[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 1003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00108]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2021-0006-N-18]


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, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding 
the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the information collection and its expected burden. On 
October 22, 2021, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for 
public comment on the ICR.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
February 7, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR 
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find the particular ICR by selecting 
``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using 
the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (202) 493-0440.

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 22, 2021, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on 
the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 86 FR 58721. FRA 
received no comments in response to this 60-day notice.
    Before OMB decides whether to approve the proposed collection of 
information, it must provide 30 days 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 1320.10(b); 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 ICR 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 summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB 
clearance as the PRA requires:
    Title: Railroad Signal System Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0006.
    Abstract: The information collected under 49 CFR parts 233, 235, 
and 236 is used by FRA to monitor compliance with FRA's inspection and 
testing requirements for signal systems, as well as to review and 
approve requests to discontinue or materially modify existing signal 
systems. The information collected is also used by FRA to monitor 
signal failures (e.g., failure of a signal appliance, device, method, 
or system to function or indicate as required by 49 CFR part 236 that 
results in an incorrect signal or other condition hazardous to the 
movement of a train).
    For instance:
     Sec.  233.5 requires each railroad to report to FRA within 
24 hours after learning of an accident or incident arising from signal 
failure.
     Sec.  233.7 requires each railroad to report signal 
failures within 15 days in accordance with the instructions printed on 
Form FRA F 6180.14.
     Sec.  235.5 requires railroads to apply for FRA approval 
to discontinue or materially modify railroad signal systems.
     Sec.  235.8 allows railroads to seek relief from the 
requirements in 49 CFR part 236.
     Sec.  235.20 describes the protest process, including 
essential information that must be included in the protest, the address 
for filing the protest, the time limit for filing the protest, and the 
requirement that a protestant requesting a public hearing explain why 
written statements cannot be used to explain his or her position.
     Sec.  236.110 requires that the results of signal system 
tests required under Sec. Sec.  236.102 through 236.109; Sec. Sec.  
236.376 through 236.387; Sec. Sec.  236.576 and 236.577; and Sec. Sec.  
236.586 through 236.589 be recorded on pre-printed forms provided by 
the railroad or by electronic means, subject to FRA approval.
     Sec.  236.590 requires railroads to clean and inspect the 
automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal pneumatic apparatus 
on locomotives and then record the results of the inspection as 
required by Sec.  229.29(a) of this chapter.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.14.\1\
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    \1\ FRA made one minor change to Form FRA F 6180.14 by replacing 
``mail to'' with ``email to.''
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    Respondent Universe: 754 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 943,412.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 222,747 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$13,330,408.
    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 a respondent is not required to 
respond to, conduct, or sponsor a collection of information that does 
not display a currently valid OMB control number.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

Brett A. Jortland,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2022-00108 Filed 1-6-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


