Document ID: FRA-2022-0002-0007
Agency: fra
Document Type: Notice
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Posted Date: 2022-04-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 82 (Thursday, April 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25346-25351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09142]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2022-0002-N-7]

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 will seek approval of the Information 
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted 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 
June 27, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR 
should be submitted on regulations.gov to the docket, Docket No. FRA-
2022-0002. All comments received will be posted without change to the 
docket, including any personal information provided. 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:  Ms. Hodan Wells, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (202) 493-0440, or Ms. Stephanie Anderson, Attorney Adviser, 
at email: [email protected] or telephone: (202) 493-0445.

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 1320.8-1320.12. 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 statutes and regulations mandate. In summary, 
FRA reasons that 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: Positive Train Control (PTC) and Other Signal Systems.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0553.
    Abstract: On November 15, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed 
into law the Infrastructure Investment and

[[Page 25347]]

Jobs Act (IIJA).\1\ Section 22414 of the Passenger Rail Expansion and 
Rail Safety Act of 2021, part of the IIJA, impacts FRA's existing Form 
FRA F 6180.152, the Biannual Report of PTC System Performance, which is 
one part of the existing information collection request under OMB 
Control No. 2130-0553. Section 22414 of the IIJA establishes the same 
reporting requirement as FRA's existing regulations, using the same FRA 
form number (Form FRA F 6180.152) and content requirements. 49 U.S.C. 
20157(m); 49 CFR 236.1029(h). However, the statutory reporting cadence 
is quarterly, not biannual as FRA's regulations currently require.
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    \1\ Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 
135 Stat. 429 (Nov. 15, 2021). The IIJA was funded in relevant part 
by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, which was signed 
into law on March 15, 2022.
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    During a recent rulemaking, FRA collected public comment on this 
reporting requirement. See 85 FR 82400 (Dec. 18, 2020) (Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking); 86 FR 40154 (July 27, 2021) (Final Rule) 
(amending 49 CFR 236.1029(h) and creating Form FRA F 6180.152). During 
the comment period, FRA received seven sets of generally supportive 
comments from the following entities and individuals: The American 
Public Transportation Association; the Association of American 
Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association 
(jointly filed); the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak); 
New Jersey Transit; and two individuals.
    Feedback from the public and industry has already been incorporated 
into the existing Form FRA F 6180.152 that OMB approved in October 
2021. See 49 CFR 236.1029(h). The substance of the form remains 
unchanged in light of the statutory requirements IIJA imposes, as the 
content required by FRA's existing regulations and Section 22414 of the 
IIJA are identical in substance. To implement Section 22414 of the 
IIJA, as codified at 49 U.S.C. 20157(m), the existing OMB-approved Form 
FRA F 6180.152 would need to be modified only to refer to the new 
quarterly reporting frequency.
    Accordingly, FRA is hereby proposing to modify Form FRA F 6180.152 
to align with the statutory quarterly framework under 49 U.S.C. 
20157(m). The modified form would refer to the following quarterly 
reporting deadlines under 49 U.S.C. 20157(m)(3): April 30 (covering the 
period from January 1 to March 31), July 31 (covering the period from 
April 1 to June 30), October 31 (covering the period from July 1 to 
September 30), and January 31 (covering the period from October 1 to 
December 31 of the prior calendar year). See 49 U.S.C. 20157(m)(3). To 
be clear, in the interim, before OMB approves these statutory 
modifications to Form FRA F 6180.152, host railroads would continue to 
comply with the following biannual reporting deadlines for Form FRA F 
