[Federal Register: May 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 97)]
[Notices]
[Page 27626-27627]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20my03-164]
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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 July 21, 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, 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
[[Page 27627]]
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: State Safety Participation Regulations and Remedial Actions.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0509.
Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR
part 212, and requires qualified state inspectors to provide various
reports to FRA for monitoring and enforcement purposes concerning state
investigative, inspection, and surveillance activities regarding
railroad compliance with Federal railroad safety laws and regulations.
Additionally, railroads are required to report to FRA actions taken to
remedy certain alleged violations of law.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.10; FRA F 6180.29/29A/33; FRA F 6180.61;
FRA F 6180.67; FRA F 6180.68/68A/69/96/96A/96B.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: States and railroads.
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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Application For Participation 15 States...... 15 updates..... 2.5 hours...... 38 $1,748
Training Funding Agreement... 30 States...... 30 agreements.. 1 hour......... 30 1,380
Inspector Training 30 States...... 300 vouchers... 1 hour......... 300 12,600
Reimbursement.
Supervisor Travel 30 States...... 30 vouchers.... 1 hour......... 30 1,380
Reimbursement.
Annual Work Plan............. 30 States...... 30 reports..... 15 hours....... 450 20,700
Inspection Form.............. 30 States...... 18,000 reports. 15 minutes..... 4,500 189,000
Violation Form............... 30 States...... 629 reports.... 4 hours........ 2,516 105,672
Remedial Actions Reports..... 573 Railroads.. 5,048 reports.. 15 minutes..... 1,262 80,768
Violation Report Challenge... 573 Railroads.. 1,010 1 hour......... 1,010 64,640
challenges.
Delayed Reports.............. 573 Railroads.. 505 reports.... 30 minutes..... 253 16,192
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Total Responses: 25,597.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 10,389 hours.
Status: Regular review.
Title: Certification of Glazing Materials.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0525.
Abstract: The collection of information is set forth under 49 CFR
Part 223, which requires the certification and permanent marking of
glazing materials by the manufacturer. The manufacturer is also
responsible for making available test verification data to railroads
and FRA upon request.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 5 manufacturers.
Total Responses: 25,211.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 119 hours.
Status: Regular review.
Title: Two-Way End-of-Train Devices.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0540.
Abstract: Section 20141 of the United States Code amended the
Federal Rail Safety Laws by adding certain statutory mandates related
to power brake safety, specifically regarding two-way end-of-train
telemetry devices (two-way EOTs). This Section required two-way end-of-
train devices (or devices able to perform the same function) on road
trains other than locals, road switchers, or work trains to enable the
initiation of emergency braking from the rear of the train. The
information collected enhances rail safety by ensuring that the
locomotive engineer is notified if someone other than a train crew
member tests the two-way end-of-train devices at the initial terminal
or other point of installation to confirm that the device is capable of
initiating an emergency power brake application from the rear of the
train. The information collected is also used to by FRA to verify that
the end-of-train telemetry equipment is properly calibrated for
accuracy according to the manufacturer's specifications at least every
365 days. Additionally, the information collected verifies that the
two-way end-of-train devices standards--such as the front unit having a
manually operated switch that is labeled ``Emergency'' which can
initiate an emergency brake transmission to the rear unit (when
activated)--are met.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: Railroads.
Total Responses: 521,500.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,042 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 May 14, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal Railroad
Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-12488 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]
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