[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87718-87720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25565]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2024-0015]


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, FRA seeks approval of the Information 
Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is 
soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities 
identified in the ICR.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
December 31, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR 
should be submitted on regulations.gov to the docket, Docket No. FRA-
2024-0015. All comments received will be posted without change to the 
docket, including any personal information provided. Please refer to 
the assigned OMB control number (2130-0005) in any correspondence 
submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this 
notice in a subsequent notice, made available to the public, and 
include them in its information collection submission to OMB for 
approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fe9f8c929b8a8a9bd0938b8d8d9790998a9190be9a918ad0999188"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="14756678716060713a796167677d7a73607b7a54707b603a737b62">[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#53393c323d3d367d20243235353c213713373c277d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdd7d2dcd3d3d893cecadcdbdbd2cfd9fdd9d2c993dad2cb">[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 
provide 60 days' notice to the public to allow comment on information 
collection activities before seeking OMB approval of the activities. 
See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. Specifically, 
FRA invites interested parties to comment on the following ICR 
regarding: (1) whether the information collection activities are 
necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether 
the activities 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 
for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on 
the public, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 
CFR 1320.8(d)(1).
    FRA believes that soliciting public comment may reduce the 
administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of 
information that Federal regulations mandate. In summary, comments 
received will advance three objectives: (1) reduce reporting burdens; 
(2) organize information collection requirements in a ``user-friendly'' 
format to improve the use of such information; and (3) accurately 
assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information 
requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
    The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Hours of Service Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0005.
    Abstract: FRA's hours of service recordkeeping regulations (49 CFR 
part 228), amended as mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 
2008, include substantive hours of service requirements for train 
employees (i.e., locomotive engineers and conductors) providing 
commuter and intercity rail passenger transportation (e.g., maximum on-
duty periods, minimum off-duty periods, and other limitations). The 
regulations also require railroads to evaluate passenger train employee 
work schedules for risk of employee fatigue and implement measures to 
mitigate the risk, and to submit to FRA for approval certain schedules 
and mitigation plans. Finally, the regulations include recordkeeping 
and reporting provisions requiring railroads to keep hours of service 
records, and report excess service, for train employees, signal 
employees, and dispatching service employees on both freight and 
passenger railroads. FRA uses the information collected to verify that 
railroads do not require or allow their employees to exceed maximum on-
duty periods and ensure that they abide by minimum off-duty periods, 
and adhere to other limitations, to enhance rail safety and reduce the 
risk of accidents/incidents caused, or contributed to, by train 
employee fatigue.
    In this 60-day notice, FRA is updating existing form FRA F 6180.3 
Hours of Service Report to make the following edits:
    <bullet> The term ``Division'' has been changed to ``Place of 
Excess Service (City/State)''.
    <bullet> Changing ``Train or Engine Number (if train or engine 
crew)'' to ``Train ID/Job ID''.
    <bullet> ``Type of Service'' has been updated by adding the 
following check boxes: ``TEY''; ``Signal''; ``Dispatch'' (respondent 
will check one box to reflect the type of service being performed at 
the time of excess service).

[[Page 87719]]

    <bullet> The column, ``Conservative Time Off Duty in Preceding 23-
Hour Period'' has been updated to ``Previous Time Off''.
    <bullet> Changing the term ``Cause'' to ``Brief Description of 
Excess Service''.
    Additionally, FRA made multiple adjustments that increased the 
previously approved burden hours from 1,283,507 to 1,284,832 hours. 
This increase, after a thorough review, is the result of the changes 
described in the following sections summarized below:
    <bullet> Under Sec.  228.19, Monthly reports of excess service, FRA 
determined that the annual submissions of form FRA F 6180.3, Exception 
Report, would increase the burden hours by 567 hours and 567 responses.
    <bullet> Under Sec. Sec.  228.103 and 228.107, Construction of 
employees' sleeping quarters--Petition request, FRA anticipates 
receiving zero petitions over the next three-year collection period. 
Accordingly, the burden hours were reduced by 48 hours.
    <bullet> Under Sec.  228.207, Refresher training, and Sec.  
228.411, Training programs on fatigue and related topics, FRA made 
burden estimate adjustments that more accurately reflect the number of 
responses and estimated average time required by each section, 
increasing the burden by 6 hours.
    <bullet> Under Sec.  228.407(f), Consultation with directly 
affected employees, FRA has determined that this requirement is not 
covered under the System Safety Program (SSP). Therefore, an estimated 
800 burden hours has been added to this section.
    Overall, the adjustments increased the total burden by 1,325 hours.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (railroads and signal contractors).
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.3.
    Respondent Universe: 797 railroads, signal contractors and 
subcontractors.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

