Notice2024-17186
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 5, 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 150 (Monday, August 5, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63469-63471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17186]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2024-0014]
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
October 4, 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-
2024-0014. All comments received will be posted without change to the
docket, including any personal information provided. Please refer to
the assigned OMB control number (2130-0505) 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#c9a8bba5acbdbdace7a4bcbabaa0a7aebda6a789ada6bde7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aecfdcc2cbdadacb80c3dbddddc7c0c9dac1c0eecac1da80c9c1d8">[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#7d17121c131318530e0a1c1b1b120f193d191209531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e882878986868dc69b9f898e8e879a8ca88c879cc68f879e">[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 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: Inspection and Maintenance of Steam Locomotives.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0505.
Abstract: The Locomotive Inspection Act (LIA) establishes safety
and inspection requirements for locomotives in ``use'' on a ``railroad
line.'' \1\ The statute was first enacted in 1911 as part of a broad
congressional effort to ``reduce the loss of life and the injuries''
caused by the dangerous conditions that prevailed on the railroads in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries.\2\ In 1911, Congress enacted
the first iteration of the LIA to address the harms posed by locomotive
boilers,\3\ making it ``unlawful'' for a common carrier ``to use any
locomotive engine propelled by steam power in moving interstate or
foreign traffic unless the boiler of said locomotive and appurtenances
thereof are in proper condition and safe to operate in the service to
which the same is put.'' \4\ To help ensure the locomotive boilers and
their appurtenances are in proper condition, the Steam Locomotive
Inspection and Maintenance Standards require certain boiler pressure
[[Page 63470]]
calculations and service-day inspections to be recorded and available
to FRA.\5\
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\1\ 49 U.S.C. 20701 et seq.
\2\ Johnson v. Southern Pac. Co., 196 U.S. 1, 19 (1904); see
Napier v. Atlantic Coast Line R.R., 272 U.S. 605, 607-608 (1926).
\3\ Act of Feb. 17, 1911 (Act of 1911), ch. 103, 36 Stat. 913
(known as the Boiler Inspection Act).
\4\ Act of 1911, sec. 2, 36 Stat. 913-914.
\5\ 49 CFR part 230.
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In this 60-day notice FRA has made adjustments that decreased the
previously approved burden hours from 1,357 hours to 1,049 hours. The
decrease in burden hours is the result of a more accurate analysis of
the number of forms FRA F 1 and FRA F 3 that are required to be posted
in the locomotive cab. Additionally, the burden hours being reported
under 49 CFR 230.41 for the removal of flexible stay bolt caps on form
FRA F 3 is already included in the average time of 30 minutes reported
to complete each form. Therefore, the burden hours for this requirement
have been removed.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): FRA F 1, FRA F 2, FRA F 3, FRA F 4, FRA F 5, and FRA F 19.
Respondent Universe: 82 steam locomotive owners/operators.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion; annually.
Reporting Burden
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Average
Annual time per Total annual Total cost
CFR part 230 section/FRA form name and number Respondent universe responses response burden hours Wage rate equivalent
(hours) U.S.D.
(A) (B) (A * B = C) (D) \6\ (E = C * D)
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FRA F 1:
31 and 92 Service Day Inspection Report..... 82 steam owners operators......... 480 0.33 160.00 89.13 $14,260.80
FRA F 2:
Daily Locomotive Inspection Report.......... 82 steam owners operators......... 3,650 0.17 608.33 89.13 54,220.45
FRA F 3:
Annual Inspection Report.................... 82 steam owners operators......... 115 0.5 57.50 89.13 5,124.98
FRA F 4:
Boiler Specification Card................... 82 steam owners operators......... 12 0.5 6.00 89.13 534.78
FRA F 5:
Locomotive Service Day Report............... 82 steam owners operators......... 150 0.25 37.50 89.13 3,342.38
FRA F 19:
Report of Alteration or Welded or Riveted 82 steam owners/operators......... 10 1 10.00 89.13 891.30
Repair.
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Forms Subtotal.......................... .................................. 4,417 .......... 879.33 .......... 78,374.68
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230.6--Waivers:
(a)--Waivers................................ .................................. 1 1.00 1.00 89.13 89.13
230.12--Movement of non-complying steam
locomotives:
(b)--Conditions for movement (tagging)...... 82 steam owners/ operators........ 10 0.10 1.00 69.60 69.60
230.14--Thirty-one (31) service day inspection:
(b)--FRA notification of 31 service day 82 steam owners/operators......... 360 0.08 30.00 89.13 2,673.90
inspection.
230.16--Annual inspection:
(b)--FRA notification of annual inspection.. 82 steam owners/operators......... 120 0.08 10.00 89.13 891.30
230.19--Posting of FRA Form No. 1 and FRA Form
No. 3:
(a) and (b)--Posting of forms............... 82 steam owners/operators......... 662 0.08 52.96 89.13 4,720.32
230.21--Steam locomotive number change:
--Number change............................. 82 steam owners/operators......... 1 0.03 0.03 89.13 2.67
230.22--Accident reports:
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The burden hours associated with this requirement are included OMB Control No. 2130-0500. Consequently, there is no additional burden associated with
this requirement.
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230.33--Welded repairs and alterations:
(a)--Written requests to FRA................ 82 steam owners/operators......... 8 2.00 16.00 89.13 1,426.08
230.34--Riveted repairs and alterations:
(a)--Written requests....................... 82 steam owners/operators......... 2 2.00 4.00 89.13 356.52
230.46--Badge plates:
--Attaching of metal badge plate............ 82 steam owners/operators......... 3 2.00 6.00 69.60 417.60
230.47--Boiler number:
(a)--Stamped boiler number.................. 82 steam owners/operators......... 1 1.00 1.00 69.60 69.60
230.49--Setting of safety relief valves:
(d)--Labeling of lowest set pressure........ .................................. 5 1.00 5.00 69.60 348.00
230.60--Time of washing:
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The burden for this requirement is included above in the burden listed under Sec. Sec. 230.15 and 230.16. Consequently, there is no additional burden
associated with this requirement.
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230.75--Stenciling dates of tests and cleaning:
--Stenciling................................ 82 steam owners/operators......... 50 0.50 25.00 69.60 1,740.00
230.96--Main, side, and valve motion rods:
(b)--Written request for repairs............ 82 steam owners/operators......... 1 2.00 2.00 89.13 178.26
230.98 Driving, trailing, and engine truck
axles:
(b)--Journal diameter stamped............... 82 steam owners/operators......... 1 0.25 0.25 69.60 17.40
230.116--Oil tanks:
--Marking of hand operated locations........ 82 steam owners/operators......... 30 0.50 15.00 69.60 1,044.00
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Subtotal................................ .................................. 1,255 .......... 169.24 .......... 14,044.39
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Total\7\............................ 82 steam owners/operators......... 5,672 N/A 1,049 N/A 92,419
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[[Page 63471]]
Total Estimated Annual Responses: 5,672.
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\6\ The dollar equivalent cost is derived from the 2023 Surface
Transportation Board Full Year Wage A&B data series using the
employee group 200 (Professional & Administrative) hourly wage rate
of $50.93 and group 400 (Maintenance of Equipment & Stores) hourly
wage rate of $39.77. The total burden wage rate (Straight time plus
75%) used in the table is $89.13 ($50.93 x 1.75 = $89.13), and
$69.60 ($39.77 x 1.75 = $69.60).
\7\ Totals may not add up due to rounding.
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Total Estimated Annual Burden: 1,049 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $92,419.
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. 2024-17186 Filed 8-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 5, 2024.
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