Notice2023-06084
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 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 88 Issue 57 (Friday, March 24, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17919-17922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06084]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-4]
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
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 (2130-0610) 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#d5b4a7b9b0a1a1b0fbb8a0a6a6bcbbb2a1babb95b1baa1fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b3a29373e2f2f3e75362e282832353c2f34351b3f342f753c342d">[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#c9a3a6a8a7a7ace7babea8afafa6bbad89ada6bde7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9bf1f4faf5f5feb5e8ecfafdfdf4e9ffdbfff4efb5fcf4ed">[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 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: Risk Reduction Program.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0610.
Abstract: In 2020, FRA issued a final rule \1\ that requires each
Class I freight railroad and each freight railroad with inadequate
safety performance (ISP) to
[[Page 17920]]
develop and implement a Risk Reduction Program (RRP) to improve the
safety of its operations. RRP is a comprehensive, system-oriented
approach to safety that determines a railroad operation's level of risk
by identifying and analyzing applicable hazards, and develops plans to
mitigate, if not eliminate, that risk. Each railroad has flexibility to
tailor an RRP to its specific railroad operations. Each railroad must
implement its RRP under a written, FRA-approved RRP plan and conduct an
annual internal assessment of its RRP, with FRA also auditing
railroads' RRPs.
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\1\ 85 FR 9262 (Feb. 18, 2020).
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The information collected under this regulation will be used by
railroads, and FRA, to improve safety through structured, proactive
processes that systematically evaluate railroad safety hazards on their
systems and manage the risks associated with those hazards to help
reduce the number and rates of railroad accidents/incidents, injuries,
and fatalities.
In this 60-day notice, FRA has made multiple adjustments to its
estimated paperwork burden, resulting in a reduction of 1,131 hours,
from 61,825 hours in the current inventory to 60,694 hours in the
requested inventory. The primary reason for the reduction in the
estimated paperwork burden is the expected decrease in the number of
responses. Specifically, all Class I freight railroads have already
submitted their RRP plans, leading to a decrease in the overall PRA
burden, resulting in no anticipated submissions under certain
regulatory sections. This reduction in Class I submissions, reduced by
1,075 hours, significantly contributed to the overall decrease in the
estimated paperwork burden hours in the requested inventory. FRA has
uploaded a table on <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, under Docket No. FRA-2023-0002
which displays all the burden adjustments.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 7 Class I and 15 ISP railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
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\2\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the 2021 Surface
Transportation Board 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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Reporting Burden:
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Total cost
CFR section Respondent Total annual Average time Total annual equivalent in
universe responses per response burden hours U.S. dollar
(A)............ (B)............ (C = A * B) (D = C *
wage rates)
\2\
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271.13(c)--Determination of 15 railroads... 5.00 notices... 3 hours........ 15.00 $1,168.65
inadequate safety
performance (ISP)--
Qualitative assessment--
Notice to employees of
possible ISP identification
by FRA.
--Employee confidential 125 employees.. 5.00 comments.. 30 minutes..... 2.50 194.78
comments to FRA regarding RR
possible ISP identification.
--RR Documentation to FRA 15 railroads... 5.00 documents. 8 hours........ 40.00 3,116.40
refuting possible ISP
identification.
--(f) and (g) Petition for 15 railroads... .67 petition... 16 hours....... 10.72 835.20
reconsideration of ISP
determination and petition
to discontinue compliance
with this part.
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271.101--Risk Reduction The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under
Programs (RRPs)--Class I Sec. Sec. 271.103, 271.105, 271.107, 271.109, and 271.111.
railroads.
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271.103--RRP hazard 7 railroads.... 2.33 HMP 3,360 hours.... 7,838.80 609,941.81
management program (HMP). analyses.
271.105--RRP safety 7 railroads.... 2.33 SPE 147 hours...... 342.51 26,684.95
performance evaluation evaluations.
(SPE): surveys/evaluations.
7 railroads.... 2.33 1,060.15 hours. 2,470.15 192,449.39
assessments.
271.107--Safety Outreach-- 7 railroads.... 44,333.00 1 hour......... 44,333.00 2,636,040.18
communications/reports. communications.
