Notice2023-06083
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
March 24, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA will seek 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 88 Issue 57 (Friday, March 24, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17922-17925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06083]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-6]
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 will seek 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
May 23, 2023.
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-
2023-0002. All comments received will be posted without change to the
docket, including any personal information provided. Please refer to
the assigned OMB control number (2130-0560) 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. Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bddccfd1d8c9c9d893d0c8ceced4d3dac9d2d3fdd9d2c993dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7213001e170606175c1f0701011b1c15061d1c32161d065c151d04">[email protected]</span></a> or
telephone: (571) 609-1285 or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3953565857575c174a4e585f5f564b5d795d564d175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="264c49474848430855514740404954426642495208414950">[email protected]</span></a> or
telephone: (757) 897-9908.
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 1320.8-1320.12.
[[Page 17923]]
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 statutes and 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: Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0560.
Abstract: FRA plans to publish in the Federal Register a final
administrative rule on its procedures for service of documents in
railroad safety enforcement proceedings and other administrative
updates. This rule will update FRA's railroad safety enforcement
procedures and rules of practice to require electronic service of
documents. Specifically, this rule modernizes 49 CFR part 209's
provisions and other FRA procedures regarding service to require
service through electronic methods of transmission. For example, with
respect to updating FRA's rules of practice to require electronic
service of documents, this rule will remove the certified mail
requirements in 49 CFR part 222 and provide for electronic submission
of documents to FRA and other affected parties (such as railroads and
State agencies).
This 60-day notice provides the public with the opportunity to
comment on the modifications made to eliminate the need for certified
mail in sections 222.39, 222.43, 222.47, and 222.51. These adjustments
will also decrease the burden hours by 47 hours, reducing the current
inventory's 7,254 hours to 7,207 hours in the requesting inventory.
Additionally, this rule will reduce the certified mailed cost by $5,000
annually to the affected parties.
The other provisions under parts 209, 211, 212, 216, 231, 233, 235,
238, and 239 with respect to electronic methods of transmission
requirements will not impact the current PRA inventory under multiple
OMB control numbers \1\ since the affected parties are already
submitting their written products electronically to FRA.
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\1\ Covered under multiple OMB Control Numbers, such as, 2130-
0006, 2130-0504, 2130-0509, 2130-0544, 2130-0545, and 2130-0594.
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Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 784 railroads/645 public authorities.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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\2\ FRA used the Surface Transportation Board's 2021 Full-Year
Wage A&B data series as the basis for each cost calculation. For
professional and administrative staff, the hourly wage rate is
$77.91 per hour ($44.52 * 1.75). For transportation (train and
engine) staff, the hourly wage rate is $62.67 per hour ($35.81 *
1.75).
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Average time per Total annual Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses response burden hours equivalent
(A)..................... (B).................... (C) = A * B (D) = C * wage rate
\2\
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222.15--How does one obtain a waiver 784 railroads + 645 2 petitions............. 4 hours................ 8.00 $623.28
of a provision of this regulation?-- public Authorities.
Petition for waiver.
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222.17--How can a State agency become FRA anticipates zero applications, as FRA has yet to receive any submissions under this provision.
a recognized State agency?
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222.39(b)--How is a quiet zone 645 public authorities.. 15 applications......... 80 hours............... 1,200.00 75,204.00
established?--Public authority
application to FRA--Applications for
quiet zone approval.
--(b)(1)(i) Updated Grade 645 public authorities.. 75 updated forms........ 30 minutes............. 37.50 2,350.13
Crossing Inventory Form
(includes requirements under
Sec. 222.49(a)).
--(b)(1)(iii) Diagnostic team 645 public authorities.. 3 team reviews.......... 16 hours............... 48.00 3,739.68
review of proposed quiet zone
crossings.
--(b)(3)(i) 60-day comment 645 public authorities.. 90 copies............... 1 minute............... 1.50 94.01
period--Copies of quiet zone
application (Revised
requirement).
--(b)(3)(ii) 60-day comment 784 railroads........... 30 comments............. 1.5 hours.............. 45.00 3,505.95
period--Comments to FRA on
Applications for quiet zone
approval.
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--(b)(3)(iii) 60-day comment FRA anticipates zero written statements.
period--Written no-comment
statements.
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222.43(a)(1)--What notices and other 645 public authorities, 60 notices + 180 40 hours + 1 minute.... 2,403.00 150,596.01
information are required to create 784 railroads, and notifications.
or continue a quiet zone?--Written state agencies.
notice of public authority's intent
to create new quiet zone and
notification to required parties
(Revised requirement).
--(b)(3) Notice of Intent--60-day 784 railroads and state 120 comments............ 1.5 hours.............. 180.00 14,023.80
comment period. agencies.
