71 FR 116 pgs. 34990-34992 - Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Type: NOTICEVolume: 71Number: 116Pages: 34990 - 34992
FR document: [FR Doc. E6-9402 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Railroad Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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 August 15, 2006.
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 25, Washington, DC 20590, or Mr. Victor Angelo, Office of Support Systems, 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______." Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6230 or (202) 493-6170, or e-mail to Mr. Brogan at robert.brogan@dot.gov , or to Mr. Angelo at victor.angelo@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 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Victor Angelo, Office of Support Systems, RAD-43, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6470). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 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 the three currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:
Title: State Safety Participation Regulations and Remedial Actions.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0509.
Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR part 212, and requires qualified state inspectors to provide various reports to FRA for monitoring and enforcement purposes concerning state investigative, inspection, and surveillance activities regarding railroad compliance with Federal railroad safety laws and regulations. Additionally, railroads are required to report to FRA actions taken to remedy certain alleged violations of law.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.33/61/67/96/96A/109/110/111/112.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: States and Railroads.
Reporting Burden:
| CFR Section | Respondent universe | Total annual responses | Average time per response (hours) | Total annual burden hours | Total annual burden cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application For Participation | 15 States | 15 updates | 2.5 | 38 | $1,748 |
| Training Funding Agreement | 30 States | 30 agreements | 1 | 30 | 1,380 |
| Inspector Training Reimbursement | 30 States | 300 vouchers | 1 | 300 | 12,600 |
| Annual Work Plan | 30 States | 30 reports | 15 | 450 | 20,700 |
| Inspection Form (Form FRA F 6180.96) | 30 States | 18,000 forms | 0.25 | 4,500 | 189,000 |
| Violation Report-Motive, Power, and Equipment Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.109) | 19 States | 200 reports | 4 | 800 | 33,600 |
| Violation Report-Operating Practices Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.67) | 13 States | 40 reports | 4 | 160 | 6,720 |
| Violation Report-Hazardous Materials Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.110) | 14 States | 100 reports | 4 | 400 | 16,800 |
| Violation Report- Hours of Service Law (F 6180.33) | 13 States | 21 reports | 4 | 84 | 3,528 |
| Violation Report-Accident/Incident Reporting Rules (Form FRA F 6180.61) | 17 States | 10 reports | 4 | 40 | 1,680 |
| Violation Report-Track Safety Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.111) | 17 States | 158 reports | 4 | 632 | 26,544 |
| Violation Report-Signal and Train Control Regulations (Form FRA F 6180.112) | 17 States | 100 reports | 4 | 400 | 16,800 |
| Remedial Actions Reports | 573 Railroads | 5,048 reports | 0.25 | 1,262 | 80,768 |
| Violation Report Challenge | 573 Railroads | 1,010 challenges | 1 | 1,010 | 64,640 |
| Delayed Reports | 573 Railroads | 505 reports | 0.5 | 253 | 16,192 |
Total Responses: 25,567.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 10,359 hours.
Status: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Title: Certification of Glazing Materials.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0525.
Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR part 223, which requires the certification and permanent marking of glazing materials by the manufacturer. The manufacturer is also responsible for making available test verification data to railroads and FRA upon request.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 5 Manufacturers.
Reporting Burden:
| CFR Section | Respondent universe | Total annual responses | Average time per response (hours) | Total annual burden hours | Total annual burden cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 223.17-Identification of Equipped Locomotives, Passenger Cars, and Cabooses-Stenciling | 4 Manufacturers | 200 stencilings | 0.25 | 50 | $1,500 |
| 223.17-Appendix A-Requests for Glazing Certification Information | 5 Manufacturers | 10 requests | 0.25 | 3 | 90 |
| -Material Identification: Marked Units of Glazing | 5 Manufacturers | 25,000 pieces | 0.002 | 52 | 1,560 |
| -New Manufacturers: Testing and Verification Data | 5 Manufacturers | 1 Test | 14 | 14 |
Total Responses: 25,211.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 119 hours.
Status: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Title: Hours of Service Regulations.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0005.
Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad hours of service regulations set forth in 49 CFR part 228 which require railroads to collect the hours of duty for covered employees, and records of train movements. Railroads whose employees have exceeded maximum duty limitations must report the circumstances. Also, a railroad that has developed plans for construction or reconstruction of sleeping quarters (subpart C of 49 CFR part 228) must obtain approval of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by filing a petition conforming to the requirements of sections 228.101, 228.103, and 228.105.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.3.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 687 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
| CFR Section | Respondent universe | Total annual responses | Average time per response (hours) | Total annual burden hours | Total annual burden cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228.11-Hours of Duty Records | 632 railroads | 27,375,000 recds. | 0.033/0.167 | 2,962,500 | $103,687,500 |
| 228.17-Dispatchers of Train Movements | 150 Dispatch Offices | 54,750 records | 6 | 328,500 | 11,497,500 |
| 228.19-Monthly Reports of Excess Service | 300 railroads | 1,800 reports | 2 | 3,600 | 126,000 |
| 228.103-Construction of Employee Sleeping Quarters | 632 railroads | 1 petition | 16 | 16 | 560 |
| 45 U.S.C. 61-641-Hours of Service Act | 15 railroads | 12 petitions | 10 | 120 | 4,200 |
Total Responses: 27,431,563.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,294,736 hours.
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 June 12, 2006.
D.J. Stadlter,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-9402 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P