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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Railroad Administration

          - [Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-44]

# 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) 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 November 2, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments related to the proposed collection of information.

# DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before February 15, 2024.

# 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. Joanne Swafford, Information Collection Clearance Officer, at email:                         *joanne.swafford@dot.gov*                         or telephone: (757) 897-9908 or                        *arlette.mussington@dot.gov*                         or telephone: (571) 609-1285.                    

# 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 November 2, 2023, FRA published a 60-day notice in the                     **Federal Register**                     soliciting comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval.                     *See*88 FR 75368. FRA received no comments related to the proposed collection of information.                

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:*                     Workforce Development Survey.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     2130-0621.                

*Abstract:*                     FRA has statutory responsibility to ensure the safety of railroad operations under 49 U.S.C. 20103. To conduct safe railroad operations, the workforce must have the requisite knowledge and skills to operate equipment and utilize technologies. FRA therefore seeks to promote workforce development policies and standards to ensure that the workforce has the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct safe railroad operations. Due to an increasingly dynamic and maturing workforce, combined with continual changes in knowledge and skills required to use new technologies, there is an increasing risk of not having the necessary talent pools to fill critical railroad operational positions. FRA uses this information collection to survey a select group of railroad industry personnel to gain insight into the current workforce development strategies.                

*Type of Request:*                     Extension without change (with changes in estimates) of a currently approved collection.                

*Affected Public:*                     Class I freight and passenger railroads, short line and regional railroads, labor unions, railroad associations, academia, and specialty experts.                

*Form(s):*                     FRA F240.                

*Respondent Universe:*                     818.[1] 

*Frequency of Submission:*                     One-time.                

*Total Estimated Annual Responses:*                     258.                

*Total Estimated Annual Burden:*                     107 hours.                

*Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:*                     $4,924.                

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.

# Footnotes

1.                             The respondent universe in the published 60-day FR notice reflected 967. In this 30-day notice the respondent universe is 818. The change reflects the current number of short-line and regional railroads.                    
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[FR Doc. 2024-00620 Filed 1-12-24; 8:45 am]

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