[Federal Register: December 11, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 238)]
[Notices]
[Page 69119-69122]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11de03-106]
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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 February 9, 2004.
[[Page 69120]]
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 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),
Public Law 104-13, 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. Sec. 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 the three currently approved
information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by
OMB as required under the PRA:
Title: Track Safety Standards (Gage Restraint Measurement Systems
Amendment).
OMB Control Number: 2130-0010.
Abstract: Qualified persons inspect track and take action to allow
safe passage of trains and ensure compliance with prescribed Track
Safety Standards. FRA amended the Track Safety Standards to provide
procedures for track owners to use Gage Restraint Measurement Systems
(GRMS) to assess the ability of their track to maintain proper gage.
Under the current Track Safety Standards, track owners must evaluate a
track's gage restraint capability through visual inspections conducted
at frequencies and intervals specified in the standards. With this
amendment, track owners may monitor gage restraint on a designated
track segment using GRMS procedures. Individuals employed by the track
owner to inspect track must be permitted to exercise their discretion
in judging whether the track segment should also be visually inspected
by a qualified track inspector.
Form Number(s): None.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Reporting Burden:
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Respondent
CFR section universe Total annual Average time Total annual Total annual
(railroads) responses per response burden hours burden cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
213.14--Excepted Track....... 160 25 orders....... 15 minutes..... 6 $228
--Notification to FRA-- 160 20 notifications 10 minutes..... 3 114
Removal of Track Segment
From Excepted Statutes.
213.5--Responsibility of 685 12 notifications 8 hours........ 96 3,648
Track Owners--Assignment.
213.7--Designation of 685 1,500 names..... 10 minutes..... 250 9,500
Qualified Persons to
Supervise Certain Renewals
and Inspect Track.
--Designations (Partially 31 250 names....... 10 minutes..... 42 1,596
Qualified under
Paragraph c).
213.17--Exeptions............ 685 8 petitions..... 24 hours....... 192 7,296
213.57--Curves; Elevations & 685 4 requests...... 40 hours....... 160 6,080
Speed Limits.
--Notification to FRA.... 685 2 notifications. 45 minutes..... 2 76
--Requests for FRA 1 4 test plans.... 16 hours....... 64 2,432
Approval--Test Plans.
213.110--Gage Restraint Meas. 685 40 notifications 45 minutes/4 46 1,748
Syts.--Implementing. + 4 tech. rpts. hrs. 46,250
[[Page 69121]]
GRMS Output Reports...... 685 150 reports..... 5 minutes...... 13 494
--GRMS Exception Reports. 685 150 reports..... 5 minutes...... 13 494
--Procedures For 685 10 doc. proc.... 2 hours........ 20 760
Maintaining GRMS Data.
--GRMS Training.......... 685 10 training 16 hours....... 560 21,280
prog. + 25 tr.
sessions.
--GRMS Inspections--Two 685 200 records..... 2 hours........ 400 15,200
Most Recent Records.
213.119--Continuous Weld Rail 150 3,000 records... 10 minutes..... 500 19,500
(CWR)--Records.
213.233--Track Inspections By 685 2,500 notations. 1 minute....... 42 1,260
Person/Vehicle--Rcds.
213.241--Inspection Records.. 685 20,000.......... 5 minutes...... 1,763,941 52,918,230
213.303--Responsibility for 2 1 petition...... 8 hours........ 8 304
Compliance--High Speed
Track: Assignment of
Responsibility.
213.305--Designation of Fully 2 150 designations 10 minutes..... 25 950
Qualified Individuals.
--Designation of 2 15 designations. 10 minutes..... 3 114
Partially Qualified
Individuals.
213.317--Exemption From Any/ 2 1............... 24 hours....... 24 912
All Requirements.
213.329--Curves, Elevation, 2 3 notifications. 40 hours....... 120 4,560
and Higher Speed Limits.
--Passenger/Commuter 2 3 notifications. 45 minutes..... 2 76
Service Over More Than 1
Trk..
213.333--Track Geometry 3 18 reports...... 20 hours....... 360 10,800
Measurement Sys.--Rpts..
--Track/Vehicle 1 1 written proc.. 8 hours........ 8 304
Measurement Perf. Sys.--
Procedures.
--Exception Printouts.... 2 13 printouts.... 20 hours....... 260 7,800
213.341--Initial Inspection-- 2 2 reports....... 8 hours........ 16 608
New Rail/Welds Mill Insp.
