[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76181-76182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21125]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2024-0012]


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 July 
9, 2024, 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 
October 17, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR 
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice through 
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 July 9, 2024, 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 89 FR 
56474. 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. The 30-day notice informs the regulated community of its 
opportunity to file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate 
time to consider public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 
44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, each respondent should submit their 
comment 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: Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-
Passenger Trains and Equipment.\1\
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    \1\ In this 30-day notice, FRA has made a correction to the 
title of the information collection document. In the published 60-
day notice, 89 FR 56474, the title is shown as Inspection Brake 
Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and 
equipment (Power Brakes). FRA has corrected the title in this 30-day 
notice to reflect the currently approved title in the OMB inventory 
as Brake System Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains 
and Equipment.

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[[Page 76182]]

    OMB Control Number: 2130-0008.
    Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 232 prescribes Federal safety standards 
for freight and other non-passenger train brake systems and equipment. 
Part 232 contains recordkeeping and information reporting requirements, 
including requirements relating to the following:
    General (subpart A)--procedures for special approvals of 
alternative standards or test procedures and waivers, and procedures 
related to the movement of equipment with defective brakes.
    General requirements (subpart B)--generally applicable system 
requirements for the operation of brake systems on complete trains, 
including braking systems, locomotive brakes, dynamic braking, train 
handling, and unattended equipment securement.
    Inspection and testing requirements (subpart C)--various airbrake 
test requirements for specific train operating scenarios, including 
initial terminal tests, intermediate inspections, continuity tests, and 
extended haul trains. This subpart also has specific rules regarding 
the use of yard air for conducting the above tests in lieu of 
locomotives and the use of independent locomotives in double-heading 
and helper service.
    Periodic maintenance and testing requirements (subpart D)--yearly 
and other periodic testing of individual equipment. This subpart also 
specifies the equipment and procedures necessary to modify the 
instructions used to perform these tests.
    End-of-train (EOT) devices (subpart E)--design and performance 
standards of both one-way and two-way EOT devices used on all trains 
with air brakes. This subpart also includes the inspection and testing 
requirements for EOT devices.
    Introduction of new brake system technology (subpart F)--approval 
procedures for the introduction of new technologies not already covered 
by existing regulations, and requirements for the development of a pre-
revenue service acceptance testing plan.
    Electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking systems (subpart 
G)--alternate standards for the operation and maintenance of ECP brake 
systems, particularly where the ECP system is not harmonious with 
previous standards. This includes interoperability, training, 
inspection and testing, movement of defective equipment, and periodic 
maintenance.
    Tourist, scenic, historic, and excursion operations (T&H) braking 
systems (subpart H)--regulations that apply specifically to T&H 
railroads. Those regulations are the same as existed in 2001,\2\ as 
stated in current 49 CFR 232.1(c).
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    \2\ In 2001, appendix B to part 232 was created to preserve part 
232 as it existed prior to a 2001 final rule. In 2020, appendix B 
was moved, with some revisions, to a new subpart H. See 85 FR 80544, 
Dec. 11, 2020.
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    Overall, the information collection requirements of part 232 serve 
two important safety purposes. First, the regulations allow FRA to 
monitor compliance with braking system safety regulations. Second, FRA 
refers to records regularly maintained under part 232 to assess the 
effectiveness of the regulations and identify opportunities for 
improvement.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved information collection.
    Affected Public: Railroads, Association of American Railroads 
(AAR), and manufacturers.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 784 Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4,947,392.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 324,638 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$27,896,141.
    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,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2024-21125 Filed 9-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P