[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39896-39898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14244]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2022-0002-N-12]


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, FRA seeks approval of the Information 
Collection Request (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 in the ICRs.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
September 6, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICRs 
should be submitted on regulations.gov to the docket, Docket No. FRA-
2022-0002. All comments received will be posted without change to the 
docket, including any personal information provided. 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: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (202) 868-9412.

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 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: Filing of Dedicated Cars.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0502.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 215 contains freight car safety 
standards, including conditions for freight cars in dedicated service. 
``Dedicated service'' means the exclusive assignment of railroad cars 
to the transportation of freight between specified points under

[[Page 39897]]

the conditions listed in 49 CFR 215.5(d), including stenciling, or 
otherwise displaying, in clear legible letters on each side of the car 
body, the words ``Dedicated Service.'' The railroad must notify FRA in 
writing that the cars are to be operated in dedicated service.
    In this 60-day notice, FRA made no adjustments to the previously 
approved burden hours.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 754 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:
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    \1\ The dollar equivalent cost throughout this notice is derived 
from the Surface Transportation Board's 2020 Full Year Wage A&B data 
series for railroad workers.

 
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                                                                                                    Total cost
                                  Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual    equivalent in
           Section                 universe        responses      per responses    burden hours     U.S. dollar
                                                                                                        \1\
                                                (A)............  (B)............     (C = A * B)   (D = C * wage
                                                                                                          rates)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
215.5(d)(6)--Dedicated         754 railroads..  4 notifications  1 hour.........               4             310
 Service--Notification to FRA.
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 4 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $310.
    Title: Remotely Controlled Switch Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0516.
    Abstract: Sections 49 CFR 218.30 and 218.77 require that remotely 
controlled switches be properly lined to protect workers as they 
inspect or service rolling equipment on track or occupy camp cars. 
These sections require the operators of the remotely controlled switch 
to remove the locking device only once they have been informed by the 
person in charge of the workers that it is safe to do so. Additionally, 
these operators are required to maintain a record of each protection 
request for 15 days. Operators of remotely controlled switches use the 
information as a record documenting protection of workers or camp cars. 
This record also serves as a valuable resource for railroad supervisors 
and FRA and State inspectors monitoring regulatory compliance.
    In this 60-day notice, FRA decreased the estimated paperwork burden 
under Sec.  218.30 by 1,209 hours. The decreased burden reflects the 
reduction in number of work events in the railroad industry.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 53 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

 
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                                                                                                    Total cost
           Section                Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual    equivalent in
                                   universe        responses      per  responses   burden hours     U.S. dollar
                                                (A)............  (B)............     (C = A * B)   (D = C * wage
                                                                                                          rates)
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218.30--Blue signal            53 railroads...  1,837,775        45 seconds.....          22,972       1,375,793
 protection of workmen.                          notifications.
218.77--Protection of          1 railroad.....  150              45 seconds.....               2             119
 occupied camp cars.                             notifications.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................  53 railroads...  1,837,925        N/A............          22,974       1,375,912
                                                 responses.
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 1,837,925.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 22,974 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$1,375,912.
    Title: Bad Order, Home Shop Card, and Stenciling Reporting Mark.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0519.
    Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 215, railroads are required to inspect 
freight cars placed in service and take remedial action when defects 
are identified. A railroad freight car with a part 215 defect may be 
moved to another location for repair only after the railroad has 
complied with the process under 49 CFR 215.9. Section 215.9 requires 
railroads to affix a ``bad order'' tag describing each defect to each 
side of the freight car. It is imperative that a defective freight car 
be tagged ``bad order'' so it can be readily identified and moved to 
another location for repair purposes only, and so that the maximum 
speed and other restrictions necessary for safely conducting the 
movement are known. At the repair location, the ``bad order'' tag 
serves as a notification of the defective condition of the freight car. 
Railroads must retain each tag for 90 days to verify that proper 
repairs were made at the designated location. When inspecting a freight 
car, FRA and State inspectors review all pertinent records to determine 
railroads' compliance with the movement restrictions of 49 CFR 215.9.
    Additionally, section 215.301 requires railroads and private car 
owners to stencil or otherwise display identification marks on freight 
cars,

[[Page 39898]]

including a car number and build date. FRA uses the identification 
marks to help obtain certain information related to a car's compliance 
with Federal safety laws. The marks are used consistently across 
railroad records to identify the car and show: the type of car, what 
it's carrying, its movement history, and current maintenance schedule. 
Using the marks to identify the cars helps FRA determine the 
application of Federal safety laws to that car and who is responsible 
for compliance. FRA also uses this information to determine if the 
freight car qualifies for dedicated service and is excluded from the 
requirements of part 215. Railroads use the required information to 
provide identification and control so that dedicated cars remain in the 
prescribed service.
    In this 60-day notice, FRA decreased the estimated paperwork burden 
under Sec.  215.11 by 250 hours. The decreased burden reflects the 
reduction in number of mechanical employees in the railroad industry.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 754 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                                                    Total cost
           Section                Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual    equivalent in
                                   universe        responses      per  responses   burden hours     U.S. dollar
                                                (A)............  (B)............     (C = A * B)   (D = C * wage
                                                                                                          rates)
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215.9(a)(2)--Movement of       754 railroads..  150,000 Tags...  5 minutes......          12,500         753,375
 defective cars for repair--
 Tagging.
--(a)(3) Notifications of      754 railroads..  75,000           2 minutes......           2,500         150,675
 removal of defective car                        notifications.
 tags.
215.11--Designated             754 railroads..  30,000 records.  1 minute.......             500          30,135
 inspectors--Records.
215.301--Stenciling--General.  754 railroads..  30,000           45 minutes.....          22,500       1,356,075
                                                 stenciled.
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total....................  754 railroads..  285,000          N/A............          38,000       2,290,260
                                                 responses.
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 285,000.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 38,000 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$2,290,260.
    Title: Rear End Marking Devices.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 221 contains requirements for rear end 
marking devices. Railroads must provide FRA with a detailed description 
of the type of marking devices used for any locomotive operating singly 
or for cars or locomotives operating at the end of a train (trailing 
end) to ensure that they meet minimum standards for visibility and 
display. Specifically, part 221 requires railroads to furnish a 
certification that each device has been tested in accordance with 
current ``Guidelines for Testing of Rear End Marking Devices.'' 
Additionally, part 221 requires railroads to furnish detailed test 
records, which include the names of testing organizations, test 
descriptions, number of samples tested, and the test results, to 
demonstrate compliance with the performance standard.
    In this 60-day notice, FRA made no adjustments to the previously 
approved burden hours.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 754 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                                                    Total cost
           Section                Respondent      Total annual     Average time    Total annual    equivalent in
                                   universe        responses      per  responses   burden hours     U.S. dollar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                (A)............  (B)............     (C = A * B)   (D = C * wage
                                                                                                          rates)
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221.14--Marking Devices, and   754 railroads +  2 submissions +  1 hour.........               2             155
 Appendix A.                    24               records.
                                manufacturers.
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 2.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 2 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $155.
    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 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. 2022-14244 Filed 7-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P