[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42999-43001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14160]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-12]


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 April 
21, 2023, 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 
August 4, 2023.

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 Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the 
search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (571) 609-1285 or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (757) 897-9908.

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 April 21, 2023, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public 
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR 
24657.
    FRA has received one comment related to the proposed collection of 
information. The Chief Economist of the Bureau of Economic Analysis 
(BEA) sent an electronic letter date May 30, 2023, expressing BEA's 
strong support for FRA's continued collection of on the Accident/
Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping forms. The Chief Economist noted 
that the data collected on these forms are crucial to key components of 
BEA's economic analyses and requested that FRA keep BEA informed of any 
modifications to these forms. Before OMB decides whether to approve 
this proposed collection 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. This ICR responds to the information 
collection mandate in Section 22421(b) of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (IIJA) and also provides routine updates to 49 CFR part 
225's overall information collection request renewal.
    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.

[[Page 43000]]

    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: Accident/Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0500.
    Abstract: The railroad accident/incident reporting regulations in 
49 CFR part 225 require railroads to submit reports summarizing 
collisions, derailments, and certain other accidents/incidents 
involving damages above a periodically revised dollar threshold, as 
well as certain injuries to passengers, employees, and other persons on 
railroad property. As the reporting requirements and the information 
needed regarding each category of accident/incident are unique, a 
different form is used for each category.
    In response to the mandate in IIJA Section 22421,\1\ FRA intends to 
utilize Form FRA F 6180.54 Special Study Blocks 49a and 49b to collect 
the following information for a projected five-year period: (1) the 
length of the involved trains, in feet, and (2) the number of crew 
members who were aboard a controlling locomotive involved in an 
accident at the time of such accident. This modification produces a 
minimal additional burden with respect to what is already being 
reported, as FRA estimates that the utilization of the Special Study 
Blocks will require an additional 2 minutes to complete, for a total 
average burden time of approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes per form, 
adding an additional 57 hours to the overall collection request.
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    \1\ Specifically, IIJA Section 22421(b) requires FRA to update 
Special Study Block 49 on Form FRA F 6180.54, for a period of five 
years, to collect information on: (1) the number of cars and length 
of trains involved in an accident/incident; and (2) the number of 
crew members who were aboard a controlling locomotive involved in an 
accident at the time of such accident. Railroads are already 
required to report the number of cars in the consist of a train 
involved in an accident on Form FRA F 6180.54, Field 35.
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    FRA has made multiple adjustments to its estimated paperwork burden 
for the entire part 225 collection request, resulting in a reduction of 
5,563 hours, from 35,846 hours in the current inventory, to 30,283 
hours in the requested inventory. The primary reason for the reduction 
in the estimated paperwork burden is the expected decrease in the 
number of submissions. Specifically, under Sec.  225.19(d), FRA expects 
submissions will decrease significantly from 11,636 hours to 7,040 
hours due to a reduction in the number of injuries reported in the last 
two years. There is no change in the method of collection; this is a 
routine update for this 3-year ICR renewal period.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses
    Form(s): FRA F 6180.54; .55; .55a; .56; .57; .78; .81; .97; .98; 
.107; .150.
    Respondent Universe: 784 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                                                               Average                      Total cost
             CFR Section                      Respondent universe               Total annual responses         time per    Total annual    equivalent in
                                                                                                               response    burden hours     U.S. dollar
                                                                          (A)..............................          (B)     (C = A * B)        (D = C *
                                                                                                                                             wage rates)
                                                                                                                                                     \2\
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225.6(a)--Consolidated reporting--    784 railroads.....................  0.33 requests....................  40.00 hours           13.20       $1,028.41
 Request to FRA by parent
 corporation to treat its commonly
 controlled carriers as a single
 railroad carrier for purposes of
 this part.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(b) Written agreement by                                  The burden for this requirement is included in Sec.   225.6(a).
     parent corporation with FRA on
     specific subsidiaries included
     in its railroad system.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --(c) Notification by parent                                The burden for this requirement is included in Sec.   225.6(a).
     corporation regarding any
     change in the subsidiaries
     making up its railroad system
     and amended written agreement
     with FRA.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
225.9--Telephonic reports of certain  784 railroads.....................  2,589.00 phone reports...........        15.00          647.25       50,427.25
 accidents/incidents and other                                                                                   minutes
 events.
225.11--Reporting of accidents/       784 railroads.....................  1,699.00 forms...................  2 hours + 2        3,454.63      269,150.22
 incidents--Form FRA F 6180.54 (IIJA                                                                             minutes
 created an additional burden of 2
 minutes to what is already being
 reported.).
225.12(a)--Rail equipment accident/   784 railroads.....................  732.00 forms.....................        15.00          183.00       14,257.53
 incident reports alleging human                                                                                 minutes
 factor as cause--Form FRA F 6180.81.
    --(b) Part I Form FRA F 6180.78   784 railroads.....................  800 notices + 800 notice copies +   10 minutes          333.83       26,008.70
     (Notices).                                                            3,200 copies + 10 copies.         + 3 minutes
    --(c) Joint operations..........  784 railroads.....................  73.00 reports....................        20.00           24.00        1,869.84
                                                                                                                 minutes
    --(d) Late identification.......  784 railroads.....................  20 attachments + 20 notices......        10.00            6.67          519.66
                                                                                                                 minutes
    --(g) Employee statement          Railroad employees................  60.00 statements.................   1.50 hours           90.00       $7,011.90
     supplementing railroad accident
     report (Part II Form FRA
     6180.78).
    --(g)(3) Employee confidential    Railroad employees................  5.00 letters.....................   2.00 hours           10.00          779.10
     letter.
225.13(A)--Late reports--RR           784 railroads.....................  50.00 late reports...............   2.00 hours          100.00        7,791.00
 discovery of improperly omitted
 report of accident/incident.
--(B) RR late/amended report of       784 railroads.....................  20 amended reports + 30 copies...   1 hour + 3           21.50        1,675.07
 accident/incident based on employee                                                                             minutes
 statement supplementing RR accident
 report.
225.18(a)--RR narrative report of     784 railroads.....................  12.00 reports....................        15.00            3.00          233.73
 possible alcohol/drug involvement                                                                               minutes
 in accident/incident.
--(b) Reports required by Sec.        784 railroads.....................  5.00 reports.....................        30.00            2.50          194.78
 219.209(b) appended to rail                                                                                     minutes
 equipment accident/incident report.

