[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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