                                                                    Reporting Burden
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                                                                                           Average time per  response   Total annual       Total cost
     CFR Part 228 section           Respondent universe         Total annual responses              (hours)             burden hours    equivalent U.S.D
                                                             (A)........................  (B)........................     (A * B = C)      (D = C * wage
                                                                                                                                               rate) \1\
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                                                            SUBPART B--Records and Reporting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.9--Railroad records;        The burden for this requirement is accounted for under Sec.   228.11.
 general.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.11--Hours of duty records   797 Railroads signal         17,448,669 electronic......  3 minutes..................      872,433.45     $77,759,993.40
 (electronic and paper).         contractors &
                                 subcontractors.
                                                             918,351 paper..............  8 minutes..................      122,446.80      10,913,683.28
228.17--Dispatchers record of   63 dispatch offices........  285,000 cumulative train-    1..........................         285,000      25,402,050.00
 train movements.                                             movement tracking
                                                              (records).
228.19(g) through (h)--Monthly  797 Railroads signal         2,317 reports..............  1..........................           2,317         206,514.21
 reports of excess service--     contractors &
 Exception (FRA F 6180.3).       subcontractors.
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                                             SUBPART C--Construction of Railroad-Provided Sleeping Quarters
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.103 and 228.107--           FRA anticipates zero petition submissions over the next three-year period.
 Construction of employees'
 sleeping quarters--Petition
 request to FRA to allow
 construction near work areas.
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                                      SUBPART D--Electronic Recordkeeping System and Automated Recordkeeping system
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.207(b)--Training--Initial   671 railroads..............  250 training records.......  2 minutes..................               8             713.04
 training--New employees and
 supervisors.
    --(c) Refresher training--  797 railroads/signal         797 audits and records.....  2..........................           1,594         142,073.22
     System audits for           contractors &
     irregularities by           subcontractors.
     railroads and contractors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         SUBPART F--Substantive Hours of Service Requirements for Train Employees Engaged in Commuter or Intercity Rail Passenger Transportation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.407(a)--Analysis of work    36 railroads...............  3 analyses.................  2..........................               6             534.78
 schedules--Railroads'
 analysis of one cycle of work
 schedules of employees
 engaged in commuter or
 intercity passenger
 transportation.
    --(b) Submissions of        36 railroads...............  3 fatigue mitigation plans.  20.........................              60           5,347.80
     certain work schedules
     and any fatigue
     mitigation plans, (FMP)
     and determinations of
     operational necessity or
     declarations.
    --(b) Submissions to FRA    36 railroads...............  1 submission...............  1..........................               1              89.13
     for review and approval.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(c) Submission of models  FRA anticipates zero submissions under this requirement over the next three-year period.
     for FRA approval;
     validated models already
     accepted by FRA.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(d) Analysis of certain   36 railroads...............  1 analysis or plan.........  1..........................               1              89.13
     later changes in work
     schedules--Analyses and
     mitigation plans--
     Resubmission to FRA for
     approval.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(e) Fatigue mitigation    The paperwork burden for this requirement has been fulfilled by railroads or included under Sec.   228.407(b)-(d).
     plans.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 87720]]

 
    --(f) RR Consultation with  36 railroads...............  20.........................  40.........................          800.00          71,304.00
     directly affected
     employees on: (i) RR Work
     schedules at risk for
     fatigue level possibly
     compromising safety; and
     (ii) Railroad's selection
     of fatigue mitigation
     tools; and (iii) All RR
     Submissions required by
     this section seeking FRA
     approval.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.409--Requirements for       The paperwork burden for requirement is included underSec.   228.407(f).
 railroad-provided employee
 sleeping quarters during
 interim releases and other
 periods available for rest
 within a duty tour.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228.411--Training programs on   36 railroads...............  36.........................  2..........................              72           6,417.36
 fatigue and related topics
 (e.g., rest, alertness,
 changes in rest cycles,
 etc.)..
    --(e) Records of training   36 railroads...............  5,539......................  1 minute...................              92           8,199.96
     on fatigue and related
     topics.
228.411(f)--Conditional         93 railroads...............  1..........................  1..........................               1              89.13
 exclusion--Written
 declaration to FRA by
 tourist, scenic, historic, or
 excursion railroads seeking
 exclusion.
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Totals \2\............  797 railroads signal         18,660,988.................  N/A........................       1,284,832        114,517,098
                                 contractors &
                                 subcontractors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 18,660,988.
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    \1\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the 2023 Surface 
Transportation Board Full Year Wage A&B data series using employee 
group 200 (Professional Administrative Staff) hourly wage rate of 
$50.93. The total burden wage rate (straight time plus 75%) used in 
the table is $89.13 ($50.93 x 1.75 = $89.13).
    \2\ Totals may not add up due to rounding.
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    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,284,832 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$114,517,098.
    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. 2024-25565 Filed 11-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


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