6180.152 under FRA's existing regulations, 49 CFR 236.1029(h)(3): July 
31 (covering the period from January 1 to June 30), and January 31 
(covering the period from July 1 to December 31 of the prior calendar 
year). Railroads would transition to the quarterly frequency once OMB 
approves the modified Form FRA F 6180.152.
    The only other modification FRA proposes to make to Form FRA F 
6180.152 is to lock the formatting of instructions and headings in the 
form so users cannot manipulate those components of the form. FRA is 
placing the proposed, modified Form FRA F 6180.152 in Docket No. FRA-
2022-0002 for review and interested persons are invited to submit 
comments on or before June 27, 2022.
    For a detailed discussion regarding the reporting metrics in the 
proposed Quarterly Report of PTC System Performance (Form FRA F 
6180.152), please see FRA's Final Rule outlining the comments received 
and corresponding content requirements under 49 CFR 236.1029(h). See 86 
FR 40154, 40157-59, 40163-68 (July 27, 2021); see also 49 U.S.C. 
20157(m). FRA may not alter the existing reporting requirements in Form 
FRA F 6180.152 as they are now statutorily mandated. As a reminder, 
modified Form FRA F 6180.152 would be identical in substance to 
existing, OMB-approved Form FRA F 6180.152 (Biannual Report of PTC 
System Performance) that the public commented on during the 2020-2021 
PTC rulemaking. See 85 FR 82400 (Dec. 18, 2020) (Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking); 86 FR 40154 (July 27, 2021) (Final Rule). The only 
material changes to Form FRA F 6180.152 FRA is proposing are those 
necessary to shift from the biannual framework under FRA's regulations, 
49 CFR 236.1029(h), to the new quarterly framework under 49 U.S.C. 
20157(m)(3).
    Under the currently approved biannual framework, FRA estimated that 
each performance report (Form FRA F 6180.152), covering a six-month 
period, would take 48 hours to prepare. See 86 FR at 40169-71. Under 
the new statutory quarterly framework, FRA estimates that, on average, 
each report, covering a shorter period (three months), would take 32 
hours to prepare. This estimate is based on the fact that under the 
quarterly framework, the reporting period would be half as long and, 
correspondingly, it would take approximately half as long (i.e., 24 
hours) to compile the performance-related data for that period, plus an 
additional 8 hours to account for any additional administrative burdens 
in completing the form. Railroads will collect, analyze, and report 365 
days' worth of data about their PTC systems' performance under either 
reporting framework (biannual or quarterly), and FRA estimates that 
shifting the frequency from biannual (under the existing regulation) to 
quarterly (under the recent legislation) would result in an increase of 
73 reports per year and a burden increase of 1,168 hours total.
    In addition, FRA notes that the Statutory Notification of PTC 
System Failures (Form FRA F 6180.177) expired by law on December 31, 
2021, so FRA proposes to remove that form from this information 
collection request. See 49 U.S.C. 20157(j). That adjustment would 
result in a decrease of 144 reports per year and a burden decrease of 
144 hours. In summary, FRA proposes two changes to the PRA table--i.e., 
revising one line item (Form FRA F 6180.152) due to a program change 
and removing one line item (Form FRA F 6180.177) as it is no longer 
required by law and the burden associated with this requirement has 
been completed.
    Type of Request: Revision to a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.152.
    Respondent Universe: 742 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                                                                                           Total annual
       CFR section/subject \2\              Respondent universe        Total annual responses       Average time per       Total annual     dollar cost
                                                                                                        response           burden hours   equivalent \3\
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235.6(c)--Expedited application for    42 railroads.................  10 expedited              5 hours.................              50          $3,850
 approval of certain changes                                           applications.
 described in this section.
--Copy of expedited application to     42 railroads.................  10 copies...............  30 minutes..............               5             385
 labor union.

