[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25110-25114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11224]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2019-0004-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.

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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 
July 29, 2019.

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, Federal 
Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590; or Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Office of Information Technology, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, 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, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kim 
Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Information 
Technology, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
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 through 1320.12. 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 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.
    The summaries below describe the ICRs that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Designation of Qualified Persons.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.
    Abstract: The collection of information is used to prevent the 
unsafe movement of defective freight cars. Railroads are required to 
inspect freight cars for compliance and to determine restrictions on 
the movements of defective cars; qualified inspectors are necessary to 
perform this task.

[[Page 25111]]

    Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 692 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:
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    \1\ Throughout the tables in this document, the dollar 
equivalent cost is derived from the 2018 Association of American 
Railroads publication titled Railroad Facts (Employment and Annual 
Wages by Class) (p. 57) using the appropriate employee group to 
calculate the average hourly wage rate that includes 75 percent 
overhead charges.

 
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                                                                   Average time                    Total annual
         CFR section              Respondent      Total annual     per response    Total annual     dollar cost
                                   universe        responses        (minutes)      burden hours   equivalent \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
215.11--Designation of         692 railroads..  1,200 records..  2..............              40          $3,080
 Inspectors--Written Records.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 1,200.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Dollar Cost Equivalent: $3,080.
    Title: Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0533.
    Abstract: Section 4 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 1988 
(RSIA), Public Law 100-342, 102 Stat. 624 (June 22, 1988), later 
amended and re-codified by Public Law 103-272, 108 Stat. 874 (July 5, 
1994), required FRA to issue regulations to establish any necessary 
program for certifying or licensing locomotive engineers. The 
collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads 
employ and properly train qualified individuals as locomotive engineers 
and designated supervisors of locomotive engineers. The collection of 
information is also used by FRA to verify that railroads have 
established required certification programs for locomotive engineers 
and that these programs fully conform to the standards specified in the 
regulation.
    Type of Request: Extension with change (revised estimates) of a 
currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 741 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion; annually; triennially.
    Reporting Burden:

 
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                                                                                                   Total annual
         CFR section              Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual     dollar cost
                                   universe        responses      per  response    burden hours     equivalent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
240.9--Waivers...............  741 railroads..  3 waiver         90 minutes.....               5            $385
                                                 petitions.
240.101/103--Cert. Prog:       741 railroads..  50 amendments..  1 hour.........              50          $3,850
 Amendments.
-- Cert. Prog.--New..........  5 railroads....  5 programs.....  40 hours.......             200          15,400
-- Final Review..............  5 railroads....  5 reviews......  1 hour.........               5             385
-- Material Modification to    741 railroads..  30 modified      45 minutes.....              23           1,771
 Program.                                        programs.
240.105(b)--(c) Written        10 railroads...  10 reports.....  1 hour.........              10           1,160
 Reports/Determinations of
 DSLE Performance Skills.
240.109/App. C--Prior Safety   17,667           25 responses...  60 minutes.....              25           1,900
 Conduct Data.                  candidates.
240.111/App C--Driver's        17,667           17,667 requests  15 minutes.....           4,417         335,692
 License Data.                  candidates.
--NDR Match--notifications     741 railroads..  177 notices +    15 min. + 15                 89           7,254
 and requests for data.                          177 requests.    min..
--Written response from        741 railroads..  20 cases/        30 minutes.....              10             760
 candidate on driver's                           comments.
 license data.
240.111(g)--Notice to RR of    53,000           4 letters......  15 minutes.....               1              76
 Absence of License.            candidates.
240.111(h)--Duty to furnish    741 railroads..  200 phone calls  10 minutes.....              33           2,508
 data on prior safety conduct
 as motor vehicle op..
240.113--Notice to RR          17,667           353 requests +   15 min./30 min.             265          20,298
 Furnishing Data on Prior       candidates.      353 responses.
 Safety Conduct--Diff. RR.
240.119--Self-referral to EAP  53,000           150 self-        5 minutes......              13             988
 re: active substance abuse     locomotive       referrals.
 disorder.                      engineers.
240.121--Criteria--Vision/     5 railroads....  5 copies.......  15 minutes.....               1              77
 Hearing Acuity Data--New
 Railroads.
240.121--Criteria--Vision/     741 railroads..  5 reports......  1 hour.........               5             385
 Hearing Acuity Data--Cond.
 Certification.
240.121--Criteria--Vision/     741 railroads..  10               15 minutes.....               3             228
 Hearing Acuity Data--Not                        notifications.
 Meeting Standards--Notice by
 Employee.
240.127--Criteria for          741 railroads..  11 amended       48 hours + 8              1,968         151,536
 Examining Skill Performance--                   programs + 180   hours.
 Modification to                                 amended
 Certification Program to                        programs.
 Include Scoring System.
240.201/221--List of           741 railroads..  741 updates....  30 minutes.....             371          28,567
 Qualified DSLEs.
240.201/221--List of           741 railroads..  741 updated      60 minutes.....             741          57,057
 Qualified Loco. Engineers.                      lists.
240.201/223/301--Loco.         53,000           17,667           5 minutes......           1,472         113,344
 Engineers Certificate.         candidates.      certificates.
--False entry on certificates  N/A............  N/A............  N/A............             N/A             N/A
240.205--Data to EAP           741 railroads..  177 records....  5 minutes......              15           1,155
 Counselor.
240.207--Medical certificate   53,000           17,667           70 minutes.....          20,612       1,587,124
 showing hearing/vision         candidates.      certificates.
 standards are met:.
written determinations         741 railroads..  30               2 hours........              60           4,620
 waiving use of corrective                       determinations.
 device.

