Document ID: FRA-2007-0016-0001
Agency: fra
Document Type: Rule
Title: Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Posted Date: 2007-11-19T05:00Z

[Federal Register: November 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 222)]
[Notices]               
[Page 65128-65131]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19no07-120]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

 
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 approval of the following 
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 January 18, 2008.

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. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff, RAD-
43, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., 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 2130-0557, 
OMB control number 2130-0564, or OMB control number 2130-0565.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6230 or (202) 493-6170, or via E-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
robert.brogan@dot.gov, or to Ms. Christodoulou at 
gina.christodoulou@dot.gov. Please refer to the assigned OMB control 
number or collection title 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 Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems Staff, 
RAD-43, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail 
Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6139). (These 
telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 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 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

[[Page 65129]]

information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
    Below is a brief summary of current information collection 
activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under 
the PRA:
    Title: Safety Integration Plans.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0557.
    Abstract: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Surface 
Transportation Board (STB), working in conjunction with each other, 
have issued joint final rules establishing procedures for the 
development and implementation of safety integration plans (``SIPs'' or 
``plans'') by a Class I railroad proposing to engage in certain 
specified merger, consolidation, or acquisition of control transactions 
with another Class I railroad, or a Class II railroad with which it 
proposes to amalgamate operations. The scope of the transactions 
covered under the two rules is the same. FRA uses the information 
collected, notably the required SIPs, to maintain and promote a safe 
rail environment by ensuring that affected railroads (Class Is and some 
Class IIs) address critical safety issues unique to the amalgamation of 
large, complex railroad operations.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Respondent Universe: Class I Railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Average time per      Total annual  burden    Total annual
              CFR section                 Respondent  universe   Total annual  responses         response                  hours            burden cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
244.13--Safety Integration Plans:
    Amalgamation of Operations--SIP     8 railroads............  1 plan.................  340 hours.............  340 hours.............         $24,016
     Development & Quarterly Meetings.
244.17--Procedures....................  8 railroads............  25 reports.............  40 hours/2 hours......  88 hours..............           5,632
--Responses to FRA Inquiries Re: SIP    8 railroads............  6 responses............  8 hours...............  48 hours..............           3,072
 data.
--Coordination in Implementing          8 railroads............  25 phone calls.........  10 minutes............  4 hours...............             256
 Approved SIP.
--Request for Confidential Treatment..  8 railroads............  1 request..............  16 hours..............  16 hours..............           2,512
244.19--Disposition:
    --Comments on Proposed SIP          8 railroads............  2 reports..............  16 hours..............  32 hours..............           2,048
     Amendments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Responses: 60.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 528 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Locomotive Crashworthiness.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0564.
    Abstract: In a final rule published June 28, 2006, the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) issued comprehensive standards for 
locomotive crashworthiness. These crashworthiness standards are 
intended to help protect locomotive cab occupants in the event of a 
locomotive collision. The collection of information is used by FRA to 
ensure that locomotive manufacturers and railroads meet minimum 
performance standards and design load requirements for newly 
manufactured and re-manufactured locomotives in order to help protect 
locomotive cab occupants in the event that one of these covered 
locomotives collides with another locomotive, the rear of another 
train, a piece of on-track equipment, a shifted load on a freight car 
on an adjacent parallel track, or a highway vehicle at a rail-highway 
grade crossing.
    Form Number(s): N/A.
    Affected Public: Railroads.
    Respondent Universe: 685 Railroads/4 Locomotive Manufacturers.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

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                                                                             Total annual        Average time per    Total annual burden   Total annual
            CFR section                     Respondent universe               responses              response               hours           burden cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.207--Petition for FRA Approval  685 Railroads + 4 Loco.             2 petitions..........  1,050 hours.........  2,100 hours........          $4,000
 of New Locomotive Crashworthiness   Manufacturers.
 Standards.
--Subsequent Years--Petitions.....  685 Railroads + 4 Loco.             1 petition...........  1,050 hours.........  1,050 hours........           2,000
                                     Manufacturers.
--Petition for FRA Approval of      685 Railroads + 4 Loco.             2 petitions..........  1,050 hours.........  2,100 hours........         254,000
 Substantive Change to FRA-          Manufacturers.
 Approved Crashworthiness Design
 Standard.
--Petition for FRA Approval of Non- 685 Railroads + 4 Loco.             4 petitions..........  400 hours...........  1,600 hours........         183,000
 Substantive Change to FRA-          Manufacturers.
 Approved Crashworthiness Design
 Standard.
229.109--Petition for FRA Approval  685 Railroads + 4 Loco.             1 petition...........  2,550 hours.........  2,550 hours........           2,000
 of Alternative Locomotive           Manufacturers.
 Crashworthiness Design Standard.
229.211--Comments on FRA Notice of  4 Loco. Manuf./RR Association/      10 comments..........  16 hours............  160 hours..........           6,400
 Petitions Received by Agency.       Labor Organizations/Public.
--Agency Request for Additional     685 Railroads/4 Loco. Manuf./Other  4 hearings (16         24 hours............  96 hours...........           3,840
 Information Concerning Petitions:   Interested Parties/Public.          comments).
 Hearings.
229.213--Locomotive Manufacturing   685 Railroads.....................  700 records or         6 minutes...........  70 hours...........           2,800
 Information: Retention of                                               stickers or badge
 Required Info.                                                          plates.
229.215--Retention of Records--     4 Loco. Manuf.....................  24 loco. rcds........  8 hours.............  192 hours..........           7,680
 Original Designs.