7 railroads.... 28.00 30 minutes..... 14.00 1,090.74
communications.
271.109--Technology analysis 7 railroads.... 2.33 reports... 10 hours....... 23.30 1,815.30
and technology
implementation plans.
271.111--RRP implementation 7 railroads.... 1,400.00 3 minutes...... 70.00 5,453.70
training--programs/training, records of
employees/records. trained
employees.
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271.113--Involvement of RR The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under
employees. Sec. Sec. 271.401 and 271.405.
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271.101(c)--Communication by 7 railroads.... 40.00 2 hours........ 80.00 6,232.80
Class I RRs that host communications/
passenger train services consultations.
with RRs subject to FRA
System Safety Program
Requirements.
--(d) Identification/ 7 railroads.... 212.00 1 hour......... 212.00 16,516.92
communication w/entities communications/
performing/utilizing consultations.
significant safety-related
services--Class I RRs.
--RR Identification/further 7 railroads.... 1,488.00 1 hour......... 1,488.00 115,930.08
communication with communications/
contractors performing/ consultations.
utilizing significant safety
related services--Class I
RRs.
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271.101(a)--Risk Reduction The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under
Programs (RRPs)--ISP Sec. Sec. 271.103, 271.105, 271.107, 271.109, and 271.111.
railroads.
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271.103--RRP hazard 15 railroads... 5.00 HMPs...... 240 hours...... 1,200.00 93,492.00
management program (HMP).
271.105--RRP safety 15 railroads... 5.00 surveys... 14.73 hours.... 73.65 5,738.07
performance evaluation
(SPE): surveys/evaluations.
15 railroads... 5.00 SPEs...... 51.11 hours.... 255.55 19,909.90
271.107--Safety Outreach-- 15 railroads... 5.00 1 hour......... 5.00 297.30
communications/reports. communications.
15 railroads... 5.00 reports... 3 hours........ 15.00 1,168.65
[[Page 17921]]
271.109--Technology analysis 15 railroads... 5.00 plans..... 5 hours........ 25.00 1,947.75
and technology
implementation plans.
271.111--RRP implementation 15 railroads... 50.00 records 3 minutes...... 2.50 194.78
training--Records (Note: The of trained
associated burdens related employees.
to training were
appropriately calculated as
economic costs of the
regulatory requirement.).
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271.113--Involvement of RR The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under
employees. subparts B and E of part 271.
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271.101(d)--ISPs--Identificat 15 railroads... 5.00 2 hours........ 10.00 779.10
ion/communication w/entities communications/
performing significant consultations.
safety-related services.
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271.201/203--Written risk The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
reduction program plans (RRP
plans)--Adoption and
implementation of RRP plans--
Class I.
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--Written RRP plans--ISP RRs. 15 railroads... 5.00 RRP plans. 96 hours....... 480.00 37,396.80
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271.207--RR Good faith The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
consultation w/directly
affected employees--Class I
RRs.
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--RR Notification to non- The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
represented employees of
consultation meeting--Class
I RRs.
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--RR Good faith consultations/ 15 railroads... 5.00 consults/ 20 hours....... 100.00 7,791.00
notices: ISP RRs. notices.
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--Submission of detailed The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
consultation statements
along w/RRP plans by Class I
RRs.
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--Submission of detailed 15 railroads... 5.00 consults/ 40 hours....... 200.00 15,582.00
consultation statements statements.
along w/RRP plan by ISPs.
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--Copy of RRP plan--Class I The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
RRs + ISP RRs.
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--Consultation Statement to The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
Service List Individuals--
Class I RRs + ISP RRs.
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--Statements from directly The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
affected employees--Class I
RRs.
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--Statements from directly 15 railroads... 12.00 1 hour......... 12.00 934.92
affected employees--ISP RRs. statements.
271.209--Substantive 7 railroads.... 1.00 amended 8 hours........ 8.00 623.28
amendments to RRP plan-- written plan.
Class I RRs.
--Substantive amendments to 15 railroads... .67 amended 8 hours........ 5.36 417.60
RRP plan--ISP RRs. written plan.
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271.301--Filing of RRP plan w/ The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
FRA--Class I RRs.
