
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 179 (Monday, September 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64021-64022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20131]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-25]


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) summarized below to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR 
describes the information collection and its expected burden. On July 
5, 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 
October 18, 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. Joanne Swafford, Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or 
telephone: (757) 897-9908 or [email protected] or telephone: 
(571) 609-1285.

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 July 5, 2023, FRA 
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on 
the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR 43002. FRA 
received no comments related to the proposed collection of information.
    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

[[Page 64022]]

1320.12(a); 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 Communications.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0524.
    Abstract: The railroad communications regulations in 49 CFR part 
220 prescribe the minimum requirements governing wireless 
communications used in rail operations as well as establish the 
prohibitions, restrictions, and requirements that apply to the use of 
personal and railroad-supplied cellular telephones and other electronic 
devices. FRA amended its radio standards and procedures to: promote 
compliance by making the regulations more flexible; require wireless 
communications devices, including radios, for specified classifications 
of railroad operations and roadway workers; and retitle this part to 
reflect its coverage of other means of wireless communications, such as 
cellular telephones and data radio terminals, to convey emergency and 
need-to-know information. The amended regulations established safe, 
uniform procedures covering the use of radio and other wireless 
communications within the railroad industry.
    Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in 
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Respondent Universe: 746 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4,119,004.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 95,902 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: 
$6,048,539.14.
    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.

Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Acting Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023-20131 Filed 9-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


