[Federal Register: February 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 31)]
[Notices]
[Page 7535-7537]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe04-145]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its
implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently
approved information collection activities. Before submitting these
information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on
specific aspects of the activities identified below.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than April 19, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of
Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC
20590, or Ms. Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters
requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt of their respective comments must
include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB
[[Page 7536]]
control number 2130-0545.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted
via facsimile to (202) 493-6230 or (202) 493-6170, or via E-mail to Mr.
Brogan at robert.brogan@fra.dot.gov, or to Ms. Steward at
debra.steward@fra.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: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6292) or Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6139). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Pub. L. 104-13, Sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 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 for
comment on information collection activities before seeking approval
for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA invites
interested respondents to comment on the following summary of proposed
information collection activities regarding (i) whether the information
collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its
functions, including whether the activities will have practical
utility; (ii) 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; (iii) ways
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of
information collection activities on the public by automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will
promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens
associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal
regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will
advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure
that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user
friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii)
accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
Below is a brief summary of currently approved information
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
Title: Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.
Abstract: The collection of information is due to the passenger
train emergency preparedness regulations set forth in 49 CFR parts 223
and 239 which require railroads to meet minimum Federal standards for
the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency preparedness
plans connected with the operation of passenger trains, including
freight railroads hosting operations of rail passenger service. The
regulations require luminescent or lighted emergency markings so that
passengers and emergency responders can readily determine where the
closest and most accessible exit routes are located and how the
emergency exit mechanisms are operated. Windows and doors intended for
emergency access by responders for extrication of passengers must be
marked with retro-reflective material so that emergency responders,
particularly in conditions of poor visibility, can easily distinguish
them from the less accessible doors and windows. Records of the
inspection, maintenance and repairs of emergency windows and door
exits, as well as records of operational efficiency tests, will be used
to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 18 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Respondent Total annual Average time Total annual Total annual
CFR section universe responses per response burden hours burden cost
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233.13--Waivers.............. 18 railroads... 6 requests..... 2 hours........ 12 $456
223.9(d); 239.107--Marking of 18 railroads... 10,475 decals.. 5 minutes...... 873 25,317
Emergency Exits.
--Marking door and window 18 railroads... 1,300/6,320 4 min./5 min... 614 17,806
exists w clear decals.
instructions.
239.107(b)--Records of 18 railroads... 1,800 window 20 min./3 min.. 690 20,010
inspection, Maintenance, & rcds. + 1,800
repair. door records.
239.101, 239.201--Filing of 2 railroads.... 2 plans........ 158 hours...... 316 20,856
Emergency Preparedness Plan.
--Amendments to Emergency 2 railroads.... 2 amendments... 3.2 hours...... 6 228
Plans.
239.101(ii)--Maintenance of 2 railroads.... 2 records...... 1 hour......... 2 76
Current Emergency Phone
Numbers.
--Subsequent Years....... 18 railroads... 20 records..... 30 minutes..... 10 380
239.101(a)(3)--Joint 4 railroad 4 plans........ 16 hours....... 64 3,328
Operations. pairs.
--Subsequent Years....... 1 railroad pair 1 plan......... 16 hours....... 16 832
239.101(a)(5)--Liaison with 2 railroads.... 2 plans........ 6 hours........ 12 456
Emergency Responders.
--Subsequent Years....... 20 railroads... 19 plans/1,200 30 min./5 min.. 110 4,180
copies.
239.101(a)(7)(ii) Passenger 5/12 railroads. 1,300 cards/5 5 min./16 hrs./ 812 30,060
Safety Information. progs./5 48 hrs./8 hrs..
safety
messages/12
progs./12
msgs..
[[Page 7537]]
239.105--Debriefing and 18 railroads... 5 debrief sess. 27 hours....... 135 2,190
Critique.
239.301--Operational 18 railroads... 11,075 tests/ 5 minutes...... 923 38,766
Efficiency Tests. rcds..
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Total Responses: 35,363.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 4,595 hours.
Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b),
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.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 10, 2004.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-3400 Filed 2-13-04; 8:45 am]
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