Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

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Published

June 21, 2023

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 March 24, 2023, 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 88 Issue 118 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40369-40372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13133]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-11]

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 March
24, 2023, 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
July 21, 2023.

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 Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the
search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bad0d5dbd4d4df94c9cddbdcdcd5c8defaded5ce94ddd5cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="066c69676868632875716760606974624662697228616970">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or
telephone: (757) 897-9908 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a3b28363f2e2e3f74372f292933343d2e35341a3e352e743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f091829c95848495de9d858383999e97849f9eb0949f84de979f86">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or telephone:
(571) 609-1285.

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 March 24, 2023, FRA
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR
17919. FRA has received one comment related to the proposed collection
of information. This commenter expressed concerns about FRA's estimated
paperwork burdens with respect to the Risk Reduction Program (RRP), but
did not articulate in detail which burdens were of concern. While FRA
notes this feedback, FRA's stakeholder-informed process re-evaluates
the estimated paperwork burdens periodically to ensure accuracy and
FRA's subject matter experts also analyze the updated data to determine
accurate estimates.
Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30-days' notice 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 1320.12(d); 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: 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 develop and implement a 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.
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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. 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.
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.
As a result of the merger between the Canadian Pacific and Kansas
City Southern railroads, Class I the respondent universe was reduced
from seven to six Class I railroads. While the individual burden
remains the same, for transparency, the burden table is being re-
published in this 30-day notice to illustrate the updates made.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 6 Class I railroads and 15 Class II or Class
III freight railroads demonstrating inadequate safety performance.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:

[[Page 40370]]

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Total
Average time per annual Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses responses burden equivalent in U.S.
hours dollar
(A)............................ (B).............. (C = A * B) (D = C * wage
rates)
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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.
--(i)Employee confidential 125 employees.................. 5.00 comments.................. 30 minutes....... 2.50 194.78
comments to FRA regarding RR
possible ISP identification.
--(ii)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................... 0.67 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 Programs The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 271.103, 271.105, 271.107,
(RRPs)--Class I railroads. 271.109, and 271.111.
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271.103--RRP hazard management 6 railroads.................... 2.33 HMPs analyses............. 3,360 hours...... 7,828.80 609,941.81
program (HMPs) Class I.
271.105--RRP safety performance 6 railroads.................... 2.33 SPEs evaluation........... 147 hours........ 342.51 26,684.95
evaluation (SPEs): evaluation/ 6 railroads.................... 2.33 assessments............... 1,060 hours...... 2,470.15 192,449.39
assessments--Class I.
271.107--Safety Outreach-- 6 railroads.................... 44,333.00 communications....... 1 hour........... 44,333.00 2,636,040.18
communications/reporting to 6 railroads.................... 28.00 communications........... 30 minutes....... 14.00 1,090.74
senior management--Class I.
271.109--Technology analysis and 6 railroads.................... 2.33 reports................... 10 hours......... 23.30 1,815.30
technology implementation plans--
Class I.
271.111--RRP implementation 6 railroads.................... 1,400.00 records of trained 3 minutes........ 70.00 5,453.70
training--programs/training. employees.
employees/records.--Class I.
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271.113--Involvement of RR The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 271.401 and 271.405.
employees--Class I.
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271.101(c)--Communication by 6 railroads.................... 40.00 communications/ 2 hours.......... 80.00 6,232.80
Class I that host passenger consultations.
train services with RRs subject
to FRA System Safety Program
Requirements.
--(d) Identification/ 6 railroads.................... 212.00 communications/ 1 hour........... 212.00 16,516.92
communication w/entities consultations.
performing/utilizing significant
safety-related services--Class I.
--RR Identification/further 6 railroads.................... 1,488.00 communications/ 1 hour........... 1,488.00 115,930.08
communication with contractors consultations.
performing/utilizing significant
safety related services--Class I.
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271.101(a)--Risk Reduction The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 271.103, 271.105, 271.107,
Programs (RRPs)--ISP. 271.109, and 271.111.
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271.103--RRP hazard management 15 railroads................... 5.00 HMPs...................... 240 hours........ 1,200.00 93,492.00
program (HMPs) ISP.
271.105--RRP safety performance 15 railroads................... 5.00 surveys................... 15 hours......... 73.65 5,738.07
evaluation (SPEs): survey/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 SPEs...................... 51 hours......... 255.55 19,909.90
evaluation--ISP.
271.107--Safety Outreach-- 15 railroads................... 5.00 communications............ 1 hour........... 5.00 297.30
communications/reporting to 15 railroads................... 5.00 reports................... 3 hours.......... 15.00 1,168.65
management--ISP.
271.109--Technology analysis and 15 railroads................... 5.00 plans..................... 5 hours.......... 25.00 1,947.75
technology implementation plans--
ISP.
271.111--RRP implementation 15 railroads................... 50.00 records of trained 3 minutes........ 2.50 194.78
training--Records ISP RRs (Note: employees.
The associated burdens related
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 subparts B and E of part 271.
employees.
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271.101(d)--ISPs--Identification/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 communications/ 2 hours.......... 10.00 779.10
communication w/entities consultations.
performing significant safety-
related services.
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271.201/203--Written risk The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
reduction program plans (RRP
plans)--Adoption and
implementation of RRP plans--
Class I.
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--Written RRP plans--ISP......... 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 for Class I railroads has been completed.
consultation w/directly affected
employees--Class I.
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--RR Notification to non- The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
represented employees of
consultation meeting--Class I.
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--RR Good faith consultations/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 consults/notices.......... 20 hours......... 100.00 7,791.00
notices: ISP.
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(d)--Submission of detailed The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
consultation statement along w/
RRP plan by Class I.
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--Submission of detailed 15 railroads................... 5.00 consults/statements....... 40 hours......... 200.00 15,582.00
consultation statement along w/
RRP plan by ISPs (Burden for
plan copies included).
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--Copy of RRP Plan--Class I...... The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
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[[Page 40371]]