[[Page 25348]]

 
--Railroad letter rescinding its       42 railroads.................  1 letter................  6 hours.................               6             462
 request for expedited application of
 certain signal system changes.
--Revised application for certain      42 railroads.................  1 application...........  5 hours.................             0.5             385
 signal system changes.
--Copy of railroad revised             42 railroads.................  1 copy..................  30 minutes..............             0.5              39
 application to labor union.
236.1--Railroad-maintained signal      700 railroads................  25 plan changes.........  15 minutes..............            6.25             481
 plans at all interlockings,
 automatic signal locations, and
 controlled points, and updates to
 ensure accuracy.
236.15--Designation of automatic       700 railroads................  10 timetable              30 minutes..............               5             385
 block, traffic control, train stop,                                   instructions.
 train control, cab signal, and PTC
 territory in timetable instructions.
236.18--Software management control    2 railroads..................  2 plans.................  160 hours...............             320          24,640
 plan--New railroads.
236.23(e)--The names, indications,     700 railroads................  2 modifications.........  1 hour..................               2             154
 and aspects of roadway and cab
 signals shall be defined in the
 carrier's Operating Rule Book or
 Special Instructions. Modifications
 shall be filed with FRA within 30
 days after such modifications become
 effective.
236.587(d)--Certification and          742 railroads................  4,562,500 train           5 seconds...............        6,336.81         487,934
 departure test results.                                               departures.
236.905(a)--Railroad Safety Program    2 railroads..................  2 RSPPs.................  40 hours................              80           6,160
 Plan (RSPP)--New railroads.
236.913(a)--Filing and approval of a   742 railroads................  1 joint plan............  2,000 hours.............           2,000         240,000
 joint Product Safety Plan (PSP).
(c)(1)--Informational filing/petition  742 railroads................  0.5 filings/approval      50 hours................              25           1,925
 for special approval.                                                 petitions.
(c)(2)--Response to FRA's request for  742 railroads................  0.25 data calls/          5 hours.................            1.25              96
 further data after informational                                      documents.
 filing.
(d)(1)(ii)--Response to FRA's request  742 railroads................  0.25 data calls/          1 hour..................            0.25              19
 for further information within 15                                     documents.
 days after receipt of the Notice of
 Product Development (NOPD).
(d)(1)(iii)--Technical consultation    742 railroads................  0.25 technical            5 hours.................            1.25              96
 by FRA with the railroad on the                                       consultations.
 design and planned development of
 the product.
(d)(1)(v)--Railroad petition to FRA    742 railroads................  0.25 petitions..........  1 hour..................            0.25              19
 for final approval of NOPD.
(d)(2)(ii)--Response to FRA's request  742 railroads................  1 request...............  50 hours................              50           3,850
 for additional information
 associated with a petition for
 approval of PSP or PSP amendment.
(e)--Comments to FRA on railroad       742 railroads................  0.5 comments/letters....  10 hours................               5             385
 informational filing or special
 approval petition.
(h)(3)(i)--Railroad amendment to PSP.  742 railroads................  2 amendments............  20 hours................              40           3,080
(j)--Railroad field testing/           742 railroads................  1 field test document...  100 hours...............             100           7,700
 information filing document.
236.917(a)--Railroad retention of      13 railroads with PSP........  13 PSP safety results...  160 hours...............           2,080         160,160
 records: results of tests and
 inspections specified in the PSP.
(b)--Railroad report that frequency    13 railroads.................  1 report................  40 hours................              40           3,080
 of safety-relevant hazards exceeds
 threshold set forth in PSP.
(b)(3)--Railroad final report to FRA   13 railroads.................  1 report................  10 hours................              10             770
 on the results of the analysis and
 countermeasures taken to reduce the
 frequency of safety-relevant hazards.
236.919(a)--Railroad Operations and    13 railroads.................  1 OMM update............  40 hours................              40           3,080
 Maintenance Manual (OMM).
(b)--Plans for proper maintenance,     13 railroads.................  1 plan update...........  40 hours................              40           3,080
 repair, inspection, and testing of
 safety-critical products.
(c)--Documented hardware, software,    13 railroads.................  1 revision..............  40 hours................              40           3,080
 and firmware revisions in OMM.
236.921 and 923(a)--Railroad Training  13 railroads.................  1 program...............  40 hours................              40           3,080
 and Qualification Program.
236.923(b)--Training records retained  13 railroads.................  350 records.............  10 minutes..............           58.33           4,491
 in a designated location and
 available to FRA upon request.
236.1001(b)--A railroad's additional   38 railroads.................  1 rule or instruction...  40 hours................              40           4,800
 or more stringent rules than
 prescribed under 49 CFR part 236,
 subpart I.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1005(b)(4)(i)-(ii)--A railroad's                           The burden is accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1009(a) and 236.1021.
 submission of estimated traffic
 projections for the next 5 years, to
 support a request, in a PTC
 Implementation Plan (PTCIP) or a
 request for amendment (RFA), not to
 implement a PTC system based on
 reductions in rail traffic.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)(4)(iii)--A railroad's request for  7 Class I railroads..........  1 exception request.....  40 hours................              40           3,080
 a de minimis exception, in a PTCIP
 or an RFA, based on a minimal
 quantity of poisonous-by-inhalation
 materials traffic.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)(5)--A railroad's request to                                The burden is accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1009(a) and 236.1021.
 remove a line from its PTCIP based
 on the sale of the line to another
 railroad and any related request for
 FRA review from the acquiring
 railroad.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 25349]]

