6438 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2000 / Notices

give the reason(s) for each comment.

Please submit all comments and

attachments in an unbound format no

larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for

copying and electronic filing. Persons

wanting acknowledgment of receipt of

comments should enclose stamped, selfaddressed postcards or envelopes.

Information Collection Requests

1. Title: Security of Passenger Vessels

and Passenger Terminals.

OMB Control Number: 2115–0622.

Summary: The purpose of the rules on

the security of passenger vessels and

passenger terminals is to deter, or

mitigate the results of, terrorism and

other unlawful acts against such vessels

and terminals. The rules should reduce

the likelihood of such acts and should

reduce the damage to property and

injury to persons, if such acts occur.

Need: 33 U.S.C. 1231 authorizes the

Coast Guard to issue rules for the

program in ports and waters safety. 33

CFR, parts 120 and 128, contain the

rules for the security for passenger

vessels and passenger terminals

regulations.

Respondents: Certain owners of

passenger vessels and passenger

terminals.

Frequency: On occasion.

Burden: The estimated burden is

1,811 hours annually.

2. Title: Plan/Drawing Approval and

Records for Safety Valves—46 CFR part

162.

OMB Control Number: 2115–0525.

Summary: Requirements for

submission of plans and drawings and

test reports for safety equipment and

materials are necessary so the Coast

Guard can determine whether items

meet minimum levels of safety and

performance and whether they serve to

identify the approved items.

Need: 46 U.S.C. 3306 authorizes the

Coast Guard to promulgate rules for the

safety of personnel and property on

board vessels. Sections of 46 CFR part

162 contain rules on approval of plans

and drawings for of safety valves.

Respondents: Equipment

manufacturers.

Frequency: On occasion.

Burden: The estimated burden is 58

hours annually.

3. Title: Vital System Automation—46

CFR parts 52, 56, 58, 61, 62, 110, 111,

and 113.

OMB Control Number: 2115–0548.

Summary: This collection pertains to

the vital system automation on

commercial vessels that is necessary to

protect personnel and property on board

U.S.-flag vessels.

Need: 46 U.S.C. 3306 authorizes the

Coast Guard to promulgate rules for the

safety of personnel and property on

board vessels. Sections of 46 CFR parts

52, 56, 58, 62, 110, 111, and 113 contain

rules on the automation of vital systems.

Respondents: Vessel designers,

shipyards, manufacturers, and vessel

owners.

Frequency: On occasion.

Burden: The estimated burden is

57,375 hours annually.

4. Title: Marine Occupational Health

and Safety Standards for Benzene—46

CFR part 197, subpart C.

OMB Control Number: 2115–0586.

Summary: To protect marine workers

from exposure to toxic Benzene vapor,

the Coast Guard implemented 46 CFR

part 197, subpart C.

Need: This information collection is

vital to verifying compliance.

Respondents: Vessel owners and

operators.

Frequency: On occasion.

Burden: The estimated burden is

59,775 hours annually

Dated: February 1, 2000.

G.N. Naccara,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of

Information and Technology.

[FR Doc. 00–2895 Filed 2–8–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–15–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Notice of Submission Deadline for

International Slots for the Winter 2000/

2001 Scheduling Season

AGENCY: Department of Transportation,

FAA.

ACTION: Notice of submission deadline.

SUMMARY: On October 1, 1999, the FAA

amended the regulations governing

takeoff and landing slots and slot

allocation procedures at certain High

Density Traffic Airports as a result of

the ‘‘Open Transborder’’ Agreement

between the Government of the United

States and the Government of Canada.

One element of this final rule

established that the deadline for

submission of requests for international

slots will be published in a Federal

Register notice for each scheduling

season. The purpose of the amendment

is for the FAA deadline for international

slots requests to coincide with the

International Air Transport Association

deadline for submission of international

requests. In accordance with this

amendment, the FAA announces in this

notice that the deadline for submitting

requests for international slots for

allocation under 14 CFR 93.217 is May

10, 2000.

DATES: Requests for international slots

must be submitted no later than May 10,

2000.

ADDRESSES: Requests may be submitted

by mail to Slot Administration Office,

AGC–230, Office of the Chief Counsel,

800 Independence Ave., SW.,

Washington, DC 20591; facsimile: 202–

267–7668; ARING: DCAYAXD; email

address: 9–A WA-slotadmin@faa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lorelei D. Peter, Airspace and Air

Traffic Law Branch, Regulations

Division, Office of the Chief Counsel,

Federal Aviation Administration, 800

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591; telephone

number: 202–267–3073.

Issued in Washington, DC on February 3,

2000.

James W. Whitlow,

Deputy Chief Counsel.