[[Page 65130]]

--Retention of Records--Repairs     685 Railroads.....................  6 records............  4 hours.............  24 hours...........             960
 and Modifications.
--Inspection of Records...........   6 Loco. Manuf./Rebuilders........  10 records...........  2 minutes...........  .33 hour...........              13
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    Total Responses: 764.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 9,942 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Title: Safety Appliance Concern Recommendation Report; Guidance 
Checklist Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0565.
    Abstract: In an ongoing effort to conduct more thorough and more 
effective inspections of railroad freight equipment and to further 
enhance safe rail operations, FRA has developed a safety concern 
recommendation report form, and a group of guidance checklist forms 
that facilitate railroad, rail car owner, and rail equipment 
manufacturer compliance with agency Railroad Safety Appliance Standards 
regulations. In lieu of completing an official inspection report (Form 
FRA F 6180.96), which takes subject railroad equipment out of service 
and disrupts rail operations, Form FRA F 6180.4a enables Federal and 
State safety inspectors to report to agency headquarters systemic or 
other safety concerns. FRA headquarters safety specialists can then 
contact railroads, car owners, and equipment manufacturers to address 
the reported issue(s) and institute necessary corrective action(s) in a 
timely fashion without unnecessarily having to take affected rail 
equipment out of service, unless deemed defective. Forms FRA F 
6180.4(b)-(m) are used in conjunction with the Special Inspection of 
Safety Appliance Equipment form (Form FRA F 6180.4) to assist Federal 
Motive, Power, and Equipment (MP&E) field inspectors in ensuring that 
critical sections of 49 CFR part 231 (Railroad Safety Appliance 
Standards), pertaining to various types of freight equipment, are 
complied with through use of a check-off list. By simplifying their 
demanding work, check-off lists for 12 essential sections of part 231 
ensure that FRA MP&E field personnel completely and thoroughly inspect 
each type of freight car for compliance with its corresponding section 
in part 231. The Guidance Checklist forms may later be used by state 
field inspectors as well. FRA believes that this collection of 
information will result in improved construction of newly designed 
freight cars and improved field inspections of all freight cars 
currently in use. This, in turn, will serve to reduce the number of 
accidents/incidents and corresponding injuries and fatalities that 
occur every year due to unsafe or defective equipment that was not 
promptly repaired/replaced.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.4(a)-(m).
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                   Total annual    Average time    Total annual
           Form No.                Respondent        responses     per response    burden hours    Total annual
                                    universe          (forms)        (minutes)        (hours)       burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FRA F 6180.4a--MP&E Safety      100 Fed'l &                   50              60              50          $2,450
 Concern and Recommendation      State
 Report.                         Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4b--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                   20              60              20             980
 231.1.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4--Check List Sec.   100 Fed'l &                   20              60              20             980
 231.2.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4d--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                   10              60              10             490
 231.3.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4e--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                    5              60               5             245
 231.4.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4f--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                    5              60               5             245
 231.5.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4g--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                   30              60              30           1,470
 231.6.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4h--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                    5              60               5             245
 231.7.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4i--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                    5              60               5             245
 231.8.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4j--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                    5              60               5             245
 231.9.                          State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4k--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                   50              60              50           2,450
 231.21.                         State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4l--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                   25              60              25           1,225
 231.27.                         State
                                 Inspectors.
FRA F 6180.4m--Check List Sec.  100 Fed'l &                   10              60              10             490
 231.28.                         State
                                 Inspectors.
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    Respondent Universe: Federal and State Safety Inspectors.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 240 Forms.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 240 hours.
    Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    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.

[[Page 65131]]

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2007.
D.J. Stadtler,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-22593 Filed 11-16-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P