--Welding Plant 2 2 reports....... 8 hours........ 16 608
Inspection.
--Inspection of Field 2 200 records..... 20 minutes..... 67 2,546
Welds--Records.
213.343--Continuous Weld 2 200 records..... 10 minutes..... 33 1,254
Rail--History--Records.
213.345--Vehicle 1 2 reports....... 16 hours....... 32 1,216
Qualification Testing--
Results/Rcds.
213.14--Excepted Track....... 160 25 orders....... 15 minutes..... 6 228
--Notification to FRA-- 160 20 notifications 10 minutes..... 3 114
Removal of Track Segment
From Excepted Statues.
213.5--Responsibility of 685 12 notifications 8 hours........ 96 3,648
Track Owners--Assignment.
213.7--Designation of 685 1,500 names..... 10 minutes..... 250 9,500
Qualified Persons to
Supervise Certain Renewals
and Inspect Track.
--Designations (Partially 31 250 names....... 10 minutes..... 42 1,596
Qualified under
Paragraph c).
213.17--Excemptions.......... 685 8 petitions..... 24 hours....... 192 7,296
213.57--Curves; Elevations & 865 4 requests...... 40 hours....... 160 6,080
Speed Limits.
--Notification to FRA.... 685 2 notifications. 45 minutes..... 2 76
--Requests for FRA 1 4 test plans.... 16 hours....... 64 2,432
Approval--Test Plans.
213.110--Gage Restraint Meas. 685 40 notifications 45 minutes/4 46 1,748
Sys.--Implementing. + 4 tech rpts. hrs. 46,250
--GRMS Output Reports.... 685 150 reports..... 5 minutes...... 13 494
--GRMS Exception Reports. 685 150 reports..... 5 minutes...... 13 494
--Procedures For 685 10 doc. proc.... 2 hours........ 20 760
Maintaining GRMS Data.
--GRMS Training.......... 685 10 training 16 hours....... 560 21,280
prog. + 25 tr.
sessions.
--GRMS Inspections--Two 685 200 records..... 2 hours........ 400 15,200
Most Recent Records.
213.119--Continuous Weld Rail 150 3,000 records... 10 minutes..... 500 19,500
(CWR)--Records.
213.233--Track Inspections By 685 2,500 1 minute....... 42 1,260
Person/Vehicle--Rcds. notifications.
213.241--Inspection Records.. 685 20,000 records.. 5 minutes...... 1,763,941 52,918,230
[[Page 69122]]
213.303--Responsibility for 2 1 petition...... 8 hours........ 8 304
Compliance--High Speed
Track; Assignment of
Responsibility.
213.347--Automotive or RR 1 2 plans......... 8 hours........ 16 608
Crossing at Grade--Plans.
213.353--Turnouts and 1 1 guide book.... 40 hours....... 40 1,520
Crossovers.
213.361--Right of Way--Class 1 1 plan.......... 40 hous........ 40 1,520
8 & 9--Plan Approv..
213.369--Inspection Records.. 2 500 records..... 1 minute....... 8 240
213.369--Inspection Records.. 2 500 records..... 1.............. 8 240
--Designation records.... 2 2 designations.. 15 minutes..... 1 38
--Inspection Records of 2 50 records...... 5 minutes...... 4 120
Defects and Remedial
Actions.
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Total Responses: 1,635,052.
Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,767,433 hours.
Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
Title: Special Notice For Repairs.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
Abstract: The Special Notice For Repairs is issued to notify the
carrier in writing of an unsafe condition involving a locomotive, car,
or track. The carrier must return the form after repairs have been
made. The collection of information is used by State and Federal
inspectors to remove freight car or locomotives until they can be
restored to a serviceable condition. It is also used by State and
Federal inspectors to reduce the maximum authorized speed on a section
of track until repairs can be made.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.8; FRA F 6180.8a.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Responses: 58.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 7 hours.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Title: Designation of Qualified Persons.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.
Abstract: The collection of information is used to prevent the
unsafe movement of defective freight cars. Railroads are required to
inspect freight cars for compliance and to determine restrictions on
the movements of defective cars.
Form Number(s): None.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 685 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 40 hours.
Total Responses: 1,200.
Type of Request: 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 December 5, 2003.
Maryann Johnson,
Acting Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems,
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-30652 Filed 12-10-03; 8:45 am]
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