[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 194 (Monday, October 7, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53556-53558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21814]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2019-0004-N-16]


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. 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

[[Page 53557]]

implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information 
Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below. Before submitting these 
ICRs to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is 
soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities 
identified below.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
December 6, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the ICRs activities by mail to 
either: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory Analysis Division, Federal 
Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590; or Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Office of Information Technology, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, 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-XXXX,'' (the relevant OMB control number for each ICR is 
listed below) and should also include the title of the ICR. 
Alternatively, comments may be faxed to 202-493-6216 or 202-493-6497, 
or emailed to Ms. Wells at hodan.wells@dot.gov, or Ms. Toone at 
kim.toone@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: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory 
Analysis Division, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-0440) or Ms. Kim 
Toone, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Information 
Technology, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6132).

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 ICRs 
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, 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 summaries below describe the ICRs that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Remotely Controlled Switch Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0516.
    Abstract: Sections 49 CFR 218.30 and 218.77 require remotely 
controlled switches be properly lined to protect workers who are 
vulnerable to being struck by moving cars as they inspect or service 
rolling equipment on track or occupy camp cars. Creating required 
notifications promotes safety by minimizing the mental lapses of 
workers who are simultaneously handling several tasks. These sections 
require the operator of remotely controlled switches to maintain a 
record of each blue signal protection request 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 and State inspectors monitoring regulatory 
compliance.
    Type of Request: Extension with change (revised estimates) of a 
currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 53 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Average time
         CFR Section              Respondent       Total annual    per responses   Total annual     Total cost
                                   universe         responses        (minutes)     burden hours   equivalent \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
218.30(c)--Remotely            53 railroads....  1,934,500            45 seconds          24,181      $1,378,317
 controlled switches-                             notifications.
 notification recordkeeping
 requirement (Blue Signal
 Protection of Workers).
218.77(c)--Remotely            1 railroad......  150                  45 seconds               2            $114
 controlled switches-                             notifications.
 notification recordkeeping
 requirement (Protection of
 Occupied Camp Cars).
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
    Total....................  53 railroads....  1,934,650                   N/A          24,183      $1,378,431
                                                  responses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Throughout the tables in this document, the dollar equivalent cost is derived from the Surface
  Transportation Board's Full Year Wage A&B data series using the appropriate employee group hourly wage rate
  that includes 75-percent overhead charges.

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 1,934,650.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 24,183 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$1,378,431.
    Title: Bad Order, Home Shop Card, and Stenciling Reporting Mark.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0519.
    Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 215, railroads are required to inspect 
freight cars placed in service and take remedial action when defects 
are identified. A railroad freight car with a part 215 defect may be 
moved to another location for repair only after the railroad has 
complied with the process under 49 CFR 215.9. Section 215.9 requires

[[Page 53558]]

railroads to 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 it can be readily identified and moved to 
another location for repair purposes only, and so that the maximum 
speed and other restrictions necessary for safely conducting the 
movement are known. At the repair location, the ``bad order'' tag 
serves as a notification of the defective condition of the freight car. 
Railroads must retain each tag for 90 days to verify that proper 
repairs were made at the designated location. When inspecting a freight 
car, FRA and State inspectors review all pertinent records to determine 
railroads' compliance with the movement restrictions of 49 CFR 215.9.
    Additionally, section 215.301 requires railroads and private car 
owners to stencil or otherwise display identification marks on freight 
cars. FRA uses the identification marks to determine the railroads 
affected, the number and type of cars involved, the commodities being 
carried, and the territorial and speed limits within which the cars 
will be operated. FRA reviews this information to determine if the 
freight car is safe to operate and if the operation qualifies for 
dedicated service and is excluded from the requirements of part 215. 
Railroads use the required information to provide identification and 
control so that dedicated cars remain in the prescribed service.
    Type of Request: Extension with change (revised estimates) of a 
currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 752 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Average time
         CFR Section              Respondent       Total annual    per responses   Total annual     Total cost
                                   universe         responses        (minutes)     burden hours     equivalent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
215.9(a)--Movement of          752 railroads...  150,000 tags...               5          12,500        $715,000
 Defective Cars for Repair--
 Tagging.
215.9(b)--Notifications of     752 railroads...  75,000                        2           2,500         143,000
 Removal of Defective Car                         notifications.
 Tags.
215.11(c)--Designated          752 railroads...  45,000 records.               1             750          42,900
 Inspectors--Records.
215.301--Stenciling--General.  752 railroads...  30,000                       45          22,500       1,287,000
                                                  repainted/
                                                  stenciled.
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
    Total....................  752 railroads...  300,000                     N/A         38,2500       2,187,900
                                                  responses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 300,000.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 38,250 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$2,187,900.
    Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0535.
    Abstract: Subpart B of 49 CFR part 214 establishes minimum 
workplace safety standards for railroad employees as they apply to 
railroad bridges. Specifically, 49 CFR 214.105(c) establishes standards 
and practices for safety net systems. Safety nets and net installations 
must be drop-tested at the job site after initial installation and 
before being used as a fall-protection system, after major repairs, and 
at 6-month intervals if left at one site. If a drop-test is not 
feasible and is not performed, then the railroad or railroad 
contractor, or a designated certified person, must provide written 
certification the net complies with the safety standards of 49 CFR 
214.105. FRA and State inspectors use the information to enforce 
Federal regulations. The information maintained at the job site 
promotes safe bridge worker practices.
    Type of Request: Extension with change (revised estimates) of a 
currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses (railroads).
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 746 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Average time
         CFR Section              Respondent       Total annual    per responses   Total annual     Total cost
                                   universe         responses        (minutes)     burden hours     equivalent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
214.105(c)(4)-- Fall           746 railroads...  3 written                     5         .25 (15             $19
 protection systems standards                     certification                         minutes)
 and practices- Safety net                        records.
 systems certification
 records.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 3.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 15 minutes.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $19.
    Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b) and 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.

Brett A. Jortland,
Acting Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2019-21814 Filed 10-4-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


