[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21405-21408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06512]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-48]


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) summarized below to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the information collection and its expected burden. On 
December 26, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for 
public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the 
notice.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
April 26, 2024.

[[Page 21406]]


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 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 December 26, 2023, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public 
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR 
89017. FRA has received no comments related to the proposed collection 
of information.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection 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 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: 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 (DSLEs).
    The collection of information is 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.
    On December 26, 2023, FRA published a 60-day Federal Register 
notice that reflected 23,969 total burden hours and 224,652 responses. 
See 88 FR 89017. Upon further evaluation, FRA has determined that 49 
CFR 240.119(e)(3)(iii) does not identify any additional paperwork 
burden and only specifies the potential length of ineligibility when a 
person has been had their certification revoked. Additionally, FRA has 
removed the following sections as they were being counted twice: Sec.  
240.111, because the written responses for this requirement are already 
included under Sec.  240.219; Sec.  240.119(e)(3)(ii), because these 
notifications are already included under Sec.  240.119(c); Sec.  
240.121, because medical examiner reports are already included under 
section Sec.  240.207 (medical certificates); Sec.  240.101, because 
material modifications are already included under Sec.  240.103(h); and 
Sec.  240.205, because data to an EAP counselor is already included 
under Sec.  240.115 (prior safety data criteria).
    For additional clarity, FRA is including the updated burden table 
for publication with this 30-day Federal Register notice.
    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: 784 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 224,023.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 23,851 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$2,362,843.

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                                                                                                                                            Total cost
             CFR section                Respondent universe    Total annual responses      Average time per      Total annual     Wage      equivalent
                                                                                               response          burden hours     rate         U.S.D
                                                               (A)...................  (B)....................     (C = A * B)             (D = C * wage
                                                                                                                                                  rates)
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240.9--Waivers......................  784 railroads..........  2 waiver petitions....  1 hour.................            2.00    $85.93         $171.86
240.101--Written certification        5 new railroads........  5 written programs....  1 hour.................            5.00     85.93          429.65
 program: new railroads.
240.103--Approval of design of        5 new railroads........  5 program submissions.  1 hour.................            5.00     85.93          429.65
 individual railroad programs by FRA.
    --(b)(1)--RR provides a copy of   62 railroads...........  62 copies.............  5 minutes..............            5.17     85.93          444.26
     a certification program
     submission or resubmission to
     the president of the labor
     organization representing
     employees simultaneously with
     filing with FRA.
    --(b)(2)--RR affirmative          62 railroads...........  62 copies.............  5 minutes..............            5.17     85.93          444.26
     statement that it has served
     certification program copy to
     the president of the labor
     organization representing
     employees' labor unions.
    --(c)--RR employee comment on     62 railroads...........  62 comments...........  8 hours................          496.00     85.93       42,621.28
     submission, resubmission or
     material modification of RR
     certification program.

[[Page 21407]]

