Notice2022-00731
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
January 14, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 10 (Friday, January 14, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2482-2485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00731]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2022-0002-N-1]
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, FRA seeks approval of the Information
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below. Before submitting this ICR
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is
soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities
identified in the ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
March 15, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be submitted on <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> to the docket, Docket No. FRA-
2022-0002. All comments received will be posted without change to the
docket, including any personal information provided. 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: Ms. Hodan Wells, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1e76717a7f7030697b72726d5e7a716a30797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="066e696267682871636a6a754662697228616970">[email protected]</span></a> or
telephone: (202) 493-0440.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 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 to allow comment on information
collection activities before seeking OMB approval of the activities.
See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. Specifically,
FRA invites interested parties to comment on the following ICR
regarding: (1) Whether the information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether
the activities 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
for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on
the public, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5
CFR 1320.8(d)(1).
FRA believes that soliciting public comment may reduce the
administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of
information that Federal regulations mandate. In summary, FRA reasons
that comments received will advance three objectives: (1) Reduce
reporting burdens; (2) organize information collection requirements in
a ``user-friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and
(3) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
The summaries below describe the ICRs that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Locomotive Certification (Noise Compliance Regulations).
OMB Control Number: 2130-0527.
Abstract: Under authority granted by the Noise Control Act of 1972,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established limits for
noise emissions related to rail carriers in 40 CFR part 201. Those
limits are enforced by FRA under 49 CFR part 210. In particular, the
information FRA collects under Sec. 210.27 is necessary to ensure
compliance with EPA noise standards for new locomotives. Although
railroads no longer need to display a certification badge or tag in the
locomotive cab, as was previously required by now-removed Sec.
210.27(d), the locomotives still need to be tested and certified to
comply with the noise emission standards, as required under Sec.
210.27(a)-(c).
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 4 locomotive manufacturers.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
[[Page 2483]]
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Total annual Total cost
CFR section \1\ Respondent universe Total annual responses Average time per response burden hours equivalent
(A)........................ (B)....................... (C) = A * B (D) = C * wage
rate \2\
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210.11--Waivers...................... FRA anticipates zero waivers.
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210.27(a)-(c)--New locomotive 4 locomotive 4 requests................. 30 minutes................ 2 $155
certification--Request for manufacturers.
certification.
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210.31--Operation standards The estimated paperwork burden for recording locomotive noise emission tests is under OMB control number 2130-
(stationary locomotives at 30 0004 under the ``Remarks'' section on the reverse side of Form FRA F 6180.49A.
meters)--Recorded locomotive noise
emission test under the ``Remarks''
section on the reverse side of Form
FRA F 6180.49.
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Total............................ 4 locomotive 4 responses................ N/A....................... 2 155
manufacturers.
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4.
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\1\ The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 2,237 hours
while the total burden of this notice is 2 hours. As part of its
review of this ICR renewal, FRA determined the 2018 estimates
incorrectly included the time associated with the testing. For
instance, under Sec. 210.31, the burdens associated with testing
have been addressed when FRA calculated the economic costs of the
regulatory requirements. Additionally, the burden associated with
the test records are covered under OMB control number 2130-0004.
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.
\2\ Throughout this notice, 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.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 2 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $155.
Title: Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0560.
Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 222, FRA seeks to collect information
from railroads and public authorities in order to increase safety at
public highway-rail grade crossings nationwide by requiring that
locomotive horns be sounded when trains approach and pass through these
crossings or by ensuring that a safety level at least equivalent to
that provided by routine locomotive horn sounding exists for quiet zone
corridors in which such horn sounding is silenced. FRA reviews
applications by public authorities intending to establish new quiet
zones by implementing alternative safety measures and approves the
effectiveness rate assigned to them.
FRA made several adjustments to its estimated paperwork burdens in
this ICR extension.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 754 railroads/645 public authorities.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Respondent Total annual Average time Total annual Total cost
CFR section \3\ universe responses per response burden hours equivalent
(A)............ (B)............ (C) = A * B (D) = C * wage
rate
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222.15--How does one obtain a 754 railroads + 2 petitions.... 4 hours........ 8.00 $619.52
waiver of a provision of 645 public
this regulation?--Petition Authorities.
for waiver.
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222.17--How can a State FRA anticipates zero applications, as FRA has yet to receive any submissions
agency become a recognized under this provision.
State agency?
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222.39(b)--How is a quiet 645 public 15 applications 80 hours....... $1,200.00 74,148.00
zone established?--Public authorities.
authority application to
FRA--Applications to
establish quiet zone.
--(b)(1)(i) Updated Grade 645 public 75 updated 30 minutes..... 37.50 2,317.13
Crossing Inventory Form authorities. forms.
(includes requirements under
222.49(a)).
--(b)(1)(iii) Diagnostic team 645 public 3 team reviews. 16 hours....... 48.00 3,717.12
review of proposed quiet authorities.
zone crossings.
--(b)(3)(i) 60-day comment 645 public 90 copies...... 2 minutes...... 3.00 185.37
period--Copies of quiet zone authorities.
application.
--(b)(3)(ii) 60-day comment 754 railroads.. 30 comments.... 1.5 hours...... 45.00 3,484.80
period--Comments to FRA on
Quiet Zone Application.
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[[Page 2484]]
--(b)(3)(iii) 60-day comment FRA anticipates zero written statements.
period--Written no-comment
statements.
