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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12443-12444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-6396]

[[Page 12443]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA 2009-0001-N-6]

Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 May 26, 2009.

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, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 
20590, or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 
35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge 
receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed 
stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number----.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Ms. Jackson at [email protected]. 
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, 1200 
New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 
(202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson, Office of Information Technology, 
RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., 
Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6073). (These 
telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law No. 104-13, Sec.  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 three 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: 718 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Responses: 4.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 4 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Title: Remotely Controlled 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 15 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.
    Respondent Universe: 718 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

[[Page 12444]]

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                                                                                   Average time
            CFR section               Respondent universe       Total annual       per response    Total annual
                                                                  responses          (minutes)     burden hours
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218.30--Blue signal protection of   70 railroads..........  3,600,000                          2         120,000
 workmen.                                                    notifications.
218.77--Protection of occupied      4 railroads...........  2,300 notifications.               4             153
 camp cars.
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    Total Estimated Responses: 3,602,300.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 120,153 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.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

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                                                                                   Average time
            CFR section               Respondent universe       Total annual       per response    Total annual
                                                                  responses          (minutes)     burden hours
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215.9--Movement of Defective Cars    718 railroads........  120,000 tags........               5          10,000
 for Repair--Tagging.
--Notifications of Removal of       718 railroads.........  60,000 notifications               2           2,000
 Defective Car Tags.
215.11--Designated Inspectors--     718 railroads.........  45,000 records......               1             750
 Records.
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    Respondent Universe: 718 railroads.
    Total Estimated Responses: 225,000.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 12,750 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 March 18, 2009.
Kimberly Orben,
Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-6396 Filed 3-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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