[FR Doc. 00–2957 Filed 2–8–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Proposed Agency Information

Collection Activities; Comment

Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and

its implementing regulations, the

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

hereby announces that it is seeking

renewal of the following currently

approved information collection

activities. Before submitting these

information collection requirements for

clearance by the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting

public comment on specific aspects of

the activities identified below.

DATES: Comments must be received no

later than April 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments

on any or all of the following proposed

activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert

Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and

Evaluation Division, RRS–21, Federal

Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont

Ave., NW, Mail Stop 17, Washington,

DC 20590, or Ms. Dian Deal, Office of

Information Technology and

Productivity Improvement, RAD–20,

Federal Railroad Administration, 1120

Vermont Ave., NW, Mail Stop 35,

Washington, DC 20590. Commenters

requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt

of their respective comments must

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2000 / Notices 6439

include a self-addressed stamped

postcard stating, ‘‘Comments on OMB

control numberl. Alternatively,

comments may be transmitted via

facsimile to (202) 493–6265 or (202)

493–6170, or E-mail to Mr. Brogan at

robert.brogan@fra.dot.gov, or to Ms.

Deal at dian.deal@fra.dot.gov. Please

refer to the assigned OMB control

number in any correspondence

submitted. FRA will summarize

comments received in response to this

notice in a subsequent notice and

include them in its information

collection submission to OMB for

approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and

Evaluation Division, RRS–21, Federal

Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont

Ave., NW, Mail Stop 17, Washington,

DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6292)

or Dian Deal, Office of Information

Technology and Productivity

Improvement, RAD–20, Federal

Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont

Ave., NW, Mail Stop 35, Washington,

DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493–6133).

(These telephone numbers are not tollfree.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

(PRA), Pub. L. No. 104–13, § 2, 109 Stat.

163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44

U.S.C. 3501–3520), and its

implementing regulations, 5 CFR part

1320, require Federal agencies to

provide 60-days notice to the public for

comment on information collection

activities before seeking approval for

reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44

U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1),

1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically,

FRA invites interested respondents to

comment on the following summary of

proposed information collection

activities regarding (i) whether the

information collection activities are

necessary for FRA to properly execute

its functions, including whether the

activities will have practical utility; (ii)

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; (iii) ways for

FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information being

collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to

minimize the burden of information

collection activities on the public by

automated, electronic, mechanical, or

other technological collection

techniques or other forms of information

technology (e.g., permitting electronic

submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A)(I)–(iv); 5 CFR

1320.8(d)(1)(I)–(iv). FRA believes that

soliciting public comment will promote

its efforts to reduce the administrative

and paperwork burdens associated with

the collection of information mandated

by Federal regulations. In summary,

FRA reasons that comments received

will advance three objectives: (i) reduce

reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it

organizes information collection

requirements in a ‘‘user friendly’’ format

to improve the use of such information;

and (iii) accurately assess the resources

expended to retrieve and produce

information requested. See 44 U.S.C.

3501.

Below are brief summaries of eight

currently approved information

collection activities that FRA will

submit for clearance by OMB as

required under the PRA:

Title: Filing of Dedicated Cars.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0502.

Abstract: Title 49, part 215 of the

Code of Federal Regulations, prescribes

certain conditions to be followed for the

movement of freight cars that are not in

compliance with this Part. These cars

must be identified in a written report to

FRA before they are assigned to

dedicated service, and the words

‘‘Dedicated Service’’ must be stenciled

on each side of the freight car body.

FRA uses the information to determine

whether the equipment is safe to operate

and that the operation qualifies for

dedicated service. See 49 CFR 215.5 (c)

(2), 215.5 (d).

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Total Responses: 6.

Estimated Annual Burden: 6 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Remotely Controlled Railroad

Switch Operations.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0516.

Abstract: Title 49, Section 218.30 of

the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),

ensures that remotely controlled

switches are lined to protect workers

who are vulnerable to being struck by

moving cars as they inspect or service

equipment on a particular track or,

alternatively, occupy camp cars. FRA

believes that production of notification

requests promotes safety by minimizing

mental lapses of workers who are

simultaneously handling several tasks.

Sections 218.30 and 218.67 require the

operator of remotely controlled switches

to maintain a record of each notification

requesting blue signal protection for

fifteen days. Operators of remotely

controlled switches use the information

as a record documenting blue signal

protection of workers or camp cars. This

record also serves as a valuable resource

for railroad supervisors and FRA

inspectors monitoring regulatory

compliance.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Reporting Burden:

CFR section

Respondent

universe

(railroads)

Total annual

responses

Average time

per response

(minutes)

Total annual

burden hours

Total annual

burden cost

Blue Signal Protection .................................................. 350 3,600,000 records 4 240,000 $6,240,000

Camp cars .................................................................... 600 4,000 notifications 4 267 6,942

Total Estimated Annual Burden:

240,267 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Bad Order and Home Shop

Card.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0519.

Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 215, each

railroad is required to inspect freight

cars placed in service and take the

necessary remedial action when defects

are identified. Part 215 defects are

specific in nature and relate to items

that have or could have caused

accidents or incidents. Section 215.9

sets forth specific procedures that

railroads must follow when it is

necessary to move defective cars for

repair purposes. For example, railroads

must affix a ‘‘bad order’’ tag describing

each defect to each side of the freight

car. It is imperative that a defective

freight car be tagged ‘‘bad order’’ so that

it may be readily identified and moved

to another location for repair purposes

only. At the repair point, the ‘‘bad

order’’ tag serves as a repair record.

Railroads must retain each tag for 90

days to verify that proper repairs were

made at the designated location. FRA

and State inspectors review all pertinent

records to determine whether defective

cars presenting an immediate hazard are

being moved in transportation.

6440 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2000 / Notices

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Total Responses: 50,000 tags.

Average Time per Response: 10

minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden:

8,333 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Stenciling Reporting Mark on

Freight Cars.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0520.

Abstract: Title 49, Section 215.301 of

the Code of Federal Regulations, sets

forth certain requirements that must be

followed by railroad carriers and private

car owners relative to identification

marks on railroad equipment. FRA,

railroads, and the public refer to the

stenciling to identify freight cars.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Total Responses: 35,000 cars

stencilled.

Average Time per Response: 45

minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden:

26,250 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Disqualification Proceedings.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0529.

Abstract: Under 49 U.S.C. 20111(c),

FRA is authorized to issue orders

disqualifying railroad employees,

including supervisors, managers, and

other agents, from performing safetysensitive service in the rail industry for

violations of safety rules, regulations,

standards, orders, or laws evidencing

unfitness. FRA’s regulations, 49 CFR

part 209, Subpart D, implement the

statutory provision by requiring (i) a

railroad employing or formerly

employing a disqualified individual to

disclose the terms and conditions of a

disqualification order to the individual’s

new or prospective employing railroad;

(ii) a railroad considering employing an

individual in a safety-sensitive position

to ask the individual’s previous

employing railroad whether the

individual is currently serving under a

disqualification order; and (iii) a

disqualified individual to inform his

new or prospective employer of the

disqualification order and provide a

copy of the same. Additionally, the

regulations prohibit a railroad from

employing a person serving under a

disqualification order to work in a

safety-sensitive position. This

information serves to inform a railroad

whether an employee or prospective

employee is currently disqualified from

performing safety-sensitive service

based on the issuance of a

disqualification order by FRA.

Furthermore, it prevents an individual

currently serving under a

disqualification order from retaining

and obtaining employment in a safetysensitive position in the rail industry.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion/recordkeeping.

Reporting Burden:

CFR section

Respondent

universe

(railroads)

Total annual

responses

Average time

per response

(minutes)

Total annual

burden hours

Total annual

burden cost

Provide copy of disqualification order to new or prospective employer.685 3 orders ................. 30 1.5 $23

Provide copy of disqualification order to prospective

employer.

685 1 notification .......... 30 .5 8

Request copy of disqualification order from previous

employer.

685 Usual and customary procedure.N/A N/A N/A

Total Estimated Burden: 2 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Grade Crossing Signal System

Safety Regulations.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0534.

Abstract: FRA believes that highwayrail grade crossing (grade crossing)

accidents resulting from warning system

failures can be reduced. Motorists lose

faith in warning systems that constantly

warn of an oncoming train when none

is present. Therefore, the fail-safe

feature of a warning system loses its

effectiveness if the system is not

repaired within a reasonable period of

time. A greater risk of an accident is

present when a warning system fails to

activate as a train approaches a grade

crossing. FRA’s regulations require

railroads to take specific responses in

the event of an activation failure. FRA

uses the information to develop better

solutions to the problems of grade

crossing device malfunctions. With this

information, FRA is able to correlate

accident data and equipment

malfunctions with the types of circuits

and age of equipment. FRA can then

identify the causes of grade crossing

system failures and investigate them to

determine whether periodic

maintenance, inspection, and testing

standards are effective. FRA also uses

the information collected to alert

railroad employees and appropriate

highway traffic authorities of warning

system malfunctions so that they can

take the necessary measures to protect

motorists and railroad workers at the

grade crossing until repairs have been

made.

Form Number(s): FRA-F–6180.83.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion; recordkeeping.

Reporting Burden:

CFR section

Respondent

universe

(railroads)

Total annual

responses

Average time

per response

(minutes)

Total annual

burden hours

Total annual

burden cost

234.7—Telephone notification ...................................... 685 4 phone calls ........ 15 1 $35

234.9—Grade crossing signal system failure rpts ....... 685 800 reports ............ 15 200 7,000

234.9—Notification to train crew and highway traffic

control authority.