[[Page 25112]]

 
240.219--Denial of             17,667           30 letters + 30  1 hour.........              60           4,590
 Certification;.                candidates.      responses.
Notification to employee of    741 railroads..  30               1 hour.........              30           2,310
 adverse decision.                               notifications.
240.227--Canadian              N/A............  N/A............  N/A............             N/A             N/A
 Certification Data.
240.229--Joint Operations--    321 railroads..  184 employee     5 minutes......              15           1,140
 Notice--not qualified.                          calls.
240.309--RR Oversight Resp.:   15 railroads...  6 annotations..  15 minutes.....               2             152
 Detected poor safety
 conduct--annotation.
Testing Requirements:
240.209/213--Written Tests     53,000           17,667 test      5 minutes......           1,472         111,872
 Records.                       candidates.      records.
240.211/213--Performance Test  53,000           17,667 test      5 minutes......           1,472         111,872
 Records.                       candidates.      records.
240.303--Annual operational    53,000           53,000 test      5 minutes......           4,417         335,692
 monitor observation records.   candidates.      records.
240.303--Annual operating      53,000           53,000 test      5 minutes......           4,417         335,692
 rules compliance test          candidates.      records.
 records.
Recordkeeping:
240.215--Retaining info.       741 railroads..  17,667 records.  30 minutes.....           8,834         671,384
 supporting determination.
240.305--Engineer's notice of  53,000           100              5 minutes......               8             608
 non-qualification to RR.       engineers or     notifications.
                                candidates.
--Relaying certification       1,060 engineers  2 letters......  30 minutes.....               1              76
 denial or revocation Status
 to other certifying railroad.
240.307--Notice to engineer    741 railroads..  1,100 letters..  1 hour.........           1,100          84,700
 of disqualification.
240.309--Railroad annual       51 railroads...  51 reviews.....  40 hours.......           2,040         157,080
 review.
--Report of findings.........  51 railroads...  12 reports.....  1 hour.........              12             924
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................  741 railroads..  217,059          N/A............          54,684       4,158,412
                                                 responses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 217,059.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 54,684 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Dollar Cost Equivalent: $4,158,412.
    Title: Roadway Worker Protection.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0539.
    Abstract: On June 10, 2016, FRA amended its Roadway Worker 
Protection (RWP) regulation (see 81 FR 37840) to resolve interpretative 
issues that had arisen since the original 1996 promulgation of that 
rule. In particular, this final rule adopted certain terms, resolved 
miscellaneous interpretive issues, codified certain FRA Technical 
Bulletins, adopted new requirements governing redundant signal 
protections and the movement of roadway maintenance machinery over 
signalized non-controlled track, and amended certain qualification 
requirements for roadway workers. This final rule also deleted three 
outdated incorporations by reference of industry standards in FRA's 
Bridge Worker Safety Standards, and cross referenced the Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration's regulations on the same point.
    Under the information collection associated with the RWP rule (49 
CFR part 214), FRA collects a variety of information. To ensure 
compliance with the rule's requirements, FRA collects data on affected 
railroads' on-track safety programs to determine that railroads have 
policies, procedures, and practices in place that protect roadway 
workers as they go about doing their daily jobs in a dangerous 
environment. Railroads are required to provide on-track safety manuals 
to all roadway workers that they can readily consult as a guide when an 
issue arises as to how to complete a work assignment while maintaining 
complete safety. Under the regulation, railroads are required to 
provide initial and recurrent training to roadway workers on their on-
track safety program and the procedures to be followed to perform their 
daily work assignments. This includes training for roadway workers who 
work on adjacent track and the appropriate practices and procedures 
they must follow. FRA collects data from railroads on training through 
the records that they are required to keep. Additionally, FRA collects 
information on violations of workplace safety on Form FRA F 6180.119. 
FRA uses violation information to make changes that endanger railroad 
workers. Overall, FRA uses the information that it collects under this 
regulation to monitor and enforce requirements relating to the safety 
of roadway workers and ensure that railroads fulfill their 
responsibilities to make roadway workers environment secure and free 
from unnecessary and avoidable hazards.
    Type of Request: Extension with change (revised estimates) of a 
currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses/50,000 Roadway Workers/State Safety 
Inspectors.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.1119.
    Respondent Universe: 741 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

