Locomotives.  120,000 tests......  15 minutes.........          30,000
232.3--Applicability--Cars Not     741 Railroads......  8 cards............  10 minutes.........               1
 Used in Service.
232.7--Waivers...................  741 Railroads......  10 petitions.......  160 hours..........           1,600
232.15--Movement of Defective      1,620,000 Cars/      128,400 tags.......  2.5 minutes........           5,350
 Equipment.                         locos.
    --Notice of Defective Car/     1,620,000 Cars/      25,000 notices.....  3 minutes..........           1,250
     Locomotive and Restrictions.   locos.
232.17--Special Approval           741 Railroads......  1 petition.........  100 hours..........             100
 Procedure.
    --Petitions--Pre-Revenue Svc   741 Railroads......  1 petition.........  100 hours..........             100
     Plans.
    --Copies of Petitions--        741 Railroads......  1 petition.........  20 hours...........              20
     Special Approval.
    --Statements of Interest.....  Public/Railroads...  4 statements.......  8 hours............              32
    --Comments on Special          Public/Railroads...  13 comments........  4 hours............              52
     Approval Procedure Petition.
232.103--General Requirements for  114,000 cars.......  70,000 stickers....  10 minutes.........          11,667
 All Train Brakes.
    --RR Plan identifying          741 Railroads......  1 revised plan.....  10 hours...........              10
     locations or circumstances
     when equipment left on a
     main track or siding
     unattended.
    --Notification to FRA that     741 Railroads......  1 notification.....  30 minutes.........               1
     railroad has developed plan.
    --Securement job briefings...  741 Railroads......  23,400,000           30 seconds.........         195,000
                                                         briefings.
    --Inspection of proper         741 Railroads......  12 inspections.....  4 hours............              48
     securement by qualified
     employee of unattended
     equipment that a non-
     railroad emergency responder
     has been on, under, or
     between.

[[Page 37611]]

 
232.105--General Requirements for  30,000 Locomotives.  30,000 forms.......  5 minutes..........           2,500
 Locomotives.
    --Inspection of operative      30,000 Locomotives.  30,000 inspections/  30 seconds.........             250
     exterior locking mechanism                          records.
     on locomotive left
     unattended outside of a yard
     but not on a track directly
     adjacent to the yard.
    --Broken exterior locking      30,000 Locomotives.  73 repaired          60 minutes + 15                  73
     mechanism on locomotive                             mechanisms/records.  seconds.
     requiring repair.
232.107--Air Source Requirements-- 10 New Railroads...  1 plan.............  40 hours...........              40
 Plans.
    --Amendments to Plan.........  50 Existing Plans..  10 amendments......  20 hours...........             200
    --Record Keeping.............  50 Existing Plans..  1,150 records......  20 hours...........          23,000
232.109--Dynamic Br.               741 Railroads......  1,656,000 rcd......  4 minutes..........         110,400
 Requirements--Rcd.
    --Repair of Inoperative        30,000 Locomotives.  6,358 records......  4 minutes..........             424
     Dynamic Brakes.
    -- Locomotives w/Inoperative   30,000 Locomotives.  6,358 tags.........  30 seconds.........              53
     Dynamic Br..
    --Deactivated Dynamic Brakes:  8,000 locomotives..  10 markings........  5 minutes..........               1
     Markings.
    --Rule Safe Train Handling     5 New Railroads....  5 oper. rules......  4 hours............              20
     Procedures.
    --Amendments.................  741 railroads......  15 amendments......  1 hour.............              15
    --Over Speed Top Rules--5 MPH  741 railroads......  5 requests.........  20.5 hours.........             103
     Increase.
    --Locomotive Engineer          5 new railroads....  5 amendments.......  16 hours...........              80
     Certification Programs--
     Dynamic Brakes Training.
232.111--Train Information         5 New Railroads....  5 procedures.......  40 hours...........             200
 Handling.
    --Amendments.................  100 Railroads......  100 am. proc.......  20 hours...........           2,000
    --Reports to Train Crews.....  741 Railroads......  2,112,000 rpts.....  10 minutes.........         352,000
232.203--Training Requirements:    15 Railroads.......  5 programs.........  100 hours..........             500
 Training Programs--Subsequent
 Years.
    --Amendments to Written        741 Railroads......  741 programs.......  8 hours............           5,928
     Program.
    --Training Records...........  741 Railroads......  67,000 records.....  8 minutes..........           8,933
    --Training Notifications.....  741 Railroads......  67,000 notices.....  3 minutes..........           3,350
    --Validation/Assessment Plans  741 Railroads......  1 plan + 741 copies  40 hrs./1 min......              51
    --Amendments to Validation/    741 Railroads......  50 revised plans...  20 hours...........           1,000
     Assessment Plans.
232.205--Class I Brake Test--      741 Railroads......  1,646,000 notices..  45 seconds.........          20,575
 Initial Terminal Insp.
232.207--Class I A Brake Tests:    741 Railroads......  1 des. list........  1 hour.............               1
 1000 Mile Insp,--Designation of
 locations where performed:--
 Subsequent Years.
    --Notification to FRA          741 Railroads......  250 notices........  10 minutes.........              42
     headquarters and pertinent
     region within 24 hours that
     designation list has changed
     due to emergency situation.
232.209--Class II Brake Tests--    741 Railroads......  159,740 comments...  3 seconds..........             133
 Communication of results of roll-
 by inspections to train operator.
232.213--Extended Haul Trains--    83,000 Long          250 letters of       15 minutes.........              63
 Designations of such trains in     Distance Train       designation.
 writing to FRA.                    Movements.
232.303--General Requirements--    1,600,000 Freight    5,600 tags.........  5 minutes..........             467
 Repair Track Brake Test: Tagging   Cars.
 cars needing to be moved for
 such tests.
    --Stenciling/marking of        1,600,000 Freight    240,000 marks/       5 minutes..........          20,000
     location of last repair        Cars.                stencillings.
     track brake test/single car
     test required by section
     232.305.
232.305--Single Car Tests/Records  1,600,000 Freight    240,000 tests/       60 minutes.........         240,000
                                    Cars.                records.
232.307--Request to Modify Single  AAR................  1 request + 3        20 hours + 5                     20
 Car Air Brake Test Procedures.                          copies.              minutes.
    --Statement Affirming That     AAR................  1 statement + 4      30 minutes + 5                    1
     Request Copies Have been                            copies.              minutes.
     Served on Designated
     Employee Representatives.
    --Comment on Modification      RR Industry/Public/  2 comments.........  8 hours............              16
     Request.                      Interested Parties.
232.309--Equipment and devices     640 Shops..........  5,000 tests........  30 minutes.........           2,500
 performing single car air brake
 tests: Testing and Calibrations.
232.403--Design Standards For One- 245 Railroads......  12 requests........  5 minutes..........               1
 way EOT Devices--Request to FRA
 for unique code for each rear
 unit.
232.407--Operations Requiring 2-   245 Railroads......  50,000 radio chats.  30 seconds.........             417
 Way EOTs: Communications between
 helper locomotive engineer with
 engineer on the head end of the
 train.
232.409--Inspection and Testing    245 Railroads......  447,500 notices....  30 seconds.........           3,729
 of 2-Way EOTs: Notice to
 engineer of successful test.

