[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70264-70265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27462]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2019-0004-N-22]


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 
implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding 
the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs 
describe the information collections and their expected burden. On 
October 7, 2019, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for 
public comment on the ICRs.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the ICRs to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer. 
Comments may also be sent via email to OMB at the following address: 
oira_submissions@omb.eop.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, 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 
issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection 
activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. See 44 U.S.C. 
3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On October 7, 2019, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public 
comment on the ICRs for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 84 FR 
53556. FRA has received no comments in response to this notice.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30-days' notice for public comment. 
Federal law requires OMB to approve or disapprove paperwork packages 
between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 
1995. OMB believes the 30-day notice informs the regulated community to 
file relevant comments and affords the agency adequate time to digest 
public comments before it renders a decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 
1995. Therefore, respondents should submit their respective comments to 
OMB within 30 days of publication to best ensure having their full 
effect.
    Comments are invited on the following ICRs regarding: (1) Whether 
the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly 
execute its functions, including whether the information 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 to minimize the burden of information 
collection activities on the public, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    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.
    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 
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 \1\ 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

[[Page 70265]]

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.
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    \1\ Burdens associated with section 215.301 were formerly 
covered under OMB Control Number 2130-0520.
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    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.
    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.
    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. 2019-27462 Filed 12-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


