[Federal Register: October 29, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 209)]
[Notices]
[Page 61715-61716]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29oc03-85]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information
Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The
ICRs describe the nature of the information collection and its expected
burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period
soliciting comments on the following collections of information was
published on August 26, 2003 (68 FR 51323).
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 28, 2003.
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, DC 20590 (telephone: (202)
493-6139). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Public Law 104-13, section 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 issue two notices seeking public
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1),
1320.12. On August 26, 2003, FRA published a 60-day notice in the
Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was seeking
OMB approval. 68 FR 51323. FRA received no comments in response to this
notice.
Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C.
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). 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. OMB believes that 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. 5 C.F.R.
1320.12(c.); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
The summaries below describe the nature of the information
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The revised
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by
the PRA.
Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards For Freight and
Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes and Drawbars).
OMB Control Number: 2130-0008.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Abstract: Section 7 of the Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act
of 1992, Public Law 102-365, amended section 202 of the Federal
Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 421, 431 et seq.), empowered the
Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the Department's
rules with respect to railroad power brakes and, where applicable,
prescribe standards regarding dynamic brake equipment. In keeping with
the Secretary's mandate and the authority delegated from him to the FRA
Administrator, FRA recently published a comprehensive regulatory
revision of the then current requirements related to the inspection,
testing, and maintenance of the brake equipment used in freight car
operations. The Final Rule focused solely on freight and other non-
passenger trains, and codified and solidified the maintenance
requirements related to the power brake system and its components. The
collection of information is used by FRA to monitor and enforce safety
requirements related to power brakes on freight cars. The collection of
information is also used by locomotive engineers and road crews to
verify that the terminal air brake test has been performed in a
satisfactory manner.
Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 895,011.
Title: Regional Inspection Point Listing Forms.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0551.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: State Rail Safety Inspectors.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.106(a)-(e).
Abstract: Through a direct comparison of inspection data with
accident/incident data, the collection of information aims to develop a
profile county-by-county of what there is to inspect, and how much
inspection activity was done by Federal and State railroad inspectors
each year nationwide. The information collected will produce
``snapshots'' which will allow FRA to determine where the gaps are in
inspection territories so that it can focus inspection resources where
they will do the most good. As a result of the collection of
information, FRA will be better able to equalize inspector workloads,
and will be better able to make informed hiring decisions regarding the
most effective placement of new inspectors. More targeted inspections
will permit FRA to maximize its limited resources, and will serve to
enhance overall safety on the nation's rail system.
Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 584.
Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management
and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503;
Attention: FRA Desk Officer.
Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed
collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of FRA, including whether the information will have
practical utility; the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the
proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize
the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB
receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal
Register.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
[[Page 61716]]
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 23, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-27273 Filed 10-28-03; 8:45 am]
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