[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 235 (Friday, December 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70595-70598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26789]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2021-0006-N-16]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), 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, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding 
the 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. On August 
23, 2021, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public 
comment on the ICR.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 10, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR 
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find the particular ICR by selecting 
``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using 
the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (202) 493-0440; or Mr. John Purnell, Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or telephone: (202) 
493-0500.

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. See 44 U.S.C. 
3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On August 23, 2021, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on 
the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 86 FR 47195. FRA 
received one comment from the Association of American Railroads (AAR) 
and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) 
in response to this 60-day notice. This comment letter is a follow up 
to a discussion that AAR had with FRA on October 14, 2021. A summary of 
the discussion is available in the above-referenced docket.
    In their joint comment letter, AAR and ASLRRA expressed their 
concerns with FRA's proposed burden estimates. They asserted that these 
estimates were significantly reduced from the 2018 OMB control no. 
2130-0004 ICR package, even though the scope of the requirements in 49 
CFR part 229 have remained unchanged since that time. AAR and ASLRRA 
specifically cited to Sec. Sec.  229.21 \1\ and 229.25(d), in which the 
paperwork burdens were reduced from 31-33 minutes to 3 minutes and 350 
hours to 0 hours, respectively. They also noted that the only 
information publicly available to compare FRA's significant reduction 
in estimated burdens is a chart appearing in the 60-day notice.
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    \1\ Although a subsection was not specified in the letter, FRA 
believes that AAR and ASLRRA are referring specifically to 49 CFR 
229.21(a).
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    In response to this feedback, FRA has reviewed its PRA estimates, 
which are reprinted below. However, except for noting a typographical 
error associated with Sec.  229.317(g), FRA believes that it accurately 
captured the part 229 paperwork burdens in the 60-day notice. While 
preparing this revised ICR package, FRA performed a detailed review of 
part 229 and made several adjustments to its estimated paperwork 
burdens. FRA determined that many estimated paperwork burdens were 
either outdated or accounted for in other regulatory sections. Further, 
the associated burdens related to inspection and testing, as well as 
employee training and job briefings, were appropriately addressed when 
FRA calculated the economic costs of the regulation. See Executive 
Order 12866; OMB Circular A-4. FRA is correcting any errors by removing 
burdens that were accounted for in the regulation's economic analyses, 
which FRA previously erroneously also calculated as burdens under the 
PRA.
    With respect to AAR's and ASLRRA's specific feedback regarding 
Sec.  229.21(a), FRA determined that the 31- or 33-minute paperwork 
burden estimate included the railroads' performance of daily 
inspections. While AAR and ASLRRA are correct that the regulatory 
requirement has not changed since 2002, FRA is correcting its previous 
overestimation errors. Up until 2011, the published average time per 
response was 1 or 3 minutes.\2\ Between 2012 and 2018, FRA incorrectly 
added the time associated with the performance of daily inspections 
(which are not burdens under the PRA) to the average time per response, 
so that it became 16 or 18 minutes in 2002 \3\ and then 31 or 33 
minutes in 2018.\4\ The inclusion of inspection time resulted in a 
significant increase in the overall burden for this requirement from 
155,350 to 1.9 million hours in 2012 and to 3.6 million hours in 2018. 
In the 60-day notice, FRA corrected the average time per response to 1 
or 3 minutes, now closely matching the 2011 estimates. Similarly, FRA 
adjusted the average time per response under Sec.  229.21(b) by 
removing the estimated paperwork burden associated with inspection that 
was incorrectly added in 2012. With respect to AAR's and ASLRRA's 
specific feedback regarding Sec.  229.25(d), FRA maintains that its 
estimate in the 60-day notice is correct and the estimated paperwork 
burden had previously been double-counted. Upon review of the 
requirements under Sec.  229.25(d), FRA found that the burden 
associated with Sec.  229.25(d)(3) is covered under Sec.  229.25(d)(2). 
Thus, FRA removed the duplicative burden and included an explanatory 
note in the PRA table printed below.
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    \2\ 76 FR 34287.
    \3\ 77 FR 21339.
    \4\ 83 FR 37607.
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    Going forward, in future 60-day notices, FRA proposes to highlight 
the regulatory sections in which estimates have been significantly 
adjusted to allow stakeholders to more easily determine significant 
estimate adjustments. As stated above, FRA has reprinted the PRA table 
in the 60-day

[[Page 70596]]

notice and noted below the significant adjustments.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve the proposed collection of 
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 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 1320.10(b); 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.
    Comments are invited on the following ICR regarding: (1) Whether 
the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly 
execute its functions, including whether the information 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 to minimize the burden of information 
collection activities on the public, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    The summary below describes the ICR 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: FRA's locomotive safety standards (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.
    The data gathered from locomotive event recorders is used by the 
railroad industry 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. 
Locomotive event recorders also provide FRA and State railroad safety 
inspectors with verified data elements for use in their oversight 
responsibilities that show how trains are operated from lead 
locomotives.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.49A.
    Respondent Universe: 754 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
     Reporting Burden:

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                                                                                                    Average time  per      Total annual     Total cost
           CFR section \5\                  Respondent  universe       Total annual responses           response           burden hours   equivalent \6\
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229.9--Movement of non-complying       754 railroads................  1,307 tags..............  1 minute................           21.79       $1,566.48
 locomotives--Tagging to indicate
 ``non-complying locomotive''.
229.15(a)(11)--Remote control          754 railroads................  349 tags................  1 minute................            5.82          418.40
 locomotives--Tagging to indicate in
 remote control.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(b)(3) Inspection, testing, and          The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.21(a).
     repair--Repair record of
     defective operator control unit
     linked to remote control
     locomotive.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.17--Accident reports--Reporting      The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under OMB control number 2130-0500.
 of accidents that results in serious
 injury or death of one or more
 persons.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.20(c)--Operational requirements--  754 railroads................  21,000 automatic          1 second................            5.83          451.48
 Automatic notice to railroads each                                    notifications.
 time locomotive is due for
 inspection or maintenance (Note:
 This requirement does not apply to
 daily inspections).
229.21(a)--Daily inspection--Except    754 railroads................  7,443,020 (744,302 paper  3 minutes (paper              148,860.40   11,527,749.38
 for multiple-unit (MU) operated                                       records + 6,698,718       records) + 1 minute
 locomotive \7\.                                                       electronic records).      (electronic records).
    --(b) Written reports of MU        754 railroads................  1,300,000 written         3 minutes...............       65,000.00    4,672,850.00
     locomotive inspections.                                           reports.
229.23(d)-(g)--Periodic Inspection--   718 railroads................  28,627 other than         15 minutes..............        7,156.75      514,498.76
 Locomotive Inspection & Repair                                        passenger locomotives.
 Record--Form FRA F 6180.49A.
229.23(d)-(g)--Periodic Inspection--   36 railroads.................  4,500 passenger           15 minutes..............        1,125.00       80,876.25
 Locomotive Inspection & Repair                                        locomotives.
 Record--Form FRA F 6180.49A \8\.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(g) Secondary record of the              The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.21(a).
     information reported on Form FRA
     F 6180.49A.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(h) List of defects and repairs  The associated burdens relating to the retention of defect and repair lists are covered under Sec.  Sec.   229.21
     during inspection provided to RR                                  (for reports) and 229.23 (for records of repairs).
     employees.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(i) Document from railroad to       The associated burdens relating to all tests conducted since last periodic inspection are covered under Sec.
     employees of all tests conducted                       229.23 (under ``Last Periodic Inspection'' entry in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
     since last periodic inspection.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.25(d)(1)--Periodic inspection of   FRA anticipates no new instructions during this 3-year ICR period or during the lifecycle of the event recorders.
 event recorders: Written copy of                                          Thus, there will be no additional burdens.
 instructions.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.25(d)(2) and (4)--Data             754 railroads................  5,908 readout records     90 minutes..............        8,862.00      686,273.28
 verification readout of event                                         and reports.
 recorder.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(d)(3) Pre-maintenance test             The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.25(d)(2).
     failures of event recorder.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.27(c)--Annual tests of event         The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.23 (under ``Annual
 recorders with self monitoring                                              Tests'' entry in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
 feature displaying a failure
 indication--Tests.
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[[Page 70597]]