 
(g)(1)(i)--A railroad's request to     38 railroads.................  45 rerouting extension    8 hours.................             360          27,720
 temporarily reroute trains not                                        requests.
 equipped with a PTC system onto PTC-
 equipped tracks and vice versa
 during certain emergencies.
(g)(1)(ii)--A railroad's written or    38 railroads.................  45 written or telephonic  2 hours.................              90           6,930
 telephonic notice of the conditions                                   notices.
 necessitating emergency rerouting
 and other required information under
 236.1005(i).
(g)(2)--A railroad's temporary         38 railroads.................  720 requests............  8 hours.................           5,760         443,520
 rerouting request due to planned
 maintenance not exceeding 30 days.
(h)(1)--A response to any request for  38 railroads.................  10 requests.............  2 hours.................              20           1,540
 additional information from FRA,
 prior to commencing rerouting due to
 planned maintenance.
(h)(2)--A railroad's request to        38 railroads.................  160 requests............  8 hours.................           1,280          98,560
 temporarily reroute trains due to
 planned maintenance exceeding 30
 days.
236.1006(b)(4)(iii)(B)--A progress     262 railroads................  5 reports...............  16 hours................              80           6,160
 report due by December 31, 2020, and
 by December 31, 2022, from any Class
 II or III railroad utilizing a
 temporary exception under this
 section.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)(5)(vii)--A railroad's request to                            The burden is accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1015 and 236.1021.
 utilize different yard movement
 procedures, as part of a freight
 yard movements exception.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1007(b)(1)--For any high-speed                              The burden is accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1015 and 236.1021.
 service over 90 miles per hour
 (mph), a railroad's PTC Safety Plan
 (PTCSP) must additionally establish
 that the PTC system was designed and
 will be operated to meet the fail-
 safe operation criteria in appendix
 C.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)--An HSR-125 document accompanying  38 railroads.................  1 HSR-125 document......  3,200 hours.............           3,200         384,000
 a host railroad's PTCSP, for
 operations over 125 mph.
(c)(1)--A railroad's request for       38 railroads.................  0.33 requests...........  8,000 hours.............           2,640         203,280
 approval to use foreign service
 data, prior to submission of a PTCSP.
(d)--A railroad's request in a PTCSP   38 railroads.................  1 request...............  1,000 hours.............           1,000         120,000
 that FRA excuse compliance with one
 or more of this section's
 requirements.
236.1009(a)(2)--A PTCIP if a railroad  264 railroads................  1 PTCIP.................  535 hours...............             535          64,200
 becomes a host railroad of a main
 line requiring the implementation of
 a PTC system, including the
 information under 49 U.S.C.
 20157(a)(2) and 49 CFR 236.1011.
(a)(3)--Any new PTCIPs jointly filed   264 railroads................  1 joint PTCIP...........  267 hours...............             267          32,040
 by a host railroad and a tenant
 railroad.
(b)(1)--A host railroad's submission,  264 railroads................  1 document..............  8 hours.................               8             616
 individually or jointly with a
 tenant railroad or PTC system
 supplier, of an unmodified Type
 Approval.
(b)(2)--A host railroad's submission   264 railroads................  1 PTCDP.................  2,000 hours.............           2,000         154,000
 of a PTC Development Plan (PTCDP)
 with the information required under
 49 CFR 236.1013, requesting a Type
 Approval for a PTC system that
 either does not have a Type Approval
 or has a Type Approval that requires
 one or more variances.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d)--A host railroad's submission of                                  The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1015.
 a PTCSP.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(e)(3)--Any request for full or        38 railroads.................  10 confidentiality        8 hours.................              80           6,160
 partial confidentiality of a PTCIP,                                   requests.
 Notice of Product Intent (NPI),
 PTCDP, or PTCSP.
(h)--Any responses or documents        38 railroads.................  36 interviews and         4 hours.................             144          11,088
 submitted in connection with FRA's                                    documents.
 use of its authority to monitor,
 test, and inspect processes,
 procedures, facilities, documents,
 records, design and testing
 materials, artifacts, training
 materials and programs, and any
 other information used in the
 design, development, manufacture,
 test, implementation, and operation
 of the PTC system, including
 interviews with railroad personnel.
(j)(2)(iii)--Any additional            38 railroads.................  1 set of additional       400 hours...............             400          30,800
 information provided in response to                                   information.
 FRA's consultations or inquiries
 about a PTCDP or PTCSP.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1011(a)-(b)--PTCIP content                            The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1009(a) and (e) and 236.1021.
 requirements.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(e)--Any public comment on PTCIPs,     38 railroads.................  2 public comments.......  8 hours.................              16           1,232
 NPIs, PTCDPs, and PTCSPs.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1013--PTCDP and NPI content                        The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1009(b), (c), and (e) and 236.1021.
 requirements.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1015--Any new host railroad's      264 railroads................  1 PTCSP.................  8,000 hours.............           8,000         616,000
 PTCSP meeting all content
 requirements under 49 CFR 236.1015.

