84460 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 248 / Monday, December 28, 2020 / Notices 

operation of unnecessary hardware and 

reduce delays to trains caused by 

failures of the signals. 

A copy of the petition, as well as any 

written communications concerning the 

petition, is available for review online at 

www.regulations.gov. 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in these proceedings by 

submitting written views, data, or 

comments. FRA does not anticipate 

scheduling a public hearing in 

connection with these proceedings since 

the facts do not appear to warrant a 

hearing. If any interested parties desire 

an opportunity for oral comment and a 

public hearing, they should notify FRA, 

in writing, before the end of the 

comment period and specify the basis 

for their request. 

All communications concerning these 

proceedings should identify the 

appropriate docket number and may be 

submitted by any of the following 

methods: 

• Website: http://

www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: Docket Operations Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

(DOT), 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, W12– 

140, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey 

Ave., SE, Room W12–140, Washington, 

DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

Holidays. 

Communications received by 

February 11, 2021 will be considered by 

FRA before final action is taken. 

Comments received after that date will 

be considered if practicable. Anyone 

can search the electronic form of any 

written communications and comments 

received into any of our dockets by the 

name of the individual submitting the 

comment (or signing the document, if 

submitted on behalf of an association, 

business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 

U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments 

from the public to better inform its 

processes. DOT posts these comments, 

without edit, including any personal 

information the commenter provides, to 

www.regulations.gov, as described in 

the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 

14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 

https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. 

See also https://www.regulations.gov/ 

privacyNotice for the privacy notice of 

regulations.gov. 

Issued in Washington, DC. 

John Karl Alexy, 

Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, 

Chief Safety Officer. 

[FR Doc. 2020–28557 Filed 12–23–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Railroad Administration 

[Docket No. FRA–2020–0027–N–31] 

Proposed Agency Information 

Collection Activities; Comment 

Request 

AGENCY: Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of information collection; 

request for comment. 

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 September 11, 

2020, 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 

27, 2021. 

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, Office of Railroad 

Safety, Regulatory Analysis Division, 

Federal Railroad Administration, 

telephone: (202) 493–0440, email: 

Hodan.wells@dot.gov. 

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 September 11, 

2020, FRA published a 60-day notice in 

the Federal Register soliciting comment 

on the ICR for which it is now seeking 

OMB approval. See 85 FR 56286. FRA 

received no comments in response to 

this notice. 

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 

1320.12(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: Railroad Operating Rules. 

OMB Control Number: 2130–0035. 

Abstract: The collection of 

information associated with Title 49 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 

217 and 218, Railroad Operating Rules 

and Practices, requires railroads to file 

with FRA copies of their operating 

rules, timetables, timetable special 

instructions, and subsequent 

amendments. The regulations also 

require railroads to retain copies of 

these documents at their systems 

headquarters and make these documents 

available to FRA upon request. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 248 / Monday, December 28, 2020 / Notices 84461 

1FRA provides a revised PRA table that includes 

updated burdens associated with §§ 217.11, 218.95, 

and 218.97. The estimates have been updated after 

an internal review. 

2Note: The current inventory estimates a total 

burden of 4,791,614 hours while the requesting 

inventory estimates a total burden of 763,236 hours. 

There is no change in the method of the collection. 

However, FRA determined some of the estimates 

were double counted and/or outdated, while other 

estimates were not PRA requirements, thus leading 

to the increased figures in the current inventory, 

which were decreased accordingly in this notice. 

Also, totals may not add due to rounding. 

3The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the 

Surface Transportation Board’s Full Year Wage A&B 

data series using the appropriate employee group 

hourly wage rate that includes a 75-percent 

overhead charge. The hourly wage rate used is $77 

per hour ($44.27 * 1.75 = $77). 

Through these requirements, FRA learns 

of operating rules and practices for 

trains and instructions railroads provide 

their employees on operating practices. 

Type of Request: Extension with 

change (revised estimates) of a currently 

approved collection. 

Affected Public: Businesses. 

Form(s): N/A. 

Respondent Universe: 765 railroads. 

Frequency of Submission: On 

occasion. 