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--Filing of RRP plan w/FRA-- 15 railroads... 5.00 filed 2 hours........ 10.00 779.10
ISP RRs. plans.
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--Class I RR corrected RRP The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
plan.
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--FRA requested Class I RR The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
consultation with directly
affected employees regarding
substantive corrections/
changes to RRP plan.
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--ISP RR corrected RRP plan.. 15 railroads... 1.00 RRP plan.. 2 hours........ 2.00 155.82
--FRA requested ISP RR 15 railroads... 1.00 consult/ 1 hour......... 1.00 77.91
further consultation with statement.
directly affected employees
regarding substantive
amendment to RRP plan.
271.303--Amendments 22 railroads 2.00 consults.. 1 hour......... 2.00 155.82
consultation w/directly (Class I +
affected employees on ISP).
substantive amendments to
RRP plan--Class I RRs and
ISP RRs.
--Employee statement to FRA 22 railroads 2.00 employee 30 minutes..... 1.00 77.91
on RR RRP plan substantive (Class I + statements.
amendments where agreement ISP).
could not be reached.
--Filed amended RRP plan-- 7 railroads.... 1.00 plan...... 30 minutes..... .50 38.96
Class I RRs.
--Filed amended RRP plan--ISP 15 railroads... .67 plan....... 30 minutes..... .34 26.49
RRs.
--Amended RRP plan 22 railroads 1.00 corrected 2 hours........ 2.00 155.82
disapproved by FRA & (Class I + RRP plan.
requested correction--Class ISP).
I RRs and ISPs.
271.307--Retention of RRP 22 railroads 2.00 plan 10 minutes..... .33 25.71
plans--Copies of RRP plan/ (Class I + copies.
amendments by RR at system/ ISP).
division headquarters--Class
I and ISP RRs.
217.401/403--Annual internal 7 railroads.... 7.00 120 hours...... 840.00 65,444.40
assessment/improvement assessments/
plans--Class I RRs. improvement
plans.
--Annual internal assessment/ 22 railroads... 5.00 32 hours....... 160.00 12,465.60
improvement plans--ISP RRs. assessments/
improvement
plans.
[[Page 17922]]
271.405--Internal assessment 7 railroads.... 7.00 reports... 8 hours........ 56.00 4,362.96
report copy to FRA--Class I
RRs.
--Internal assessment submit 22 railroads... 5.00 reports... 2 hours........ 10.00 779.10
copy to FRA within 60 days
of completion--ISP RRs.
271.501/.503--External 22 railroads... 7.33 responses. 4 hours........ 29.32 2,284.32
audits--Response to FRA's
written notice (Note: The
associated burdens related
to audit were appropriately
calculated as economic costs
of the regulatory
requirement.).
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Appendix A--Request by FRA The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
for additional information/
documents to determine
whether railroad has met
good faith and best effort
consultation requirements of
section 271.207.
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--Further railroad The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
consultation w/employees
after determination by FRA
that railroad did not use
good faith/best efforts.
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--Meeting to discuss The PRA burden associated with this requirement has been completed.
administrative details of
consultation processes
during the time between
initial meeting and
applicability date--Class I
RRs.
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--Meeting to discuss 15 railroads... 7.00 meetings/ 1 hour......... 7.00 545.37
administrative details of consults.
consultation processes
during the time between
initial meeting and
applicability date--ISP RRs.
--Notification to non- 15 railroads... 600.00 notices. 15 minutes..... 150.00 11,686.50
represented employees of
good faith consultation
process--ISP RRs.
--Draft RRP plan proposal to 15 railroads... 20.00 proposals/ 2 hours........ 40.00 3,116.40
employees--ISP RRs. copies.
--Employee comments on RRP 2,000 employees 60.00 comments. 1 hour......... 60.00 4,674.60
plan draft proposal.
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Subpart G--Fatigue Risk The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under
Management Programs. OMB Control Number 2130-0633.
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Appendix B--Request to FRA FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
for electronic submission or
FRA review of written
materials.
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Totals \3\............... 22 railroads... 48,374 N/A............ 60,694 3,910,597
responses.
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 48,374.
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\3\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 60,694 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$3,910,597.
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. 2023-06084 Filed 3-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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