[[Page 25350]]

 
(g)--A PTCSP for a PTC system          38 railroads.................  0.33 PTCSPs.............  3,200 hours.............           1,056          81,312
 replacing an existing certified PTC
 system.
(h)--A quantitative risk assessment,   38 railroads.................  0.33 assessments........  800 hours...............             264          20,328
 if FRA requires one to be submitted.
236.1017(a)--An independent third-     38 railroads.................  0.33 assessments........  1,600 hours.............             528          63,360
 party assessment, if FRA requires
 one to be conducted and submitted.
(b)--A railroad's written request to   38 railroads.................  0.33 written requests...  8 hours.................            2.64             203
 confirm whether a specific entity
 qualifies as an independent third
 party.
--Further information provided to FRA  38 railroads.................  0.33 sets of additional   20 hours................             6.6             508
 upon request.                                                         information.
(d)--A request not to provide certain  38 railroads.................  0.33 requests...........  20 hours................             6.6             508
 documents otherwise required under
 Appendix F for an independent, third-
 party assessment.
(e)--A request for FRA to accept       38 railroads.................  0.33 requests...........  32 hours................           10.56             813
 information certified by a foreign
 regulatory entity for purposes of 49
 CFR 236.1017 and/or 236.1009(i).
236.1019(b)--A request for a           38 railroads.................  1 MTEA..................  160 hours...............             160          12,320
 passenger terminal main line track
 exception (MTEA).
(c)(1)--A request for a limited        38 railroads.................  1 request and/or plan...  160 hours...............             160          12,320
 operations exception (based on
 restricted speed, temporal
 separation, or a risk mitigation
 plan).
(c)(2)--A request for a limited        10 railroads.................  1 request...............  160 hours...............             160          12,320
 operations exception for a non-Class
 I, freight railroad's track.
(c)(3)--A request for a limited        7 railroads..................  1 request...............  160 hours...............             160          12,320
 operations exception for a Class I
 railroad's track.
(d)--A railroad's collision hazard     38 railroads.................  0.33 collision hazard     50 hours................            16.5           1,271
 analysis in support of an MTEA, if                                    analysis.
 FRA requires one to be conducted and
 submitted.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(e)--Any temporal separation                                       The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1019(c)(1).
 procedures utilized under the 49 CFR
 236.1019(c)(1)(ii) exception.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1021(a)-(d)--Any RFA to a          38 railroads.................  10 RFAs.................  160 hours...............           1,600         123,200
 railroad's PTCIP or PTCDP.
(e)--Any public comments, if an RFA    5 interested parties.........  10 RFA public comments..  16 hours................             160          12,320
 includes a request for approval of a
 discontinuance or material
 modification of a signal or train
 control system and a Federal
 Register notice is published.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(l)--Any jointly filed RFA to a PTCDP                         The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1021(a)-(d) and (m).
 or PTCSP.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(m)--Any RFA to a railroad's PTCSP...  38 railroads.................  15 RFAs.................  80 hours................           1,200          92,400
236.1023(a)--A railroad's PTC Product  38 railroads.................  2 updated lists.........  8 hours.................              16           1,232
 Vendor List, which must be
 continually updated.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)(1)--All contractual arrangements                           The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1015 and 236.1021.
 between a railroad and its hardware
 and software suppliers or vendors
 for certain immediate notifications.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)(2)-(3)--A vendor's or supplier's   10 vendors or suppliers......  10 notifications........  8 hours.................              80           6,160
 notification, upon receipt of a
 report of any safety-critical
 failure of its product, to any
 railroads using the product.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c)(1)-(2)--A railroad's process and                           The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1015 and 236.1021.
 procedures for taking action upon
 being notified of a safety-critical
 failure or a safety-critical
 upgrade, patch, revision, repair,
 replacement, or modification, and a
 railroad's configuration/revision
 control measures, set forth in its
 PTCSP.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d)--A railroad's submission, to the   38 railroads.................  2.5 notifications.......  16 hours................              40           3,080
 applicable vendor or supplier, of
 the railroad's procedures for action
 upon notification of a safety-
 critical failure, upgrade, patch, or
 revision to the PTC system and
 actions to be taken until it is
 adjusted, repaired, or replaced.
(e)--A railroad's database of all      38 railroads.................  38 database updates.....  16 hours................             608          46,816
 safety-relevant hazards, which must
 be maintained after the PTC system
 is placed in service.
(e)(1)--A railroad's notification to   38 railroads.................  8 notifications.........  8 hours.................              64           4,928
 the vendor or supplier and FRA if
 the frequency of a safety-relevant
 hazard exceeds the threshold set
 forth in the PTCDP and PTCSP, and
 about the failure, malfunction, or
 defective condition that decreased
 or eliminated the safety
 functionality.
(e)(2)--Continual updates about any    38 railroads.................  1 update................  8 hours.................               8             616
 and all subsequent failures.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 25351]]