685 800 notifications .... 15 200 7,000

234.9—Recordkeeping ................................................. 685 800 records ........... 15 200 7,000

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2000 / Notices 6441

Total Estimated Burden: 601 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0535.

Abstract: Section 20139 of Title 49 of

the United States Code required FRA to

issue rules, regulations, orders, and

standards for the safety of maintenanceof-way employees on railroad bridges,

including for ‘‘bridge safety

equipment’such as nets, walkways,

handrails, and safety lines, and

requirements for the use of vessels when

work is performed on bridges located

over bodies of water. FRA has added 49

CFR part 214 to establish minimum

workplace safety standards for railroad

employees as they apply to railroad

bridges. Specifically, section 214.15(c)

establishes standards and practices for

safety net systems. Safety nets and net

installations are to be drop-tested at the

job site after initial installation and

before being used as a fall-protection

system; after major repairs; and at sixmonth intervals if left at one site. If a

drop-test is not feasible and is not

performed, then a written certification

must be made by the railroad or railroad

contractor, or a designated certified

person, that the net does comply with

the safety standards of this section. FRA

and State inspectors use the information

to enforce the Federal regulations. The

information that is maintained at the job

site also promotes safe bridge worker

practices.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.

Total Responses: 6 certifications.

Average Time per Response: 20

minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2

hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Title: Two-Way End-of-Train Devices.

OMB Control Number: 2130–0540.

Abstract: Section 20141 of the United

States Code amended the Federal Rail

Safety laws by adding certain statutory

mandates related to power brake safety,

specifically regarding two-way end-oftrain telemetry devices (two-way EOTs).

This Section required two-way-end-oftrain devices (or devices able to perform

the same function) on road trains other

than locals, road switchers, or work

trains to enable the initiation of

emergency braking from the rear of the

train. The information collected

enhances rail safety by ensuring that the

locomotive engineer is notified if

someone other than a train crew

member tests the two-way end-of-train

devices at the initial terminal or other

point of installation to confirm that the

device is capable of initiating an

emergency power brake application

from the rear of the train. The

information collected is also used by

FRA to verify that the end-of-train

telemetry equipment is properly

calibrated for accuracy according to the

manufacturer’s specifications at least

every 365 days. Additionally, the

information collected verifies that twoway-end-of-train device standards—

such as the front unit having a manually

operated switch that is labeled

‘‘Emergency’’ which can initiate an

emergency brake transmission

command to the rear unit (when

activated)—are met.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Frequency of Submission: On

occasion.

Reporting Burden:

CFR section

Respondent

universe

(railroads)

Total annual

responses

Average time

per response

Total annual

burden hours

Total annual

burden cost

232.25(C)—Notification that test was performed ...... 245 450,000 tests ........ 30 seconds ....... 3,750 $168,750

232.25(d)—End-of-train Telemetry Equip. ................ 245 35,000 stickers ...... 1 minute ........... 583 168,750

232.25(d)—Two-way end-of-train device Stds. ......... 245 17,571 stencils ...... 5 minutes .......... 1,464 68,880

Total Estimated Burden: 5,797 hours.

Status: Regular Review.

Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5

CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), 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 unless it

displays a currently valid OMB control

number.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.

Issued in Washington, DC on February 1,

2000.

Margaret B. Reid,

Acting Director, Office of Information

Technology and Support Systems, Federal

Railroad Administration.

[FR Doc. 00–2836 Filed 2–8–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–62–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

Reports, Forms and Record Keeping

Requirements Agency Information

Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In compliance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice

announces that the Information

Collection Request (ICR) abstracted

below has been forwarded to the Office

of Management and Budget (OMB) for

review and comment. The ICR describes

the nature of the information collections

and their expected burden. The Federal

Register Notice with a 60-day comment

period was published on October 27,

1999 (64 FR 57924–57925).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on

or before March 10, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Henrietta Spinner at the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

Office of Safety Performance Standards

(NPS–32), 202–366–4802. 400 Seventh

Street, SW, Room 5320E, Washington,

DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

Title: 49 CFR part 575 Consumer

Information Regulations (Sections 103

and 105).

OMB Number: 2127—0049.

Type of Request: Extension of a

currently approved collection.

Abstract: NHTSA must ensure that

motor vehicle manufacturers comply

with 49 CFR Part 575, Consumer

Information Regulation Part 575.103—

Truck-camper loading and Part

575.105—Utility Vehicles. Part 575.103,

requires that manufacturers of light

trucks that are capable of

accommodating slide-in campers to

provide information on the cargo weight

rating and the longitudinal limits within