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222.43--What notices and Public 60 notices + 40 hours + 10 2,430.00 150,149.70
other information are authorities, 180 minutes.
required to create or railroads, and notifications.
continue a quiet zone? -- state agencies.
Written notice of public
authority's intent to create
new quiet zone and
notification to required
parties.
--(b)(3) Notice of Intent -60- 754 railroads.. 120 comments... 1.5 hours...... 180.00 13,939.20
day comment period.
--(d) Notice of Quiet Zone 645 public 60 notices + 40 hours + 10 2,460.00 152,003.40
Establishment--The Notice of authorities. 360 minutes.
Quiet Zone Establishment and notifications.
notification to required
parties.
--(d)(2)(v)-(vi) Required 645 public 300 updated 30 minutes..... 150.00 9,268.50
contents--Updated Crossing authorities. forms.
Inventory Forms (includes
requirements under
222.49(a)).
--(d)(2)(xi) Certification by 645 public 60 5 minutes...... 5.00 308.95
chief executive officer that authorities. certifications.
the information submitted by
the public authority is
accurate.
222.47--What periodic updates 645 public 180 written 30 minutes + 2 126.00 7,785.54
are required?--Written authorities. affirmations + minutes.
affirmation to FRA that 1,080 copies.
Supplementary or Alternative
Safety Measures (SSMs or
ASMs) conform to the
requirements of Appendices A
and B or the terms of the
Quiet Zone approval--Copies
of such notification must be
provided to the required
parties.
--(b)(2) Updated Crossing 645 public 900 updated 30 minutes..... 450.00 27,805.50
Inventory Forms (includes authorities. forms.
requirements under
222.49(a)).
222.51(a)-(b)--Under what 645 public 15 written 5 hours........ 75.00 4,634.25
conditions will quiet zone Authorities. commitments.
status be terminated?--
Written commitment to lower
the potential risk to the
traveling public at the
crossings within the quiet
zone.
--(c) Review at FRA's 645 public 2 comments..... 30 minutes..... 1.00 61.79
initiative--Comments from authorities.
interested parties during
FRA's review of quiet zone
status.
222.55(b)--How are new 645 public 1 letter....... 30 minutes..... .50 30.90
supplementary or alternative authorities.
safety measures approved? --
Request for FRA Approval of
new SSMs or ASMs for quiet
zone.
--(d) Request for SSM/ASM Interested 1 letter....... 30 minutes..... .50 30.90
approval upon completion of parties and
demonstration of proposed public.
new SSMs or ASMs.
222.57(a)--Can parties seek 645 public 1 petition + 6 2 hours + 2 2.20 135.94
review of the Associate authorities copies. minutes.
Administrator's actions?--A and interested
public authority or other parties.
interested party may
petition FRA for review of
any decision by the
Associate Administrator
granting or denying an
application for approval of
a new SSM or ASM under Sec.
222.55 (plus copies to the
required parties).
[[Page 2485]]
--(b) Request for FRA 645 public 1 petition 2 hours + 2 2.20 135.94
reconsideration of authorities. letter + 6 minutes.
disapproval of Quiet Zone copies.
and copies of requests to
the required parties.
--(b) Additional documents to 645 public 1 additional 2 hours........ 2.00 123.58
FRA as a follow-up to authorities. document and
petition for reconsideration. set of
materials.
--(b) Letter requesting FRA 645 public 1 letter....... 30 minutes..... .50 30.90
for an informal hearing. authorities.
222.59(b)--When may a wayside 645 public 5 notices + 30 2.5 hours + 2 13.50 834.17
horn be used?--Written authorities. copies. minutes.
notice of use of wayside
horn at Grade Crossing
within a quiet zone plus
copies of the written
notices to the required
parties.
--(c) Notice of wayside horn 645 public 5 notices + 30 2.5 hours + 2 13.50 834.17
located outside a quiet zone. authorities. copies. minutes.
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Appendix B to Part 222-- FRA anticipates zero submissions. Additionally, FRA has yet to receive any
Alternative Safety Measures-- submissions under this provision.
Non-engineering ASMs--
Programmed Enforcement.
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Appendix B to Part 222-- FRA anticipates zero submissions. Additionally, FRA has yet to receive any
Alternative Safety Measures-- submissions under this provision.
Modified SSMs, Engineering
ASMs--Photo Enforcement.
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229.129(c)(10)--Locomotive The one-time testing requirement under this provision for locomotives built
horn--Written Reports and before September 18, 2016 has been fulfilled. However, any estimated burden for
Records of Locomotive Horn testing records will be covered under OMB control number 2130-0004 under 229.23.
Testing.
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Total.................... 754 railroads + 3,620 responses N/A............ 7,253 452,585
645 public
authorities.
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 3,620.
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\3\ The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 9,236 hours
while the total burden of this notice is 7,254 hours. As part of its
review of this ICR renewal, FRA determined some of the previous
estimates were initial estimates, outdated, or duplicative. For
instance, the burdens previously associated with Appendix B to Part
222 were zeroed because FRA has yet to receive, and does not
anticipate receiving, any submissions under this provision.
Additionally, the estimated paperwork burdens for Sec. Sec. 222.25,
222.27, 222.35, 222.37, 222.38, 222.45, and 222.49(b) are covered
under Sec. Sec. 222.39 and 222.43.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 7,253 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$452,585.
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. 2022-00731 Filed 1-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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