[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 156 (Friday, August 12, 2011)] [Notices] [Pages 50320-50323] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2011-20464] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA 2011-0001-N-10] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below. DATES: Comments must be received no later than October 11, 2011. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-0008.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493- 6216 or (202) 493-6479, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at [email protected], or to Ms. Toone at [email protected]. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 21, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493- 6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law. 104-13, Sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 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 for comment on information collection activities before seeking approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of proposed information collection activities regarding (i) whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (ii) 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; (iii) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public by [[Page 50321]] automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)- (iv); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501. Below is a brief summary of the currently approved information collection request (ICR) that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes and Drawbars). OMB Control Number: 2130-0008. Abstract: Section 7 of the Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act of 1992, Public Law No. 102-365, amended Section 202 of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 421, 431 et seq.), empowered the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the Department's rules with respect to railroad power brakes and, where applicable, prescribe standards regarding dynamic brake equipment. In keeping with the Secretary's mandate and the authority delegated from him to the FRA Administrator, FRA issued revisions to the regulations governing freight power brakes and equipment in October 2008 by adding a new Subpart addressing electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brake systems. The revisions are designed to provide for and encourage the safe implementation and use of ECT brake system technologies. These revisions contain specific requirements relating to design, interoperability, training, inspection, testing, handling defective equipment and periodic maintenance related to ECP brake systems. The final rule also identifies provisions of the existing regulations and statutes where FRA is proposing to provide flexibility to facilitate the voluntary adoption of this advanced brake system technology. The collection of information is used by FRA to monitor and enforce current regulatory requirements related to power brakes on freight cars as well as the recently added requirements related to ECP brake systems. The collection of information is also used by locomotive engineers and road crews to verify that the terminal air brake test has been performed in a satisfactory manner. Form Number(s): None. Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 559 railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Affected Public: Businesses. Reporting Burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual Average time per Total annual CFR Section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 229.27: Annual Tests............. 30,000 Locomotives. 30,000 tests....... 15 minutes......... 7,500 232.3: Applicability--Cars Not 559 Railroads...... 8 cards............ 10 minutes......... 1 Used in Service. 232.7: Waivers................... 559 railroads...... 20 petitions....... 40 hours........... 800 232.11: Penalties................ 559 railroads...... 1 false record..... 10 minutes......... .17 232.15: Movement of Defective 1,620,000 cars/ 128,400 tags....... 2.5 minutes........ 5,350 Equipment--Notice of Defective locos. Car/Locomotive and Restrictions. 1,620,000 cars/ 25,000 notices..... 3 minutes.......... 1,250 locos. 232.17: Special Approval Procedure... 559 railroads...... 4 petitions........ 100 hours.......... 400 Petitions--Pre-Revenue Svc 559 railroads...... 2 petitions........ 100 hours.......... 