[[Page 43001]]

 
225.19(a)--Rail-highway grade         784 railroads.....................  2,161.50 forms...................   2.00 hours        4,323.00      336,804.93
 crossing accident/incident report--
 Form FRA F 6180.57.
    --(d) Death, injury, or           784 railroads.....................  7,040.00 forms...................    1.00 hour        7,040.00      548,486.40
     occupational illness (Form FRA
     F 6180.55a).
225.21--Railroad injury and illness   784 railroads.....................  9,408.00 forms...................        10.00        1,568.00      122,162.88
 summary--Form FRA F 6180.55.                                                                                    minutes
225.21--Annual railroad report of     784 railroads.....................  784.00 forms.....................        15.00          196.00       15,270.36
 employee hours and casualties, by                                                                               minutes
 state--Form FRA F 6180.56.
225.21/25--Railroad employee injury   784 railroads.....................  4,000.00 forms...................    1.00 hour        4,000.00      311,640.00
 and/or illness record--Form FRA F
 6180.98.
    --Copies of forms to employees..  784 railroads.....................  3.60 form copies.................         2.00            0.12            9.35
                                                                                                                 minutes
225.21--Initial rail equipment        784 railroads.....................  10,194.00 forms..................        30.00        5,097.00      397,107.27
 accident/incident record--Form FRA                                                                              minutes
 F 6180.97.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --Completion of Form FRA F        FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
     6180.97 because of rail
     equipment involvement.
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --Alternative record for          784 railroads.....................  150.00 forms.....................        75.00          187.50       14,608.13
     illnesses claimed to be work                                                                                minutes
     related--Form FRA F 6180.107.
    --Highway User Statement--RR      784 railroads.....................  721.00 letters/forms.............        50.00          600.83       46,810.67
     cover letter and Form FRA F                                                                                 minutes
     6180.150 sent out to
     potentially injured travelers
     involved in a highway-rail
     grade crossing accident/
     incident.
    --Form FRA F 6180.150 completed   117 injured individuals...........  117.00 forms.....................        45.00           87.75        6,836.60
     by highway user and sent back                                                                               minutes
     to railroad.
225.25(h)--Posting of monthly         784 railroads.....................  9,408.00 lists...................         5.00          784.00       61,081.44
 summary.                                                                                                        minutes
225.27(a)(1)--Retention of records..  784 railroads.....................  7,500.00 records.................         2.00          250.00       19,477.50
                                                                                                                 minutes
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --Record of Form FRA F 6180.107s      The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included in 225.21 (Alternative record for illnesses
                                                                                  claimed to be work related).
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --Record of Monthly Lists.......  784 railroads.....................  9,408.00 records.................         2.00          313.60       24,432.58
                                                                                                                 minutes
    (a)(2)--Record of Form FRA F      784 railroads.....................  10,194.00 records................         2.00          339.80       26,473.82
     6180.97.                                                                                                    minutes
    --Record of employee human        784 railroads.....................  1,464.00 records.................         2.00           48.80        3,802.01
     factor attachments.                                                                                         minutes
225.33--Internal Control Plans--      784 railroads.....................  10.00 amendments.................   6.00 hours           60.00        4,674.60
 Amendments.
225.35--Access to records and         784 railroads.....................  784.00 lists.....................        20.00          261.33       20,360.22
 reports.                                                                                                        minutes
225.37(a)--Optical media transfer of  FRA anticipates zero submissions
 reports, updates, and amendments.     during this 3-year ICR period.
    (c)(2)--Electronic submission of  784 railroads.....................  4,704.00 submissions.............         3.00          235.20       18,324.43
     reports, updates, and                                                                                       minutes
     amendments.
        Totals \3\..................  784 railroads.....................  85,570 responses.................          N/A          30,283       2,359,310
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    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 85,570.
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    \2\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the 2021 Surface 
Transportation Board Full Year Wage A&B data series using the 
appropriate employee group hourly wage rage that includes a 75 
percent overhead charge.
    \3\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
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    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 30,283 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$2,359,310.
    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 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. 2023-14160 Filed 7-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


