Notice2023-16890
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 8, 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) summarized 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 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53581-53584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16890]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-21]
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) summarized 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.
[[Page 53582]]
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
October 10, 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 for each ICR, 2130-0545 and 2130-0576,
respectively, in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize
comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice,
made available to the public, and include them in its information
collection submission to OMB for approval.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7913161817171c570a0e181f1f160b1d391d160d571e160f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="107a7f717e7e753e63677176767f627450747f643e777f66">[email protected]</span></a> or
telephone: (757) 897-9908, or Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3e5f4c525b4a4a5b10534b4d4d5750594a51507e5a514a10595148"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b1a09171e0f0f1e55160e080812151c0f14153b1f140f551c140d">[email 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
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 ICRs
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, 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 ICRs that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Passenger Train Emergency Procedures.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.
Abstract: The railroad passenger train emergency preparedness
regulations under 49 CFR part 239, set forth FRA's requirements for
railroads to meet Federal standards for the preparation, adoption, and
implementation of emergency preparedness plans connected with the
operation of passenger trains, including freight railroads hosting
passenger rail service operations. Part 239 also requires each affected
railroad to instruct its employees on the provisions of its plan. The
information collected is necessary for compliance with the regulation.
In this 60-day notice, FRA made adjustments that increased the
previously approved burden hours from 350 hours to 353 hours. This
increase, after a thorough review, is the result of a more accurate
estimate of the annual responses for debrief and critique sessions
under Sec. 239.105 and emergency preparedness plans under Sec.
239.101/201/203.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 34 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Average time per Total annual burden Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses response hours equivalent
(A)........................... (B)................. (C = A * B)......... (D = C *
wage rates)
\1\
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239.13--Penalties................ FRA anticipates that there will be zero falsified records or reports during this 3-year ICR.
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239.13--Waivers.................. 34 railroads............. 1 waiver petition............. 10 hours............ 10 hours............ $859.30
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239.101/201/203--Emergency 34 railroads............. 6 amended plans............... 16 hours............ 96 hours............ $8,249.28
preparedness plan: amended plans.
--Non-substantive changes to 34 railroads............. 6 amended plans............... 1 hour.............. 6 hours............. $515.58
emergency preparedness plan.
--Emergency preparedness 34 railroads............. 1 new plan.................... 80 hours............ 80 hours............ $6,874.40
plans for new/start-up
railroads.
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239.101(a)(1)(i)--Communication-- The requirement for initial on-board notification is routine and is covered by the economic cost.
Initial and on-board
notification.
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--(a)(1)(ii) RR designation 34 railroads............. 34 designations............... 5 minutes........... 2.80 hours.......... $240.60
of employees responsible for
maintaining emergency phone
numbers for use in
contacting outside emergency
responders and appropriate
RR officials that a
passenger emergency has
occurred.
--Commuter/intercity 34 railroads............. 34 lists/updated records...... 1 hour.............. 34 hours............ $2,921.62
passenger RRs gathering/
keeping emergency phone
numbers.
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--(a)(3) Coordinating The burden for this requirement is covered under Sec. 239.101/201/203
applicable portions of --Emergency preparedness plan: amended plans.
emergency preparedness plan
between each railroad
hosting passenger service
and each railroad that
provides or operates such
service.
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--(a)(5) Updating emergency The burden for this requirement is covered under Sec. 239.101/201/203
responder liaison --Emergency preparedness plan: amended plans.
information and conducting
emergency simulation.
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[[Page 53583]]
--(a)(6)(iii)-(iv) On-board The burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0576, Sec. 238.113 (d)(1-3) and Sec.
emergency lighting, 238.112(d)(1-2).
Maintenance and marking of
emergency exits.
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--(a)(7) RR dissemination of 1 new railroad........... 350 cards + 1 safety messages. 5 minutes........... 29.30 hours......... $2,517.75
information regarding
emergency procedures/
instructions.
34 railroads............. 1000 cards +100 safety 5 minutes........... 91.70 hours......... $7,879.78
messages.
239.105--Debrief and critique 34 railroads............. 39 debrief/critique sessions.. 5 minutes........... 3.30 hours.......... $283.57
sessions.
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239.301(b)(c)--Maintenance and This burden is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0035 under Sec. 217.9(d)(1).
retention of operational tests/
inspection records.
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--(d) RR retention of 1 copy of This burden is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0035 under Sec. 217.9(d)(2).
operational testing & inspection
program.
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--(e) RR six-month review of This burden is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0035 under Sec. 217.9(e).
tests/inspections and
adjustments to program of
operational tests/inspections.
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--(f) RR annual summary of tests/ This burden is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0035 under Sec. 217.9(f).
inspections & record of each
summary.
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Total.................... 34 railroads............. 1,572......................... .................... 353 hours........... \2\ $30,342
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 1,572.
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\1\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the 2022 Surface
Transportation Board Full Year Wage A&B data series using the
employee group 200 (Professional & Administrative) hourly wage rate
of $49.10. The total burden wage rate (Straight time plus 75%) used
in the table is $85.93 ($49.10 x 1.75 = $85.93).
\2\ Totals may not add up due to rounding.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 353 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $30,342.
Title: Passenger Train Emergency Systems.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0576.
Abstract: This information collection is due to passenger train
emergency systems regulations under 49 CFR part 238. The purpose of
this part is to prevent collisions, derailments, and other occurrences
involving railroad passenger equipment that cause injury or death to
railroad employees, railroad passengers, or the general public, and to
mitigate the consequences of such occurrences to the extent they cannot
be prevented. FRA further added requirements for emergency passage
through vestibule and other interior passageway doors and enhanced
emergency egress and rescue signage requirements.\3\
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\3\ 78 FR 71785 (Nov. 29, 2013).
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FRA also established requirements for low-location emergency exit
path markings to assist occupants in reaching and operating emergency
exits, particularly under conditions of limited visibility. Moreover,
FRA added standards to ensure emergency lighting systems are provided
in all passenger cars and enhanced requirements for the survivability
of emergency lighting systems in new passenger cars.
In this 60-day notice, FRA has made adjustments that decreased the
burden hours from 859 hours in the current inventory to 755 hours in
the requested inventory. This decrease is more in line with the
anticipated annual reporting of legible markings and instruction in
passenger cars under Sec. 238.123(e).
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses (railroads).
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 34 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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\4\ Totals may not add due to rounding. The dollar equivalent
cost is derived from the 2022 Surface Transportation Board Full Year
Wage A&B data series using the employee group 200 (Professional &
Administrative) hourly wage rate of $49.10. The total burden wage
rate (Straight time plus 75%) used in the table is $85.93 ($49.10 x
1.75 = $85.93).
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Total cost
CFR Section Respondent universe Total annual responses Average time per Total annual burden equivalent in
responses hours U.S. dollar
......................... (A)........................... (B)................. (C = A * B)......... (D = C *
wage rates)
\4\
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238.112--Door emergency egress 34 railroads............. 2,250 markings/signs/ 5 minutes........... 187.50 hours........ $16,111.88
and rescue access systems: instructions.
Markings, signage, instructions.
--(e) Passenger car exterior 34 railroads............. 2,250 exterior door markings.. 5 minutes........... 187.50 hours........ $16,111.88
doors intended for emergency
access by responders marked
with retro-reflective
material and instructions
provided for their use.
--(f)(5) Markings and 34 railroads............. 1,500 marked panels/windows... 5 minutes........... 125.00 hours........ $10,741.25
instructions--interior doors/
removable panels or windows.
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--(f)(6) Testing of car door The burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0544 under Sec. 238.307(e)(1).
removable panels, removable
windows, manual override
devices, & door retention
mechanisms as part of
periodic mechanical
inspection. The sampling
method must conform with a
formalized statistical test
method..
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[[Page 53584]]
238.113(d)--Emergency window 34 railroads............. 60 window markings............ 15 minutes.......... 15.00 hours......... $1,288.95
exits--Markings/and instructions.
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--(e) Periodic Testing of The paperwork burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0544 under Sec. 238.307(e)(1).
representative sample of car
emergency exit windows as
part of periodic mechanical
inspection. The sampling
method must conform with a
formalized statistical test
method..
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238.114(d)--Rescue access 34 railroads............. 1,500 access window markings.. 5 minutes........... 125.00 hours........ $10,741.25
windows--Markings with retro-
reflective material on each
exterior car.
238.121(b)--Emergency 34 railroads............. 375 marked intercom locations. 5 minutes........... 31.25 hours......... $2,685.31
communications--Marking of each
intercom intended for passenger
use on new Tier I & Tier II
passenger cars.
238.123(e)--Marked emergency roof 34 railroads............. 150 marked emergency roof 30 minutes.......... 75.00 hours......... $6,444.75
access locations. access locations.
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238.303--Exterior calendar day The burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0544 under Sec. 238.303(e)(15).
mechanical inspection of
passenger equipment: Replacement
of missing, illegible, or
inconspicuous markings, signage,
& instructions.
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--Record of Non-complying The burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0544 under Sec. 238.303(g).
marking, signage, or
instruction.
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238.305--Interior calendar day The burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0544 under Sec. 238.305.
mechanical inspection of
passenger cars:.
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--(c)(10), (12), and (13) 34 railroads............. 250 notices................... 2 minutes........... 8.33 hours.......... $715.80
Written notification to
train crew of non-complying
condition.
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--(c)(13)(i) Written The burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0599 under Sec. 270.103.
procedures for mitigating
hazards of non-complying
condition..
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238.307--Records of inspection, The burden for this requirement is covered under OMB Control No. 2130-0544 under Sec. 238.307(e)(1).
testing, and maintenance of
passenger car emergency window
exits.
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238.311--Single Car Test: RR Copy All the members have the option to obtain a copy of APTA's Standard on APTA's website for free.
of American Public
Transportation Association
(APTA) Standard (SS-M-005-98)
for RR Head Trainer.
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--Other RR copies of APTA All the members have the option to obtain a copy of APTA's Standard on APTA's website for free.
Standard.
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Total.................... 34 railroads............. 8,335 responses............... NA.................. 755 hours........... $64,841
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,335.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 755.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $64,841.
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)
Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Acting Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023-16890 Filed 8-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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