200 Plans. Copies of Petitions--Special 559 railroads...... 4 petitions........ 40 hours........... 160 Approval. Statements of Interest....... Public/Railroads... 14 statements...... 8 hours............ 112 Comments on Special Approval Public/Railroads... 13 comments........ 4 hours............ 52 Procedure Petition. 232.103: General Requirements for 114,000 cars....... 70,000 stickers.... 10 minutes......... 11,667 All Train Brakes. 232.105: General Requirements For 30,000 locomotives. 30,000 forms....... 5 minutes.......... 2,500 Locomotives. 232.107: Air Source Requirements-- 10 new railroads... 1 plan............. 40 hours........... 40 Plans. Amendments to Plan........... 50 Existing Plans.. 10 amendment....... 20 hours........... 200 Record Keeping............... 50 Existing Plans.. 1,150 records...... 20 hours........... 23,000 232.109: Dynamic Br. Requirements--Rcd 559 railroads...... 1,656,000 rcd...... 4 minutes.......... 110,400 Repair of Inoperative Dynamic 30,000 locomotives. 6,358 records...... 4 minutes.......... 424 Brakes. Locomotives w/Inoperative 30,000 locomotives. 6,358 tags......... 30 seconds......... 53 Dynamic Br. Deactivated Dynamic Brakes: 8,000 locomotives.. 10 markings........ 5 minutes.......... 1 Markings. Rule Safe Train Handling 5 new railroads.... 5 oper. rules...... 4 hours............ 20 Procedures. Amendments................... 559 railroads...... 15 amendment....... 1 hour............. 15 Over Speed Top Rules--5 MPH 559 railroads...... 5 requests......... 20.5 hours......... 103 Increase. Locomotive Engineer 5 new railroads.... 5 amendments....... 16 hours........... 80 Certification Programs-- Dynamic Brakes Training. 232.111: Train Information Handling... 5 new railroads.... 5 procedures....... 40 hours........... 200 Amendments................... 100 railroads...... 100 am. proc....... 20 hours........... 2,000 Reports to Train Crews....... 559 railroads...... 2,112,000 rpts..... 10 minutes......... 352,000 232.203: Training Requirements: 15 railroads....... 5 programs......... 100 hours.......... 500 Training Programs-- Subsequent Years. Amendments to Written Program 559 railroads...... 559 am. prog....... 8 hours............ 4,472 [[Page 50322]] Training Records............. 559 railroads...... 67,000 records..... 8 minutes.......... 8,933 Training Notifications....... 559 railroads...... 67,000 notices..... 3 minutes.......... 3,350 Validation/Assessment Plans.. 559 railroads...... 1 plan +559 copies. 40 hrs./1 min...... 49 Amendments to Validation/ 559 railroads...... 50 amendment....... 20 hours........... 1,000 Assessment Plans. 232.205: Class I Brake Test-- 559 railroads...... 1,646,000 notices.. 45 seconds......... 20,575 Initial Terminal Insp. 232.207: Class I A Brake Tests: 1000 559 railroads...... 25 designations.... 30 minutes......... 13 Mile Insp. Subsequent Years............. 559 railroads...... 1 designation...... 1 hour............. 1 Amendments................... 559 railroads...... 5 amendments....... 1 hour............. 5 232.209: Class II Brake Tests-- 559 railroads...... 1,600,000 comments. 3 seconds.......... 1,333 Intermediate Insp. 232.213: Extended Haul Trains-- 84,000 train 100 designations... 15 minutes......... 25 Designations. movements. Records...................... 84,000 train 25,200 records..... 20 minutes......... 8,400 movements. 232.303: General Requirements--Track 1,600,000 freight 5,600 tags......... 5 minutes.......... 467 Brake Test. cars. Location of Last Track Brake 1,600,000 freight 320,000 stenciling. 5 minutes.......... 26,667 Test/Single Car Test. cars. 232.305: Single Car Tests........ 1,600,000 freight 320,000 tests/rcds. 45 minutes......... 240,000 cars. 232.309: Equipment and Devices-- 640 shops.......... 5,000 tests........ 30 minutes......... 2,500 Tests/Calibrations. 232.403: Design Standards For One- 245 railroads...... 12 requests........ 5 minutes.......... 1 way EOT Devices--Unique Code. 232.407: Operations Requiring 2- 245 railroads...... 50,000 commun...... 30 seconds......... 417 Way EOTs. 232.409: Inspection and Testing of 2- 245 railroads...... 450,000 commun..... 30 seconds......... 3,750 Way EOTs. Testing Telemetry Equipment 245 railroads...... 32,708 markings.... 60 seconds......... 545 232.503: Process to Introduce New 559 railroads...... 1 request/letter... 60 minutes......... 1 Brake System Technology-- Special Approval. Pre-Revenue Service 559 railroads...... 