Notice2022-17731
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
August 18, 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 159 (Thursday, August 18, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50914-50916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17731]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2021-0006-N-8]
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
October 17, 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-
2021-0006. 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#bff7d0dbded191e8dad3d3ccffdbd0cb91d8d0c9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0840676c6966265f6d64647b486c677c266f677e">[email protected]</span></a> or
telephone: (202) 868-9412.
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 summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Railroad Operating Rules.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0035.
Abstract: On July 24, 2019, FRA published in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing inward- and outward-
facing image recording devices be required on all lead passenger train
locomotives as required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation
Act (FAST Act).\1\
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\1\ 84 FR 35712.
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Specifically, FRA proposed requiring passenger railroads to notate
under the REMARKS section of Form F 6180-49A \2\ (Locomotive Inspection
and Repair Record) on each lead locomotive in commuter or intercity
rail passenger service: (1) the presence of any image or audio
recording system; and (2) the date when a locomotive image recording
device has been removed from service. For convenience to the railroad
industry and to avoid confusion as to the application of locomotives
recording device requirements, FRA would create a new form for use by
passenger railroads, Form F 6180-49AP (Passenger Locomotive Inspection
and Repair Record), to record this information.
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\2\ Covered under OMB Control Number 2130-0004.
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[[Page 50915]]
Form F 6180-49AP would essentially be the same as existing Form F
6180-49A, and all information required to be entered on existing Form F
6180-49A would also be included on Form F 6180-49AP. In fact, the only
substantive difference between the two forms, aside from adding
``Passenger'' to the form's title, would be the inclusion of an
additional, designated row for entering information about the testing
of locomotive image recording devices proposed under Sec. 229.136 in
the July 2019 NPRM. This new form would in no way affect use of the
existing F 6180-49A form for locomotives in freight or switching
service, which account for the vast majority of locomotives in the
United States and are not subject to the requirements of this rule. Nor
would it affect use of the F 6180-49A form by non-lead locomotives used
in commuter or intercity passenger service. It would also conserve
valuable space on the existing F 6180-49A form.
Because the proposed F 6180-49AP form was not discussed in the
NPRM, FRA is soliciting additional public comment specific to this
form.
Type of Request: Revision.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 765 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Average time per Total annual Total cost
CFR section \3\ Respondent universe Total annual responses responses burden hours equivalent \4\
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217.7(a)--Operating rules; filing 2 new railroads............... 2 documents.................. 1 hour................ 2 $154
and recordkeeping--Filing of
code of operating rules,
timetables, and timetable
special instructions by Class I,
Class II, Amtrak, and commuter
railroads with FRA.
--(b) Amendments to code of 53 railroads.................. 312 revised documents........ 20 minutes............ 104 8,008
operating rules, timetables,
and timetable special
instructions by Class I,
Class II, Amtrak, and
commuter railroads with FRA.
--(c) Class III and other 2 new railroads............... 2 documents.................. 1 hour................ 2 154
railroads--Copy of code of
operating rules, timetables,
and timetable special
instructions at system
headquarters.
--(c) Class III and other 714 railroads................. 1,596 amendments............. 15 minutes............ 399 30,723
railroads--Amendments to
code of operating rules,
timetables, and timetable
special instructions at
system headquarters.
217.9(b)(2)--Program of 765 railroads................. 4,732 records................ 2 minutes............. 158 12,166
operational tests and
inspections; recordkeeping--
Written records documenting
qualification of each railroad
testing officer.
--(b)(3) Development and 36 railroads.................. 12 adopted procedures........ 24 hours.............. 288 33,120
adoption of procedure
ensuring random selection of
employees by railroads
utilizing inward-facing
locomotive and in-cab audio
recordings to conduct
operational tests and
inspections (New
requirement).
--(c) Written program of 2 new railroads............... 2 programs................... 10 hours.............. 20 2,400
operational tests and
inspections.
--(d)(1) Records of 765 railroads................. 9,120,000 test records and 5 minutes............. 760,000 58,520,000
operational tests/ updates.
inspections.
--(d)(2) Railroad copy of 53 railroads.................. 159 program revisions........ 70 minutes............ 186 14,322
current program operational
tests/inspections--
Amendments.
--(e)(1)(i) Written quarterly 8 (Amtrak + 7 Class I) 32 reviews................... 2 hours............... 64 4,928
review of operational tests/ railroads.
inspections by RRs other
than passenger RRs.
--(e)(1)(ii) 6-month review 7 Class I railroads........... 14 reviews................... 2 hours............... 28 2,156
of operational tests/
inspections/naming of
officer.
--(e)(2) 6-month review by 35 (Amtrak + 34 passenger) 70 reviews................... 2 hours............... 140 10,780
passenger railroads railroads.
designated officers of
operational testing and
inspection data.
--(e)(3) Records of periodic 50 railroads.................. 116 records.................. 1 minute.............. 2 154
reviews.
