[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 201 (Thursday, October 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72209-72210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23068]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-32]


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 Requests (ICRs) summarized below to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. These 
ICRs describes the information collection and its expected burden. On 
August 8, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for 
public comment on the two ICRs.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
November 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICRs 
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 Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the 
search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (571) 609-1285 or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (757) 897-9908.

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 8, 2023, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public 
comment on the ICRs for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR 
53581. FRA has received no comments related to the proposed collections 
of information.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve the proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30-days' notice 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 1320.12(d); 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 ICRs 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 summaries below describe the ICRs that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Passenger Train Emergency Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.
    Abstract: The railroad passenger train emergency preparedness 
regulations under 49 CFR part 239, set forth FRA's requirements for 
railroads to meet Federal standards for the preparation, adoption, and 
implementation of emergency preparedness plans connected with the 
operation of passenger trains, including freight railroads hosting 
passenger rail service operations. Part 239 also requires each affected 
railroad to instruct its employees on the provisions of its plan. The 
information collected is necessary for compliance with the regulation.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 34 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 1,572.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 353 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $30,342.
    Title: Passenger Train Emergency Systems.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0576.
    Abstract: This information collection is related to passenger train 
emergency systems regulations under 49 CFR part 238. The purpose of 
this part is to prevent collisions, derailments, and other occurrences 
involving railroad passenger equipment that cause injury or death to 
railroad employees, railroad passengers, or the general public, and to 
mitigate the consequences of such occurrences to the extent they cannot 
be prevented. Some of the regulations FRA established under this part 
include requirements for emergency passage through vestibule and other 
interior passageway doors and enhanced emergency egress and rescue 
signage; \1\ requirements for low-location emergency exit path markings 
to assist occupants in reaching and operating emergency exits, 
particularly under conditions of limited visibility; and standards to 
ensure emergency lighting systems are provided in all passenger cars 
and enhanced requirements for the survivability of emergency lighting 
systems in new passenger cars.
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    \1\ 78 FR 71785 (Nov. 29, 2013).

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[[Page 72210]]

    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 34 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,335.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 755.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $64,841.
    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.

Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Acting Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023-23068 Filed 10-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P