Notice2021-26789
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 10, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On August 23, 2021, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 235 (Friday, December 10, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 235 (Friday, December 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70595-70598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26789]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2021-0006-N-16]
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its
implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding
the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR
describes the information collection and its expected burden. On August
23, 2021, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public
comment on the ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
January 10, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to
<a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find the particular ICR by selecting
``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using
the search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ade5c2c9ccc383fac8c1c1deedc9c2d983cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d39bbcb7b2bdfd84b6bfbfa093b7bca7fdb4bca5">[email protected]</span></a> or
telephone: (202) 493-0440; or Mr. John Purnell, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a30353234742a2f28343f36361a3e352e743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99f3f6f1f7b7e9ecebf7fcf5f5d9fdf6edb7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a> or telephone: (202)
493-0500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 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. See 44 U.S.C.
3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On August 23, 2021, FRA
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on
the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 86 FR 47195. FRA
received one comment from the Association of American Railroads (AAR)
and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA)
in response to this 60-day notice. This comment letter is a follow up
to a discussion that AAR had with FRA on October 14, 2021. A summary of
the discussion is available in the above-referenced docket.
In their joint comment letter, AAR and ASLRRA expressed their
concerns with FRA's proposed burden estimates. They asserted that these
estimates were significantly reduced from the 2018 OMB control no.
2130-0004 ICR package, even though the scope of the requirements in 49
CFR part 229 have remained unchanged since that time. AAR and ASLRRA
specifically cited to Sec. Sec. 229.21 \1\ and 229.25(d), in which the
paperwork burdens were reduced from 31-33 minutes to 3 minutes and 350
hours to 0 hours, respectively. They also noted that the only
information publicly available to compare FRA's significant reduction
in estimated burdens is a chart appearing in the 60-day notice.
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\1\ Although a subsection was not specified in the letter, FRA
believes that AAR and ASLRRA are referring specifically to 49 CFR
229.21(a).
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In response to this feedback, FRA has reviewed its PRA estimates,
which are reprinted below. However, except for noting a typographical
error associated with Sec. 229.317(g), FRA believes that it accurately
captured the part 229 paperwork burdens in the 60-day notice. While
preparing this revised ICR package, FRA performed a detailed review of
part 229 and made several adjustments to its estimated paperwork
burdens. FRA determined that many estimated paperwork burdens were
either outdated or accounted for in other regulatory sections. Further,
the associated burdens related to inspection and testing, as well as
employee training and job briefings, were appropriately addressed when
FRA calculated the economic costs of the regulation. See Executive
Order 12866; OMB Circular A-4. FRA is correcting any errors by removing
burdens that were accounted for in the regulation's economic analyses,
which FRA previously erroneously also calculated as burdens under the
PRA.
With respect to AAR's and ASLRRA's specific feedback regarding
Sec. 229.21(a), FRA determined that the 31- or 33-minute paperwork
burden estimate included the railroads' performance of daily
inspections. While AAR and ASLRRA are correct that the regulatory
requirement has not changed since 2002, FRA is correcting its previous
overestimation errors. Up until 2011, the published average time per
response was 1 or 3 minutes.\2\ Between 2012 and 2018, FRA incorrectly
added the time associated with the performance of daily inspections
(which are not burdens under the PRA) to the average time per response,
so that it became 16 or 18 minutes in 2002 \3\ and then 31 or 33
minutes in 2018.\4\ The inclusion of inspection time resulted in a
significant increase in the overall burden for this requirement from
155,350 to 1.9 million hours in 2012 and to 3.6 million hours in 2018.
In the 60-day notice, FRA corrected the average time per response to 1
or 3 minutes, now closely matching the 2011 estimates. Similarly, FRA
adjusted the average time per response under Sec. 229.21(b) by
removing the estimated paperwork burden associated with inspection that
was incorrectly added in 2012. With respect to AAR's and ASLRRA's
specific feedback regarding Sec. 229.25(d), FRA maintains that its
estimate in the 60-day notice is correct and the estimated paperwork
burden had previously been double-counted. Upon review of the
requirements under Sec. 229.25(d), FRA found that the burden
associated with Sec. 229.25(d)(3) is covered under Sec. 229.25(d)(2).
