Notice2023-14160
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
July 5, 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 April 21, 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 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42999-43001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14160]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-12]
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 April
21, 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
August 4, 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. Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#38594a545d4c4c5d16554d4b4b51565f4c5756785c574c165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dfbeadb3baababbaf1b2aaacacb6b1b8abb0b19fbbb0abf1b8b0a9">[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#3a50555b54545f14494d5b5c5c55485e7a5e554e145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1cbcec0cfcfc48fd2d6c0c7c7ced3c5e1c5ced58fc6ced7">[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
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 April 21, 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
24657.
FRA has received one comment related to the proposed collection of
information. The Chief Economist of the Bureau of Economic Analysis
(BEA) sent an electronic letter date May 30, 2023, expressing BEA's
strong support for FRA's continued collection of on the Accident/
Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping forms. The Chief Economist noted
that the data collected on these forms are crucial to key components of
BEA's economic analyses and requested that FRA keep BEA informed of any
modifications to these forms. 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. This ICR responds to the information
collection mandate in Section 22421(b) of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (IIJA) and also provides routine updates to 49 CFR part
225's overall information collection request renewal.
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.
[[Page 43000]]
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: Accident/Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0500.
Abstract: The railroad accident/incident reporting regulations in
49 CFR part 225 require railroads to submit reports summarizing
collisions, derailments, and certain other accidents/incidents
involving damages above a periodically revised dollar threshold, as
well as certain injuries to passengers, employees, and other persons on
railroad property. As the reporting requirements and the information
needed regarding each category of accident/incident are unique, a
different form is used for each category.
In response to the mandate in IIJA Section 22421,\1\ FRA intends to
utilize Form FRA F 6180.54 Special Study Blocks 49a and 49b to collect
the following information for a projected five-year period: (1) the
length of the involved trains, in feet, and (2) the number of crew
members who were aboard a controlling locomotive involved in an
accident at the time of such accident. This modification produces a
minimal additional burden with respect to what is already being
reported, as FRA estimates that the utilization of the Special Study
Blocks will require an additional 2 minutes to complete, for a total
average burden time of approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes per form,
adding an additional 57 hours to the overall collection request.
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\1\ Specifically, IIJA Section 22421(b) requires FRA to update
Special Study Block 49 on Form FRA F 6180.54, for a period of five
years, to collect information on: (1) the number of cars and length
of trains involved in an accident/incident; and (2) the number of
crew members who were aboard a controlling locomotive involved in an
accident at the time of such accident. Railroads are already
required to report the number of cars in the consist of a train
involved in an accident on Form FRA F 6180.54, Field 35.
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FRA has made multiple adjustments to its estimated paperwork burden
for the entire part 225 collection request, resulting in a reduction of
5,563 hours, from 35,846 hours in the current inventory, to 30,283
hours in the requested inventory. The primary reason for the reduction
in the estimated paperwork burden is the expected decrease in the
number of submissions. Specifically, under Sec. 225.19(d), FRA expects
submissions will decrease significantly from 11,636 hours to 7,040
hours due to a reduction in the number of injuries reported in the last
two years. There is no change in the method of collection; this is a
routine update for this 3-year ICR renewal period.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses
Form(s): FRA F 6180.54; .55; .55a; .56; .57; .78; .81; .97; .98;
.107; .150.
Respondent Universe: 784 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Average Total cost
CFR Section Respondent universe Total annual responses time per Total annual equivalent in
response burden hours U.S. dollar
(A).............................. (B) (C = A * B) (D = C *
wage rates)
\2\
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225.6(a)--Consolidated reporting-- 784 railroads..................... 0.33 requests.................... 40.00 hours 13.20 $1,028.41
Request to FRA by parent
corporation to treat its commonly
controlled carriers as a single
railroad carrier for purposes of
this part.
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--(b) Written agreement by The burden for this requirement is included in Sec. 225.6(a).
parent corporation with FRA on
specific subsidiaries included
in its railroad system.
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--(c) Notification by parent The burden for this requirement is included in Sec. 225.6(a).
corporation regarding any
change in the subsidiaries
making up its railroad system
and amended written agreement
with FRA.
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225.9--Telephonic reports of certain 784 railroads..................... 2,589.00 phone reports........... 15.00 647.25 50,427.25
accidents/incidents and other minutes
events.
225.11--Reporting of accidents/ 784 railroads..................... 1,699.00 forms................... 2 hours + 2 3,454.63 269,150.22
incidents--Form FRA F 6180.54 (IIJA minutes
created an additional burden of 2
minutes to what is already being
reported.).
225.12(a)--Rail equipment accident/ 784 railroads..................... 732.00 forms..................... 15.00 183.00 14,257.53
incident reports alleging human minutes
factor as cause--Form FRA F 6180.81.
--(b) Part I Form FRA F 6180.78 784 railroads..................... 800 notices + 800 notice copies + 10 minutes 333.83 26,008.70
(Notices). 3,200 copies + 10 copies. + 3 minutes
--(c) Joint operations.......... 784 railroads..................... 73.00 reports.................... 20.00 24.00 1,869.84
minutes
--(d) Late identification....... 784 railroads..................... 20 attachments + 20 notices...... 10.00 6.67 519.66
minutes
--(g) Employee statement Railroad employees................ 60.00 statements................. 1.50 hours 90.00 $7,011.90
supplementing railroad accident
report (Part II Form FRA
6180.78).
--(g)(3) Employee confidential Railroad employees................ 5.00 letters..................... 2.00 hours 10.00 779.10
letter.
225.13(A)--Late reports--RR 784 railroads..................... 50.00 late reports............... 2.00 hours 100.00 7,791.00
discovery of improperly omitted
report of accident/incident.
--(B) RR late/amended report of 784 railroads..................... 20 amended reports + 30 copies... 1 hour + 3 21.50 1,675.07
accident/incident based on employee minutes
statement supplementing RR accident
report.
225.18(a)--RR narrative report of 784 railroads..................... 12.00 reports.................... 15.00 3.00 233.73
possible alcohol/drug involvement minutes
in accident/incident.
--(b) Reports required by Sec. 784 railroads..................... 5.00 reports..................... 30.00 2.50 194.78
219.209(b) appended to rail minutes
equipment accident/incident report.
[[Page 43001]]
225.19(a)--Rail-highway grade 784 railroads..................... 2,161.50 forms................... 2.00 hours 4,323.00 336,804.93
crossing accident/incident report--
Form FRA F 6180.57.
--(d) Death, injury, or 784 railroads..................... 7,040.00 forms................... 1.00 hour 7,040.00 548,486.40
occupational illness (Form FRA
F 6180.55a).
225.21--Railroad injury and illness 784 railroads..................... 9,408.00 forms................... 10.00 1,568.00 122,162.88
summary--Form FRA F 6180.55. minutes
225.21--Annual railroad report of 784 railroads..................... 784.00 forms..................... 15.00 196.00 15,270.36
employee hours and casualties, by minutes
state--Form FRA F 6180.56.
225.21/25--Railroad employee injury 784 railroads..................... 4,000.00 forms................... 1.00 hour 4,000.00 311,640.00
and/or illness record--Form FRA F
6180.98.
--Copies of forms to employees.. 784 railroads..................... 3.60 form copies................. 2.00 0.12 9.35
minutes
225.21--Initial rail equipment 784 railroads..................... 10,194.00 forms.................. 30.00 5,097.00 397,107.27
accident/incident record--Form FRA minutes
F 6180.97.
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--Completion of Form FRA F FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
6180.97 because of rail
equipment involvement.
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--Alternative record for 784 railroads..................... 150.00 forms..................... 75.00 187.50 14,608.13
illnesses claimed to be work minutes
related--Form FRA F 6180.107.
--Highway User Statement--RR 784 railroads..................... 721.00 letters/forms............. 50.00 600.83 46,810.67
cover letter and Form FRA F minutes
6180.150 sent out to
potentially injured travelers
involved in a highway-rail
grade crossing accident/
incident.
--Form FRA F 6180.150 completed 117 injured individuals........... 117.00 forms..................... 45.00 87.75 6,836.60
by highway user and sent back minutes
to railroad.
225.25(h)--Posting of monthly 784 railroads..................... 9,408.00 lists................... 5.00 784.00 61,081.44
summary. minutes
225.27(a)(1)--Retention of records.. 784 railroads..................... 7,500.00 records................. 2.00 250.00 19,477.50
minutes
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--Record of Form FRA F 6180.107s The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included in 225.21 (Alternative record for illnesses
claimed to be work related).
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--Record of Monthly Lists....... 784 railroads..................... 9,408.00 records................. 2.00 313.60 24,432.58
minutes
(a)(2)--Record of Form FRA F 784 railroads..................... 10,194.00 records................ 2.00 339.80 26,473.82
6180.97. minutes
--Record of employee human 784 railroads..................... 1,464.00 records................. 2.00 48.80 3,802.01
factor attachments. minutes
225.33--Internal Control Plans-- 784 railroads..................... 10.00 amendments................. 6.00 hours 60.00 4,674.60
Amendments.
225.35--Access to records and 784 railroads..................... 784.00 lists..................... 20.00 261.33 20,360.22
reports. minutes
225.37(a)--Optical media transfer of FRA anticipates zero submissions
reports, updates, and amendments. during this 3-year ICR period.
(c)(2)--Electronic submission of 784 railroads..................... 4,704.00 submissions............. 3.00 235.20 18,324.43
reports, updates, and minutes
amendments.
Totals \3\.................. 784 railroads..................... 85,570 responses................. N/A 30,283 2,359,310
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 85,570.
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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 rage that includes a 75
percent overhead charge.
\3\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 30,283 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$2,359,310.
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. 2023-14160 Filed 7-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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