 
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                                                                                                   Total annual
         CFR section              Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual     dollar cost
                                   universe        responses       per response    burden hours     equivalent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form FRA F 6180.119--Part 214  350 Safety       129 forms......  4 hours........             516         $31,579
 Railroad Workplace Safety      Inspectors.
 Violation Report.
214.307--Railroad On-Track     741 Railroads..  276 programs +   2 hours + 2                 563          43,351
 Safety Programs--RR Programs                    325 copies.      minutes.
 that comply with this Part +
 copies at System/Division
 Headquarters.
--RR Notification to FRA not   741 Railroads..  276 notices....  20 minutes.....              92           7,084
 less than one month before
 on-track safety program
 takes effect.
--RR Amended on-track safety   741 Railroads..  1 program......  4..............         4 hours             308
 programs after FRA
 disapproval.

[[Page 25113]]

 
--RR Written response in       741 Railroads..  1 written        40 hours.......              40           3,080
 support of disapproved                          response.
 program.
214.309--On-Track Safety
 Manual:
--RR Provisions for            741 Railroads..  741 provisions.  60 minutes.....             741          57,057
 alternative access to
 information in on-track
 safety manual.
--RR Publication of bulletins/ 60 Railroads...  100 bulletins/   60 minutes.....             100           7,700
 notices reflecting changes                      notices.
 in on-track safety manual.
214.311--RR Written procedure  5 new railroads  5 developed      30 minutes.....               3             231
 to achieve prompt and                           procedures.
 equitable resolution of good
 faith employee challenges.
214.313--Good faith            20 railroads...  80 challenges..  8 hours per                 640          42,880
 challenges to on-track                                           challenge.
 safety rules.
214.317--On-Track Procedures   5 Railroads....  5 operating      60 minutes.....               5             385
 for Snow Removal.                               procedures.
--On-track procedures for      741 Railroads..  741 operating    60 minutes.....             741          57,057
 weed spray equipment.                           procedures.
--Roadway Worker in Charge     741 Railroads..  25 place of      5 minutes......               2             134
 (RWIC) Designation of                           safety
 alternative place of safety                     designations.
 other than tunnel niche or
 clearing bay.
214.318--Procedures            741 Railroads..  741 rules/       3 hours........           2,223         171,171
 established by railroads for                    procedures.
 workers to perform duties
 incidental to those of
 inspecting, testing,
 servicing, or repairing
 rolling equipment.
214.320--Roadway Maintenance   741 Railroads..  5 requests.....  4 hours........              20           1,540
 Machines Movement over
 signalized non-controlled
 track--RR request to FRA for
 equivalent level of
 protection to that provided
 by limiting all train and
 locomotive movements to
 restricted speed.
214.322--Exclusive Track       3 Class I        1,000 written    10 minutes.....             167          11,189
 Occupancy, Electronic          Railroads.       authorities.
 Display--Written Authorities/
 Printed Authority Copy If
 Electronic Display Fails or
 Malfunctions.
--Data File Records Relating   3 Class I        25 data file     2 hours........              50           3,850
 to Electronic Display Device   Railroads.       records.
 Involved in Part 225
 Reportable Accident/Incident.
--Request to FRA for NIST      741 Railroads..  3 requests + 3   30 minutes + 2                2             154
 Publication 800-63-2,                           copies.          minutes.
 ``Electronic Authentication
 Guideline''.
214.329--Train Approach        741 Railroads..  26,250           30 Seconds.....             219          16,863
 Warning--Written Designation                    designations.
 of Watchmen/Lookouts.
214.336--Procedures for        100 Railroads..  10,000 notices.  5 seconds......              14             938
 adjacent track movements