Thus, FRA removed the duplicative burden and included an explanatory
note in the PRA table printed below.
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\2\ 76 FR 34287.
\3\ 77 FR 21339.
\4\ 83 FR 37607.
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Going forward, in future 60-day notices, FRA proposes to highlight
the regulatory sections in which estimates have been significantly
adjusted to allow stakeholders to more easily determine significant
estimate adjustments. As stated above, FRA has reprinted the PRA table
in the 60-day
[[Page 70596]]
notice and noted below the significant adjustments.
Before OMB decides whether to approve the proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 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 1320.10(b); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983 (Aug. 29, 1995). OMB
believes 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.
Comments are invited on the following ICR regarding: (1) Whether
the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly
execute its functions, including whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) 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; (3) ways
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
being collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of information
collection activities on the public, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards and Event Recorders.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0004.
Abstract: FRA's locomotive safety standards (49 CFR part 229)
require railroads to inspect, repair, and maintain locomotives,
including their event recorders, to ensure they are safe and free of
defects.
The data gathered from locomotive event recorders is used by the
railroad industry and by railroad employees (locomotive engineers,
train crews, dispatchers) to improve train handling and promote the
safe and efficient operation of trains throughout the country.
Locomotive event recorders also provide FRA and State railroad safety
inspectors with verified data elements for use in their oversight
responsibilities that show how trains are operated from lead
locomotives.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): FRA F 6180.49A.
Respondent Universe: 754 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Average time per Total annual Total cost
CFR section \5\ Respondent universe Total annual responses response burden hours equivalent \6\
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229.9--Movement of non-complying 754 railroads................ 1,307 tags.............. 1 minute................ 21.79 $1,566.48
locomotives--Tagging to indicate
``non-complying locomotive''.
229.15(a)(11)--Remote control 754 railroads................ 349 tags................ 1 minute................ 5.82 418.40
locomotives--Tagging to indicate in
remote control.
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--(b)(3) Inspection, testing, and The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.21(a).
repair--Repair record of
defective operator control unit
linked to remote control
locomotive.
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229.17--Accident reports--Reporting The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under OMB control number 2130-0500.
of accidents that results in serious
injury or death of one or more
persons.
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229.20(c)--Operational requirements-- 754 railroads................ 21,000 automatic 1 second................ 5.83 451.48
Automatic notice to railroads each notifications.
time locomotive is due for
inspection or maintenance (Note:
This requirement does not apply to
daily inspections).
229.21(a)--Daily inspection--Except 754 railroads................ 7,443,020 (744,302 paper 3 minutes (paper 148,860.40 11,527,749.38
for multiple-unit (MU) operated records + 6,698,718 records) + 1 minute
locomotive \7\. electronic records). (electronic records).
--(b) Written reports of MU 754 railroads................ 1,300,000 written 3 minutes............... 65,000.00 4,672,850.00
locomotive inspections. reports.
229.23(d)-(g)--Periodic Inspection-- 718 railroads................ 28,627 other than 15 minutes.............. 7,156.75 514,498.76
Locomotive Inspection & Repair passenger locomotives.
Record--Form FRA F 6180.49A.
229.23(d)-(g)--Periodic Inspection-- 36 railroads................. 4,500 passenger 15 minutes.............. 1,125.00 80,876.25
Locomotive Inspection & Repair locomotives.
Record--Form FRA F 6180.49A \8\.
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--(g) Secondary record of the The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.21(a).
information reported on Form FRA
F 6180.49A.
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--(h) List of defects and repairs The associated burdens relating to the retention of defect and repair lists are covered under Sec. Sec. 229.21
during inspection provided to RR (for reports) and 229.23 (for records of repairs).
employees.