[[Page 17924]]
--(d) Notice of Quiet Zone 645 public authorities.. 60 notices + 360 40 hours + 10 minutes.. 2,460.00 154,168.20
Establishment--Written notice of notifications.
quiet zone establishment and
notification to required parties.
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--(d)(2)(ii)(A) Required The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is covered under Sec. 222.43(d).
contents--Public authority to
include a copy of the quiet zone
calculator web page in its
notice of quiet zone
establishment.
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--(d)(2)(v)-(vi) Required 645 public authorities.. 300 updated forms....... 30 minutes............. 150.00 9,400.50
contents--Updated Grade Crossing
Inventory Forms (includes
requirements under Sec.
222.49(a)).
--(d)(2)(xi) Required contents-- 645 public authorities.. 60 certifications....... 5 minutes.............. 5.00 313.35
Certification by chief executive
officer that the information
submitted by the public
authority is accurate.
222.47--What periodic updates are 645 public authorities.. 180 written affirmations 30 minutes + 1 minute.. 108.00 6,768.36
required?--Written affirmation to + 1,080 copies.
FRA that 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 (Revised
requirement).
--(a)(2) and (b)(2) Updated Grade 645 public authorities.. 900 updated forms....... 30 minutes............. 450.00 28,201.50
Crossing Inventory Forms
(includes requirements under
Sec. 222.49(a)).
222.51(a)-(b)--Under what conditions 645 public Authorities.. 15 written commitments.. 5 hours................ 75.00 4,700.25
will quiet zone 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 initiative-- 645 public authorities, 2 comments.............. 30 minutes............. 1.00 62.67
Comments from interested parties railroads, state
during FRA's review of quiet agencies, and the
zone status. general public.
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--(d) Termination by the public FRA estimates zero public authorities will elect to terminate a quiet zone that they only recently designated or
authority--Written notice of established, and so there will be no need to provide any written notices of termination. Consequently, there is
quiet zone termination (Revised no estimated paperwork burden associated with this requirement.
requirement).
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--(e) Notification of termination FRA estimates that there will be zero quiet zones terminated under the provisions of this section, and that there
(Revised requirement). will be no need to provide written notifications to relevant parties. Consequently, there is no estimated
paperwork burden associated with this requirement.
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222.55(b)--How are new supplementary 645 public authorities 1 letter................ 30 minutes............. .50 31.34
or alternative safety measures and interested parties.
approved?--Request for FRA approval
of new SSMs or ASMs for quiet zones.
--(d) Request for SSM/ASM 645 public authorities 1 letter................ 30 minutes............. .50 31.34
approval upon completion of and interested parties.
demonstration of proposed new
SSMs or ASMs.
222.57(a)--Can parties seek review of 645 public authorities 1 petition + 6 copies... 2 hours + 2 minutes.... 2.20 137.87
the Associate Administrator's and interested parties.
actions?--A public authority or
other 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).
--(b) Request for FRA 645 public authorities.. 1 petition letter + 6 2 hours + 2 minutes.... 2.20 137.87
reconsideration of disapproval copies.
of application for Quiet Zone
approval and copies of requests
to the required parties.
--(b) Additional documents 645 public authorities.. 1 additional document 2 hours................ 2.00 125.34
submitted to FRA to support and set of materials.
petition for reconsideration.
--(b) Letter to FRA requesting an 645 public authorities.. 1 letter................ 30 minutes............. .50 31.34
informal hearing.
222.59(b)--When may a wayside horn be 645 public authorities.. 5 notices + 30 copies... 2.5 hours + 2 minutes.. 13.50 846.05
used?--Written notice of use of
wayside horn at grade crossing
within a quiet zone plus copies of
the written notices to the required
parties.
--(c) Written notice of wayside 645 public authorities + 5 notices + 30 copies... 2.5 hours + 2 minutes.. 13.50 846.05
horn use located outside a quiet 784 railroads.
zone.
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Appendix B to Part 222--Alternative FRA anticipates zero submissions. Additionally, FRA has yet to receive any submissions under this provision.
Safety Measures--Non-engineering
ASMs--Programmed Enforcement.
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Appendix B to Part 222--Alternative FRA anticipates zero submissions. Additionally, FRA has yet to receive any submissions under this provision.
Safety Measures--Non-engineering
ASMs--Photo Enforcement.
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[[Page 17925]]
229.129(c)(10)--Locomotive horn-- The one-time testing requirement under this provision for locomotives built before September 18, 2016 has been
Written Reports and Records of fulfilled. However, any estimated burden for testing records will be covered under OMB control number 2130-0004
Locomotive Horn Testing. under 229.23.
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Total............................ 784 railroads + 645 3,620 responses......... N/A.................... 7,207 455,939
public authorities.
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 3,620.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 7,207 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$455,939.
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. 2023-06083 Filed 3-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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