Notice2023-28382
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
December 26, 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 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89017-89020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28382]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-36]
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.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
February 9, 2024.
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 (2130-0533) in any correspondence
submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in a subsequent 30-day
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#15746779706161703b786066667c7b72617a7b55717a613b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d1c0f11180909185310080e0e14131a0912133d191209531a120b">[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#e68c8987888883c89591878080899482a6828992c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="63090c020d0d064d10140205050c110723070c174d040c15">[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
[[Page 89018]]
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 ICR that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0533.
Abstract: Section 4 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 1988,
Public Law 100-342, 102 Stat. 624 (June 22, 1988), later amended and
re-codified by Public Law 103-272, 108 Stat. 874 (July 5, 1994),
required FRA to issue regulations to establish any necessary program
for certifying or licensing locomotive engineers. The collection of
information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads employ and properly
train qualified individuals as locomotive engineers and designated
supervisors of locomotive engineers (DSLEs).
The collection of information is used by FRA to verify that
railroads have established required certification programs for
locomotive engineers and that these programs fully conform to the
standards specified in the regulation.
In this 60-day notice, FRA makes adjustments that increased the
burden hours from 23,964 to 23,969 hours. This increase is a result of
a correction of rounding errors from the previous submission and in the
number of estimated qualified DSLEs and locomotive engineers as
required under 49 CFR 240.201 and 240.221.
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: 784 Railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion; annually; triennially.
Reporting Burden
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Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual Average time per Total annual Wage rate equivalent in
responses response burden hours U.S. dollars
(A)................. (B)................. (C = A * B) (D = C * wage
rates) \1\
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240.9--Waivers.................... 784 railroads........ 2 waiver petitions.. 1.00 hour........... 2.00 $85.93 $171.86
240.101/103--Certification 784 railroads........ 25 material 5.00 minutes........ 2.08 85.93 178.73
Program: written program for modifications.
certifying qualifications of
locomotive engineers--material
modifications.
--Certification programs for new 5 new railroads...... 5 programs.......... 1.00 hour........... 5.00 85.93 429.65
railroads.
--New railroads final review and 5 new railroads...... 5 reviews........... 1.00 hour........... 5.00 85.93 429.65
submission of certification
program.
--(b)(1)--RR provision of copy of 62 railroads......... 62 copies........... 5.00 minutes........ 5.17 85.93 444.26
certification program submission
or resubmission to president of
labor unions representing
employees simultaneously with
filing with FRA.
--(b)(2)--RR affirmative statement 62 railroads......... 62 copies........... 5.00 minutes........ 5.17 85.93 444.26
that it has served certification
program copy to labor unions.
--(c)--RR employee comment on 62 railroads......... 62 comments......... 8.00 hours.......... 496.00 85.93 42,621.28
submission, resubmission, or
material modification of RR
certification program.
--(h)--RR material modifications 784 railroads........ 10 modified programs 10.00 minutes....... 1.67 85.93 143.50
to program after initial FRA
approval (formerly under (e)).
240.105(c) Written reports/ 784 railroads........ 10 written reports.. 30.00 minutes....... 5.00 123.41 617.05
determinations of DSLE
performance skills.
240.109/App. C--Prior safety 17,667 candidates.... 25 responses........ 5.00 minutes........ 2.08 63.07 131.19
conduct data.
240.111/App C--Driver's license 17,667 candidates.... 17,667 requests..... 10.00 minutes....... 2,944.50 85.93 253,020.89
data requests from chief of
driver licensing agency of any
jurisdiction, including foreign
countries.
--NDR match--notifications and 784 railroads........ 177 notices +177 5 + 5 minutes....... 29.50 \2\ 85.93 2,197.75
requests for data. requests. 63.07
--Written response from candidate 784 railroads........ 20 cases/comments... 10.00 minutes....... 3.33 63.07 210.02
on driver's license data.
240.111(g)--Notice to RR of 53,000 candidates.... 4 letters........... 5.00 minutes........ 0.33 63.07 20.81
absence of license.
240.111(h)--Duty to furnish data 784 railroads........ 100 communications.. 5.00 minutes........ 8.33 63.07 525.37
on prior safety conduct as motor
vehicle operator.
240.113--Notice to RR furnishing 17,667 candidates.... 353 requests + 353 5 + 5 minutes....... 58.84 \3\ 85.93 4,383.58
data on prior safety conduct-- responses. 63.07
different RR.
240.115(d)--RR temporary 784 railroads........ 25 recertifications. 5.00 minutes........ 2.08 85.93 178.73
certification or recertification
of locomotive engineer for 60
days after having requested the
motor vehicle information
specified in paragraph (h) of
this section.
[[Page 89019]]
--(i)(2)--RR drug and alcohol 17,667 candidates.... 400 requests........ 5.00 minutes........ 33.33 63.07 2,102.12
counselor request of employee's
record of prior counseling or
treatment.
--(i)(3)--Conditional 17,667 candidates.... 100 conditional 1.00 hour........... 100.00 63.07 6,307.00
certification based on certifications/DAC
recommendation by drug and recommendations.
alcohol counselor (DAC) of
employee aftercare and/or follow-
up testing for alcohol/drugs.
--(i)(4)--RR employee is evaluated 17,667 candidates.... 100 DAC evaluations. 1.00 hour........... 100.00 63.07 6,307.00
by DAC as having an active
substance abuse disorder.
240.117(i)(4)--RR employee 53,000 locomotive 400 trained/ 5.00 minutes........ 33.33 63.07 2,102.12
completion of training/retraining engineers. retrained records.
prior to return to service--
records.
240.119(c)--Written records 784 railroads........ 400 records......... 5.00 minutes........ 33.33 63.07 2,102.12
indicating dates that the
engineer stopped performing or
returned to certification service
+ compliance/observation test.
240.119(d)--Self-referral re: 53,000 locomotive 150 self-referrals.. 5.00 minutes........ 12.50 63.07 788.38
active substance abuse disorder. engineers.
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240.119(e)(3)(i)--RR determination The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included above under Sec. 240.119(c).
that the most recent incident
occurred.
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240.119(e)(3)(ii)--RR notification 784 railroads........ 200 notifications... 30.00 minutes....... 100.00 63.07 6,307.00
to person that recertification
has been denied or revoked.
240.119(e)(4)(iii)--Locomotive 53,000 locomotive 200 waivers......... 2.00 minutes........ 6.67 63.07 420.68
engineer waiver of investigation engineers.
in case of one violation of
section 219.101.
240.121--Criteria--vision/hearing 5 railroads.......... 5 copies............ 5.00 minutes........ 0.42 85.93 36.09
acuity data--new railroads.
240.121--Criteria--vision/hearing 784 railroads........ 5 reports........... 5.00 minutes........ 0.42 123.41 51.83
acuity data--condition
certification.
240.121--Criteria--vision/hearing 784 railroads........ 10 notifications.... 5.00 minutes........ 0.83 63.07 52.35
acuity data--not meeting
standards--notice by employee.
240.129(b)--RR documents on file 53,000 locomotive 1,000 records....... 5.00 minutes........ 83.33 85.93 7,160.55
regarding determination made engineers.
regarding operational fitness.
240.201/221--List of qualified 784 railroads........ 784 updates......... 5.00 minutes........ 65.33 85.93 5,613.81
DSLEs.
240.201/221--List of qualified 784 railroads........ 784 updated lists... 5.00 minutes........ 65.33 85.93 5,613.81
locomotive engineers.
240.201/223/301--Locomotive 53,000 candidates.... 17,667 certificates. 5.00 minutes........ 1,472.25 85.93 126,510.44
engineers certificate.
240.207--Medical certificate 53,000 candidates.... 17,667 certificates. 30.00 minutes....... 8,833.50 123.41 1,090,142.24
showing hearing/vision standards
are met.
--Written determinations waiving 784 railroads........ 30 determinations... 5.00 minutes........ 2.50 123.41 308.53
use of corrective device.
240.219(a)--RR notification letter 17,667 candidates.... 90 letters and 30.00 minutes....... 45.00 85.93 3,866.85
to employee of certification responses.
denial + employee written
rebuttal.
--RR Notice/written documents/ 784 railroads........ 45 documents/records 2.00 minutes........ 1.50 85.93 128.90
records to candidate that support
its pending denial decision.
240.229(3)(ii)--Joint operations-- 321 railroads........ 184 employee calls.. 5.00 minutes........ 15.33 63.07 966.86
notice--not qualified.
240.301(b)--Temporary replacement 784 railroads........ 600 replacement 30.00 minutes....... 300.00 85.93 25,779.00
certificates valid for no more certificates.
than 30 days.
240.305(c)--Engineer's notice of 53,000 engineers or 100 notifications... 5.00 minutes........ 8.33 63.07 525.37
non-qualification to RR. candidates.
--(d)--Relaying certification 1,060 engineers...... 2 letters........... 15.00 minutes....... 0.50 63.07 31.54
denial or revocation status to
other certifying railroad.
240.307(a-b)--Notice to engineer 784 railroads........ 550 + 550 letters... 1 + 1 hour.......... 1,100.00 \4\ 85.93 81,950.00
of disqualification. 63.07
240.307(b)(4)--RR provision to 784 railroads........ 690 copies/list..... 5.00 minutes........ 57.50 85.93 4,940.98
employee of copy of written
information and list of witnesses
that it will present at hearing.
240.307(b)(5)--RR determination on 784 railroads........ 690 hearing 1.00 hour........... 690.00 85.93 59,291.70
hearing record whether person no determination.
longer meets certification
requirements of this CFR part.
240.307(c)(11)(i)(ii)--RR written 784 railroads........ 690 written 30.00 minutes....... 345.00 85.93 29,645.85
decision after close of hearing decisions.
containing findings of fact &
whether a revocable event
occurred.
[[Page 89020]]
240.307(c)(11)(iii)--RR service of 784 railroads........ 690 copies.......... 5.00 minutes........ 57.50 85.93 4,940.98
written decision on employee and
employee's representative.
240.307(f)--Personal waiver of 784 railroads........ 750 written waivers. 5.00 minutes........ 62.50 63.07 3,941.88
right to hearing under this
section.
240.307(j)--RR update of record 784 railroads........ 50 updated records.. 10.00 minutes....... 8.33 85.93 715.80
with relevant information.
240.309--RR oversight 15 railroads......... 6 annotations....... 15.00 minutes....... 1.50 63.07 94.61
responsibilities: detected poor
safety conduct--annotation.
--Railroad annual review.......... 51 railroads......... 51 reviews.......... 3.00 hours.......... 153.00 85.93 13,147.29
240.205--Data to DAC Counselor.... 784 railroads........ 177 records......... 5.00 minutes........ 14.75 123.41 1,820.30
240.209/213--Written documentation 53,000 candidates.... 17,667 testing 1.00 minute......... 294.45 85.93 25,302.09
of tests. records.
240.211/213--Written documentation 53,000 candidates.... 17,667 testing 1.00 minute......... 294.45 85.93 25,302.09
of performance tests. records.
240.215--Retaining information 784 railroads........ 17,667 records...... 5.00 minutes........ 1,472.25 85.93 126,510.44
supporting determination.
240.303--Annual operational 53,000 candidates.... 53,000 testing 1.00 minute......... 883.33 85.93 75,904.55
monitoring observation. records.
240.303--Annual operating rules 53,000 candidates.... 53,000 testing 1.00 minute......... 883.33 85.93 75,904.55
compliance test. records.
240.307(b)(4)--RR hearings/hearing 784 railroads........ 690 hearings/records 4.00 hours.......... 2,760.00 85.93 237,166.80
records.
Total \5\..................... 784 railroads........ 224,652 responses... N/A................. 23,969 N/A 2,365,953
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 224,652.
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\1\ Throughout the tables in this document, the dollar
equivalent cost is derived from the 2022 Surface Transportation
Board Full Year Wage A & B data series using the appropriate
employee group to calculate the average hourly rate that includes 75
percent overhead.
\2\ Total burden hours are divided equally for each requirement
14.75 + 14.75 = 84.84 hours.
\3\ Total burden hours are divided equally for each requirement
29.42 + 29.42 = 84.84 hours.
\4\ Total burden hours are divided equally for each requirement
550 + 550 = 84.84 hours.
\5\ Totals may not add up due to rounding.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 23,969.
Total Estimated Annual Dollar Cost Equivalent: $2,365,953.
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.
Allison Ishihara Fultz,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2023-28382 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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