 
229.29--Calibration of locomotive air      The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.23 (under ``Air
 flow meter--Tests.                                                          Brakes'' entry in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
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229.31--Main reservoir tests:          The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.23 (under ``Hammer and
 Periodic inspections--Repairs &                                                Hydro'' in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
 adjustments, & data on Form FRA F
 6180.49A.
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229.33--Out-of-use credit............  The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.23 (under ``Out-of-use
                                                                                Credit'' in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
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229.46--Tagging locomotive with        754 railroads................  2,269 tags..............  1 minute................            37.8        2,718.16
 inoperative or ineffective automatic/
 independent brake that can only be
 used in trailing position.
229.85--Marking of all doors, cover    754 railroads................  1,080 decals or markings  1 minute................           18.00        1,078.02
 plates, or barriers having direct
 access to high voltage equipment
 with words ``Danger High Voltage''
 or with word ``Danger''.
229.123(b)(2)--Locomotives equipped    754 railroads................  22 markings/stencils....  4 minutes...............            1.44          104.96
 with a pilot, snowplow & plate with
 clearance above 6 inches--Marking/
 stenciling with words ``9-inch
 Maximum End Plate Height, Yard or
 Trail Service Only''.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(b)(4) Notation in Remarks        The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.23 (under ``Remarks''
     section of Form FRA F6180.49A of                                               in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
     pilot, snowplow, or end plate
     clearance above 6 inches.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.135--Removal of event recorder      The estimated burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.23 (under ``Event Recorder'' in
 from service--Tags.                                                                  Form FRA F 6180.49a).
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(e) Preserving locomotive event    The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under OMB control number 2130-0500.
     recorder accident data--Reports.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.303--Requests to FRA for on-track  754 railroads................  5 written requests......  1 hour..................            5.00          387.20
 testing of products outside a
 facility.
229.307--Safety analysis for each      754 railroads................  3 safety analysis         240 hours...............          720.00       55,756.80
 product subject to this subpart--                                     documents.
 Document establishing minimum
 requirements.
229.309--Safety critical changes to    754 railroads................  5 notifications.........  8 hours.................           40.00        3,097.60
 product subject to this subpart--
 Notice to FRA.
    --(b) and (c) Report by product    3 manufacturers..............  15 reports..............  8 hours.................          120.00        9,292.80
     suppliers and private owners to
     railroads of any safety-critical
     changes to product.
229.311(a)--Notice to FRA by railroad  754 railroads................  3 notifications.........  2 hours.................            6.00          464.64
 before placing product in service.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(c) Railroad document provided            The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec.   229.307.
     to FRA upon request
     demonstrating product meets
     safety analysis requirements for
     life cycle of product.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(d) Railroad maintenance of      754 railroads................  3 databases.............  2 hours.................            6.00          464.64
     data base of all safety relevant
     hazards encountered after
     product is placed in service.
    --(d)(1) Written report to FRA     754 railroads................  1 written report........  2 hours.................            2.00          154.88
     disclosing frequency of safety-
     relevant hazards for product
     exceeding threshold set forth in
     Safety Analysis.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(d)(2)-(3) Final report to FRA         The estimated paperwork burden associated with this requirement is covered under Sec.   229.311(d)(1).
     on results of analyses and
     counter measures to reduce
     frequency of safety related
     hazards.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.313--Product testing results and          The estimated paperwork burden associated with this requirement is covered under Sec.   229.311(d).
 records.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.315(b)--Railroad maintenance of    754 railroads................  3 filings of manuals....  1 minute................             .05            3.87
 Operations and Maintenance Manual
 containing all documents related to
 installation, maintenance, repair,
 modification, & testing of a product
 subject to this part.
    --(c) Configuration management     754 railroads................  3 filings of revised      1 minute................             .05            3.87
     control plan.                                                     plans.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(d) and (e) Positive ID of          The paperwork burdens associated with these requirements are covered under Sec.  Sec.   229.307 and 229.311.
     safety-critical components.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.317(a)--Training and               754 railroads................  90 filings of new or      1 minute................            1.50          116.16
 qualification program--Establishment                                  revised training
 and implementation of training                                        programs.
 qualification program for products
 subject to this subpart.
    --(b) Employees trained under RR   754 railroads................  10,000 trained            1 minute................          166.67       12,906.92
     program.                                                          employees' records.
    --(f) Periodic refresher training  754 railroads................  1,000 re-trained          1 minute................           16.67        1,290.92
     of employees.                                                     employees' records.

[[Page 70598]]

 
    --(g) RR regular and periodic      754 railroads................  90 evaluations..........  2 hours.................          180.00       13,939.20
     evaluation of effectiveness of
     its training program
     (Calculation error corrected.).
    --(h) RR record of individuals     754 railroads................  10,000 electronic         1 minute................          166.67       12,906.92
     designated as qualified under                                     records.
     this section.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix F to Part 229--Guidance for                        FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
 verification and validation of
 products--Third party assessments.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --Final report of assessment.....                       FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total \9\....................  754 railroads................  8,829,303 responses.....  N/A.....................         232,525      17,599,370
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,829,303.
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    \5\ The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 3,815,751 
hours while the total burden of this notice is 232,348 hours. As 
part of its review of this ICR renewal, FRA determined many of the 
previous estimates were preliminary, outdated, or duplicative. 
Moreover, FRA removed improperly included locomotive safety 
requirements, which are outside the scope of burdens under the PRA, 
thus decreasing the total estimates accordingly in this notice.
    \6\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the Surface 
Transportation Board's 2020 Full Year Wage A&B data series using the 
appropriate employee group hourly wage rate that includes a 75-
percent overhead charge.
    \7\ As discussed above, the 2018 estimates for Sec.  229.21(a) 
and (b) incorrectly included the time associated with the 
performance of daily inspections, which should not have been 
included in the estimated paperwork burden. The burdens associated 
with the performance of daily inspections were addressed when FRA 
calculated the economic costs of the regulatory requirements. Thus, 
FRA has adjusted the estimated paperwork burden in the PRA table 
above so that it does not include activities outside of the scope of 
the PRA.
    \8\ FRA is proposing to create a new form for use by passenger 
railroads, Form F 6180-49AP (Passenger Locomotive Inspection and 
Repair Record), under OMB control number 2130-0035. Once the new 
form is approved, FRA will move this under the proposed 49 CFR 
229.22 of OMB 2130-0035.
    \9\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
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    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 232,525 hours.\10\
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    \10\ The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 3,815,751 
hours while the total burden of this notice is 232,525 hours. As 
part of its review of this ICR renewal, FRA determined many of the 
previous estimates were preliminary, outdated, or duplicative. 
Moreover, FRA removed locomotive safety requirements outside the 
scope of the PRA, thus decreasing the total estimates accordingly in 
this notice.
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    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$17,599,370.
    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 a respondent is not required to 
respond to, conduct, or sponsor a collection of information that does 
not display a currently valid OMB control number.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Brett A. Jortland,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2021-26789 Filed 12-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P