Reporting Burden:1

CFR section 2 Respondent universe Total annual responses 

Average time 

per response 

Total annual 

burden hours 

Total cost 

equivalent 3

217.7(a)—Operating rules; filing and recordkeeping—Filing of code of operating 

rules, timetables, and timetable special 

instructions by Class Is, Class IIs, Amtrak, and commuter railroads with FRA.

2 new railroads ......... 2 documents ............. 1 hour ............ 2 $154 

—(b) Amendments to code of operating 

rules, timetables, and timetable special instructions by Class Is, Class 

IIs, Amtrak, and commuter railroads 

with FRA.

53 railroads ............... 312 revised documents.20 minutes ..... 104 8,008 

—(c) Class III and other railroads— 

Copy of code of operating rules, 

timetables, and timetable special instructions at system headquarters.

2 new railroads ......... 2 documents ............. 1 hour ............ 2 154 

—(c) Class III and other railroads— 

Amendments to code of operating 

rules, timetables, and timetable special instructions at system headquarters.

798 railroads ............. 1,596 copies ............. 15 minutes ..... 399 30,723 

217.9(b)(2)—Program of operational tests 

and inspections; recordkeeping—Written 

records documenting qualification of each 

railroad testing officer.

765 railroads ............. 4,732 records ............ 2 minutes ....... 158 12,166 

—(c) Written program of operational 

tests and inspections.

2 new railroads ......... 2 programs ................ 10 hours ......... 20 2,300 

—(d)(1) Records of operational tests/inspections.765 railroads ............. 9,120,000 test 

records and updates.

5 minutes ....... 760,000 58,520,000 

—(d)(2) Railroad copy of current program operational tests/inspections— 

Amendments.

53 railroads ............... 159 program revisions.70 minutes ..... 186 14,322 

—(e)(1)(i) Written quarterly review of 

operational tests/inspections by RRs 

other than passenger RRs.

7 Class I railroads + 

Amtrak.

32 reviews ................. 2 hours ........... 64 4,928 

—(e)(1)(ii) 6-month review of operational tests/inspections/naming of 

officer.

7 Class I railroads ..... 14 reviews ................. 2 hours ........... 28 2,156 

—(e)(2) 6-month review by passenger 

railroads designated officers of operational testing and inspection data.

35 Amtrak + passenger railroads.70 reviews ................. 2 hours ........... 140 10,780 

—(e)(3) Records of periodic reviews .... 50 railroads ............... 116 records ............... 1 minute ......... 2 154 

—(f)–(g) Annual summary of operational tests and inspections.50 railroads ............... 50 summary records 1 hour ............ 50 3,850 

—(h)(1)(i) RR amended program of 

operational tests/inspections.

765 railroads ............. 6 revised programs ... 30 minutes ..... 3 231 

—(h)(1)(ii) FRA disapproval of RR program of operational tests/inspections 

and RR written response in support 

of program.

765 railroads ............. 6 supporting documents.1 hour ............ 6 462 

217.11(a)—RR periodic instruction of employees on operating rules—New railroads.2 new railroads ......... 2 written programs .... 8 hours ........... 16 1,232 

217.11(b)—RR copy of program amendments for periodic instruction of employees.765 railroads ............. 110 modified written 

programs.

30 minutes ..... 55 4,235 

218.95(a)(5)–(b)—Instruction, training, examination—Employee completed test 

records.

765 railroads ............. 85,600 employee 

records.

1 minute ......... 1,427 109,879 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES
84462 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 248 / Monday, December 28, 2020 / Notices 

CFR section 2 Respondent universe Total annual responses 

Average time 

per response 

Total annual 

burden hours 

Total cost 

equivalent 3

—(c)(1)(i) Amended RR program of instruction, testing, examination.765 railroads ............. 5 amended programs 30 minutes ..... 3 231 

218.97(b)(4)—RR copy of good faith challenge procedures.765 railroads ............. 4,732 copies to new 

employees.

6 minutes ....... 473 36,421 

218.97(c)(1) and (4)—RR employee good 

faith challenge of RR directive.