 over 25 mph: notifications/
 watchmen/lookout warnings.
--Procedures for adjacent      100 Railroads..  3,000 notices..  15 seconds.....              13             804
 track movements 25 mph or
 less: Notifications/watchmen/
 lookout warnings.
214.337--On-track safety       741 Railroads..  2,080,000        30 seconds.....          17,333       1,161,311
 procedures for lone workers:                    statements.
 statements by lone workers.
Statement of on-track safety   741 Railroads..  200 on-track     30 seconds.....               2             134
 using individual train                          safety
 detection on track outside                      statements.
 manual interlocking, a
 controlled point, or a
 remotely controlled hump
 yard facility.
214.339--Audible warning from  44 Railroads...  44 written       13.............       572 hours          44,044
 trains: written procedures                      procedures.
 that prescribe effective
 requirements for audible
 warning by horn and/or bell
 for trains.
214.343/345/347/349/351/353/   50,000 roadway   50,000 records.  2 minutes......           1,667         128,359
 355--Annual training for all   workers.
 roadway workers (RWs)--
 Records of training.
214.503--Notifications for     50,000 roadway   125 notices....  10 minutes.....              21           1,407
 Non-Compliant Roadway          workers.
 Maintenance Machines or
 Unsafe Condition.
--Resolution Procedures......  692 Railroads/   5 procedures...  2 hours........              10             770
                                200
                                contractors.
214.505--Required              741 Railroads/   500 lists......  1 hour.........             500          38,500
 environmental control and      200
 protection systems for new     contractors.
 on-track roadway maintenance
 machines with enclosed cabs.
--Designations/additions to    692 Railroads/   150 additions/   5 minutes......              13           1,001
 list.                          200              designations.
                                contractors.
214.507--A-Built Light Weight  692 Railroads/   1,000 stickers/  5 minutes......              83           5,063
 on New Roadway Maintenance     200              stencils.
 Machines.                      contractors.
214.511--Required Audible      692 Railroads/   3,700            5 minutes......             308          18,788
 Warning Devices for New On-    200              identified
 Track Roadway Maintenance      contractors.     mechanisms.
 Machines.
214.515--Overhead covers for   692 railroads/   500 requests +   10 minutes; 20              250          18,420
 existing on-track roadway      200              500 responses.   minutes.
 maintenance machines.          contractors.
214.517--Retrofitting of       692 Railroads/   500 stencils/    5 minutes......              42           2,562
 Existing On-Track Roadway      200              displays.
 Maintenance Machines           contractors.
 Manufactured On or After
 Jan. 1, 1991.
214.523--Hi-Rail Vehicles....  692 railroads/   5,000 records..  60 minutes.....           5,000         305,000
                                200
                                contractors.

[[Page 25114]]

 
--Non-complying conditions...  692 railroads/   500 tags + 500   10 minutes + 15             208          13,936
                                200              reports.         minutes.
                                contractors.
214.527--Inspection for        692 railroads/   550 tags + 550   5 minutes + 15              183          12,261
 compliance; Repair schedules.  200              reports.         minutes.
                                contractors.
214.533--Schedule of repairs;  692 railroads/   250 records....  15 minutes.....              63           4,851
 Subject to availability of     200
 parts.                         contractors.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................  741 railroads..  2,188,306        N/A............          32,410       1,207,732
                                                 responses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 2,188,306.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 32,410 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Dollar Cost Equivalent: $1,207,732.
    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.

Brett A. Jortland,
Acting Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2019-11224 Filed 5-29-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P