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--(i) Document from railroad to The associated burdens relating to all tests conducted since last periodic inspection are covered under Sec.
employees of all tests conducted 229.23 (under ``Last Periodic Inspection'' entry in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
since last periodic inspection.
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229.25(d)(1)--Periodic inspection of FRA anticipates no new instructions during this 3-year ICR period or during the lifecycle of the event recorders.
event recorders: Written copy of Thus, there will be no additional burdens.
instructions.
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229.25(d)(2) and (4)--Data 754 railroads................ 5,908 readout records 90 minutes.............. 8,862.00 686,273.28
verification readout of event and reports.
recorder.
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--(d)(3) Pre-maintenance test The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.25(d)(2).
failures of event recorder.
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229.27(c)--Annual tests of event The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.23 (under ``Annual
recorders with self monitoring Tests'' entry in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
feature displaying a failure
indication--Tests.
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[[Page 70597]]
229.29--Calibration of locomotive air The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.23 (under ``Air
flow meter--Tests. Brakes'' entry in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
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229.31--Main reservoir tests: The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.23 (under ``Hammer and
Periodic inspections--Repairs & Hydro'' in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
adjustments, & data on Form FRA F
6180.49A.
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229.33--Out-of-use credit............ The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.23 (under ``Out-of-use
Credit'' in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
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229.46--Tagging locomotive with 754 railroads................ 2,269 tags.............. 1 minute................ 37.8 2,718.16
inoperative or ineffective automatic/
independent brake that can only be
used in trailing position.
229.85--Marking of all doors, cover 754 railroads................ 1,080 decals or markings 1 minute................ 18.00 1,078.02
plates, or barriers having direct
access to high voltage equipment
with words ``Danger High Voltage''
or with word ``Danger''.
229.123(b)(2)--Locomotives equipped 754 railroads................ 22 markings/stencils.... 4 minutes............... 1.44 104.96
with a pilot, snowplow & plate with
clearance above 6 inches--Marking/
stenciling with words ``9-inch
Maximum End Plate Height, Yard or
Trail Service Only''.
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--(b)(4) Notation in Remarks The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.23 (under ``Remarks''
section of Form FRA F6180.49A of in Form FRA F 6180.49A).
pilot, snowplow, or end plate
clearance above 6 inches.
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229.135--Removal of event recorder The estimated burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.23 (under ``Event Recorder'' in
from service--Tags. Form FRA F 6180.49a).
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--(e) Preserving locomotive event The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under OMB control number 2130-0500.
recorder accident data--Reports.
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229.303--Requests to FRA for on-track 754 railroads................ 5 written requests...... 1 hour.................. 5.00 387.20
testing of products outside a
facility.
229.307--Safety analysis for each 754 railroads................ 3 safety analysis 240 hours............... 720.00 55,756.80
product subject to this subpart-- documents.
Document establishing minimum
requirements.
229.309--Safety critical changes to 754 railroads................ 5 notifications......... 8 hours................. 40.00 3,097.60
product subject to this subpart--
Notice to FRA.
--(b) and (c) Report by product 3 manufacturers.............. 15 reports.............. 8 hours................. 120.00 9,292.80
suppliers and private owners to
railroads of any safety-critical
changes to product.
229.311(a)--Notice to FRA by railroad 754 railroads................ 3 notifications......... 2 hours................. 6.00 464.64
before placing product in service.
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--(c) Railroad document provided The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.307.
to FRA upon request
demonstrating product meets
safety analysis requirements for
life cycle of product.
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--(d) Railroad maintenance of 754 railroads................ 3 databases............. 2 hours................. 6.00 464.64
data base of all safety relevant
hazards encountered after
product is placed in service.
--(d)(1) Written report to FRA 754 railroads................ 1 written report........ 2 hours................. 2.00 154.88
disclosing frequency of safety-
relevant hazards for product
exceeding threshold set forth in
Safety Analysis.