--Consultation Statement to The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
Service List Individuals--Class
I.
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--Statements from directly The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
affected employees--Class I
railroads.
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--Statements from directly 15 railroads................... 12.00 statements............... 1 hour........... 12.00 934.92
affected employees--ISP.
271.209--Substantive amendments 6 railroads.................... 1.00 amended written plan...... 8 hours.......... 8.00 623.28
to RRP plan--Class I.
--Substantive amendments to RRP 15 railroads................... 0.67 amended written plan...... 8 hours.......... 5.36 417.60
plan--ISP railroads.
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271.301--Filing of RRP plan w/ The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I RRs has been completed.
FRA--Class I.
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--Filing of RRP plan w/FRA--ISP 15 railroads................... 5.00 filed plans............... 2 hours.......... 10.00 779.10
railroads.
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--Class I RR corrected RRP plan.. The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
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--FRA requested Class I The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
consultation with directly
affected employees regarding
substantive corrections/changes
to RRP plan.
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--ISP railroad corrected RRP plan 15 railroads................... 1.00 RRP plan.................. 2 hours.......... 2.00 155.82
--FRA requested ISP railroad 15 railroads................... 1.00 consult/statement......... 1 hour........... 1.00 77.91
further consultation with
directly affected employees
regarding substantive amendment
to RRP plan.
271.303--Amendments consultation 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 2.00 consults.................. 1 hour........... 2.00 155.82
w/directly affected employees on
substantive amendments to RRP
plan--Class I + ISP.
--Employee statement to FRA on 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 2.00 employee statements....... 30 minutes....... 1.00 77.91
railroad RRP plan substantive
amendment where agreement could
not be reached Class I + ISP.
271.303--Filed amended RRP plan-- 6 railroads.................... 1.00 plan...................... 30 minutes....... 0.50 38.96
Class I railroads.
--Filed amended RRP plan--ISP.... 15 railroads................... 0.67 plan...................... 30 minutes....... 0.34 26.49
--Amended RRP plan disapproved by 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 1.00 corrected RRP plan........ 2 hours.......... 2.00 155.82
FRA & requested correction--
Class I and ISPs.
271.307--Retention of RRP plans-- 21 railroads (Class I + ISP)... 2.00 plan copies............... 10 minutes....... 0.33 25.71
Copies of RRP Plan/Amendments by
railroad at system/division
headquarters --Class I + ISP.
217.401/403--Annual internal 6 railroads.................... 7.00 assessments/improvement 120 hours........ 840.00 65,444.40
assessment/improvement plans-- plans.
Class I.
--Annual internal assessment/ 15 railroads................... 5.00 assessments/improvement 32 hours......... 160.00 12,465.60
improvement plans--ISP. plans.
271.405--Copy of Internal 6 railroads.................... 7.00 reports................... 8 hours.......... 56.00 4,362.96
assessment to FRA--Class I.
--Copy of Internal assessment 15 railroads................... 5.00 reports................... 2 hours.......... 10.00 779.10
report to FRA--ISP.
271.501/.503--External audits-- 21 railroads................... 7.33 responses................. 4 hours.......... 29.32 2,284.32
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 for The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
additional information/documents
to determine whether railroad
has met good faith and best
efforts consultation
requirements of section 271.207--
Class I.
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--Further railroad consultation w/ The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
employees after determination by
FRA that railroad did not use
good faith/best efforts--Class I.
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--Meeting to discuss The PRA burden associated with this requirement for Class I railroads has been completed.
administrative details of
consultation process during the
time between initial meeting and
applicability date--Class I s.
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--Meeting to discuss 15 railroads................... 7.00 meetings/consults......... 1 hour........... 7.00 545.37
administrative details of
consultation process during the
time between initial meeting and
applicability date--ISP.
--Notification to non-represented 15 railroads................... 600.00 notices................. 15 minutes....... 150.00 11,686.50
employees of good faith
consultation process -ISP.
--Draft RRP plan proposal to 15 railroads................... 20.00 proposals/copies......... 2 hours.......... 40.00 3,116.40
employees--ISP.
--Employee comments on RRP plan 2,000 employees................ 60.00 comments................. 1 hour........... 60.00 4,674.60
draft proposal--ISP RRs.
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Appendix B--Request to FRA for FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
electronic submission or FRA
review of written materials.
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Totals................... 21 railroads................... 48,374 responses............... N/A.............. 60,694 3,910,597
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[[Page 40372]]

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 48,374.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 60,694.
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. 2023-13133 Filed 6-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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