 
(f)--Any notifications that must be                          The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1023(e), (g), and (h).
 submitted to FRA under 49 CFR
 236.1023.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(g)--A railroad's and vendor's or      38 railroads.................  0.5 reports.............  40 hours................              20           1,540
 supplier's report, upon FRA request,
 about an investigation of an
 accident or service difficulty due
 to a manufacturing or design defect
 and their corrective actions.
(h)--A PTC system vendor's or          10 vendors or suppliers......  20 reports..............  8 hours.................             160          12,320
 supplier's reports of any safety-
 relevant failures, defective
 conditions, previously unidentified
 hazards, recommended mitigation
 actions, and any affected railroads.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(k)--A report of a failure of a PTC                The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1023(e), (g), and (h) and 49 CFR part 233.
 system resulting in a more favorable
 aspect than intended or other
 condition hazardous to the movement
 of a train, including the reports
 required under part 233.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1029(b)(4)--A report of an en      150 host and tenant railroads  1,000 reports...........  30 minutes..............             500          38,500
 route failure, other failure, or cut
 out to a designated railroad officer
 of the host railroad.
Form FRA F 6180.152--49 U.S.C.         38 railroads.................  146 reports.............  32 hours................           4,672         359,744
 20157(m) and 49 CFR 236.1029(h)--
 Quarterly Report of PTC System
 Performance (*Revised requirement
 and updated form*).
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1033--Communications and security                          The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1009 and 236.1015.
 requirements.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1035(a)-(b)--A railroad's request  38 railroads.................  10 requests.............  40 hours................             400          30,800
 for authorization to field test an
 uncertified PTC system and any
 responses to FRA's testing
 conditions.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236.1037(a)(1)-(2)--Records retention                          The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1009 and 236.1015.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)(3)-(4)--Records retention........                         The burdens are accounted for under 49 CFR 236.1039 and 236.1043(b).
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)--Results of inspections and tests  38 railroads.................  800 records.............  1 hour..................             800          61,600
 specified in a railroad's PTCSP and
 PTCDP.
(c)--A contractor's records related    20 contractors...............  1,600 records...........  10 minutes..............          266.67          20,534
 to the testing, maintenance, or
 operation of a PTC system maintained
 at a designated office.
(d)(3)--A railroad's final report of   38 railroads.................  8 final reports.........  160 hours...............           1,280          98,560
 the results of the analysis and
 countermeasures taken to reduce the
 frequency of safety-related hazards
 below the threshold set forth in the
 PTCSP.
236.1039(a)-(c), (e)--A railroad's     38 railroads.................  2 OMM updates...........  10 hours................              20           1,540
 PTC OMM, which must be maintained
 and available to FRA upon request.
(d)--A railroad's identification of a  38 railroads.................  1 identified new          1 hour..................               1              77
 PTC system's safety-critical                                          component.
 components, including spare
 equipment.
236.1041(a)-(b) and 236.1043(a)--A     38 railroads.................  2 programs..............  10 hours................              20           1,540
 railroad's PTC Training and
 Qualification Program (i.e., a
 written plan).
236.1043(b)--Training records          150 host and tenant railroads  150 PTC training record   1 hour..................             150          11,550
 retained in a designated location                                     databases.
 and available to FRA upon request.
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total........................  N/A..........................  4,567,826 responses.....  N/A.....................          51,993       4,329,155
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4,567,826.
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    \2\ The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 50,969 
hours and 4,567,897 responses, while the total burden in this notice 
is 51,993 hours and 4,567,826 responses. The change in burden is due 
both to a program change (an increase) and one adjustment (a 
decrease) as described above in the abstract section.
    \3\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the 2019 STB Full 
Year Wage A&B data series using the appropriate employee group 
hourly wage rate that includes a 75-percent overhead charge. For 
Executives, Officials, and Staff Assistants, this cost amounts to 
$120 per hour. For Professional/Administrative staff, this cost 
amounts to $77 per hour.
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    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 51,993 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$4,329,155.
    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; 49 U.S.C. 20157.

Brett A. Jortland,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2022-09142 Filed 4-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P