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--(d)(2)-(3) Final report to FRA The estimated paperwork burden associated with this requirement is covered under Sec. 229.311(d)(1).
on results of analyses and
counter measures to reduce
frequency of safety related
hazards.
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229.313--Product testing results and The estimated paperwork burden associated with this requirement is covered under Sec. 229.311(d).
records.
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229.315(b)--Railroad maintenance of 754 railroads................ 3 filings of manuals.... 1 minute................ .05 3.87
Operations and Maintenance Manual
containing all documents related to
installation, maintenance, repair,
modification, & testing of a product
subject to this part.
--(c) Configuration management 754 railroads................ 3 filings of revised 1 minute................ .05 3.87
control plan. plans.
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--(d) and (e) Positive ID of The paperwork burdens associated with these requirements are covered under Sec. Sec. 229.307 and 229.311.
safety-critical components.
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229.317(a)--Training and 754 railroads................ 90 filings of new or 1 minute................ 1.50 116.16
qualification program--Establishment revised training
and implementation of training programs.
qualification program for products
subject to this subpart.
--(b) Employees trained under RR 754 railroads................ 10,000 trained 1 minute................ 166.67 12,906.92
program. employees' records.
--(f) Periodic refresher training 754 railroads................ 1,000 re-trained 1 minute................ 16.67 1,290.92
of employees. employees' records.
[[Page 70598]]
--(g) RR regular and periodic 754 railroads................ 90 evaluations.......... 2 hours................. 180.00 13,939.20
evaluation of effectiveness of
its training program
(Calculation error corrected.).
--(h) RR record of individuals 754 railroads................ 10,000 electronic 1 minute................ 166.67 12,906.92
designated as qualified under records.
this section.
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Appendix F to Part 229--Guidance for FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
verification and validation of
products--Third party assessments.
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--Final report of assessment..... FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
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Total \9\.................... 754 railroads................ 8,829,303 responses..... N/A..................... 232,525 17,599,370
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,829,303.
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\5\ The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 3,815,751
hours while the total burden of this notice is 232,348 hours. As
part of its review of this ICR renewal, FRA determined many of the
previous estimates were preliminary, outdated, or duplicative.
Moreover, FRA removed improperly included locomotive safety
requirements, which are outside the scope of burdens under the PRA,
thus decreasing the total estimates accordingly in this notice.
\6\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the Surface
Transportation Board's 2020 Full Year Wage A&B data series using the
appropriate employee group hourly wage rate that includes a 75-
percent overhead charge.
\7\ As discussed above, the 2018 estimates for Sec. 229.21(a)
and (b) incorrectly included the time associated with the
performance of daily inspections, which should not have been
included in the estimated paperwork burden. The burdens associated
with the performance of daily inspections were addressed when FRA
calculated the economic costs of the regulatory requirements. Thus,
FRA has adjusted the estimated paperwork burden in the PRA table
above so that it does not include activities outside of the scope of
the PRA.
\8\ FRA is proposing to create a new form for use by passenger
railroads, Form F 6180-49AP (Passenger Locomotive Inspection and
Repair Record), under OMB control number 2130-0035. Once the new
form is approved, FRA will move this under the proposed 49 CFR
229.22 of OMB 2130-0035.
\9\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 232,525 hours.\10\
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\10\ The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 3,815,751
hours while the total burden of this notice is 232,525 hours. As
part of its review of this ICR renewal, FRA determined many of the
previous estimates were preliminary, outdated, or duplicative.
Moreover, FRA removed locomotive safety requirements outside the
scope of the PRA, thus decreasing the total estimates accordingly in
this notice.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$17,599,370.
Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b) and 1320.8(b)(3)(vi),
FRA informs all interested parties that a respondent is not required to
respond to, conduct, or sponsor a collection of information that does
not display a currently valid OMB control number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Brett A. Jortland,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2021-26789 Filed 12-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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