Notice2024-18855
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 22, 2024
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) summarized 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 2, 2024, 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 89 Issue 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68026-68027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18855]
[[Page 68026]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2024-0005]
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) summarized 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
2, 2024, 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
September 23, 2024.
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#75140719100101105b180006061c1b12011a1b35111a015b121a03"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0160736d647575642f6c747272686f66756e6f41656e752f666e77">[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#e882878986868dc69b9f898e8e879a8ca88c879cc68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6ccc9c7c8c8c388d5d1c7c0c0c9d4c2e6c2c9d288c1c9d0">[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 2, 2024, 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 89 FR
22767. FRA has received no comments related to the proposed collection
of information.
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. 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.
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: FRA Workforce Development (WFD) Study on Performance
Management Systems and Organizational Culture and Diversity.
OMB Control Number: 2130-NEW.
Abstract: This project is being conducted in response to a Broad
Agency Announcement (BAA) topic released in 2020 entitled ``Research in
Response to Railroad Systems Issues Strategic Priorities.'' FRA has
released BAAs aimed at workforce training and development, developing
educational and vocational pipelines, and addressing issues around
equity and inclusivity within the rail industry. Existing research on
demographics, organizational practices, and policies, as well as
industry culture need to be updated to account for the profound changes
in employment practices and workforce dynamics in the last few years,
including inflation and supply chain issues. This data collection
effort will improve the understanding of the current state of the
industry and establish a baseline against which to measure future
impacts.
The team conducting this research will survey and interview a
cross-section of stakeholders familiar with the current culture in
rail, about barriers to entry they see and experience as impacting
minority populations. Part of the data analysis will examine findings
by employment position to determine if the views at the executive or
managerial levels are similar or shared by individuals and staff in
more entry-level positions. The research team will also review source
documents and artifacts which show how the stakeholder's performance
management system was designed and how it is intended to work. Data
will be collected and compiled from interviews and focus groups about
how well the performance management system functions in practice,
whether the intended use differs from actual use, and whether observed
differences in use benefit or hinder efficacy in recruiting and
retaining diverse talent.
The study focuses on performance management systems because there
is evidence that organizational culture plays a significant role in
shaping industry demographics. The findings from this research will
provide a better understanding of how employees at various levels are
affected by performance management systems and how these systems
contribute to organizational culture. The project team will provide FRA
with data and best practices that could be used to recommend workforce
development initiatives, that may affect organizational culture, for
rail organizations and other related industries. Therefore, the
research will offer novel, actionable solutions for diversifying the
rail workforce.
The main objectives in this study are to: (1) expand on research
done to date and to gain a better understanding of the organizational
culture and challenges in recruiting and retaining underrepresented
individuals in the rail industry; (2) understand how employees at
various levels are affected by performance management systems and
organizational culture; and (3) examine and identify best practices for
the use of performance management systems as a tool for equitable and
diverse recruitment, development, retention, and promotion.
Primary users of this information will be those in the rail
industry. The findings of this study will provide qualitative data on
the current workforce culture in rail and how performance management
systems may affect organizational culture. Industry stakeholders, FRA,
and DOT may use this data to identify gaps, develop approaches, and
create interventions/solutions to enhance workforce development
initiatives for underrepresented groups.
[[Page 68027]]
FRA will publish the results of this study. A summary of the
results may also be presented at technical meetings, such as the annual
meeting of the Transportation Research Board, or at conferences/talks
with professional associations such as the Women's Transportation
Seminar and the American Public Transportation Association.
Type of Request: Approval of a new collection of information.
Affected Public: Rail stakeholders including those in labor
positions, carrier management, research/academia, professional
association staff, HR personnel, regulators, executive level staff,
etc.
Form(s): FRA F 6180.278 and FRA F 6180.279.
Respondent Universe: Rail stakeholders including those in labor
positions, carrier management, research/academia, professional
association staff, human resources (HR) personnel, regulators,
executive level staff, etc.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Responses: 95.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 25 hours.
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. 2024-18855 Filed 8-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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