Notice2025-03765
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
March 10, 2025
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
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 45 (Monday, March 10, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 45 (Monday, March 10, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11644-11647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03765]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2025-0016]
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
May 9, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be submitted on <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> to the docket, Docket No.
FRA-2025-0016. All comments received will be posted without change to
the docket, including
[[Page 11645]]
any personal information provided. Please refer to the assigned OMB
control number (2130-0004) 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. 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. Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9afbe8f6ffeeeeffb4f7efe9e9f3f4fdeef5f4dafef5eeb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9889b858c9d9d8cc7849c9a9a80878e9d8687a98d869dc78e869f">[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#cea4a1afa0a0abe0bdb9afa8a8a1bcaa8eaaa1bae0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6dcd9d7d8d8d398c5c1d7d0d0d9c4d2f6d2d9c298d1d9c0">[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: Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards and Event Recorders.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0004.
Abstract: This notice includes revisions to a currently approved
ICR for the Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards (LSS), and revisions
to existing OMB Form FRA F 6180.49A, Locomotive Inspection and Repair
Record. The LSS (49 CFR part 229) require locomotives and their
appurtenances to be in proper condition and safe to operate in the
service to which they are put and include specific inspection, repair,
and maintenance requirements. Locomotive inspection, repair, and
maintenance records are used to help ensure locomotives are safe to
operate. Form FRA F 6180.49A is the main record used to collect
required information from inspection, maintenance, and testing of each
locomotive. The LSS also require collection of event recorder data. The
data gathered from locomotive event recorders is used by the railroad
industry to improve train handling and promote the safe and efficient
operation of trains throughout the country. Locomotive event recorders
also provide FRA and State railroad safety inspectors with verified
data elements for use in their oversight responsibilities that show how
trains are operated from lead locomotives.
This notice includes changes to Form FRA F 6180.49A recommended by
the Association of American Railroads on behalf of its Locomotive
Committee membership as detailed below:
<bullet> In Block #6--``Propelled by,'' FRA has added four (4) new
permissible values for the following propulsion technologies: Hydrogen
Electric; Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (ICE); Battery Electric;
and Natural Gas.
<bullet> In Block #15--``Items,'' FRA has added new Item Code ``8.
Hand/Park Brake'' to clarify and reference what is reported under the
Test Type blocks for the block currently titled ``Hand Brake
232.105(c)''. This block has also been updated to read ``Hand/Park
Brake 232.105(c)'' for consistency.
Additionally, FRA has made multiple adjustments that increased the
previously approved burden hours from 232,525 to 245,200 hours. While
the edits to Form FRA F 6180.49A reduced the average time per response
from 15 minutes to 13.5 minutes, the overall burden was increased by
12,675 hours. This increase, after a thorough review, is due to the
aging fleet, a reduction of repair shops, and optimization of their
services. In addition, because of an increase in remote control
locomotives, as well as passenger and commuter services, there was a
significant increase in the annual number of periodic inspections being
performed.
For example, under Sec. 229.23, the increase in the number of non-
passenger and passenger locomotives requiring periodic inspections
accounts for 85 percent of the annual burden hour increase. Relatedly,
the increased use of event recorders and the required periodic
inspections increased the annual burden by approximately 8 percent.
Furthermore, FRA determined that the burden hours reported under
Sec. 229.317(b) are for a recordkeeping requirement that is already
accounted for under Sec. 229.317(h). The burden has been updated
accordingly to remove the duplication.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Form(s): FRA F 6180.49A.
Respondent Universe: 745 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual Average time per Total annual Wage equivalent
responses response burden hours rate \1\ U.S.D.
(A).................. (B)................... (A * B = C) (D) (E = C * D)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.9 Movement of non-complying
locomotives:
--(3) Tagging to indicate 745 railroads.............. 1,886................ 1 minute.............. 31.43 $89.13 $2,801.36
``non-complying locomotive''.
229.15 Remote control locomotives
(RCL):
--(a)(11) Tagging to indicate 745 railroads.............. 3000................. 1 minute.............. 50 89.13 4,456.50
in remote control mode.
[[Page 11646]]
229.17 Accident reports:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under OMB control number 2130-0500, Accident Incident Reporting and
Recordkeeping.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.20 Electronic recordkeeping:
--(b) Design requirements for Since railroads have already received agency approval for their electronic recordkeeping systems under waiver
electronic record system. petitions, FRA estimates that there will be zero (0) requests to modify their electronic recordkeeping systems.
Consequently, there is no burden associated with this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--(c) Operational 745 railroads.............. 40,000............... 1 second.............. 11.11 89.13 990.23
requirements--Automatic
notice to railroads each time
locomotive is due for
inspection or maintenance
(Note: This requirement does
not apply to daily
inspections).
229.21 Daily inspection:
--(a) Locomotive daily 745 railroads.............. 744,302 papers....... 3 minutes............. 37,215.10 89.13 3,316,981.86
inspection reports. 6,698,718 electronic. 1 minute.............. 111,645.30 89.13 9,950,945.59
--(b) Written reports of MU 9 railroads................ 1,317,650............ 3 minutes............. 65,882.50 80.38 5,295,635.35
locomotive daily inspections.