[[Page 37612]]

 
    --Testing telemetry equipment  245 Railroads......  1,350 markings.....  60 seconds.........              23
     for accuracy: Date and
     location of last test or
     calibration affixed to
     outside of both front & rear
     unit.
232.503--Process to Introduce New  741Railroads.......  1 request/letter...  60 minutes.........               1
 Brake System Technology--Request
 to FRA for special approval.
    --Pre-Revenue Service          741 Railroads......  1 request..........  3 hours............               3
     Demonstration of New Brake
     Technology: Request to FRA
     for approval prior to using
     in revenue service.
232.505--Pre-Revenue Service       741 Railroads......  1 procedure........  160 hours..........             160
 Acceptance Testing Plan:
 Maintenance Procedure--
 Subsequent Years.
    --Amendments.................  741 Railroads......  1 amendment........  40 hours...........              40
    --Design Descriptions--        741 Railroads......  1 petition.........  67 hours...........              67
     Petitions.
    --Results Pre-Revenue Service  741 Railroads......  1 report...........  13 hours...........              13
     Acceptance Testing.
    --Description of Brake         741 Railroads......  1 description......  40 hours...........              40
     Systems Technologies
     Previously Used in Revenue
     Service.
232.603--ECP Requirements:         4 Railroads/AAR....  1 request + 2        8 hours + 5 minutes               8
 Brakes--Modification of                                 copies.
 Standards: AAR or Industry
 Representative request to FRA.
    --RR Statement Affirming Copy  4 Railroads........  4 statements+ 24     60 minutes + 5                    6
     of Modification Request to                          copies.              minutes.
     Employee Reps.
    --Comments on Modification     Public/Interested    4 comments.........  2 hours............               8
     Request.                       Parties.
232.607--ECP Trains Class I Brake  4 Railroads........  750 tests + 750      90 minutes + 45               1,134
 Test & Inspection/: Notification                        notices.             seconds.
 to locomotive engineer it was
 successfully performed.
    --Cars Added en Route--Tests/  4 Railroads........  50 tests + 50        60 minutes + 45                  51
     Notifications.                                      notices.             seconds.
    --Non-ECP Cars Added--         2000 Cars..........  25 insp. + 50 tags.  5 minutes + 2.5                   4
     Inspections and Tagging of                                               minutes.
     Defective Equipment.
232.609--Handling of Defective     25 Cars............  25 tags............  2.5 minutes........               1
 Equipment w/ECP Brake Systems--
 Tagging.
    --Train in ECP Mode w/Less     20 Cars............  10 insp. + 20 tags.  5 minutes + 2.5                   2
     Than 85% of Cars w/Operative                                             minutes.
     Brakes--Insp. + Tagging.
    --Freight Cars w/ECP Systems   25 Cars............  25 tags............  2.5 minutes........               1
     Found with Defective Non-
     Safety Appliance--Tagging.
    --Conventional Train           25 Cars............  50 tags............  2.5 minutes........               2
     Operating with ECP Stand
     Alone Brake Systems--Tagging.
    --Procedures for Handling ECP  1 Railroad.........  1 procedure........  24 hours...........              24
     Brake System Repairs.
    --Submission to FRA of ECP     1 Railroad.........  1 list.............  8 hours............               8
     Brake System Repair
     Locations--Lists.
    --Notice to FRA of Change in   1 Railroad.........  1 notification.....  60 minutes.........               1
     List.
232.611--Periodic Maintenance:     500 Freight Cars...  300 inspections and  10 minutes.........              50
 Inspection & Repair of ECP Cars                         records.
 Before Release from Repair Shop
 or Track.
    --Petitions for Special        AAR................  1 petition + 2       24 hours+ 5 minutes              24
     Approval of Pre-Revenue                             copies.
     Service Acceptance Testing
     Plan.
    --Single Car Brake Test on     2,500 Freight Cars.  50 tests/records...  45 minutes.........              38
     ECP Retrofitted Cars.
    --Modification of Single Car   AAR................  1 procedure........  40 hours...........              40
     Test Standard.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 30,519,495.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,045,550 hours.
    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.

Juan D. Reyes III,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2018-16403 Filed 7-31-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P