[Federal Register: April 25, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 80)]
[Notices]
[Page 20426-20428]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ap03-86]
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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 June 24, 2003.
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 17, 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
control number ------. Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via
facsimile to (202) 493-6230 or (202) 493-6170, or 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 17, 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,
[[Page 20427]]
DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6139). (These telephone numbers are not
toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Pub. L. No. 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 are brief summaries of three currently approved information
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
Title: Rear-End Marking Devices.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0523.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR
part 221 which requires railroads to furnish a detailed description of
the type of marking device to be used for the trailing end of rear cars
in order to ensure rear cars meet minimum standards for visibility and
display. Railroads are required to furnish a certification that the
device has been tested in accordance with current ``Guidelines for
Testing of Rear End Marking Devices.'' Additionally, railroads are
required to furnish detailed test records which include the testing
organizations, description of tests, number of samples tested, and the
test results in order to demonstrate compliance with the performance
standard.
Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Responses: 2.
Estimated Annual Burden: 4 hours.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0535.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Abstract: Section 20139 of Title 49 of the United States Code
required FRA to issue rules, regulations, orders, and standards for the
safety of maintenance-of-way employees on railroad bridges, including
for ``bridge safety equipment'' such as nets, walkways, handrails, and
safety lines, and requirements for the use of vessels when work is
performed on bridges located over bodies of water. FRA has added 49 CFR
part 214 to establish minimum workplace safety standards for railroad
employees as they apply to railroad bridges. Specifically, section
214.15(c) establishes standards and practices for safety net systems.
Safety nets and net installations are to be drop-tested at the job site
after initial installation and before being used as a fall-protection
system; after major repairs; and at six-month intervals if left at one
site. If a drop-test is not feasible and is not performed, then a
written certification must be made by the railroad or railroad
contractor, or a designated certified person, that the net does comply
with the safety standards of this section. FRA and State inspectors use
the information to enforce Federal regulations. The information that is
maintained at the job site promotes safe bridge worker practices.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Responses: 6.
Estimated Annual Burden: 2 hours.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Railroad Operating Rules.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0035.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad
operating rules set forth in 49 CFR part 217 which require Class I and
Class II railroads to file with FRA copies of their operating rules,
timetables, and timetable special instructions, and subsequent
amendments thereto. Class III railroads are required to retain copies
of these documents at their systems headquarters. Also, 49 CFR
220.21(b) prescribes the collection of information which requires
railroads to retain one copy of their current operating rules with
respect to radio communications and one copy of each subsequent
amendment thereto. These documents must be made available to FRA upon
request.
Reporting Burden:
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Total annual Average time per Total annual burden Total annual burden burden
CFR section Respondent universe responses response hours cost
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271.7--Copy--FRA-- operating 1 new railroad...... 2 submissions....... 1 hour.............. 1 hour.............. $35.
rules, Class I & II RRs.
Amendments................... 32 railroads........ 96 amendments....... 20 minutes.......... 32 hours............ $1,120.
Copy of operating rules--Class 20 railroads........ 20 submissions...... 55 minutes.......... 18 hours............ $630.
III.
Amendments................... 632 railroads....... 1,896 amendments.... 15 minutes.......... 474 hours........... $16,590.
217.9--20 Copy--Prog. for Perf. 20 new railroads.... 20 Programs......... 9.92 hours.......... 198 hours........... $6,930.
of Operational Tests.
Amendments................... 50 railroads........ 150 amendments...... 1.92 hours.......... 288 hours........... $10,080.
[[Page 20428]]
Oper. Test Reds.................. 632 railroads....... 9,120,000........... 5 minutes........... 760,000 hours....... $34,200,000.
Summary Tests................ 55 railroads........ 55 summaries........ 1 hour.............. 55 hours............ $1.925.
271.11--Copy--Instr. Prog.-- 20 new railroads.... 20 Programs......... 8 hours............. 160 hours........... $5,600.
Employees.
Amendments................... 632 railroads....... 220 amendments...... 55 minutes.......... 202 hours........... $7,070.
220.21(b)--Copy--Op. Rules--Radio Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7.
Amendments................... Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7... Incl. under 217.7.
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Total Responses: 9,122,479 .
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 761,428 hours.
Status: Regular Review.
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 April 18, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-10216 Filed 4-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P