--(f)-(g) Annual summary of 50 railroads.................. 71 summary records........... 1 hour................ 71 5,467
operational tests and
inspections.
--(h)(1)(i) RR amended 765 railroads................. 6 revised programs........... 30 minutes............ 3 231
program of operational tests/
inspections.
--(h)(1)(ii) FRA disapproval 765 railroads................. 6 supporting documents....... 1 hour................ 6 462
of RR program of operational
tests/inspections and RR
written response in support
of program.
217.11(a)--RR periodic 2 new railroads............... 2 written programs........... 8 hours............... 16 1,232
instruction of employees on
operating rules--New railroads.
217.11(b)--RR copy of amendment 765 railroads................. 110 modified written programs 30 minutes............ 55 4,235
of program for periodic
instruction of employees.
218.95(a)(5)-(b)--Instruction, 765 railroads................. 85,600 employees' records.... 1 minute.............. 1,427 109,879
training, examination--Employee
records.
--(c)(1)(i) Amended RR 765 railroads................. 5 amended programs........... 30 minutes............ 3 231
program of instruction,
testing, examination.
218.97(b)(4)--RR copy of good 765 railroads................. 4,732 copies to new employees 6 minutes............. 473 36,421
faith challenge procedures.
218.97(c)(1) and (c)(4)--RR 10 workers.................... 10 gd. faith challenges...... 15 minutes............ 3 231
employee good faith challenge of
RR directive.
--(c)(5) RR resolution of 2 new railroads............... 5 responses.................. 15 minutes............ 1 77
employee good faith
challenge.
--(d)(1) RR officer immediate 2 new railroads............... 3 reviews.................... 30 minutes............ 2 154
review of unresolved good
faith challenge.
--(d)(2) RR officer 2 new railroads............... 3 answers.................... 15 minutes............ 1 77
explanation to employee that
Federal law may protect
against employer retaliation
for refusal to carry out
work if employee refusal is
a lawful, good faith act.
[[Page 50916]]
--(d)(3) Employee written/ 2 new railroads............... 3 written protests........... 15 minutes............ 1 77
electronic protest of
employer final decision.
--(d)(3) Employee copy of 2 new railroads............... 3 copies..................... 1 minute.............. 0.1 8
protest.
--(d)(4) Employer further 2 new railroads............... 2 further reviews............ 15 minutes............ 0.5 39
review of good faith
challenge after employee
written request.
--(d)(4) RR verification 2 new railroads............... 2 decisions.................. 15 minutes............ 0.5 39
decision to employee in
writing.
--(e) Recordkeeping and 765 railroads................. 765 copies................... 5 minutes............. 64 4,928
record retention--Employer's
copy of written procedures
at division headquarters.
218.99(a)--Shoving or pushing 2 new railroads............... 2 rule modifications......... 1 hour................ 2 154
movement--RR operating rule
complying with section's
requirements.
218.101(a)-(c)--Leaving equipment 2 new railroads............... 2 rule modifications......... 30 minutes............ 1 77
in the clear--Operating rule
that complies with this section.
218.103(a)(1)--Hand-Operated 2 new railroads............... 2 rule modifications......... 30 minutes............ 1 77
Switches--Operating Rule that
Complies with this section.
229.22--Locomotive image 36 railroads.................. 4,500 passenger locomotives.. 15 minutes............ 1,125 86,625
recording systems--Form FRA F
6180-49AP (New requirements) \5\.
229.136(f)(1)--Passenger 36 railroads.................. 12 c of c procedures......... 48 hours.............. 576 44,352
railroads adoption and
development of chain of custody
(c of c) procedures (New
requirements).
--(f)(2)-(3) Passenger 36 railroads.................. 140 saved recordings......... 10 minutes............ 23 1,771
railroad preservation of
accident/incident data of
image and audio recording
system from locomotive using
such system at time of
accident/incident (includes
voluntary freight railroads
& restates previous
requirement under section
229.135(e)) (New
requirements).
--(g) Locomotive image 36 railroads.................. 12 descriptions/plans........ 20 hours.............. 240 18,480
recording system approval
process--Description of
technical aspects any
locomotive image recording
system to FRA for approval
(New requirements).
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Total.................... 765 railroads................. 9,223,047 responses.......... N/A................... 765,488 58,954,389
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\3\ FRA anticipates that no procedures will be disapproved under
Sec. 217.9(b)(4). Additionally, the burdens associated under Sec.
299.449 and appendix A to part 299 have been accounted for under the
burden associated with Sec. 229.136(f) and (g).
\4\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the Surface
Transportation Board's Full Year Wage A&B data series using the
appropriate employee group hourly wage rate that includes 75-percent
overhead charges.
\5\ The burdens for Sec. Sec. 229.21, 229.136(a)(3), (e)(2),
and 229.139(i) are covered under Sec. 229.22.
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 9,223,047.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 765,488 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$58,954,389.
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 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. 2022-17731 Filed 8-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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