1 request.......... 3 hours............ 3 Demonstration. 232.505: Pre-Revenue Service 559 railroads...... 1 procedure........ 160 hours.......... 160 Acceptance Testing Plan: Maintenance Procedure--1st Year. Subsequent Years............. 559 railroads...... 1 amendment........ 40 hours........... 40 Amendments................... 559 railroads...... 1 petition......... 67 hours........... 67 Design Descriptions-- 559 railroads...... 1 report........... 13 hours........... 13 Petitions. Results Pre-Revenue Service 559 railroads...... 5 descriptions..... 40 hours........... 200 Acceptance Testing. Description of Brake Systems Technologies Previously Used in Revenue Service. 232.603: ECP Requirements Brakes-- 4 railroads........ 1 plan............. 160 hours.......... 160 Configuration Management Plans. Updated Plans in Subsequent 4 railroads........ 1 plan............. 160 hours.......... 160 Years. Modification of Standards-- 4 railroads........ 1 request + 4 8 hours + 5 minutes 8 Requests. copies. RR Statement Affirming Copy 4 railroads........ 4 statements + 24 60 minutes + 5 6 of Modification Request to copies. minutes. Employee Reps. Comments on Modification Public/Interested 4 comments......... 2 hours............ 8 Request. Parties. 232.605: ECP Training Programs........ 4 railroads........ 4 programs......... 100 hours.......... 400 Programs in Subsequent Years. 4 railroads........ 2 programs......... 100 hours.......... 200 ECP Trained Employees........ 4 railroads........ 6,409 empl......... 8 hrs./24 hrs...... 10,512 ECP Trained Employees-- 4 railroads........ 6,409 empl......... 1 hr./8 hrs........ 30,264 Subsequent Yr. ECP Trained Employees-- 4 railroads........ 6,409 records...... 4 minutes.......... 855 Records. ECP Trained Employees--Sub. 4 railroads........ 6,409 records...... 4 minutes.......... 428 Records. RR/Contractor Assessment of 4 railroads........ 4 amended plans.... 40 hours........... 160 ECP Training Programs-- Amended Plans. 232.607: ECP Trains Inspection/Testing 4 railroads........ 10,000 tests + 90 minutes + 45 15,125 10,000 notices. seconds. Notification to Locomotive Engineer: Cars Added en Route--Tests/ 4 railroads........ 1,000 tests + 1,000 60 minutes + 45 1,006 Notifications. notices. seconds. Non-ECP Cars Added-- 2000 Cars.......... 200 insp. + 400 5 minutes + 2.5 34 Inspections and Tagging of tags. minutes. Defective Equipment. 232.609: [[Page 50323]] Handling of Defective 25 Cars............ 50 tags............ 2.5 minutes........ 2 Equipment w/ECP Brake Systems--Tagging. Train in ECP Mode w/Less Than 20 Cars............ 20 insp. + 40 tags. 5 minutes + 2.5 3 85% of Cars w/Operative minutes. Brakes--Insp. + Tagging. Freight Cars w/ECP Systems 75 Cars............ 150 tags........... 2.5 minutes........ 6 Found with Defective Non- Safety Appliance--Tagging. Conventional Train Operating 500 Cars........... 1,000 tags......... 2.5 minutes........ 42 with ECP Stand Alone Brake Systems--Tagging. Procedures for Handling ECP 4 railroads........ 4 procedures....... 24 hours........... 96 Brake System Repairs. Submission to FRA of ECP 4 railroads........ 4 lists............ 8 hours............ 32 Brake System Repair Locations--Lists. Notice to FRA of Change in 4 railroads........ 1 notification..... 60 minutes......... 1 List. 232.611: Periodic Maintenance 500 freight Cars... 500 inspection and 10 minutes......... 83 Inspection and Repair of ECP records. Cars Before Release from Repair Shop or Track. Petitions for Special AAR................ 1 petition + 2 24 hours + 5 24 Approval of Pre-Revenue copies. minutes. Service Acceptance Testing Plan. Single Car Brake Test on ECP 2,500 freight Cars. 2,500 tests/Records 45 minutes......... 1,875 Retrofitted Cars. Modification of Single Car AAR................ 1 procedure........ 40 hours........... 40 Test Standard. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Responses: 8,677,078. Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 990,276 hours. Status: Regular Review. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), 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 unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. Issued in Washington, DC on August 5, 2011 . Kimberly Coronel, Director, Office of Financial Management, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. 2011-20464 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P