 
    --(h)--RR material modifications  784 railroads..........  10 modified programs..  10 minutes.............            1.67     85.93          143.50
     to program after initial FRA
     approval (formerly under (e)).
240.105(c)--Written reports/          784 railroads..........  10 written reports....  30 minutes.............            5.00    123.41          617.05
 determinations of DSLE performance
 skills.
240.109--Prior safety conduct data..  17,667 candidates......  25 responses..........  5 minutes..............            2.08     63.07          131.19
240.111--Driver's license data        17,667 candidates......  17,667 requests.......  10 minutes.............        2,944.50     85.93      253,020.89
 requests from chief of driver
 licensing agency of any
 jurisdiction, including foreign
 countries.
    --NDR match--notifications and    784 railroads..........  177 notices, +177       5 + 5 minutes..........           29.50     85.93        2,197.75
     requests for data.                                         requests.                                                          63.07
240.111(g)--Notice to RR of absence   53,000 candidates......  4 letters.............  5 minutes..............            0.33     63.07           20.81
 of license.
240.111(h)--Duty to furnish data      784 railroads..........  100 communications....  5 minutes..............            8.33     63.07          525.37
 within 48 hours of being convicted
 or final State action on prior
 safety conduct as a motor vehicle
 driver's license operator.
240.113--Notice to RR furnishing      17,667 candidates......  353 requests, +353      5 + 5 minutes..........           58.84     85.93        4,383.58
 data on prior safety conduct--                                 responses.                                                         63.07
 different RR.
240.115 (c) and (d)--RR temporary     784 railroads..........  25 recertifications...  5 minutes..............            2.08     85.93          178.73
 certification or recertification of
 locomotive engineer for 60 days
 after having requested the motor
 vehicle information specified in
 paragraph (h) of this section.
(i)(2)--RR drug and alcohol           17,667 candidates......  400 requests..........  5 minutes..............           33.33     63.07        2,102.12
 counselor's request of employee's
 record of prior counseling or
 treatment.
(i)(3)--Conditional certification     17,667 candidates......  100 conditional         1 hour.................          100.00     63.07        6,307.00
 based on recommendation by DAC of                              certifications /DAC
 employee aftercare and/or follow-up                            recommendations.
 testing for alcohol/drugs when
 person evaluated as not currently
 affected by an active substance
 abuse disorder.
(i)(4)--RR employee is evaluated by   17,667 candidates......  100 DAC evaluations...  1 hour.................          100.00     63.07        6,307.00
 DAC as having an active substance
 abuse disorder.
240.117(i)(4)--Early grant or         53,000 locomotive        400 trained/retrained   5 minutes..............           33.33     63.07        2,102.12
 reinstatement of certificate that     engineers.               records.
 has been denied/revoked; records.
240.119(c)--Written records           784 railroads..........  400 records...........  5 minutes..............           33.33     63.07        2,102.12
 indicating dates that the engineer
 stopped performing or returned to
 certification service + compliance/
 observation test.
240.119(d)(3)--Self-referral to EAP   53,000 locomotive        150 self-referrals....  5 minutes..............           12.50     63.07          788.38
 re: active substance abuse disorder.  engineers.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
240.119(e)(3)(i)--RR determination    The burden for this requirement is covered under 240.119(c).
 that prior alcohol/drug conduct
 requires a written determination
 that a period of ineligibility
 applies.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
240.121(e)--Criteria--vision/hearing  5 new railroads........  5 copies..............  5 minutes..............            0.42     85.93           36.09
 acuity data--new railroads.
    --(f)--Criteria--vision/hearing   784 railroads..........  10 notifications......  5 minutes..............            0.83     63.07           52.56
     acuity data--not meeting
     standards--notice by employee.
240.129(b)--RR records engineer's     53,000 locomotive        1,000 records.........  5 minutes..............           83.33     85.93        7,160.55
 service if stopped performing         engineers.
 service before both an operational
 monitoring observation and an
 unannounced compliance test are
 completed in a calendar year.
240.201/221--List of DSLEs..........  784 railroads..........  784 lists.............  5 minutes..............           65.33     85.93        5,613.81
    --List of Qualified Locomotive    784 railroads..........  784 updated lists.....  5 minutes..............           65.33     85.93        5,613.81
     Engineers.
240.201/223/301--Locomotive           53,000 candidates......  17,667 certificates...  5 minutes..............        1,472.25     85.93      126,510.44
 engineer's certificate.
240.207--Medical certificate showing  53,000 candidates......  17,667 certificates...  30 minutes.............        8,833.50    123.41    1,090,142.24
 hearing/vision standards are met:.
    --Written determinations          784 railroads..........  30 determinations.....  5 minutes..............            2.50    123.41          308.53
     allowing person to meet lower
     threshold or person no longer
     needs to use corrective device
     such as glasses or hearing aids.
240.209/213--Written documentation    53,000 candidates......  17,667 testing records  1 minute...............          294.45     85.93       25,302.09
 of knowledge tests of RR rules and                             retained.
 practices.
240.211/213--Written documentation    53,000 candidates......  17,667 testing records  1 minute...............          294.45     85.93       25,302.09
 of performance skills test.                                    retained.
240.215--Retaining info. supporting   784 railroads..........  17,667 records........  5 minutes..............        1,472.25     85.93      126,510.44
 determination.
240.219(a)--RR notification letter    17,667 candidates......  90 letters and          30 minutes.............           45.00     85.93        3,866.85
 to employee of certification denial                            responses.
 + employee written rebuttal.
    --RR denial decision............  784 railroads..........  45 documents/records..  2 minutes..............            1.50     85.93          128.90
240.229(3)(ii)--Joint operations--    321 railroads..........  184 employee calls....  5 minutes..............           15.33     63.07          966.86
 notice--not qualified.
240.301(b)--Temporary replacement     784 railroads..........  600 replacement         30 minutes.............          300.00     85.93       25,779.00
 certificates valid for no more than                            certificates.
 30 days.
240.303--Annual operational           53,000 candidates......  53,000 testing records  1 minute...............          883.33     85.93       75,904.83
 monitoring observation.                                        retained.

[[Page 21408]]

 
240.303--Annual unannounced           53,000 candidates......  53,000 testing records  1 minute...............          883.33     85.93       75,904.83
 operating rules compliance test.                               retained.
240.305(c)--Engineer's notice of non- 53,000 engineers or      100 notifications.....  5 minutes..............            8.33     63.07          525.37
 qualification to RR.                  candidates.
    --(d)--Relaying certification     1,060 engineers........  2 letters.............  15 minutes.............            0.50     63.07           31.54
     denial or revocation status to
     other certifying railroad.
240.307(a-b)--Revocation of           784 railroads..........  550 + 550 letters.....  1 + 1 hour.............         1,100.0     85.93       81,950.00
 certification--notice to engineer                                                                                                 63.07
 of disqualification.
    --(b)(4)--RR provision to         784 railroads..........  690 copies/list.......  5 minutes..............           57.50     85.93        4,940.98
     employee of copy of written
     information and list of
     witnesses that it will present
     at hearing.
    --(b)(5)--RR determination on     784 railroads..........  690 hearing             1 hour.................          690.00     85.93       59,291.70
     hearing record whether person                              determinations.
     no longer meets certification
     requirements of this part.
    --(b)(7)--RR creates/retains      784 railroads..........  690 hearings/records..  4 hours................        2,760.00     85.93      237,166.80
     hearing records.
    --(c)(11)(i)(ii)--RR written      784 railroads..........  690 written decisions.  30 minutes.............          345.00     85.93       29,645.85
     decision after close of hearing
     containing findings of fact and
     whether a revocable event
     occurred.
    --(c)(11)(iii)--RR service of     784 railroads..........  690 copies............  5 minutes..............           57.50     85.93        4,940.98
     written decision on employee
     and employee's representative.
    --(f)--Waiver of right to         784 railroads..........  750 written waivers...  5 minutes..............           62.50     63.07        3,941.88
     hearing under this section.
240.307(i)-(j)--RR decision not to    784 railroads..........  50 records of decision  10 minutes.............            8.33     85.93          715.80
 revoke certification.
240.309-Railroad oversight            55 railroads...........  55 reviews............  3 hours................          165.00     85.93       14,178.45
 responsibilities--annual review.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total.......................  784 railroads..........  224,023 responses.....  .......................          23,851      0.00       2,362,843
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    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. 2024-06512 Filed 3-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P