10 workers ................ 10 good faith challenges.15 minutes ..... 3 231 

—(c)(5) RR resolution of employee 

good faith challenge.

2 new railroads ......... 5 responses .............. 15 minutes ..... 1 77 

—(d)(1) RR officer immediate review of 

unresolved good faith challenge.

2 new railroads ......... 3 reviews ................... 30 minutes ..... 2 154 

—(d)(2) RR officer explanation to employee that Federal law may protect 

against employer retaliation for refusal to carry out work if employee 

refusal is a lawful, good faith act.

2 new railroads ......... 3 answers ................. 15 minutes ..... 1 77 

—(d)(3) Employee written/electronic 

protest of employer final decision.

2 new railroads ......... 3 written protests ...... 15 minutes ..... 1 77 

—(d)(3) Employee copy of protest ........ 2 new railroads ......... 3 copies .................... 1 minute ......... 0.1 8 

—(d)(4) Employer further review of 

good faith challenge after employee 

written request.

2 new railroads ......... 2 further reviews ....... 15 minutes ..... 0.5 39 

—(d)(4) RR verification decision to employee in writing.2 new railroads ......... 2 decisions ................ 15 minutes ..... 0.5 39 

—(e) Recordkeeping and record retention—Employer’s copy of written procedures at division headquarters.765 railroads ............. 765 copies ................ 5 minutes ....... 64 4,928 

218.99(a)—Shoving or pushing movement—RR operating rule complying with 

section’s requirements.

2 new railroads ......... 2 rule modifications ... 1 hour ............ 2 154 

218.101(a)–(c)—Leaving equipment in the 

clear—Operating rule that complies with 

this section.

2 new railroads ......... 2 rule modifications ... 30 minutes ..... 1 77 

218.103(a)(1)—Hand-Operated Switches— 

Operating Rule that Complies with this 

section.

2 new railroads ......... 2 rule modifications ... 30 minutes ..... 1 77 

Total ....................................................... 765 railroads ............. 9,348,371 responses N/A ................. 763,236 58,770,040 

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 

9,348,371. 

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 

763,236 hours. 

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour 

Dollar Cost Equivalent: $58,770,040. 

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. 2020–28472 Filed 12–23–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Railroad Administration 

[Docket Number FRA–2020–0095] 

Notice of Application for Approval of 

Discontinuance or Modification of a 

Railroad Signal System 

Under part 235 of title 49 Code of 

Federal Regulations (CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 

20502(a), this document provides the 

public notice that on December 4, 2020, 

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) 

petitioned the Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA) seeking approval 

to discontinue or modify a signal 

system. FRA assigned the petition 

Docket Number FRA–2020–0095. 

Applicant: Norfolk Southern 

Corporation, T.A. Phillips, Senior 

Director—C&S Engineering, 1200 

Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. 

Specifically, NS requests permission 

to discontinue a traffic control system 

(TCS) from milepost (MP) V 327 (PD 

Junction) to V 381.8 (Maben) on the 

Princeton-Deepwater line of the 

Pocahontas Division. This area includes 

control points (CPs) at Ambrose, Beggs, 

Princeton, Rock, Weyanoke, Clark Gap, 

Algoquin, Herndon, Alpoca, CP No. 1 

Crossover, Elmore, Gulf Junction, 

Virwest, Maben, and nine automatic 

signals. An operative approach signal 

will be placed at MP V 329.4 in 

approach to the CP PD Junction. All 

slide fences within the application 

limits will also be retired. The main 

track between MP V 327 and MP V 

381.8 will be converted to NS Rule 171 

operation. The signaled sidings within 

the application limits will be made noncontrolled, other than main track. 

NS states that operations in this area 

no longer require a TCS. 

A copy of the petition, as well as any 

written communications concerning the 

petition, is available for review online at 

www.regulations.gov. 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in these proceedings by 

submitting written views, data, or 

comments. FRA does not anticipate 

scheduling a public hearing in 

connection with these proceedings since 

the facts do not appear to warrant a 

hearing. If any interested parties desire 

an opportunity for oral comment and a 

public hearing, they should notify FRA, 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES