Notice2024-11539
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
May 28, 2024
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 89 Issue 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46298-46302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11539]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2024-0010]
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
July 29, 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-
2024-0010. All comments received will be posted without change to the
docket, including any personal information provided. Please refer to
the assigned OMB control number (2130-0596) 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f190839d94858594df9c848282989f96859e9fb1959e85df969e87"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2c3d0cec7d6d6c78ccfd7d1d1cbccc5d6cdcce2c6cdd68cc5cdd4">[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#aec4c1cfc0c0cb80ddd9cfc8c8c1dccaeecac1da80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8d2d7d9d6d6dd96cbcfd9deded7cadcf8dcd7cc96dfd7ce">[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 statutes and 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: Conductor Certification.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0596.
Abstract: FRA's conductor certification regulation (49 CFR part
242) requires railroads to have a formal program for certifying any
person as a conductor. As part of that program, railroads are required
to have a process for determining competency to serve as a conductor
through training, testing, and qualifying prospective conductors and
existing conductors before issuing each person certification or
recertification. The regulation is intended to ensure that only those
persons who meet minimum Federal safety standards serve as conductors.
FRA collects information to ensure that railroads and their
employees fully comply with all the requirements of part 242, including
a conductor certification/recertification program, fitness
requirements, initial and periodic testing, and territorial
qualifications.
In this 60-day notice, FRA made adjustments that decreased the
previously approved burden hours from 49,761 hours to 46,858 hours. The
decrease in burden is a result of the reduced amount of time per
response for Sec. 242.115(e) certification review for prior alcohol/
drug conduct. The average time was reduced from 10 minutes to 5
minutes, providing a more accurate analysis of the time needed to
complete the review.
Additionally, upon a detailed review of part 242, FRA made several
adjustments to its estimated paperwork burdens in this ICR
extension.\1\ FRA determined that fewer employees were changing
employers, therefore reducing the number of prior safety records being
reviewed. FRA also found that the associated burdens related to
substance abuse and medical conditions have decreased as fewer
employees have medical conditions that require further evaluation or
positive drug and alcohol tests. As a result of these decreased
burdens, the number of certification denials due to medical conditions
and substance abuse has also decreased.
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\1\ The public can view all estimate adjustments to FRA's active
ICRs in the Supporting Statements published at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/</a>. The Supporting Statement for this ICR will
be available after the 30-day Federal Register notice is published
in <a href="http://reginfo.gov">reginfo.gov</a>.
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Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved information collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 784 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
[[Page 46299]]
Reporting Burden
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Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual Average time per Total annual Wage rate equivalent
responses response burden hours U.S. dollars
..................... (A).................. (B).................. (C = A * B) (E) (D = C * E)
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242.9--Waivers--Petitions.......... 784 railroads........ 1 waiver petition.... 3.00 hours........... 3.00 85.93 257.79
242.103(b)-(c)(2)--Approval of 784 new railroads.... 3 new conductor 8.00 hours........... 24.00 123.41 2,961.84
design of individual railroad certification
programs by FRA--Certification programs.
programs for new railroads.
--(c)(1) Conductor 784 railroads........ 6 certification 15.00 minutes........ 1.50 85.93 128.90
certification submission-- program submission
Copies to rail labor copies.
organizations (RLOs).
--(c)(2) Affirmative statements 784 railroads........ 6 affirmative 15.00 minutes........ 1.50 85.93 128.90
that copies of submissions statements.
were sent to RLOs.
--(d) RLOs submit comments on 784 railroads........ 6 certified comments. 4.00 hours........... 24.00 85.93 2,062.32
RR programs.
--(g) Non-conforming program 784 railroads........ 15 revised programs.. 3.00 hours........... 45.00 85.93 3,866.85
revised and resubmitted to FRA.
--(h)(2) Resubmitted 784 railroads........ 3 resubmitted 2.00 hours........... 6.00 85.93 515.58
certification programs still certification
not conforming and then programs.
resubmitted.
--(i)(1)-(2) Certification 784 railroads........ 96 certificate 2.00 hours........... 192.00 85.93 16,498.56
programs materially modified program material
after initial FRA approval. modifications.
--(i)(3) Materially modified 784 railroads........ 20 modified 2.00 hours........... 40.00 85.93 3,437.20
programs disapproved by FRA certification
and then revised. programs.
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--Revised programs disapproved The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included under Sec. 242.103(i)(3).
and then re-submitted.
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242.107(c)--Types of service-- 35 railroads......... 400 records of 2.00 minutes......... 13.00 63.07 840.72
emergency training for trainings.
reclassification to different type
of certification.
242.109--Determinations by RRs 784 railroads........ 300 records + 300 30 minutes + 10 225 85.93 19,334.25
before certification or comments. minutes.
recertification and the
opportunity for candidates to
comment on their prior safety
conduct record.
242.111(b)--Prior Safety Conduct as 784 railroads........ 16,200 eligibility 10.00 minutes........ 2,700.00 85.93 232,011.00
Motor Vehicle Operator-- determinations.
Eligibility determinations.
--(c) Initial certification for 784 railroads........ 150 initial 10.00 minutes........ 25.00 85.93 2,148.25
60 days. certifications.
--(d) Recertification for 60 784 railroads........ 125 re-certifications 10.00 minutes........ 21.00 85.93 1,804.53
days.
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--(f) Driver info not provided FRA anticipates that there will be zero waiver requests during this three-year collection period.
and request for waiver by
persons/railroad.
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--(h) Request to obtain 41,000 conductors.... 16,200 written 15.00 minutes........ 4,050.00 63.07 255,433.50
driver's license information requests.
from licensing agency.
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--(j) Requests for additional The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included under Sec. 242.111(h).
information from driver
licensing agency.
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--(k) Notification to RR by 41,000 conductors.... 10 notices........... 10.00 minutes........ 2.00 63.07 126.14
persons of never having a
license.
--(l) Report of Motor Vehicle 41,000 conductors.... 400 self-reporting... 10.00 minutes........ 68 63.07 4,288.76
Incidents.
--(m)-(n) Evaluation of driving 41,000 conductors.... 16,200.00 motor 5.00 minutes......... 1,350.00 63.07 85,144.50
record. vehicle record
evaluations.
--(o)(1) DAC referral by RR 784 railroads........ 200 DAC referrals.... 5.00 minutes......... 16.00 123.41 1,974.56
after report of driving drug/
alcohol incident.
--(o)(2) DAC requests person 784 railroads........ 20 DAC requests...... 30.00 minutes........ 10.00 123.41 1,234.10
supply records of prior
counseling or treatment and
the person must provide the
records requested.
--(o)(3) Condition 784 railroads........ 40 conditional 4.00 hours........... 160.00 123.41 19,745.60
certifications based upon certification
participation in aftercare or recommendations.
follow-up testing recommended
by DAC.
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242.113--Prior safety conduct as The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included above in Sec. 242.109.
employee of a different railroad.
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242.115(b)--Determination that 41,000 conductors.... 16,200 determinations 2.00 minutes......... 540.00 63.07 34,057.80
person meets eligibility
requirements.
--(c) Written documents from 41,000 conductors.... 250 filed documents.. 30.00 minutes........ 125.00 123.41 15,426.25
DAC that person is not
affected by a substance abuse
disorder.
[[Page 46300]]
--(d)(3) RR treats self- 784 railroads........ 30 self-referrals.... 5.00 minutes......... 2.5 123.41 308.53
referral for substance abuse
counseling by employee as
confidential except with
respect to ineligibility for
certification.
--(e) Certification reviews for 784 railroads........ 16,200 certification 5.00 minutes......... 1,350.00 123.41 166,603.50
occurrence/documentation of reviews.
prior alcohol/drug conduct by
persons/conductors.
--(e)(3)(i) Written 784 railroads........ 75 written 1.00 hour............ 75.00 123.41 9,255.75
determination that person not determinations.
currently certified is
ineligible and the conditions
for the ineligibility period.
--(e)(3)(ii) Notification to 784 railroads........ 75 notifications..... 30.00 minutes........ 37.50 85.93 3,222.38
current conductor that
recertification has been
denied or certification has
been revoked and the
conditions for the
ineligibility period.
--(e)(4) Persons/conductors 41,000 conductors.... 150 waived 10.00 minutes........ 25.50 63.07 1,608.29
waiving investigation/de- investigations.
certifications.
242.117(b)--Vision and hearing 784 railroads........ 16,200 records....... 2.00 minutes......... 540.00 123.41 66,641.40
acuity--Determination vision
standards met.
--(b) Determination hearing 784 railroads........ 16,200 records....... 2.00 minutes......... 540.00 123.41 66,641.40
standards met.
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--Additional gap hearing tests. The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included under Sec. 242.117(b).
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--(c)(1) Medical examiner 784 railroads........ 16,200 file medical 10.00 minutes........ 2,700.00 123.41 333,207.00
certificate that person has examiners.
been examined/passed test.
--(c)(2)(i) Document standards 784 railroads........ 25 written documents. 30.00 minutes........ 12.50 123.41 1,542.63
can be met with conditions
attached.
--(c)(2)(ii) Document standards 784 railroads........ 25 written documents. 30.00 minutes........ 12.50 123.41 1,542.63
cannot be met even with
conditions attached.
--(e) Notation person needs 784 railroads........ 5,000 certificate 10.00 minutes........ 833.33 123.41 102,841.26
corrective device (glasses or notifications.
hearing aid, or both).
--(j) Person not meeting 784 railroads........ 50 requests + 50 30 minutes + 10 \2\ 33.50 63.07 2,625.73
hearing or vision thresholds determination. minutes. 123.41
requests further medical
evaluation for new
determination.
--(j) Consultations by medical 784 railroads........ 15 consults + 15 30 minutes + 10 \3\ 10.05 123.41 1,144.69
examiners with railroad certifications. minutes. 85.93
officer and issue of
conditional certification.
--(k) Notification by certified 784 railroads........ 20 notifications..... 10.00 minutes........ 3.00 63.07 189.21
conductor of deterioration of
vision/hearing.
242.119(a)--Training--New 3 new railroads...... 3 training programs.. 3.00 hours........... 9.00 123.41 1,110.69
railroads--Training program.
--(a) Modification to training 783 railroads........ 75 programs.......... 30.00 minutes........ 38.00 85.93 3,265.34
program.
--(c) Written documentation 783 railroads........ 50 written documents. 30.00 minutes........ 25.00 85.93 2,148.25
showing each person completed
training for certification or
recertification.
--(d)(5) Modified training 784 railroads........ 24 modified training 2.00 hours........... 48.00 85.93 4,124.64
programs due to new laws, programs.
regulations, orders,
technologies, procedures, or
equipment.
--(f) Employee consultation 784 railroads........ 1,000 consultations.. 15.00 minutes........ 250.00 63.07 15,767.50
with qualified supervisory
employee if given written test
to demonstrate knowledge of
physical characteristics of
any assigned territory.
--(i) Familiarization training 784 railroads........ 20 training records.. 15.00 minutes........ 5.00 63.07 315.35
for conductor of acquiring
railroad from selling company/
railroad prior to commencement
of new operation.
--(l) RR continuous education/ 784 railroads........ 16,200 training 15.00 minutes........ 4,050.00 63.07 255,433.50
training of conductors. records.
242.121(a)-(f)--Knowledge testing-- 784 railroads........ 16,200 examination 15.00 minutes........ 4,050.00 63.07 255,433.50
Determining eligibility. records.
--(g) Retests/re-examinations.. 784 railroads........ 1,000 retests or 15.00 minutes........ 250.00 63.07 15,767.50
reexamination
records.
242.123(a)-(e)--Monitoring 784 railroads........ 16,200 operational 10.00 minutes........ 2,700.00 85.93 232,011.00
operational Performance. compliance test
records.
[[Page 46301]]
--(f) Return to service that 784 railroads........ 1,000 unannounced 10.00 minutes........ 167 85.93 14,350.31
requires unannounced compliance test
compliance test/record. records.
242.125--Determination made by 784 railroads........ 100 determinations... 30.00 minutes........ 50.00 63.07 3,153.50
railroad relying on another
railroad's certification.
242.127--Reliance on qualification 784 railroads........ 20 determinations.... 30.00 minutes........ 10.00 63.07 630.70
requirements of other countries.
242.203(b)--Retaining information 784 railroads........ 16,200 record 15.00 minutes........ 4,050.00 85.93 348,016.50
supporting determination--Records. retentions.
--(c) Amended electronic 784 railroads........ 20 amended records... 30.00 minutes........ 10.00 85.93 859.30
records.
242.205--Identification of 784 railroads........ 784 lists............ 5.00 minutes......... 63.00 85.93 5,413.59
certified persons and
recordkeeping. List of certified
persons.
242.209(a)--Maintenance of 784 railroads........ 2,000 displayed 2.00 minutes......... 67.00 63.07 4,225.69
Certificates--Request to display certificates.
certificate.
--(b) Notification by 784 railroads........ 1,000 notifications.. 10.00 minutes........ 167 63.07 10,532.69
conductors that RR request to
serve exceeds certification.
242.211--Replacement of 784 railroads........ 500 temporary 5.00 minutes......... 42.00 85.93 3,609.06
certificates. replacement
certificates.
242.213(e)--Multiple certificates-- 35 railroads......... 5 locomotive engineer 10.00 minutes........ 1.00 hour 85.93 85.93
Notification to engineer that no notifications.
conductor is on train.
--(f) Notification of denial of 784 railroads........ 10 notifications..... 10.00 minutes........ 2.00 63.07 126.14
certification by individuals
holding certifications from
more than one railroad.
242.215(a)--Railroad oversight 53 railroads......... 53 reviews and 40.00 hours.......... 2,120.00 85.93 182,171.60
responsibilities--Review and analyses.
analysis of administration of
certification program.
--(d)-(i) Upon FRA's request, 784 railroads........ 53 reports........... 4.00 hours........... 212.00 85.93 18,217.16
railroad provides a report of
findings and conclusions.
242.301(a)--Determinations--Territo 320 railroads........ 1,000 determinations. 15.00 minutes........ 250.00 63.07 15,767.50
rial qualification and joint
operations.
--(b) Notification by persons 320 railroads........ 300 notifications.... 10.00 minutes........ 50.00 63.07 3,153.50
who do not meet territorial
qualification.
242.401(a)--Denial of 784 railroads........ 80 notices + 40 1 hour + 1 hour...... \4\ 120.00 123.41 12,395.60
certification--Notification to responses. 63.07
candidate of information that
forms basis for denying
certification and candidate
response.
--(c) Written notification of 784 railroads........ 40 notifications..... 1.00 hour............ 40.00 85.93 3,437.20
denial of certification.
242.403--Criteria for revoking 784 railroads........ 1,000 certification 15.00 minutes........ 250.00 63.07 15,767.50
certification--Review of reviews.
compliance conduct.
242.407(a)--Process for revoking 784 railroads........ 1,000 revoked 8.00 hours........... 8,000.00 123.41 987,280.00
certification--Revocation for certifications.
violations of section 242.115(e)
and 242.403(e).
--(b)(1) and (2) Immediate 784 railroads........ 1,000 suspended 1.00 hour............ 1,000.00 85.93 85,930.00
suspension of certificate. certification
letters.
--(b)(7) Hearing record........ 784 railroads........ 1,000 records........ 5.00 minutes......... 250.00 85.93 21,482.50
--(c) Written decisions by 784 railroads........ 1,000 written 2.00 hours........... 2,000.00 123.41 246,820.00
railroad official. decisions.
--(c) Service of written 784 railroads........ 1,000 served written 10 minutes + 5 250.00 85.93 21,482.50
decision on employee by RR + decisions + 1,000 minutes.
RR service proof. service proofs.
--(f) Written waiver of right 41,000 conductors.... 700 written waivers.. 10.00 minutes........ 117.00 63.07 7,379.19
to hearing.
--(g) Revocation of 784 railroads........ 15 revoked 10.00 minutes........ 3.00 123.41 370.23
certification based on certifications.
information that another
railroad has done so.
--(j) Placing relevant 784 railroads........ 100 updated records.. 1.00 hour............ 100.00 85.93 8,593.00
information in record prior to
suspending certification/
convening hearing.
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Totals \5\................. 784 railroads........ 220,123 responses.... N/A.................. 46,858 .............. 4,281,590
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 220,123.
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\2\ Breakdown of total burden hours is 25 hours x $63.07 =
$1,576.75, and 8.5 hours x 123.41 = $1,048.98 for a total of 33.50
hours and $2,625.73 total cost equivalent.
\3\ Breakdown of total burden hours is 7.5 hours x $123.41 =
$925.57, and 2.55 hours x 85.93 = $219.12 for a total of 10.05 hours
and $1,144.69 total cost equivalent.
\4\ Breakdown of total burden hours is 80 hours x $123.41 =
$9,872.80, and 40 hours x 63.07 = $2,522.80 for a total of 120 hours
and $12,395.60 total cost equivalent.
\5\ Totals may not add up due to rounding.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 47,858 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$4,344,660.
[[Page 46302]]
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,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2024-11539 Filed 5-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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