229.23 Periodic inspection:
general:
--Inspection & Repair Record-- 701 railroads.............. 71,428 non-passenger. 14.3 minutes.......... 15,714.16 80.38 1,263,104.18
Form FRA F 6180.49A. 36 railroads............... 15,925 passenger..... 14.3 minutes.......... 3,503.50 80.38 281,611.33
229.25 Tests: Every periodic
inspection:
229.25(d)--Event recorder 60 railroads............... 6,549 records........ 90 minutes............ 9,823.50 89.13 875,568.56
periodic inspections.
229.46 Brakes: general:
--(b)(4) Tagging.............. 745 railroads.............. 2,483................ 1 minute.............. 41.38 80.38 3,326.12
229.85 High voltage markings:
doors, cover plates, or barriers:
--Marking of all doors, cover 745 railroads.............. 1,067................ 1 minute.............. 17.78 69.60 1,237.49
plates, or barriers.
229.113 Warning notice, 229.114
Steam generator inspections and
tests:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Warning notice.............. There are currently no steam generators in use. FRA keeps these provisions just in case a railroad decides to use a
--Steam generator inspections steam generator. Consequently, there is no burden associated with these requirements.
and tests..
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.123 Pilots, snowplows, end
plates:
--(b)(1)--Marking/stenciling.. 745 railroads.............. 22................... 4 minutes............. 1.47 80.38 118.16
229.135 Event recorders:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.135(e) Preserving The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under OMB control number 2130-0500.
locomotive event recorder
accident data--reports.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
229.303 Applicability:
--(a)(5) Requests to FRA for 745 railroads.............. 5.................... 1 hour................ 5 89.13 445.65
on-track testing of products
outside a facility.
229.307 Safety analysis:
--Safety analysis for each 745 railroads.............. 3.................... 240 hours............. 720 89.13 64,173.60
product subject to this
subpart--Document
establishing minimum
requirements.
229.309 Safety-critical changes
and failures:
229.309(a)--Safety critical 745 railroads.............. 5.................... 8 hours............... 40 89.13 3,565.20
changes to product subject to
this subpart--Notice to FRA.
--(b)(c) Reports to 3 manufacturers............ 15................... 8 hours............... 120 89.13 10,695.60
product suppliers and
private owners.
229.311 Review of Sas:
229.311(a)--Notice to FRA by 745 railroads.............. 3.................... 2 hours............... 6 89.13 534.78
railroad before placing
product in service.
--(d) Railroad maintenance 745 railroads.............. 3.................... 2 hours............... 6 89.13 534.78
of database of all safety
relevant hazards
encountered after product
is placed in service.
--(d)(1) Written report to 745 railroads.............. 1.................... 1 hour................ 2 89.13 178.26
FRA disclosing frequency
of safety-relevant
hazards for product
exceeding threshold set
forth in Safety Analysis.
229.315 Operations and maintenance
manual:
229.315(c)--Configuration 745 railroads.............. 3.................... 1 minute.............. 0.05 89.13 4.46
management control plan
updates to FRA.
229.317 Training and qualification
program:
229.317(a)--Training and 745 railroads.............. 5.................... 1 minute.............. 0.08 89.13 7.13
qualification program--
Establishment and
implementation of training
qualification program for
products subject to this
subpart.
--(g) RR regular and 745 railroads.............. 90................... 2 hours............... 180 89.13 16,043.40
periodic evaluation of
effectiveness of its
training program.
--(h) RR record of 745 railroads.............. 11,000............... 1 minute.............. 183.33 89.13 16,340.50
individuals designated as
qualified under this
section.
229.319 Operating personnel
training:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 11647]]
229.319(a) and (b)--Operating The estimated paperwork burden for this regulatory requirement is covered under Sec. 229.317. The burden for other
Personnel Training. persons who participate in the operation of a train using an onboard electronic locomotive control (conductors) is
covered under OMB Control number 2130-0533.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix F to Part 229:
Appendix F to Part 229--(c) FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
Guidance for verification and
validation of products--Third
party assessments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Final report of assessment.. FRA anticipates zero railroad submissions during this 3-year ICR period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total \2\................. 745 railroads.............. 8,913,163 responses.. ...................... 245,200 ........ 21,109,300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 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, group 400 (Maintenance of Equipment & Stores) hourly wage rate of $39.77, and group 500
(Transportation (Other than Train & Engine) hourly wage rate of $45.93. The total burden wage rate (Straight time plus 75%) used in the table is
$89.13 ($50.93 x 1.75 = $89.13), $39.77 ($39.77 x 1.75 = $69.60), and $45.93 ($45.93 x 1.75 = $80.38).
\2\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,913,1634.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 245,200 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$21,109.300.
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. 2025-03765 Filed 3-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 10, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.