[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4652-4653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01320]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-43]


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 
November 2, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for 
public comment on the ICR. FRA did not receive any substantive comment 
on this ICR.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
February 23, 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. Arlette Mussington, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#caabb8a6afbebeafe4a7bfb9b9a3a4adbea5a48aaea5bee4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2140534d445555440f4c545252484f46554e4f61454e550f464e57">[email protected]</span></a> or 
telephone: (571) 609-1285 or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#412b2e202f2f246f32362027272e332501252e356f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e68c8987888883c89591878080899482a6828992c8818990">[email protected]</span></a> 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 November 2, 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 
75367. FRA received one comment filed under this docket number. 
However, the comment does not refer to this ICR, or any activity 
involving FRA, and appears to have been filed under this docket number 
by mistake.
    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: Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0566.
    Abstract: FRA issued this regulation to mandate the 
reflectorization of freight rolling stock (properly installing 
retroreflective material on freight cars and locomotives) to enhance 
the visibility of trains to help reduce the number and severity of 
accidents at highway-rail grade crossings when

[[Page 4653]]

visibility is low.\1\ FRA uses the information collected to verify that 
the person responsible for the car reporting mark is notified after the 
required visual inspection if the freight rail stock has less than 80 
percent of the required retroreflective sheeting present, undamaged, or 
unobscured.
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    \1\ See 70 FR 144, Jan. 3, 2005.
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    Moreover, FRA uses the information collected to verify that the 
required locomotive records of retroreflective sheeting defects found 
during required locomotive inspections are kept in the locomotive cab 
or in an electronic database that FRA can access upon request. Finally, 
FRA uses the information collected to help confirm railroads/car owners 
meet the prescribed standards for the inspection and maintenance of the 
required retroreflective material.
    Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 783 railroads and freight car owners.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion/monthly.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 36,001.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 3,159 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$215,017.
    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. 2024-01320 Filed 1-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


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